Every Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee: A Complete List (2024)

Table of Contents
Chuck Berry James Brown Ray Charles Sam Cooke Fats Domino The Everly Brothers Alan Freed John Hammond Buddy Holly Robert Johnson Jerry Lee Lewis Sam Phillips Elvis Presley Little Richard Jimmie Rodgers Jimmy Yancey Leonard Chess The Coasters Eddie Cochran Bo Diddley Ahmet Ertegun Aretha Franklin Marvin Gaye Bill Haley Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller Louis Jordan B.B. King Clyde McPhatter Ricky Nelson Roy Orbison Carl Perkins Smokey Robinson Big Joe Turner T-Bone Walker Muddy Waters Jerry Wexler Hank Williams Jackie Wilson The Beach Boys The Beatles The Drifters Bob Dylan Berry Gordy Jr. Woody Guthrie Lead Belly Les Paul The Supremes Dion The Ink Spots Otis Redding The Rolling Stones Bessie Smith The Soul Stirrers Phil Spector The Temptations Stevie Wonder Louis Armstrong Hank Ballard Charlie Christian Bobby Darin The Four Seasons The Four Tops Gerry Goffin and Carole King Holland-Dozier-Holland The Kinks The Platters Ma Rainey Simon and Garfunkel The Who LaVern Baker Dave Bartholomew Ralph Bass The Byrds Nesuhi Ertegun John Lee Hooker Howlin' Wolf Ike and Tina Turner The Impressions Wilson Pickett Jimmy Reed Bobby "Blue" Bland Booker T. and The MG's Johnny Cash Leo Fender Bill Graham The Isley Brothers Elmore James Jimi Hendrix Experience Professor Longhair Doc Pomus Sam and Dave The Yardbirds Ruth Brown Dick Clark Cream Creedence Clearwater Revival The Doors Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers Milt Gabler Etta James Want to know what everyone in the music business is talking about? Get in the know on FAQs References

Every inductee since the Rock Hall began in 1986, from Chuck Berry to Carly Simon.

Every Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee: A Complete List (1)

Other awards are great, but getting inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame? That’s how you know an artist is a bona fide legend, not just someone with one or two moments in the sun.

Every year since 1986, Rock Hall — a museum and hall of fame that operates out of Cleveland — has elected a new class of music makers and industry leaders into its hallowed halls. Most inductees are enshrined in the “performers” category, which signifies that an artist’s music has somehow impacted the course of rock n’ roll. But deserving innovators can also be welcomed as “early influences” if their work directly inspired the genre’s evolution, or inducted as Ahmet Ertegun Award winners if they’re a non-performing industry professional who had a hand in developing or furthering the art form.

Since 2000, artists, songwriters and producers have also had the chance to be honored by induction under the “musical excellence” category (previously called the “sidemen” category), which goes to those whose originality has had a dramatic impact on music in general. This category has helped in part to diversify the Rock Hall’s roster, something chairman John Sykes thinks is crucial in holistically celebrating the true meaning of rock n’ roll.

“Rock is a part of rock n’ roll, but rock n’ roll was never one sound,” Sykes told Billboard in May 2023. “It was an amalgam of R&B, gospel and country. Really, all roads lead back to 1955 and the creation and explosion of rock n’ roll.”

Almost 400 soloists, bands, players, DJs and executives have been sworn into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and Billboard is spotlighting them all. See the name of every inductee, from Chuck Berry to Carly Simon, below (members are listed roughly in the order of their induction).

Note: Once the Class of 2023 has been officially inducted into the Rock Hall, their names will be added to this list.

  • Chuck Berry

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1986

  • James Brown

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1986

  • Ray Charles

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1986

  • Sam Cooke

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1986

  • Fats Domino

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1986

  • The Everly Brothers

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1986

  • Alan Freed

    Category: Ahmet Ertegun Award

    Induction Year: 1986

  • John Hammond

    Category: Ahmet Ertegun Award

    Induction Year: 1986

  • Buddy Holly

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1986

  • Robert Johnson

    Category: Early Influences

    Induction Year: 1986

  • Jerry Lee Lewis

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1986

  • Sam Phillips

    Category: Ahmet Ertegun Award

    Induction Year: 1986

  • Elvis Presley

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1986

  • Little Richard

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1986

  • Jimmie Rodgers

    Category: Early Influences

    Induction Year: 1986

  • Jimmy Yancey

    Category: Early Influences

    Induction Year: 1986

  • Leonard Chess

    Category: Ahmet Ertegun Award

    Induction Year: 1987

  • The Coasters

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1987

  • Bo Diddley

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1987

  • Ahmet Ertegun

    Category: Ahmet Ertegun Award

    Induction Year: 1987

  • Aretha Franklin

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1987

  • Marvin Gaye

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1987

  • Bill Haley

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1987

  • Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller

    Category: Ahmet Ertegun Award

    Induction Year: 1987

  • Louis Jordan

    Category: Early Influences

    Induction Year: 1987

  • B.B. King

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1987

  • Clyde McPhatter

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1987

  • Ricky Nelson

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1987

  • Roy Orbison

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1987

  • Carl Perkins

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1987

  • Smokey Robinson

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1987

  • Big Joe Turner

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1987

  • T-Bone Walker

    Category: Early Influences

    Induction Year: 1987

  • Muddy Waters

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1987

  • Jerry Wexler

    Category: Ahmet Ertegun Award

    Induction Year: 1987

  • Hank Williams

    Category: Early Influences

    Induction Year: 1987

  • Jackie Wilson

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1987

  • The Beach Boys

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1988

  • The Beatles

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1988

  • The Drifters

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1988

  • Bob Dylan

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1988

  • Berry Gordy Jr.

    Category: Ahmet Ertegun Award

    Induction Year: 1988

  • Woody Guthrie

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1988

  • Lead Belly

    Category: Early Influences

    Induction Year: 1988

  • Les Paul

    Category: Early Influences

    Induction Year: 1988

  • Dion

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1989

  • The Ink Spots

    Category: Early Influences

    Induction Year: 1989

  • Otis Redding

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1989

  • The Rolling Stones

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1989

  • Bessie Smith

    Category: Early Influences

    Induction Year: 1989

  • The Soul Stirrers

    Category: Early Influences

    Induction Year: 1989

  • Phil Spector

    Category: Ahmet Ertegun Award

    Induction Year: 1989

  • The Temptations

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1989

  • Stevie Wonder

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1989

  • Louis Armstrong

    Category: Early Influences

    Induction Year: 1990

  • Hank Ballard

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1990

  • Charlie Christian

    Category: Early Influences

    Induction Year: 1990

  • Bobby Darin

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1990

  • The Four Seasons

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1990

  • The Four Tops

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1990

  • Gerry Goffin and Carole King

    Category: Ahmet Ertegun Award

    Induction Year: 1990

  • Holland-Dozier-Holland

    Category: Ahmet Ertegun Award

    Induction Year: 1990

  • The Kinks

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1990

  • The Platters

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1990

  • Ma Rainey

    Category: Early Influences

    Induction Year: 1990

  • Simon and Garfunkel

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1990

  • The Who

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1990

  • LaVern Baker

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1991

  • Dave Bartholomew

    Category: Ahmet Ertegun Award

    Induction Year: 1991

  • Ralph Bass

    Category: Ahmet Ertegun Award

    Induction Year: 1991

  • The Byrds

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1991

  • Nesuhi Ertegun

    Category: Ahmet Ertegun Award

    Induction Year: 1991

  • John Lee Hooker

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1991

  • Howlin' Wolf

    Category: Early Influences

    Induction Year: 1991

  • Ike and Tina Turner

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1991

  • The Impressions

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1991

  • Wilson Pickett

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1991

  • Jimmy Reed

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1991

  • Bobby "Blue" Bland

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1992

  • Booker T. and The MG's

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1992

  • Johnny Cash

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1992

  • Leo Fender

    Category: Ahmet Ertegun Award

    Induction Year: 1992

  • Bill Graham

    Category: Ahmet Ertegun Award

    Induction Year: 1992

  • The Isley Brothers

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1992

  • Elmore James

    Category: Early Influences

    Induction Year: 1992

  • Jimi Hendrix Experience

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1992

  • Professor Longhair

    Category: Early Influences

    Induction Year: 1992

  • Doc Pomus

    Category: Ahmet Ertegun Award

    Induction Year: 1992

  • Sam and Dave

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1992

  • The Yardbirds

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1992

  • Ruth Brown

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1993

  • Dick Clark

    Category: Ahmet Ertegun Award

    Induction Year: 1993

  • Cream

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1993

  • Creedence Clearwater Revival

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1993

  • The Doors

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1993

  • Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1993

  • Milt Gabler

    Category: Ahmet Ertegun Award

    Induction Year: 1993

  • Etta James

    Category: Performers

    Induction Year: 1993

Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox

Sign Up

Want to know what everyone in the music business is talking about?

Get in the know on

Visit Billboard Pro for music business news
Every Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee: A Complete List (2024)

FAQs

Who is the only person to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times? ›

Eric Clapton is a consistent hitmaker and one of the greatest guitarists of all time—perhaps that's why he is the only person to be inducted into the Rock Hall three times. His diverse influences ranged from reggae to the blues and established him as a versatile and resilient artist whose relevance never fades.

How many Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees are there? ›

As of 2023, there are 378 inductees.

Who were the first 10 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? ›

As of February 2021, there were 338 inductees. The first group of inductees, inducted on January 23, 1986, included Elvis Presley, James Brown, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Ray Charles, Chuck Berry, Sam Cooke, the Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Why isn't Joe co*cker in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? ›

One major artist never inducted is Joe co*cker. The year co*cker died, artist Billy Joel — interviewed in a documentary about the life of Joe co*cker — hand-delivered a petition to get him included in the hall before co*cker's death of cancer. The Hall refused and he has not been inducted since.

Who is the only woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice? ›

It was the first time on the ballot for Def Leppard, Stevie Nicks and Roxy Music, and Nicks' win as a solo artist makes her the first woman to ever be inducted twice into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Who is the youngest person inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? ›

Stevie Wonder | Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Who has been left out of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? ›

Sadly, artists like Daft Punk, Oasis, Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Chaka Khan, Sonic Youth, Soundgarden, The Smiths, Joy Division, and Iron Maiden will have to wait another year for possible induction. Those left out, however, aren't exactly in poor company.

Has anyone been inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? ›

Stevie Nicks' life and career have always had a touch of magical enchantment. Tonight represents a crowning validation of her spellbinding gifts as a rock & roll icon, as she becomes the first woman to be twice inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – with Fleetwood Mac in 1998, and now as a solo artist.

Who was the first person in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? ›

Chuck Berry was the first person inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in 1986. Ten Performers were inducted that first year-Berry, James Brown, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Fats Domino, The Every Brothers, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard and Elvis Presley.

Who snubbed the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? ›

Artists that were once on the list but then removed after their first nomination: The Go-Go's, Iron Maiden, A Tribe Called Quest, George Michael, and Joy Division/New Order, as well as 2024 nominees Cher, Kool & the Gang, and Mariah Carey.

Is Elvis in the Hall of Fame? ›

Elvis is a member of many Halls of Fame, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Country Music Hall of Fame, Gospel Hall of Fame, Rockabilly Hall of Fame, Memphis Music Hall of Fame and Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame. Click here to learn more about Elvis' honors and awards.

Is Elton John in the Hall of Fame? ›

In 1994, John was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Guns N' Roses' frontman Axl Rose.

Who declined the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? ›

Dolly Parton rejected her Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nomination. The Rock Hall rejected her rejection.

Why is Ted Nugent not in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame? ›

When Keith noted that Ted's "politics" are the main reason he hasn't been inducted into the Rock Hall, Nugent said: "Let's examine the foundation of that observation, very accurate observation. I'm not in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame because of my politics. My politics are the U.S. Constitution. Thank you very much."

Why is Jimmy Buffett not in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame? ›

Buffett is joined in the musical excellence category by MC5, Norman Whitfield, and Dionne Warwick. Buffett's inclusion is surprising, given the fact that he's never been nominated for the more traditional honor before.

Who is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame multiple times? ›

21 multiple inductees in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
  • Eric Capton. Eric Clapton is a rarity. ...
  • Jeff Beck. Beck has been inducted as part of The Yardbirds (1992) and for his solo career in 2009. ...
  • Johnny Carter. ...
  • Peter Gabriel. ...
  • George Harrison. ...
  • Michael Jackson. ...
  • John Lennon. ...
  • Paul McCartney.
Dec 17, 2014

Who is the only inductee into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the National Inventors Hall of Fame? ›

Les Paul is the only person in both the National Inventors Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

How many times has Dave Grohl been inducted into the Hall of Fame? ›

Grohl was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of Nirvana in 2014 and as a member of Foo Fighters in 2021.

Who has been snubbed by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? ›

Top 25 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame snubs of all time
  • Joy Division/New Order.
  • Chic.
  • Sonic Youth.
  • John Coltrane.
  • Iron Maiden.
  • Mariah Carey.
  • Eric B. & Rakim.
  • New York Dolls.
Jan 5, 2024

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Nathanial Hackett

Last Updated:

Views: 5529

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (72 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Nathanial Hackett

Birthday: 1997-10-09

Address: Apt. 935 264 Abshire Canyon, South Nerissachester, NM 01800

Phone: +9752624861224

Job: Forward Technology Assistant

Hobby: Listening to music, Shopping, Vacation, Baton twirling, Flower arranging, Blacksmithing, Do it yourself

Introduction: My name is Nathanial Hackett, I am a lovely, curious, smiling, lively, thoughtful, courageous, lively person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.