In 2019, I wrote a series of posts covering that year’s entrants into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. I then decided to cover every one of the Rock Hall’s inductees since the inaugural 1986 class.

I’ve been working backward and forward ever since, keeping up with each new year’s class while covering the prior years a little at a time. You’ll find all of my coverage broken out by year below, with new additions every few months.

The Hall of Fame is a controversial body, saddled with accusations of favoritism and bias. It certainly has its blind spots (women artists were particularly underrepresented until very recently) and has stirred up plenty of debate (“is rap rock?”)’.

But as an attempt to canonize the many extraordinary musical artists who have helped shape popular culture, it’s the best institution we’ve got. Whatever your opinion of the Hall of Fame itself, the performers included in the links below are special talents worth celebrating.

Classes covered: 15
Inductees featured: 125+
Progress: 2011–25 complete, working back to 1986

Browse the classes

2011 – Alice Cooper • Darlene Love • Tom Waits
… plus 4 more inductees

2012 – Laura Nyro • Beastie Boys • The Miracles
… plus 12 more inductees

2013 – Randy Newman • Heart • Public Enemy
… plus 5 more inductees

2014 – Peter Gabriel • Linda Ronstadt • Nirvana
… plus 3 more inductees

2015 – Bill Withers • Joan Jett & the Blackhearts • Lou Reed
… plus 5 more inductees

2016 – Chicago • Deep Purple • NWA
… plus 2 more inductees

2017 – Joan Baez • Pearl Jam • Tupac Shakur
… plus 3 more inductees

2018 – Dire Straits • Nina Simone • The Cars
… plus 3 more inductees

2019 – The Cure • Janet Jackson • Radiohead
… plus 4 more inductees

2020 – Nine Inch Nails • Whitney Houston • The Doobie Brothers
… plus 3 more inductees

2021 – Jay Z • The Go-Go’s • Carole King
… plus 9 more inductees

2022 – Pat Benatar • Eminem • Lionel Richie
… plus 7 more inductees

2023 – Kate Bush • George Michael • Willie Nelson
… plus 7 more inductees

2024 – Cher • Ozzy Osbourne • Dave Matthews Band
… plus 9 more inductees

2025 – Cyndia Lauper • OutKast • The White Stripes
… plus 9 more inductees

And some prominent snubs…

Fiona Apple
Beck
Phil Collins
Nick Drake
Judas Priest
King Crimson
Oasis
The Smiths!
… did I mention The Smiths?