Rock Hall Announces 2025 Nominees: Bad Company, Mariah Carey, Outkast, and Chubby Checker

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has officially announced its nominees for 2025, featuring a diverse lineup that includes notable artists like Bad Company, Mariah Carey, Billy Idol, and Chubby Checker, marking a significant achievement after years of campaigning for induction.

In total, there are 14 nominees this year: Bad Company, The Black Crowes, Mariah Carey, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Billy Idol, Joy Division/New Order, Cyndi Lauper, Maná, Oasis, Outkast, Phish, Soundgarden, and The White Stripes. Among these, Bad Company, The Black Crowes, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Billy Idol, Maná, OutKast, and Phish are nominees for the first time.

John Sykes, the Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, said, "These remarkable nominees have each created their own musical style and attitude, impacting generations of music lovers and contributing to the ever-evolving sounds and continued growth of rock & roll."

Induction Ceremony Details

The inductees will be announced in late April, alongside those entering the Hall under special committee categories like Musical Influence, Musical Excellence, and the Ahmet Ertegun Non-Performer Award.

This year's induction ceremony is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles during the fall.

Chubby Checker’s Journey

This nomination is especially significant for the 83-year-old Chubby Checker, whose hit song “The Twist” from 1960 popularized a dance trend that inspired various movements like the Watusi and the Mashed Potato. For decades, Checker and his supporters have campaigned for his induction.

In 2001, he even took out a full-page ad in Billboard magazine, pleading for recognition. He famously stated, “I want my flowers while I’m alive. I can’t smell them when I’m dead.” He had also humorously requested that a statue of him be placed on a 30-foot pedestal, isolated from other inductees, saying, “I changed the business.”

Diversity of Nominees

This year's nominees showcase a wide array of genres. From hard rock acts like Bad Company and Billy Idol to alternative rock groups such as Joy Division/New Order and The White Stripes, the selection reveals the Hall's efforts to embrace various musical styles. Additionally, Joe Cocker stands as a representative of the Woodstock generation, while Outkast brings hip-hop into the mix. Maná, a Grammy-winning Mexican pop-rock band, further demonstrates the diverse musical influences recognized.

However, despite ongoing criticism about the lack of female nominees in previous years, only two women have made the list this year: Mariah Carey and Cyndi Lauper.

nominees, induction, music, rock