Not Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame (2026 Inductees Updated)

Updated for 2026 Inductees

The 2026 Songwriters Hall Inductees have been announced: Alanis Morissette, Kenny Loggins, Taylor Swift, Paul Stanley & Gene Simmons in the Performers category.  Terry Britten & Graham Lyle, Walter Afanasieff, Christopher “Tricky” Stewart, in the Non-Performer category.

Here's a 2025 article with more info on the Song Hall process: The Song Hall Process

Here's something interesting to consider:

"Each nominee  must approve their nomination and select five representative songs and submit a photo before ballots are distributed to roughly 1,850 voting members, a body made up of music industry professionals."

"Voting is conducted electronically, with six inductees elected annually. Those chosen are notified privately ahead of the public announcement."

 Maybe this is why some big name acts haven't been nominated.  But then again isn't this what managers are for?  They don't get back to the Song Hall with an approval for their nomination.  But isn't this what managers are for?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                The Song Hall appears to be making an effort to induct deceased songwriters who received enough votes, but were denied induction by this ridiculous rule listed below:

"Deceased writers to be considered for posthumous induction were included in a special segment of the 2023 ballot. (There is now a separate ballot for deceased nominees).  As the annual SHOF gala normally does not include inductions for songwriters after their death, the organization intends to continue hosting future posthumous inductions at unique venues and special events". 

Here's my list of songwriters not inducted as of 2026: 

Alicia Keys

Ann & Nancy Wilson

Andreas Carlsson

B.B. King

Beyonce
Billy Joe Shaver
Bo Diddley
Bob McDill
Bobby Womack
Bonnie Raitt

Bootsy Collins 
Boz Scaggs
Bryan Adams
Bryan Ferry

Burton Cummings 
Carl Perkins

Chips Moman
Chrissie Hynde

Curly Putnam
Dallas Frazier
Dan Fogelberg
Dan Penn

David Byrne
David Gates
Dean Dillon
Debbie Harry/Chris Stein
Dion DiMucci

Dwight Yoakam

George Clinton

George Harrison
George Michael

Gerry Beckley/Dewey Bunnell

Giorgio Moroder/Pete Bellotte 
Guy Clark
Harry Nilsson
Harry Wayne Casey

J.J. Cale
Janet Jackson
Jerry Chesnut
Jerry Fuller
Jimi Hendrix

Jimmy Buffett
Jimmy Cliff

Joe South

Joe Strummer/Mick Jones 
John Hiatt

John Legend
John D. Loudermilk
Kate Bush

Kix Brooks/Ronnie Dunn
Led Zeppelin
Lefty Frizzell

Lindsey Buckingham/Stevie Nicks/Christine McVie

LL Cool J

Lou Reed
Lucinda Williams
Luther Vandross
Madonna
Mark Knopfler
Mary J. Blige

Max D. Barnes

Mike Chapman/Nicky Chinn

Mike Stock/Matt Aitken/Pete Waterman
Muddy Waters
Neil Young
Nick Lowe
Outkast
Pam Sawyer
Paul Overstreet
Percy Mayfield
Pete Townshend
Peter Gabriel 
P.F. Sloan & Steve Barri
Phil Ochs

Pink

Randy Bachman
Randy Goodrum
Ric Ocasek

Richard Carpenter
Richard Thompson
Robbie Robertson
Robert "Mutt" Lange
Rod Stewart
Rod Temperton
Rodney Crowell
Roger Miller
Roger Waters/David Gilmour
Rosanne Cash

Sandy Linzer/Denny Randell

Sarah McLachlan 

Shania Twain
Shel Silverstein
Sheryl Crow

Sly Stone
Sonny Throckmorton
Spooner Oldham
Steve Earle

Steve Kipner
Steve Perry/Neal Schon/Jonathan Cain
Steve Winwood

The Doors
Tim Hardin

Todd Rundgren

Tom Snow
Tom Waits
Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart
Tony Joe White

Toots Hibbert
Townes Van Zandt
Tracy Chapman
U2
Vince Gill
Warren Zevon
Waylon Jennings