Iron Maiden<\/i>\u00a0(Paul Natkin, Getty Images)<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/p>\n DeRiso:<\/strong> The Black Crowes. Their recent resurgence was perfectly timed for a capstone honor, similar to George Harrison<\/a>‘s induction with the Beatles<\/a> while sitting at No. 1<\/a> on the singles chart.<\/p>\n Gallucci:<\/strong> It’s not all that surprising, but given the Black Crowes<\/a>‘ recent comeback, with two\u00a0really good\u00a0albums and a Grammy nomination, I figured the momentum would carry over into a Rock Hall induction.\u00a0I think they will eventually get the nod.<\/p>\n Irwin:<\/strong> I\u2019m going to keep pounding the INXS<\/a> drum here. They have the sales numbers, the hit songs, the accolades \u2014 frankly, their resume is stronger than some of the artists they were passed over for this year. Hopefully, they get their call soon.<\/p>\n Rapp:<\/strong> I thought Melissa Etheridge<\/a> was going to work out here, especially since this year’s class leans so heavily male.<\/p>\n Rolli<\/strong>: I\u00a0didn’t think the Rock Hall would go\u00a0through the trouble of nominating Mariah Carey<\/a> three years in a row without inducting her. Especially when her lawyer’s already in there<\/a>!<\/p>\n Wilkening:<\/strong> New Edition, because they won the fan vote running away, and that should matter. Also, their live performance would bring the house down. Less urgently: INXS. Maybe they are this year’s “next year” candidate, as Billy Idol\u00a0was thought to be in 2025.<\/p>\n The Black Crowes \u2014 maybe next year!<\/i> (Lindsay Brice, Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images)<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/p>\n DeRiso:<\/strong> Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis will finally get his due, after a too-early death and New Order’s subsequent chart successes tended to obscure his dark genius.<\/p>\n Gallucci:<\/strong> Joy Division and New Order. These two connected bands have been a major influence on so many artists over the past 40-plus years; it’s hard to believe they’ve been passed over so often.<\/p>\n Irwin:<\/strong> I\u2019m happy for a lot of artists in this year\u2019s class, but if I have to name just one, it\u2019s Billy Idol. He\u2019s one of the undisputed icons of the \u201880s, with a legacy that has lasted for decades. But he also genuinely wanted<\/em> this, voicing his admiration for the Hall of Fame honor on many occasions. He’s not taking this moment for granted, which is why I\u2019ll cheer especially loud for him on induction night.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Billy Idol Albums Ranked<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Rapp:<\/strong> Oasis. I know neither of the Gallagher brothers cares about being in the Rock Hall \u2014 in fact, Liam <\/a>was actively campaigning online for fans not<\/em> to vote for them \u2014 but I’m glad for it nonetheless. Their 2025 reunion tour<\/a> really solidified Oasis as a global act that fans still feel passionately about 30-some years since their heyday, and that speaks volumes to me in terms of the kind of influence and impact Rock Hall inductees should possess.<\/p>\n Rolli<\/strong>: I’ve been\u00a0advocating for Iron Maiden\u00a0to get into the Rock Hall for\u00a0as long as I’ve been participating in these UCR roundtables (actually, for much longer). Their induction is a huge win for heavy metal, albeit a slightly bittersweet one for me personally. Which glaring metal snub<\/a> will I complain about now?<\/p>\n Wilkening:<\/strong> Billy Idol. Iron Maiden and Phil Collins were long overdue for induction and perhaps more worthy, but neither lacks\u00a0acclaim or accomplishments. By contrast, Idol is one of the most underrated songwriters and cultural icons of the ’80s, and it is good to see another spotlight sent his way.<\/p>\n Phil Collins<\/i>\u00a0(Larry Busacca, Getty Images)<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/p>\n DeRiso:<\/strong> This is a club many people insist they want no part of \u2013 until their membership is granted. In truth, long-standing grudges among bandmates tend to keep honorees away more than past harrumphing.<\/p>\n Gallucci: <\/strong>Given that other artists in the past said they wouldn’t show up and didn’t, I see no reason to think either artist will be there this year.<\/p>\n Irwin:<\/strong> I think they both show up, to some degree. The Gallagher brothers love a spotlight, even if they\u2019ve trashed the Hall in the past. They\u2019ll offer up some cheeky remarks during their acceptance speech, while lapping up the extra attention. Iron Maiden is a different beast. I can\u2019t imagine Bruce Dickinson attending under any circumstances, but I bet a few of the other members show up. Hopefully, we still get an Iron Maiden performance of some kind. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame needs more pyro.<\/p>\n Rapp:<\/strong> I think in both of these cases, it’s easy to say one thing and another to follow through on it. (Remember when Cher<\/a> said some choice words<\/a> about the Rock Hall and then ultimately decided to attend<\/a> the ceremony?) Liam Gallagher, for example, does not always mean what he says, and if there’s one thing he seems to love, it’s a bit of rock ‘n’ roll spectacle and fanfare for its own sake. If these bands were in the middle of disagreements or what have you, that might be a different story, but I’m feeling hopeful about both of them.<\/p>\n Rolli<\/strong>: Despite Bruce Dickinson<\/a>‘s harsh words about the Rock Hall, I think he and his bandmates will be there. Iron Maiden is a fairly\u00a0democratic and diplomatic band, and the Rock Hall induction would be a nice opportunity for them to take the stage with drummer Nicko McBrain<\/a> for the first time since he retired from touring<\/a> in late 2024.\u00a0I’d also bet on them doing something with former singer Blaze Bayley<\/a>, who was quietly added<\/a> to their nomination ballot after some metal fans (Eddie Trunk included) made a stink about his initial omission.<\/p>\n Wilkening:<\/strong> Neither of them needs the help career-wise. If I had to pick one that would show up for s—s and giggles or to defy expectations, it would be Oasis. Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson dug in deep<\/a> about this topic, saying, “I’m really happy we’re not there, and I would never want to be there. If we’re ever inducted, I will refuse \u2014 they won’t bloody be having my corpse in there.” That was eight years ago; maybe he’s softened up about it, or maybe his bandmates feel differently, and he’ll go along for the ride, but I’m not holding my breath.<\/p>\n Oasis<\/i>\u00a0(Simon Ritter, Getty Images)<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/p>\n DeRiso<\/strong>: This annual induction ceremony is, first and foremost, a broadcast event aimed at a general audience. So, the Rock Hall made expected genre-adjacent nods to R&B, jazzy pop and rap. Phil Collins certainly provides star power. Oasis might get into a fight. Whatever their credentials, all of that makes for great TV. But they moved well outside the box with Iron Maiden and Joy Division\/New Order. (Gram Parsons<\/a>, too, as an Early Influence.) The result is the most balanced class in recent memory.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n2) Who is the most surprising exclusion?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Listen to the Black Crowes’ ‘Wanting and Waiting’<\/h3>\n
3) Who are you most glad to see get in?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Watch Joy Division’s ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ Video<\/h3>\n
4) Iron Maiden and Oasis both said they wouldn’t go to the ceremony if inducted. Do you think they will be there?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Watch Iron Maiden’s ‘Run to the Hills’ Video<\/h3>\n
5) What are your overall thoughts on the 2026 class?<\/strong><\/h3>\n