Bad Company, Joe Cocker Lead Rock Hall Class of 2025 Nominees
by Best Classic Bands Staff
Bad Company (Photo via the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame)
Decades after they first became eligible, Bad Company and Joe Cocker have been nominated—for the first time—for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame‘s Class of 2025. They are among the 14 acts that were announced today (February 12, 2025). Others nominated include the Black Crowes, Cyndi Lauper, Chubby Checker, Billy Idol and Oasis.
The nominees in the early morning announcement are the result of the nominating committee that convened in January. They’ll now be put forth to the voting panel of more than 1200 artists, historians and music industry professionals. The other nominees in the performers category are Mariah Carey, Joy Division/New Order, Maná, Outkast, Phish, Soundgarden and the White Stripes.
The 2025 Performer Inductees will be revealed in late April, along with those Inductees entering the Hall under three special committee categories: Musical Influence, Musical Excellence, and the Ahmet Ertegun Non-Performer Award.
This year’s Induction Ceremony will take place in Los Angeles in the Fall, with exact dates and ticket sale details following soon.
The surviving members of Bad Company cheered the news. “If I were a gambling man I would wager that Bad Company fans and friends had something to do with this nomination for The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame,” said Paul Rodgers. “I’ve been told there has been a movement afoot for some time, and we salute them for their persistence and dedication. Hopefully we are triumphant and get inducted and their efforts are realized. It would be an honor to join the great company already inducted.”
“Paul called and gave me the brilliant news about Bad Company’s nomination,” said Mick Ralphs. “I am elated and think it is fantastic. If we are inducted it will be part of our Rock and Roll Fantasy!”
“I am very happy and honored that we have finally been nominated,” said Simon Kirke. “It’s been a long time coming! I’m happy to dedicate this honor to Boz [Burrell], who left us too soon. Congrats to Paul and Mick!”
Billy Idol wrote, “It is a honor and a privilege to be nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2025!”
Lauper wrote, “It was amazing news to wake up to after last night’s show at the O2 in London. The audience showed me so much love, like all the audiences have all along this, my Farewell Tour. I am so grateful to my fans for my career. From the start, I’ve just wanted to make music that means something to people, that lifts them up and makes them feel seen. This honor, should I get in, is as much for them as it is for me. Thank you, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.”
Both Bad Company and Joe Cocker have long been included on Best Classic Bands’ list of 100 crucial omissions. (Our list is so long that we even have a Part 2 of 100 more.)
“These remarkable Nominees have each created their own musical style and attitude, impacting generations of music lovers and contributing to the ever-evolving sounds and continued growth of rock & roll”, said John Sykes, Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation.
Among the prominent acts that are still on the outside looking in: Jethro Tull, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Warren Zevon, Phil Collins (as a solo artist), the Monkees, and Meat Loaf.
- Dave Mason Hospitalized Due to Serious Health Issue - 03/14/2025
- Billy Crystal’s Moving, Funny Muhammad Ali Eulogy in 2016 - 03/14/2025
- Justin Hayward Shares New Single, 2025 Tour Dates - 03/14/2025
10 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationNot yet Jethro Tull but instead Mariah Carey…
And Phish instead ELP. Really?
Still waiting for Uriah Heep.
The Black Crowes really are a great band and much more interesting than boring Oasis so I hope they get in there
GRAND FUNK RAILROAD not yet either sad that RRHOF is messed up
Warren Zevon?
Los Lobos?
Jethro Tull?
Little Feat?
Chubby Checker (yes, I can see this) but no Monkees (because they didn’t play their own instruments) Oh, the irony.
Are you kidding no Johnny winter are you people kidding me what a joke.
About damn time. Paul is in my top three front men in the history of R+R. He should have been in 30 years ago.
C’mon y’all. Gotta include POCO!