Most Shafted by the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame

This is a list of bands that should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame but haven't been inducted for one reason or another.

Note: A band is eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first album.

1. Iron Maiden

   

   Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Their most critically acclaimed period is widely considered to be from 1983 to 1989, during which they released landmark albums such as Piece of Mind, Powerslave, Somewhere... read more

   Even Metallica was influenced by Iron Maiden. Iron Maiden is heavy metal. Without them, heavy metal wouldn't exist. It's simple - they should be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame because they are the best!

   Snubbed once again in 2021, who the hell runs this thing? The fact that Green Day, Foo Fighters, Radiohead, Pearl Jam, and Jay-Z got in before Maiden and Priest is a joke. No wonder Bruce hates it.

   Why they are not on this list, and moreover, why they are not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is beyond me...

2. Judas Priest

   

   Judas Priest are a British heavy metal band formed in Birmingham, England, in 1969. They are frequently ranked among the greatest metal bands of all time and are commonly called "The Metal Gods," after their song on the 1980 album British Steel. Their influence on the development of heavy metal is profound... read more

   - One of the most diverse metal bands.

   - One of the most influential too.

   - Rob Halford is arguably one of the greatest singers of all time, let alone in metal.

   How are they not in yet?

   They 100% deserve to be in the Hall of Fame.

3. Mötley Crüe

   

   Mötley Crüe is an American metal band formed in Los Angeles, California on January 17, 1981. The group was founded by bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, along with lead vocalist Vince Neil and lead guitarist Mick Mars. They are known for their hedonistic lifestyle and iconic albums such as Dr... read more

   Should be #1. The Hall of Fame is a joke until they're voted in. They were THE band of the '80s to see live. Certainly not the best technicians, but is that really what rock and roll is about?

   It's also about the legendary exploits of excess: drugs, women, trouble, and arrogance. Few, if any, could match their rap sheet. That's why they are the best.

   No wonder they're breaking up after this tour. They can't get into the Hall of Fame. This should be a no-brainer.

   If Def Leppard got inducted, then surely these guys should be inducted soon.

4. Meat Loaf

   

   Michael Lee Aday (born Marvin Lee Aday. September 27, 1947 - January 20, 2022), better known by his stage name Meat Loaf, was an American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He was recognized for his powerful, wide-ranging voice and theatrical live performances.... read more

   Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman definitely deserve to be in the Hall of Fame. Bat Out of Hell is a top 5 rock album of all time, and their style is like nothing else. They sold around 43 million copies during an era when disco was the trend, then did it again with Bat 2 at the height of grunge.

   That one album alone... Paradise by the Dashboard Light alone... Need I go on?

   This man deserves it more than most.

5. Pantera

   

   Pantera was an American heavy metal band formed in 1981 by guitarist Dimebag Darrell and drummer Vinnie Paul.

   The band started out as a glam metal act in the 1980s with little success. After replacing their original lead vocalist and enlisting Phil Anselmo, they signed a major record deal with... read more

6. Bryan Adams

   

   Bryan Guy Adams is a Canadian singer, songwriter, record producer, guitarist, photographer, philanthropist, and activist. He gained international fame with hits such as Summer of '69 and (Everything I Do) I Do It for You. Adams is also known for his humanitarian work and has supported various social... read more

   Bryan Adams is a great rocker and had a significant influence on me personally growing up in the '80s. I've seen him in concert about 10 times, and even most recently, he sounded as good as ever. He has made great rock and roll songs that haven't gotten "popular" due to the pop shift from the '80s to the '90s.

   He still sells out shows worldwide. It's a shame the Hall holds it against him that he's had huge hits with several movie love ballads, but Bryan ROCKS. The Hall is stupid, and the class of 2019 is embarrassing. Radiohead? The Cure? Roxy Music?! The Zombies with two songs? GIMME A BREAK!

   If Sting, Rod Stewart, Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, and many others consider him a contemporary, and considering all the great rock music he has produced over the years, he should be in the Hall.

   Not Madonna or Janet Jackson. The Hall is starting to become a joke.

7. Motörhead

   

   Motörhead were an English heavy metal band formed in June 1975 by bassist, singer, and songwriter Ian Fraser "Lemmy" Kilmister, guitarist Larry Wallis, and drummer Lucas Fox. Lemmy was the band's only constant member. Their aggressive sound, harsh vocals, and fast-paced tempos were influential in the... read more

   Lemmy literally called their music "Rock and Roll," for crying out loud.

8. Boston

   

   Boston is the capital and largest city of Massachusetts. Founded in 1630 by Puritan settlers from England, it is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The city played a vital role in American history, including events such as the Boston Tea Party and the Battle of Bunker Hill. Today, Boston... read more

9. John Denver

   

   Henry John Deutschendorf Jr., known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer-songwriter, actor, activist, and humanitarian, whose greatest commercial success was as a solo singer starting in the 1970s.

   He was known for hits such as Take Me Home, Country Roads, Annie's Song, and Rocky... read more

   It's crazy that this guy hasn't been inducted. He always said he was put down for having music that fit many genres. The fact that he continues to be shut out of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame proves the prejudice still continues. In the old days, I found his records filed in rock and roll or folk music more often than country.

   He even went out on his own after being asked to create a total country album. Anyone remember that?

   When I first heard "Take Me Home," I did not know his name, but his music and voice touched my soul - and still does. I hope that soon the Hall of Fame will recognize that his music touches one so deeply that it leaves them changed for the better.

10. Social Distortion

    

    Social Distortion is an American punk rock band formed in 1978 in Fullerton, California. The current lineup includes Mike Ness, Jonny Wickersham, Brent Harding, David Hidalgo, Jr., and David Kalish. The band is known for blending punk rock with country and blues influences, and for albums such as Mommy's... read more

    Possibly the single most influential band to emerge from the '80s Southern California punk scene. They have managed to achieve a level of commercial success that makes them recognizable to the masses while continuing to be relevant. They've transcended punk and evolved into an American rock and roll treasure with appeal far beyond the punk genre.

    With over 30 years in the business, they continue to reach new fans and inspire kids to make music. There are already Rock Hall of Famers who cite Social Distortion as an influence. That number will almost certainly grow as '90s alt and punk bands are inducted, who were heavily influenced by Mike Ness and Social D.

    They are hugely influential but receive very little recognition for their contributions to rock and roll, and that's a shame. Their nomination, at the very least, is long overdue.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Badfinger

    

    Badfinger was a British rock band best known for its work in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Its most recognized lineup included Pete Ham, Mike Gibbins, Tom Evans, and Joey Molland. The band produced hit singles such as Come and Get It, No Matter What, and Day After Day.

12. ?

    Joe Cocker

    

    John Robert "Joe" Cocker was an English singer and musician. He was known for his gritty voice, expressive body movements during performances, and distinctive versions of popular songs. His cover of the Beatles' "With a Little Help from My Friends" became a major hit and remains one of his most iconic... read more

The Contenders

13. Soundgarden

    

    Soundgarden was an American grunge and alternative metal band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1984 by singer and rhythm guitarist Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto.

    The band was one of the pioneers of the grunge movement and released critically acclaimed albums... read more

    I think it's time Soundgarden got in. They were the second major grunge band to form after Green River in the 1980s, of course, getting big in the '90s while Kurt Cobain and his band made grunge music popular.

    However, Soundgarden has an excellent singer and loads of excellent songwriting. They should have honestly been the second of the big four grunge bands to make it in, but they went with Pearl Jam next.

    Despite the fact that the RNRHOF shows clear favoritism towards alternative bands, it would be nice to see these guys get inducted.

14. Bad Company

    

    Bad Company was an English rock supergroup formed in London in 1973. The band featured singer Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke, both formerly of Free, guitarist Mick Ralphs from Mott the Hoople, and bassist Boz Burrell, who previously played with King Crimson. Their debut album was a commercial success... read more

    They're not in? That's just ridiculous.

15. Megadeth

    

    Megadeth is an American thrash metal band from Los Angeles, California. The band was formed in 1983 by guitarist Dave Mustaine and bassist David Ellefson, shortly after Mustaine was dismissed from Metallica. They have released 16 studio albums to date and have undergone numerous lineup changes, with... read more

    Dave wasn't invited in with Metallica, even though he wrote some of their songs!

16. Tommy James & The Shondells

    

    Classic rock compositions, great singer - and the Shondells are better musicians than people give them credit for. I think they got classified as "bubblegum" early and never got the respect they deserved. I would rather listen to a Tommy James song than anything by The Doors (and the James song probably rocked harder too).

    You can't listen to any of the best classic rock stations without hearing their incredible music! It's wrong they're not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

    Their songs have been covered by almost everyone (including Crystal Blue Persuasion, I Think We're Alone Now, and Mony Mony).

17. Jim Steinman

    

18. Slade

    

    Slade are an English rock band formed in Wolverhampton in 1966. They rose to prominence during the glam rock era in the early 1970s, achieving 17 consecutive Top 20 hits and six number ones on the UK Singles Chart. The British Hit Singles & Albums names them the most successful British group of the 1970s... read more

19. Ronnie James Dio

    

    Ronnie James Dio, born Ronald James Padavona on July 10, 1942, was an American heavy metal singer, songwriter, and musician. He led or performed with several bands, including Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio, and Heaven & Hell.... read more

20. Slayer

    

    Slayer is an American thrash metal band from Huntington Park, California, formed in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. They rose to fame with their 1986 album Reign in Blood and are considered one of the Big Four of thrash metal, along with Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax.... read more

21. Jethro Tull

    

    Jethro Tull are a British rock group formed in Luton, Bedfordshire, in December 1967. Initially rooted in blues rock, the band evolved to incorporate elements of British folk music and hard rock, creating a distinctive progressive rock sound. Ian Anderson, the band's frontman, is particularly known for... read more

    Sir Ian Anderson is a genius. Tull has been commercially successful for over 40 years, with 50+ million record sales, over 1,000 live concerts, and 25+ albums. They have a truly unique style that is continuously innovative and brilliant. Shame on the Hall of Fame for their most glaring oversight.

22. Styx

    

    Styx is an American rock band from Chicago that formed in 1972 and became famous for its albums released in the late 1970s and early 1980s. They are known for their combination of hard rock guitar, acoustic guitar, synthesizers, and powerful ballads. Notable albums include The Grand Illusion and Pieces... read more

    They've been a musical force since the early '70s. They kind of lost their way due to DDY's theatrical bent, but they found it again when they parted ways and started rocking again.

    They're still packing them in at shows, on the road for over 200 days a year, and still loving it!

    They've made enough classics that can't be ignored, from "Come Sail Away" to "Renegade" to "Mr. Roboto" to "Foolin' Yourself."

    It'd also be nice to have more Chicago representation!

23. Warren Zevon

    

    Warren William Zevon was an American rock singer-songwriter and musician. His most well-known songs include "Werewolves of London," "Lawyers, Guns and Money," "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner," and "Johnny Strikes Up the Band." These tracks appear on his third album, Excitable Boy, which helped establish... read more

    One of the most interesting singer/songwriters in music, Warren Zevon was a pretty amazing man who had many hits, such as "Excitable Boy", "Werewolves of London", and "Lawyers, Guns, and Money". He was also covered extensively by Linda Ronstadt, with "Carmelita", "Hasten Down the Wind", and "Poor Poor Pitiful Me". Helped by famous groups and artists, Warren gained a cult following among many artists of his generation, including The Everly Brothers, Jackson Browne, Bob Dylan, R.E.M., and Radiohead. If there's anyone out there who deserves Rock and Roll Hall of Fame status, it's Warren Zevon.

24. The Smiths

    

    The Smiths were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1982. The band consisted of vocalist Morrissey, guitarist Johnny Marr, bassist Andy Rourke, and drummer Mike Joyce. They became one of the most influential bands of the 1980s, known for their distinct blend of jangly guitar pop and introspective... read more

25. Stone Temple Pilots

    

    Stone Temple Pilots is an alternative rock band formed in San Diego, California, in 1989.

    The current lineup features brothers Dean DeLeo (guitar) and Robert DeLeo (bass), along with drummer Eric Kretz. The original lead vocalist, Scott Weiland, was with the band until 2013. After his departure... read more

26. Kansas

    

    Kansas is an American rock band formed in Topeka, Kansas, in 1973. They became popular in the 1970s with albums like Leftoverture and Point of Know Return. The band is best known for the hit songs "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind."

    One of the pure legends of American progressive rock. To imagine this band not being considered by the crew in Cleveland is a disgrace and demonstrates the lack of any musical background the "voters" must have. Yes, Styx, Pink Floyd, Queen, Kansas. Who are these morons in the RRHOF?

    I've heard many bands over the years, and these guys have been just tremendous for about 40 years. What a disservice to true rock and roll fans and to the members of this incredibly talented band.

27. Misfits

    

    The Misfits are an American horror punk band often credited with creating the horror punk subgenre. They combine punk rock with themes and imagery from horror films and B-movies. Formed in 1977 in New Jersey, the band was founded by Glenn Danzig.

    Large inspirations for Metallica, so it is unarguable that they are deserving.