The 15 Strongest Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Classes, Ranked By How Influential They Are
Vote up the classes that inducted truly elite groups of artists.
Since the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame’s dedication in September 1995, the foundation and museum have been an institution in popular music. Each year, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame holds a ceremony to honor that year’s inductees, but not all Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees are created equal.
Originally established in 1983, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation began inducting members in 1986, but found its permanent home in Cleveland a decade later. With a museum designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei and a yearly induction ceremony that’s a star-studded concert event, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has inducted over 350 musicians and bands since its inaugural class.
The only requirement to be eligible for nomination is that artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years earlier, but the inducted artists are typically recognized for their musical influence and cultural impact.
Which Rock & Roll Hall of Fame classes are the all-time best? Did your favorite year make the cut?
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128 VOTESClass Of 1986
Inductees:
- Jimmie Rodgers
- Jimmy Yancey
- Little Richard
- Elvis Presley
- Sam Phillips
- Jerry Lee Lewis
- Robert Johnson
- Buddy Holly
- John Hammond
- Alan Freed
- The Everly Brothers
- Fats Domino
- Sam Cooke
- Ray Charles
- James Brown
- Chuck Berry
Why It’s An All-Star Class: The first inducted class to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame covered a lot of artists from the early days of rock music and its roots, which makes sense. The inaugural class includes the forefathers of the genre and the household names that helped establish rock and roll from the genres that came before it. With roots in R&B, country, and gospel, these artists paved the way for everyone who came after them. Every single name in this class - boasting the likes of Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, Buddy Holly, Fats Domino, Ray Charles, and James Brown - is deserving of their place in the inaugural class.
The lesser known names on this list are rock-radio-DJ-legend Alan Freed, the innovative 1930s-boogie-woogie-blues pianist Jimmy Yancey, and civil rights activist and record producer John Hammond. There’s not a single mediocre choice in the bunch, and each and every name has had a resounding impact on both rock music and pop culture.
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233 VOTESClass Of 1987
Inductees:
- Jackie Wilson
- Hank Williams
- Jerry Wexler
- Muddy Waters
- T-Bone Walker
- Big Joe Turner
- Smokey Robinson
- Carl Perkins
- Roy Orbison
- Ricky Nelson
- Clyde McPhatter
- B.B. King
- Louis Jordan
- Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
- Bill Haley
- Marvin Gaye
- Aretha Franklin
- Ahmet Ertegun
- Eddie Cochran
- The Coasters
- Leonard Chess
- Bo Diddley
Why It’s An All-Star Class: The second year of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductions picked up right where the first left off. 1987’s class includes influential artists Roy Orbison, Smokey Robinson, Hank Williams, B.B. King, and more. Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin also received the honor of being the first woman inducted into the Hall of Fame.
While the inaugural year included mostly R&B, blues, and soul artists, the second class included big names from these genres (Jackie Wilson, T-Bone Walker, Muddy Waters, B.B. King), plus more country, be-bop, and pop artists (Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, Ricky Nelson). On the production end, the ’87 class also notably includes Atlantic Records co-founder-and-president Ahmet Ertegun and Chess Records founder Leonard Chess.
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338 VOTESClass Of 2001
Inductees:
- Ritchie Valens
- Steely Dan
- Paul Simon
- Queen
- Johnnie Johnson
- Michael Jackson
- The Flamingos
- James Burton
- Solomon Burke
- Chris Blackwell
- Aerosmith
Why It’s An All-Star Class: 2001 was a big year for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, as this class saw the induction of “King of Pop” Michael Jackson, solo-Paul Simon, and iconic rockers Queen. The class of ’01’s inductees also include Steely Dan, Ritchie Valens, and Aerosmith. Lesser-known names include Chuck Berry’s pianist Johnnie Johnson, doo-wop group The Flamingos, rockabilly guitarist James Burton, and R&B and soul-innovator Solomon Burke.
On the production end, the Hall of Fame inducted Chris Blackwell, producer and founder of Island Records. The 2001 Rock & Roll hall of Fame inductees are all strong artists who helped define rock music and its sound, and the world of music today was heavily influenced by their legacy.
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436 VOTESClass Of 1990
Inductees:
- The Who
- Simon and Garfunkel
- Ma Rainey
- The Platters
- The Kinks
- Holland-Dozier-Holland
- Gerry Goffin and Carole King
- The Four Tops
- The Four Seasons
- Bobby Darin
- Charlie Christian
- Hank Ballard
- Louis Armstrong
Why It’s An All-Star Class: The 1990 class inducts a variety of groups, solo artists, and songwriting teams. Early British rock innovators The Who and The Kinks are among the honorees, as well as American-pop-vocal groups The Platters (soul, doo-wop, R&B), Simon and Garfunkel (folk-pop), The Four Tops (soul and doo-wop), and The Four Seasons (pop and doo-wop). Solo inductees include Ma Rainey, Bobby Darin, Hank Ballard, Charlie Christian, and Louis Armstrong, all icons in their own genre.
The ’90 class also includes influential songwriter teams Gerry Goffin and Carole King (“Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?”, “Up On the Roof”) and Holland, Dozier, and Holland (“Stop! In the Name of Love”, “Reach Out, I’ll Be There”). Both teams were some of the most prolific and influential songwriters of the 1960s whose songs made a lasting impact on rock music and influenced pop culture for years to follow.
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540 VOTESClass Of 1988
Inductees:
- The Supremes
- Les Paul
- Lead Belly
- Woody Guthrie
- Berry Gordy Jr.
- The Drifters
- The Beach Boys
- Bob Dylan
- The Beatles
Why It’s An All-Star Class: While the 1988 class of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees is smaller than the first two classes, it certainly packs a punch. 1988 saw iconic 1960s acts become eligible for the nomination, like Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and The Beach Boys. It also looked further back at the cultural icons that influenced music as a whole, like guitar-maker Les Paul, blues singer Lead Belly, and folk singer and hero Woody Guthrie.
This impressive lineup also includes the unrivaled groups The Supremes and The Drifters. On the production end, there’s Berry Gordy Jr., the founder of the Motown record label. The ’88 class is diverse, stacked, and the most varied in genre so far from the Hall of Fame.
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616 VOTESClass Of 2004
Inductees:
- ZZ Top
- Jann S. Wenner
- Traffic
- Bob Seger
- Prince
- George Harrison
- The Dells
- Jackson Browne
Why It’s An All-Star Class: While the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees’ class of 2004 might not be the biggest class on the list, its honored artists and innovators helped to shape the music world we know today. The inductees of ’04 year include rock bands ZZ Top and Traffic, and R&B singers The Dells, as well as rockers Bob Seger and Jackson Browne.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class of ’04 sees the third solo-Beatle inducted in guitarist George Harrison, as well as iconic guitarist and performer Prince. Jann S. Wenner, influential journalist, businessman, and the founder of Rolling Stone magazine was also inducted that year for his cultural contributions to rock music and pop culture as a whole. The class of ’04 is small, but mighty.
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717 VOTESClass Of 1989
Inductees:
- Stevie Wonder
- The Temptations
- Phil Spector
- The Soul Stirrers
- Bessie Smith
- The Rolling Stones
- Otis Redding
- The Ink Spots
- Dion
Why It’s An All-Star Class: The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees of 1989 are impressive, to say the least. On the artist side, we see funk and soul singer Stevie Wonder, blues musician and singer Bessie Smith, soul singer and Stax songwriter Otis Redding, and the legendary Dion as solo acts. Soul stars The Temptations, doo-wop innovators The Ink Spots, gospel group The Soul Stirrers, and enduring rockers The Rolling Stones were the chosen groups.
On the production end, the institution inducted mythic and complicated producer Phil Spector, who is known for creating the “Wall of Sound" technique. This class is small but powerful, as all inductees are powerful musicians that had a lasting impact on rock music as a whole.
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830 VOTESClass Of 1994
Inductees:
- Rod Stewart
- Johnny Otis
- Bob Marley
- John Lennon
- Elton John
- The Grateful Dead
- Duane Eddy
- Willie Dixon
- The Band
- The Animals
Why It’s An All-Star Class: The 1994 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees are impressive. From the Grateful Dead to Bob Marley and John Lennon, this year’s class is full of iconic artists who are larger-than-life with their mythos. For fans of the Dead, Bob Marley, and John Lennon, being a fan is more of a lifestyle than a simple act of listening. While all the year’s inductees are well-deserving and impressive in their music feats, it’s ironic that all three of these college-dorm-poster-essential-artists were inducted the same year.
’94 also sees the induction of solo artists Rod Stewart, Johnny Otis, Elton John, Duane Eddy, and Willie Dixon, as well as influential groups the Band and the Animals. This list is also pretty diverse in genre, although it is lacking women entirely.
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914 VOTESClass Of 1998
Inductees:
- Gene Vincent
- Allen Toussaint
- Santana
- Lloyd Price
- Jelly Roll Morton
- The Mamas and the Papas
- Fleetwood Mac
- The Eagles
Why It’s An All-Star Class: The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class of 1998 is an even mix of influential innovators and some of the most popular rock groups of all time. This year’s inductee list includes artists who are still widespread and in heavy rotation on popular radio, like Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, The Mamas and the Papas, and Santana.
The ’98 inductees also include rockabilly pioneer Gene Vincent, R&B singer and “Mr. Personality” Lloyd Price, influential New Orleans R&B musician Allen Toussaint, and self-proclaimed jazz inventor Jelly Roll Morton. Overall, it’s a stacked class full of influential musical artists and cultural icons.
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1016 VOTESClass Of 2000
Inductees:
- James Taylor
- Bonnie Raitt
- Earl Palmer
- Scotty Moore
- The Moonglows
- Lovin’ Spoonful
- James Jamerson
- Billie Holiday
- Earth, Wind, and Fire
- Clive Davis
- King Curtis
- Nat “King” Cole
- Eric Clapton
- Hal Blaine
Why It’s An All-Star Class: For the new millennium, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducted its biggest new class in years, with 14 total Hall of Fame inductees. Including a mix of early innovators and present-day favorites, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class of 2000 is diverse in its genre representation and honored artists. Among contemporary radio favorites like Earth, Wind, and Fire, James Taylor, and Eric Clapton, the class of ’00 includes drummer and one of rock and roll’s inventors Earl Palmer, R&B and jazz saxophonist King Curtis, and Elvis guitarist Scotty Moore.
On the production end, the list includes record producer and former president of Columbia Records Clive Davis, and famed prolific studio drummer Hal Blaine. They’re in good company, as every featured inductee from this class is hugely influential on music and rock culture.
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119 VOTESClass Of 1999
Inductees:
- The Staple Singers
- Bruce Springsteen
- Dusty Springfield
- Del Shannon
- Paul McCartney
- Curtis Mayfield
- George Martin
- Billy Joel
- Charles Brown
- Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys
Why It’s An All-Star Class: Among other innovators and icons, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees from the class of 1999 include solo stars Bruce Springsteen, Curtis Mayfield, Del Shannon, Dusty Springfield, Billy Joel, and Charles Brown. The list also includes Western-swing musicians Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys, R&B-innovators The Staple Singers, and a second solo-Beatle, Paul McCartney, after John Lennon’s previous induction five years earlier in 1994.
On the non-artist end, the ’99 class includes the seminal Beatles-producer George Martin, often called the “Fifth Beatle.” The class of 1999 is diverse, influential, and memorable, with a balanced mix of current household names and early innovators.
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1211 VOTESClass Of 2006
Inductees:
- Sex Pistols
- Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss
- Miles Davis
- Blondie
- Black Sabbath
Why It’s An All-Star Class: The Rock & Roll Hame of Fame class of ’06 is another group that is on the smaller side, but is completely made up of legendary artists. Almost entirely made-up of artists who are household names, this year brought the inductions of icons like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blondie, and Black Sabbath. It’s a diverse offering of artists covering everything from punk (the Sex Pistols) and jazz (Miles Davis) to metal (Black Sabbath) and disco/new wave (Blondie).
2006 also brought the induction of Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss on the production end, the influential musician and bandleader who founded A&M Records with help from record executive Jerry Moss.
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1313 VOTESClass Of 2017
Inductees:
- Yes
- Tupac Shakur
- Nile Rodgers
- Pearl Jam
- Journey
- ELO
- Joan Baez
Why It’s An All-Star Class: The 2017 class of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame includes a wide variety of genre representation. This year’s list includes progressive rock band Yes, grunge act Pearl Jam, influential rockers ELO, and arena-rock staple Journey. The class of ’17 also notably includes folk musician and activist Joan Baez, famed rapper Tupac Shakur, and prolific songwriter-record-producer-and-guitarist Nile Rodgers.
While this year’s list of inductees is on the shorter side, every honoree has made a lasting impact on rock music, and some have become pop culture icons in their own right. This year includes mostly acts that are still making music today, with the exception of the late-great Tupac.
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148 VOTESClass Of 2019
Inductees:
- The Zombies
- Roxy Music
- Radiohead
- Stevie Nicks
- Janet Jackson
- Def Leppard
- The Cure
Why It’s An All-Star Class: Every Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee in the class of 2019 is influential and integral to their represented genre. The Zombies were brit-pop innovators, Stevie Nicks is a feminist rock hero and icon, Janet Jackson faced adversity and still made incredible music - it’s an incredibly strong class for so many reasons.
Roxy Music, Def Leppard, and The Cure represent the Hall of Fame recognizing more niche genres like electronic, hair-metal, and post-punk, as well as more diverse classifications of rock music. This year’s class also notably includes Radiohead, an alternative rock group that has had most of their career success in the 21st century, something not seen much in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame previously.
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1518 VOTESClass Of 1997
Inductees:
- The (Young) Rascals
- Parliament-Funkadelic
- Syd Nathan
- Bill Monroe
- Joni Mitchell
- The Jackson 5
- Mahalia Jackson
- Crosby, Stills, and Nash
- Buffalo Springfield
- Bee Gees
Why It’s An All-Star Class: The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class of 1997 sees the first disco groups to make the Hall of Fame, the incomparable Bee Gees and the young-MJ-led Jackson 5. George Clinton’s Parliament-Funkadelic also gets their recognition, as well as both Crosby, Stills, and Nash and Buffalo Springfield, who actually have crossover in member Stephen Stills (a huge year for Stephen Stills).
This class also includes pop-rockers The Rascals, gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, bluegrass innovator Bill Monroe, and notably, Joni Mitchell, one of the most influential female artists of all time. On the business end, this class includes Syd Nathan, executive, businessman, and founder of King Records.
