Ranking the early contenders for the 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Last month, the 39th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction took place in Cleveland, Ohio with the likes of Foreigner, Lenny Kravitz, Ozzy Osbourne, Dave Matthews Band, and Peter Frampton receiving rock’s biggest honor.

With the 2024 class in the rearview mirror, it is time to start looking ahead to next year’s ceremony. Here is a look at 10 early contenders for the 2025 class.

All these artists won't be inducted, of course. But they certainly should be.

Ranking ten possible contenders for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2025

No. 10 - Cyndi Lauper

In 1983, Cyndi Lauper burst on the scene with her debut album She’s So Unusual, which produced four top-five hits on the Billboard Hot 100, making her the first female artist to achieve this feat in music history.

Over the course of the last 40 years, Lauper has released 10 studio albums and has sold over 50 million records, showcasing a strong sense of consistency and durability. She has been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Hollywood Walk of Fame so far and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame would be the next step in a very successful solo career.

No. 9 - Oasis

Formed in Manchester, England in 1991, Oasis became one of the most successful britpop artists of their generation during the course of their initial 18-year run. Now freshly reunited for an upcoming reunion in 2025 with core members Noel and Liam Gallagher leading the way, Oasis could be a candidate for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with interest at an all-time high.

No.8 - Linkin Park

Similar to Oasis, Linkin Park has gained a resurgence following their recently announced reunion following an eight year hiatus after the death of lead vocalist Chester Bennington. The band returned to the scene with new music and an extensive world tour that will last into late 2025. The band rose to international fame in 2000 with their debut album Hybrid Theory, and 25 years later they have built a strong following thanks in large part to their versatility and variety in their style of music.

Over the course of eight studio albums, Linkin Park has tapped into multiple genres of music including alternative rock, nu metal, heavy metal, and hip hop. With the band firing on all cylinders with new lead singer Emily Armstrong in the fold, Linkin Park could be a sleeper pick to join the Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility.

No. 7 - Soundgarden

One of the pioneers of the Seattle grunge scene alongside Nirvana, Alice in Chains, and Pearl Jam, Soundgarden was one of the defining bands of the 90s. Even though the band was founded back in 1984 and achieved moderate success in the 80s, they had their breakthrough in the 90s with mega hits including “Spoonman,” “Outshined,” and “Black Hole Sun,” the latter of which is arguably the band’s most recognizable songs even for casual listeners.

Of all the successful grunge bands to come out of Seattle, Soundgarden was the earliest on the scene, and with Nirvana and Pearl Jam already enshrined in Cleveland, it is only a matter of time before they join them.

No. 6 - Pink

While not your traditional rock and roll artist, Pink’s induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame would make sense given some of the past selections that have received rock’s biggest honor. Over the past 20 years, the Hall has inducted a variety of artists that transcend beyond the rock genre, including Tina Turner, Jay Z, Eminem, and Mary J. Blige, just to name a few.

Pink’s impact on the music industry as a solo artist has been monumental, as she has sold over 135 million records and continues to sell out stadiums around the world as a headliner. While she may not be a popular choice among rock fans, if the history of the Hall is any indication, it is only a matter of time before Pink is enshrined in Cleveland, Ohio.

No. 5 - Thin Lizzy

In 2025, Thin Lizzy will release their first album in over 40 years. Titled The Acoustic Sessions, the collection of reimagined acoustic songs will feature new arrangements and posthumous vocals from legendary lead singer Phil Lynott. With this occasion coming up, now would be a great time to honor this band’s legacy and give them the call to the hall.

During their initial 11-year run, the band produced hits such as “Jailbreak,” “The Boys Are Back in Town,” and “Whiskey in the Jar,” all of which have aged gracefully over the past several decades. Since Lynott’s passing, the band has reunited several times to honor the band’s illustrious career. It is now time for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to do the same.

No. 4 - Styx

A band that receives regular airplay on rock radio stations, Styx entered the scene in the early 70s with a progressive rock sound that evolved drastically in the coming decades. The band combined hard rock guitar riffs with synthesizers and pianos, creating a diverse discography that consisted of up-tempo rockers, power ballads, and musical theater. They are hard to characterize as one specific genre as they have dipped their toes into the progressive, arena, soft, pop, and hard rock genres over the years but they manage to pull off each and every one.

From the soft sounds of “Come Sail Away," “Lady,” and “The Best of Times” to the hard-hitting tracks like “Rockin’ The Paradise,” “Mr. Roboto” and “Renegade,” Styx has made a name for themselves with hits for every rock lover and a spot in the Hall of Fame is well overdue.

No. 3 - Boston

Very similar in nature to Styx, Boston made a name for themselves in the progressive and arena rock genres with hits such as “More Than A Feeling,” “Peace of Mind,” and “Smokin',” just to name a few. This induction would depend on whether Styx ever sees the Hall as they have been more successful over the course of their career. If Styx enters the Hall, it is inevitable that Boston will follow suit.

No. 2 - Motley Crue

From their lavish, out-of-control lifestyle to their elaborate live performances, Motley Crue has certainly made their mark in the music industry. Since their founding in 1981, the band has delivered nine hard-hitting studio albums and created one of the most recognizable biopics in The Dirt, which has become a staple on Netflix and beyond. One of the fiercest and most controversial bands in music history, Motley Crue is the definition of rock and roll and they deserve a spot among the best to ever do it.

No. 1 - Iron Maiden

One of the biggest headscratchers on this list, Iron Maiden has been eligible for the Hall since 2005. Despite selling over 130 million records and playing over 2,000 concerts to their die-hard fan base since their official formation in 1975, Iron Maiden has yet to receive the call to the Hall.

Throughout their history, they have released 17 albums with three different singers and have produced worldwide hits in four different decades, even without a mainstream radio presence. With their 50th anniversary on the horizon in 2025, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has the chance to make things right and usher into their exhibit one of the greatest heavy metal bands of all time.

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