Daft Punk DJs, Maiden mosh pits: Building a dream Rock Hall class

• The annual inductions return to Cleveland this fall as the museum unveils its $135 million expansion.

The intrigue: I've routinely shared my predictions on what I think the Rock Hall's nominating and voters will do.

• Yes, but: What would I, personally, like to see?

State of play: I skipped the objectivity and critical analysis to show you my ideal class of 2026:

And the inductees are …

Performer Category:

• Beck
• Mariah Carey
• Daft Punk
• Eric B. & Rakim
• Iron Maiden
• Joy Division/New Order
• Alicia Keys

Musical Influence Award:

• Dick Dale
• Patsy Cline

Musical Excellence Award:

• Rick Rubin
• June Millington
• Linda Martell

💭 My thought bubble: I structured the "Performer" category by taking one artist from the 1970s (Joy Division), and two artists each from the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.

• There are dozens of artists to consider. I prefer acts that are both deserving and can still put on a great show (I'd have Daft Punk DJ the entire ceremony).

Between the lines: For the "Musical Influence" category, I went further back in time to honor surf-rock legend Dick Dale and influential country singer Patsy Cline.

• I used the "Musical Excellence" award to honor one of the great music producers of the past 50 years and two important, yet often overlooked, women in music history.

📬 This is just my list. Tell me what I got right, what I got wrong and who would headline your dream Rock Hall ceremony.