Personal Picks: 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Below are my Personal picks for the 2026 Rock Hall, listed in alphabetical order.  Most of the 17 nominees could get a "Yes" vote from me in other years. 

Some things to consider:

There were 14 nominees last year.  This year 17.

There are 7 women nominated.

There are no first year eligible nominees.

There are 10 first time nominees. 

There are no acts nominated who started in the 50's/60's.  Expect side category inductees to correct that. 

5 acts were nominated last year: Idol, Carey, Crowes, JD/NO,  Oasis.

The most nominated artists this year yet to get in all have 3 nominations: Carey, JD/NO, Iron Maiden. Oasis. 

This is a dominant 80’s and forward ballot. A handful of these artists started in the 70’s. But none became a star until the 80’s (Phil Collins solo, Vandross, Idol). It remains to be seen if the Hall makes up for no pre-80’s names, with Side Category picks. 

This is the first year voters have to pick 7 names.  They can't vote for less than 7.  This could have an impact on who gets in. 

Were you surprised by some of the picks this year?  Let alone a 17 nominee ballot?  Well, for the first time the Hall implemented term limits for NomCom members.

As Future Rock Legends wrote:

"We're assuming they will go with some sort of three-year rotation, similar to what the Country Music Hall of Fame does. Every year, one third of the committee steps off, but can come back on after a 3-year break."

Term limits are something long time Hall watchers have wanted for years.  It seems like there was a big shakeup on the NomCom this year, resulting in some wild nominees and maybe in a bigger ballot.  

With each of my picks, I recommend some of their best recordings.

Again, these are my Personal picks, not predictions. 

Top 7

INXS - Save for one album, what really made their 80's run so much fun is that they were a great singles band.  1st nomination

1.  Kick

2.  Shine Like It Does: The Anthology 

Mariah Carey - We all know she can sing, but she can also write a good song. Inducted into the Songwriters Hall in 2022.  3rd nomination

1.  Emancipation of Mimi

2.  Essential

Luther Vandross - One of the greatest R&B singers of his generation.   1st nomination

1.  The Night I Fell In Love

2.  Essential

New Edition - Early days were teen Pop/R&B then matured into Adult/R&B.  Blueprint forr many 90's R&B/Pop bands of the 90's. 1st nomination

1.  Hits

2.  Heart Break 

Oasis - It's really all about those first two albums, which I love.  3rd nominaiton

1.  Definitely Maybe

2.  (What's the Story) Morning Glory

Phil Collins - For those of you too young to remember, he was one of the best solo Pop stars of the 80's.  1st nomination

1.  No Jacket Required

2.  The Singles

Sade - As a lover of the Quiet Storm format, I’ve got to support one of the pioneers of the genre. 2nd nomination 

1. Diamond Life

2. Essential 

The Rest

Billy Idol - 2nd nomination

Black Crowes - 2nd nomination

Iron Maiden - 3rd nomination

Jeff Buckley - 1st nomination

Joy Division/New Order - 3rd nomination

Lauryn Hill - 1st nomination

Melissa Etheridge - 1st nomination

Pink - 1st nomination

Shakira - 1st nomination

Wu-Tang Clan - 1st nomination