This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Bowling Green chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

With the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction taking place November 8th in Los Angeles, I am already wondering who will be inducted in 2026. Below are not my predictions, but my desires.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

The HOF itself was established in 1983, with the Cleveland museum opening in 1995. Currently there are over 350 inductees, with an unset number being added each year. The main requirement for induction is to ensure individuals released their first piece of commercial music at least 25 years prior to their election. Other than that, historians, journalists, and even current inductees decide who will be put up for nomination, then who will be inducted.

Here are my thirteen picks:

Air

First commercial release: 1995, the single “Modular Mix”
Place of origin: France
Notable works: The Virgin Suicides (Original Motion Picture Score), “Sexy Boy,” “Cherry Blossom Girl”
Nominations: 0

Air’s gentle, ambient driven music has amassed hundreds of millions of streams online. The band’s frequent collaborations with director Sofia Coppola have solidified them into popular culture as perfectionists at putting sound to picture.

America

First commercial release: 1971, the album America
Place of origin: London, England
Notable works: “A Horse with No Name,” “Ventura Highway,” “Sister Golden Hair”
Nominations: 0

With an almost quintessential American sound, it’s ironic that America is of English descent. Nevertheless, their slew of seventies classics should put them in contention with other inductees, such as Steely Dan, Buffalo Springfield, and Cat Stevens.

Bikini Kill

First commercial release: 1992, the EP Bikini Kill
Place of origin: Washington, USA
Notable works: “Rebel Girl,” “Carnival,” “Double Dare Ya”
Nominations: 0

Pioneers of the Riot grrrl movement and fronted by Kathleen Hanna, Bikini Kill would be a progressive and powerful choice for induction; if not for their rowdy music, for their impact. Fun Fact: Hanna knew Kurt Cobain and inspired the term “Smells Like Teen Spirit” after graffitiing Kurt Smells like Teen Spirit (a deodorant brand) on a wall.

Billy Idol

First commercial release: 1981, the EP Don’t Stop
Place of origin: England
Notable works: “Eyes Without A Face,” “Rebel Yell,” “Dancing With Myself,” “White Wedding”
Nominations: 1 (2025)

It would not be surprising for Idol to be inducted in the coming years. After just receiving his first nomination, the punk prince’s music continues to find fans, a tribute to his lasting impact on rock and roll.

Chet Baker

First commercial release: 1954, the LP Chet Baker Sings
Place of origin: Oklahoma, USA
Notable works: “I Fall In Love Too Easily,” “My Funny Valentine,” Chet Baker Sings
Nominations: 0

Jazz musician Chet Baker is the soft voice behind some of the most tender love songs of American history. A skilled songwriter and talented trumpet player, Baker is overdue in recognition.

Devo

First commercial release: 1978, the album Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!
Place of origin: Ohio, USA
Notable works: “Whip It,” Freedom of Choice, “Uncontrollable Urge”
Nominations: 3 (2019,21,22)

Ohio’s own Devo were a band funded by their strong personal politics. With catchy tunes and flashy outfits, here’s hoping their fourth time (nomination) will be the charm.

New Order

First commercial release: 1981, the single “Ceremony”
Place of origin: England
Notable works: “Bizarre Love Triangle,” “Blue Monday,” Substance
Nominations: 2 (2023,25)

Nominated alongside Joy Division (three members formed New Order following the death of Joy Division singer Ian Curtis) pioneers of popularizing electronic music and new wave, New Order would still make it big if they started today. Their influential sound somehow makes a seven and a half minute song easily listenable.

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds

First commercial release: 1984, the album From Her to Eternity
Place of origin: Melbourne, Australia
Notable works: “O Children,” “Babe, You Turn Me On,” “Into My Arms”
Nominations: 0

The Australian Leonard Cohen, Nick Cave’s songwriting is reminiscent of deep poetry, coupled with instrumentals made to lull listeners into another dimension. The band has been a constant figure in Australian blues and rock, and are still releasing music to this day.

The Psychedelic Furs

First commercial release: 1980, the album The Psychedelic Furs
Place of origin: London, England
Notable works: “Love My Way,” “Pretty In Pink”
Nominations: 0

Two of my favorite needle drops involve The Psychedelic Furs: one from John Hughes eighties class Pretty in Pink, and the other from Luca Guadagnino’s 2017 hit Call My By Your Name. Members of the post punk movement, their chart topping hits and catchy songs continue to impact modern musicians.

Spandau Ballet

First commercial release: 1980, the single “To Cut a Long Story Short”
Place of origin: London, England
Notable works: “True,” “To Cut a Long Story Short,” “Gold”
Nominations: 0

The underrated Spandau Ballet have multiple hits that worked to usher in the new romantic eras of the eighties. They also have one of the best shower songs… and I know this much is true.

The Smiths

First commercial release: 1983, the single “Hand in Glove”
Place of origin: Manchester, England
Notable works: Hatful of Hallow, The Queen Is Dead, Louder Than Bombs
Nominations: 2 (2015,16)

The most shocking of these non-inductees has to be The Smiths. Arguments could even be made for Morrissey himself to be inducted. Behemoths of the British indie scene, The Smiths seem to be getting more and more popular with the years, as many of their songs have become viral.

Thompson Twins

First commercial release: 1980, the single “Squares and Triangles”
Place of origin: England
Notable works: “Hold Me Now,” “Doctor! Doctor!,” “If You Were Here”
Nominations: 0

My favorite eighties music comes from the Thompson Twins. They achieved great success in the decade as a new wave group. With quintessential eighties piano and harmonies, I have always found the band underrated since discovering them in 2017.

Andy Warhol

First commercial release: N/A
Place of origin: Pittsburgh, USA
Notable works: inspired Devo, David Bowie, and Lou Reed/The Velvet Underground
Nominations: 0

Each year, various individuals who had impacted music are inducted, whether they be managers, producers, label heads, etc. Warhol aced all media he touched, from physical to cinematic and into music. Aside from being greatly associated with pop culture and artistry, Warhol managed the influential band The Velvet Underground. This role alone should be enough to induct the late-great Andy into the Hall of Fame.

If I Had the Vote: My 2026 Rock Hall Inductee Class