20 Outrageous Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Snubs

Today, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced the 2019 list of nominees, and while Def Leppard, Stevie Nicks, and The Cure made the short list, there are quite a few artists out there who should be in the Hall but didn’t even make the cut this year.

Musicians are eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their debut album, but they first have to be chosen by the Hall's nominating committee, which is made up of music industry insiders as well as musicians like Dave Grohl, Tom Morello, Steven Van Zandt and ?uestlove. From there, ballots go out to 1,000 historians, artists and more within the music industry and acts with the most votes get inducted. The public even gets to vote, with the top five acts the pick acting as one ballot. 

It seems, however, there have been quite a few rockers who have been overlooked. Here are 20 that are overdue for induction: 

1. Iron Maiden: The British rockers are one of the biggest bands out there and yet, for 15 years now, the heavy metal greats have missed out on nominations.

2. Soundgarden: Soundgarden was really the first grunge band to make it big, blazing a trail for groups like Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Especially now with the loss of Chris Cornell, they should've definitely been acknowledged. 

3. Motley Crue: The band pioneered glam metal and, in doing so, sold 100 million records worldwide, yet after over a decade of eligibility, they haven’t even gotten a nomination.

4. Scorpions: The German rockers are international all-stars, having played in most of the countries out there and still going strong. Really, a band with a hit like “Rock You Like a Hurricane” needs to be included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

5. Megadeth: Megadeth has sold over 38 million records worldwide and has been certified platinum for six of their 15 albums. They've been nominated for Grammys 12 times and won one, and have been eligible for induction for 8 years, but haven't even made the short list. 

6. Pat Benatar: Few women have a voice as strong as Pat’s. With hits like “Love is a Battlefield,” “We Belong” and “Heartbreaker” that have inspired many of today’s female artists, Pat belongs in the Rock Hall.

7. Motorhead: Sadly, Lemmy Kilmister won’t be around for this well deserved honor, but with the “Ace of Spades” band’s unique sound and energy, and in their 17th year of eligibility, a nomination has to be in the cards soon.

8. Twisted Sister: For a group to dress like Twisted Sister and still be wildly successful is a feat that merits induction into the Rock Hall.

9. Nine Inch Nails: While the band was nominated in 2015 and 2016, their first two years of eligibility, they didn’t make the final cut and now, they've again missed out on being nominated altogether. Having paved the way for industrial rock, there is no doubt a place for them in the Hall.

10. Duran Duran: You can’t think of ‘80s music without thinking of Duran Duran. The band’s influence can be heard today in rock, pop, electronic and other genres.

11. New York Dolls: While punk royalty like The Stooges and Velvet Underground have been inducted, the equally important New York Dolls haven’t been.

12. Depeche Mode: The nominating committee has shown some interest in the influential electronic band having put them on the short list twice, but even with record sales over 100 million, they never crossed the finish line and this year weren't even nominated. 

13. Jethro Tull: If the prog rockers can beat Metallica for the first ever Grammy for Hard Rock/Metal in 1989, they should definitely be in the Hall. 

14. T-Rex: With a voice like Marc Bolan's leading the band, they paved the way for glam rock. The group shouldn't just be in the Hall, there should be an exhibit dedicated to them at the Hall's museum. 

15. Slayer: Even though they've had six gold records and are considered one of metal's Big Four, the band that puts the heavy in heavy metal still hasn't made it into the Rock Hall. Their dark lyrics and influential music totally qualifies them for the honor. 

16. Emerson, Lake & Palmer: The prog rock supergroup's pioneering use of the synthesizer gave them a unique sound, and their impressive musicianship should be recognized. Sadly, if and when they are honored, only Palmer will be there to accept as both Lake and Emerson passed away in recent years. 

17. The Doobie Brothers: With singers like Michael McDonald and Tom Johnston pumping out hits for years like "Black Water," "Listen to the Music" and "Long Train Runnin'," few bands have had as long and as successful a career. 

18. Procol Harum: The group created one of prog rock's biggest hits, "A Whiter Shade of Pale," and helped shape symphonic rock. 

19. Bad Company: One of the first supergroups of the 70s, with members of Free, Mott the Hoople and King Crimson, they're responsible for classic rock staples like "Can't Get Enough," "Bad Company" and "Feel Like Makin' Love." 

20. Ozzy Osbourne: While Black Sabbath has been inducted, Ozzy's solo career is just as impressive yet he hasn't been honored for it. 

Maybe next year, guys!

Learn more about who actually scored a nod and put in your vote for them here. 

Photo Credit: Getty