Fans rage after iconic British band snubbed in Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2025 nominees list

Iron Maiden fans are livid after the band were snubbed as Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2025 nominees, while Mariah Carey got a spot on the coveted list. The Aces High rockers released their self-titled debut album in 1980, which made them eligible for induction in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2005. Any music superstar or stars can be nominated if their first album was released over 25 years ago. Over the past few years, Iron Maiden were nominated twice but failed to be inducted on both occasions.

Since the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was established in 1983 in Ohio by Ahmet Ertegun, founder and chairman of Atlantic Records, many artists from different genres have been inducted. Musicians who have been inducted over the past few years include Ozzy Osbourne, Kate Bush, Missy Elliot, Willie Nelson, George Michael, Eminem, Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, Foo Fighters, Jay-Z, Tine Turner, The Cure, Stevie Nicks, Roxy Music, Nina Simone, Lou Reed and Greenday.

There isn’t necessarily a rule that artists honoured must be rock bands, as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s mission statement explains. ‘Born from the collision of rhythm & blues, country and gospel, rock ‘n’ roll is a spirit that is inclusive and ever-changing,’ the statement reads, continuing: ‘The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame celebrates the sound of youth culture and honours the artists whose music connects us all.’.

This mission was cleared up the year after country music icon Dolly Parton initially refused her nod in 2022, explaining that she didn’t feel she’d ‘earned that right’. Dolly later did a U-turn, explaining that she didn’t realise the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame wasn’t for just the rock music genre. But she did add: ‘If they can’t go there to be recognised, where do they go?’. Dolly continued to explain that when she found out about her nomination, she felt as though she ‘would be taking away from someone that maybe deserved it, certainly more than me, because I never considered myself a rock artist.’.

She added: ‘But obviously, there’s more to it than that.’. Fans have long complained of rock bands being snubbed from the list, and this year is no different with Iron Maiden fans in turmoil. ‘Where the f**k is Iron Maiden? Enough already,’ commented @Hooded_Seven on the list. ‘Just call it the music hall of fame, no Iron Maiden, no motley crew, no linkin park, Boston, Motörhead, pantera, slayer, Alice In Chains, s**t Phil Collin’s should be on this list,’ added @Garcia26A.

‘How is Iron Maiden not in? Don’t think they ever will be. This is not a serious enterprise. It’s the Music Hall of Fame not the Rock N Roll HOF. They should change the name,’ raged @FFFcafe8. Bad Company. The Black Crowes. Mariah Carey. Chubby Checker. Joe Cocker. Billy Idol. Joy Division/New Order. Cyndi Lauper. Outkast. Soundgarden. The White Stripes. @tmorello posted picture of Forbes Magazine’s top 30 Rock bands of all time, in which Iron Maiden were placed 17th, and @LunaBeauChene commented: ‘Iron Maiden as One of the Best out of 30 YET they aren’t in the ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME!!! (YET, MARIAH CAREY is nominated this year and NOT IRON MAIDEN).’.

‘It should just be called the music hall of fame then, most of this ain’t rock n roll,’ said @BostonBrown73. Within the 14 nominees this year – including Cyndi Lauper, The White Stripes, Mariah Carey, Joy Division/New Order, OutKast, Oasis, and Billy Idol – eight are first time nominees. Neither Bad Company, the Black Crowes, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Billy Idol, Maná, OutKast or Phish have ever been nominated before.

Oasis, known for hits including Wonderwall, Don’t Look Back In Anger and Stop Crying Your Heart Out, were previously nominated in 2024, but did not become inductees. Instead, Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne and rock musician Peter Frampton were entered into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside others including US singer Cher. The 2025 Inductees will be revealed in late April, along with inductees entering the hall under three special committee categories: Musical influence, musical excellence and the Ahmet Ertegun Non-Performer Award.

John Sykes, chairman of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, said: ‘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 and roll.’. The inductees are decided after a ballot of ‘over 1,200 artists, historians, and music industry professionals’, with the criteria of the ‘artist’s impact on music culture, influence on other musicians that have followed, as well as the scope and longevity of their career and body of work’.