5 worthy artists never nominated for the Rock Hall
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Andre 3000 and Big Boi of Outkast. Photo: Raymond Boyd/Getty Images
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's nominating committee is meeting this month to put together the ballot for 2025.
The intrigue: Several repeat nominees will surely reappear, but what about artists the Rock Hall has consistently overlooked?
- Here's our take on five acts that have shockingly never been nominated, let alone inducted into the museum.
Outkast
Eligible since: 2019
In the six years since Outkast became eligible, contemporaries like The Notorious B.I.G., Eminem, Jay-Z and Missy Elliott have been inducted.
- Outkast was just as important, ushering in the mainstream era of Southern rap that dominates hip-hop to this day.
Sonic Youth
Eligible since: 2008
Sonic Youth was, arguably, the most influential alternative rock band to break out during the 1980s.
- The band's noise rock experimentation was a huge influence on the development of grunge and indie rock.
Boston
Eligible since: 2002
Boston is atop the list of classic rock bands snubbed by the Rock Hall (a list that includes Bad Company, Jethro Tull, Styx and more).
- The band released three massive albums to start its career, including a 1976 self-titled debut that has sold over 17 million copies.
Alice in Chains
Eligible since: 2016
Alice in Chains is considered one of the big four bands from the grunge revolution that shook the music industry during the 1990s.
- The other three: Pearl Jam and Nirvana have been inducted, while Soundgarden has been nominated twice.
John Coltrane
Eligible since: 1986
The Rock Hall last nominated a pure jazz artist when Miles Davis was inducted in 2006.
- Coltrane would seem the next obvious choice, considering his improvisational style influenced several inductees, including The Doors, Grateful Dead and Santana.