The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced the 14 nominees for this year’s ballot.
In order to be nominated, the artist’s first commercial release must be 25 years before the year of nomination. The selection criteria includes an artist’s impact on music culture and influence on other musicians. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has historically been strictly rock and roll music, but over the years, the criteria have changed to venture more into other genres.
The eight new artists for 2025 include two groups based in Atlanta: The Black Crowes and OutKast. These groups join Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Billy Idol, Maná and Phish. These groups join six artists returning to the ballot: Mariah Carey, Cyndi Lauper, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis and The White Stripes.
“The first time I heard [The Black Crowes] was when they were doing their version of ‘Hard To Handle’, which is an Otis Redding song. I remember walking in and was like ‘Who is trashing Otis Redding?’ But I think they do a great version of that song.” – Moe Lyons, owner of Moe’s Record Shop
The ballot will be sent to an international committee of over 1,200 artists, historians and music professionals. Nominees must receive 50% of the vote to be inducted. In 2024, inductees included Mary J. Blige, Cher, Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & The Gang, Ozzy Osbourne, A Tribe Called Quest, Jimmy Buffett and Dionne Warwick.
“The Black Crowes have done a lot. I’m from Kentucky originally. The original drummer of the Black Crowes, Steve Gorman, went to school at Western Kentucky where I went to school and I’ve met him on many occasions,” recalls Moe Lyons, owner of Moe’s Record Shop in Gainesville. “As for OutKast – those two members [have] so much influence on people and music in Atlanta.”
