The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation was established by Ahmet Ertegun, the founder, and chairman of Atlantic Records, in 1983. It began inducting members in 1986.

The first musical artists to be inducted were Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Ray Charles, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, The Everly Brothers, James Brown, Sam Cooke, Buddy Holly, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

In 1987, Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (RRHOF).

As of February 2021, there were 338 inductees. Fewer than 100 of them are female performers.

Of the 32 Early Influencers selected by a special committee for their music that predates the rock and roll genre only seven are women.

Sixteen new Artists/bands have been nominated for 2021 – only five will be selected.

The 2021 Women artists of the 16 nominees include:

Kate Bush – Bush released her first single in 1978 and fought to retain creative control of her eclectic style of music by establishing a home recording studio and her own publishing and management companies. She has inspired other women artists to experiment with musical styles. She is an English singer, writer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer and the first British female solo artist to top the UK album charts and the first female artist to enter the album chart at number one. This is her second nomination (2018 & 2021) into the RRHOF.    

Mary J. Blige – Blige is an American singer, songwriter, actress and activist. She is known as the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul. All thirteen of her albums have reached the Top 10. She’s won nine Grammys and sold over 50 million albums. Her messages of strength and empowerment resonate with her male and female fans. Her collaborations with other artists have encouraged countless other R&B hip-hop collaborations. This is her first RRHOF nomination in four years of eligibility.

Tina Turner (as a solo artist) If Turner is inducted into the RRHOF for her solo career, she will become the second woman to be inducted twice (Stevie Nicks for Fleetwood Mac and her solo career). Turner started her solo career heavily in debt because of lawsuits stemming from the cancellation of tours with her ex-husband Ike Turner after their divorce. Turner has sold over 100 million records and is the first artist to have a Top 40 hit in seven consecutive decades. She has 12 Grammys. This is her first RRHOF nomination as a solo artist.

The Go Go’s – The Go Go’s are Charlotte Caffey, Belinda Carlisle, Gina Schock, Kathy Valentine, and Jane Wielding. Their 1981 debut album, Beauty and the Beat is the first and only to date album by an all-female band playing their own instruments who wrote their own songs to top the Billboard albums chart. The Go Go’s released four studio albums while influencing and empowering other female rockers. This is their first RRHOF nomination after over a decade of eligibility.

Carole King is an American singer-songwriter, actress, and activist. King and her first husband Gerry Goffen were inducted into Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and awarded an Ahmet Ertegun Award for songwriting achievements in 1990. King has enjoyed a successful solo career and her album, Tapestry, held the record for most consecutive weeks at #1 (15 weeks in 1971) by a female artist for 20 years. She has recorded 25 solo albums. This is her second RRHOF nomination as a recording artist (1989 & 2021).

Chaka Kahn – Kahn was the lead singer for the innovative funk/rock band Rufus in the ’70s. Known for her powerful vocals and showmanship; Khan easily transitioned to a successful solo career that is still going. She has influenced women artists and continues to perform in multiple genres. During her career which has spanned five decades, Kahn has won ten Grammys and sold over 70 million records worldwide. She has been nominated for induction into the RRHOF three times as a solo artist and four times as a member of Rufus featuring Chaka Khan. Maybe #7 will be her lucky number.

 Dionne Warwick – During her 65-year music career, Warwick has been successful in multiple genres, pop, R&B, soul, and gospel. She has had 56 singles in the Top 100 and a total of 80 singles counting collaborations with other artists in the Top 100. This is Warwick’s first RRHOF nomination after 30 years of eligibility.

With almost half the nominees being women, it will be interesting to see how many women artists are selected. This is a strong class of nominees. In addition to the women listed above, these male artists/bands have also been nominated:

Todd Rundgren is an American multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, record producer, and music video producer. Rundgren’s career has been diverse. He has been an innovative solo artist and a member of the band Utopia. He musical style is sophisticated and often unorthodox, and he’s known for lavish stage shows. Rundgren is considered a pioneer in the fields of electronic music, progressive rock, music videos, computer software, and Internet music delivery. This is his second RRHOF nomination (2019 and 2021).

Jay-Z - This is his first year of eligibility for the RRHOF. Jay-Z is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, record executive, and businessman. He is one of the most influential hip-hop artists in history and considered one of the greatest rappers of all time.

Devo – The members of Devo up for nomination include: Bob Casale, Gerald Casale, Bob Mothersbaugh, Mark Mothersbaugh, and Alan Myers. The idea for Devo was started at Kent State University in the late 60’s by some students who were convinced society was devolving as evidenced by all the dysfunctional behavior and herd mentality being displayed by society. With a little humor and a lot of talent a new form of music was created. Devo’s sound is a mix of synth-pop, new wave, art-punk, post-punk, art-punk, electronic rock, and geek rock. This is their second RRHOF nomination (2018 & 2021).                    

Foo Fighters – If the Foo Fighters are inducted, Dave Grohl will become the second-youngest double inductee (Nirvana and Foo Fighters) in the history of the hall. This is the Foo Fighters’ first year of eligibility for the RRHOF. The multi-talented members of the band fuse pop, prog, metal, punk, and hard rock into a unique polished version of modern rock. The members of the Foo Fighter being nominated are Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Rami Jaffee, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett, and Pat Smear.  

Iron Maiden - This is the British heavy metal band’s first RRHOF nomination in 17 years of eligibility. In 1981, Iron Maiden was the first metal band played on MTV. Iron Maiden has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide and is considered one of the most influential and successful heavy metal bands in history. The members nominated are Clive Burr, Paul Di’Anno, Bruce Dickinson, Janick Gers, Steve Harris, Nicko McBrain, Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, and Dennis Stratton.       

Fela Kuti This is his first RRHOF after 24 years of eligibility. Ironically, Kuti became eligible the year he died (1997). Kuti was a Nigerian multi-instrumentalist, bandleader, composer, political activist, and Pan-Africanist. He is regarded as the pioneer of the Afrobeat sound. Kuti was known in his home country for his spectacular stage shows. He believed his music should have a message and he was often the target of harassment by the Nigerian government.

LL Cool J is an American rapper, record producer, actor, author, and entrepreneur. LL Cool J has released 13 studio albums and two compilation albums. In 2017, he became the first rapper to receive Kennedy Center Honors. This is his second RRHOF nomination (2018 & 2021).                          

New York Dolls This is their second RRHOF nomination (1991 & 2021). The New York Dolls were one of the first bands on the early punk rock scene and helped usher in punk rock. With flamboyant stage shows and androgynous costumes, the New York Dolls entertained audiences while receiving critical acclaim for their work. Their first album titled New York Dolls, produced by Todd Rundgren received critical praise and is regarded as one of the best and most influential debut albums in rock music.  The members nominated are David Johansen, Arthur Kane, Billy Murcia, Jerry Nolan, Sylvain Sylvain, and Johnny Thunders.  

Rage Against the Machine This is their third RRHOF nomination (2018, 2019, and 2021). Rage Against the Machine blends rock, metal, funk, hip-hop, and punk and serves it up with a large dose of social awareness and outrage. Since the band formed in 1991, they have been calling out political, social, and racial injustice and pointing out corporate corruption by being the voice of    Members being nominated are Tim Commerford, Zack de la Rocha, Tom Morello, and Brad Wilk.   

Requirements for consideration for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame:

1.    An individual artist or band must have released its first commercial recording at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination.

2.    Nominee ballots are sent to an international voting body of over 1,000 artists, historians, and members of the music industry who cast their votes based on the following criteria: 

a.    The artist’s/band’s musical influence on other artists

b.    The length and depth of their career

c.     Their body of work

d.    innovation and superiority in style and technique

3.    Fans can vote every day between February 10 and April 30, 2021. The top five vote-getters will be placed on a single Fan ballot and counted with the other ballots. Fans can vote at rockhall.com or in person at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland, Ohio.

The five inductees will be announced in May 2021 with the induction ceremony scheduled to take place in the fall at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland. The Live 2020 Induction ceremony had to be canceled because of the pandemic. Honorees were celebrated on an HBO Special on November 7, 2020.

Historically, women had a hard time finding success in Rock and Roll as anything, but back-up singers or members of all-girl pop or R&B groups. The “Me Too” movement has exposed many obstacles women face. The growing number of women who have succeeded and have been recognized for their achievements is encouraging.

These women have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame:

1987   Aretha Franklin – American singer, songwriter, pianist, actress, and civil rights activist – a 57-year career with 112 charted singles on Billboard, 18 Grammy Awards, and 75 million records sold.

1988   The Supremes - Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard – Though there were other members of The Supremes these three were responsible for most of their successes – the most commercially successful Motown group to date – they have three songs on the RRHOF’s list of 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.

1991   LaVern Baker was an R&B singer who had several hits in the late 50s and early 60s including “Tweedle Dee,” “Jim Dandy,” and “I Cried a Tear.”

1991   Tina Turner was inducted with her abusive ex-husband Ike Turner before being nominated as a solo artist in 2021. Rolling Stone ranks Ike and Tina Turner at #2 on their list of the 20 Greatest Duos of all Time. Their biggest hits were “Proud Mary” and “River Deep-Mountain High.”

1993   Ruth Brown - Brown blended pop music style with R&B in the ’50s. Her String of hits for Atlantic records earned it the name, “The House that Ruth Built.” Brown is also a Tony Award winner and later in life, she used her celebrity status to fight for musicians’ rights regarding royalties and contract negotiations.

1993   Etta James was an American singer who recorded in multiple genres, R&B, soul, rock and roll, jazz, blues, and gospel. She overcame a heroin addiction, physical abuse, and incarceration early in her career and staged a successful comeback in the late 80s. “At Last,” is one of her most popular and best-known songs.

1995   Janis Joplin - Joplin was an American singer-songwriter and rock and roll trailblazer who mixed the genres of rock, soul, and blues. She was known for her electrifying performances and died of a heroin overdose in 1970 at the age of 27. Joplin recorded four albums in four years. She was best known for the songs, “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Piece of My Heart,” and “Summertime.”

1995   Martha and the Vandellas – Martha Reeves, Rosalind Ashford-Holmes, Betty Kelly, Lois Reeves, and Annette Beard-Helton This Motown girl group is best known for their song, “Dancing in the Streets.”

1996   Gladys Knight and the Pips – Gladys Knight, Merald “Bubba” Knight, William Guest, and Edward Patten. Knight was the lead singer of the American R&B, soul, funk family group that performed for three decades recording 26 albums, 21 top 20 hits, and winning seven American Music Awards and two Grammys. Their best-known hits include, “Midnight Train to Georgia,” “If I Were Your Woman,” and “Neither One of Us.”

1996   The Shirelles – Shirley Alston Reeves, Addie Harris, Doris Kenner-Jackson, and Beverly Lee. This doo-wop girl group was also known for R&B and soul. They recorded eleven albums and seven compilation albums. Two of their most popular hits are “Soldier Boy” and “Will You Love Me Tomorrow?”

1996   Maureen “Moe” Tucker is the drummer of the proto-punk rock band The Velvet Underground. She was inducted with her bandmates, Lou Reed, John Cale, and Sterling Morrison. Tucker had an unusual playing style in that she usually stood up instead of sitting down and often played with mallets instead of drumsticks. The Velvet Underground is regarded as one of the most influential rock bands of all time.

1997   Joni Mitchell is an iconic Canadian singer-songwriter best known for classics such as “Big Yellow Taxi” and “Both Sides Now.” Mitchell plays guitar, piano, and dulcimer. Mitchell is Ranked #75 on Rolling Stone’s list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time." She and Bonnie Raitt (#89) are the only women to make the list.

1998   Cass Elliot and Michelle Phillips of The Mamas and the Papas with bandmates, John Phillips, and Denny Doherty (Elliott died in 1974 of heart failure). The Mamas and the Papas were a 60s folk-rock group known for songs such as “California Dreamin’’’ and “Monday, Monday.” They recorded five studio albums, released seventeen singles, and sold almost 40 million records in four years.

1998   Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac with bandmates Mick Fleetwood, Lindsey Buckingham, Peter Green, Danny Kirwan, John McVie, and Jeremy Spencer. Fleetwood Mac has sold more than 120 million records worldwide and in 2018 they received the MusiCares Person of the Year Award from the Recording Academy for their artistic achievements in music and dedication to philanthropy.

1999   Dusty Springfield was an English pop singer known for hits such as “Breakfast in Bed,” “Son of a Preacher Man,” and “Wishin’ and Hopin’.” She died two weeks before the induction ceremony after a re-occurrence of breast cancer. Springfield was known as a “blue-eyed” soul singer and helped popularize the genre of soul music in England. She was one of the most successful British female performers during the 60s. Springfield had six top 20 singles on the US Billboard Hot 100 and sixteen on the UK Singles Chart from 1963 to 1989.

1999   Cleotha, Mavis, and Yvonne Staples of The Staple Singers were inducted along with their father, Roebuck “Pops” Staples, and their brother, Pervis Staples. The Staple Singers were an American R&B, soul, and gospel family singing group. The group was awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005. Two of their best-known songs are “Respect Yourself” and “I’ll Take You There.”

2000   Bonnie Raitt is a legendary American blues singer and guitarist. She is ranked at #50 on Rolling Stone's list of the "100 Greatest Singers of All Time" and #89 on the magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time." Raitt and Joni Mitchell (#75) are the only women to make the list of guitarists. She has ten Grammy Awards and is known for hits such as “Something to Talk About” and “I Can’t Make You Love Me.”

2002   Brenda Lee - Lee is the only woman to be inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and The Country Music Hall of Fame. She’s known for hits such as “I’m Sorry” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”

2002   Tina Weymouth - bassist of Talking Heads with bandmates, David Byrne, Chris Frantz, and Jerry Harrison. Weymouth sings, plays bass guitar, guitar, and synthesizer. As the bassist for Talking Heads, she helped create their signature sound by combining minimalist art-punk bass lines with danceable, funk riffs. Weymouth and her husband Chris Frantz are also founding members of the group’s side project, Tom Tom Club. Notable songs by Talking Heads include “Psycho Killer,” “Take me to the River,” “This Must Be the Place,” “And She Was,” “Wild Wildlife,” and “Burning Down the House.”

2005   Chrissie Hynde - lead singer of the English new wave band, The Pretenders with surviving bandmate, Martin Chambers, and Pete Farndon and James Honeyman-Scott (both deceased). Hynde is a founding member, lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter for The Pretenders. Some of their best-known songs are “Message of Love,” “Back on the Chain Gang,” and “I’ll Stand by You.”

2006   Debbie Harry - lead singer of Blondie with bandmates Clem Burke, Jimmy Destri, Nigel Harrison, Frank Infante, Chris Stein, and Gary Valentine. Harry is one of the band’s founding members. Her signature two-tone hair, quirky fashion sense, and sultry vocals helped elevate the band to international fame. Blondie is known for hits such as “Rapture,” “Heart of Glass,” “Call Me,” and “The Tide is High.”

2007   The Ronettes – this American girl group consisted of Ronnie Spector, Estelle Bennett, and Nedra Talley. The group was founded in Spanish Harlem, New York. They had nine singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and released only one studio album. Their best-known hits include, “Be My Baby” and “Baby I Love You.”

2007   Patti Smith - Smith is an American singer-songwriter, author, and poet. She is known as the punk poet Laureate for fusing rock and poetry in her music.  She co-wrote the song, “Because the Night” with Bruce Springsteen. Smith is credited with influencing many performers, such as Michael Stipe of REM, Courtney Love of Hole, and the Anglo-Celtic rock band, The Waterboys. She is known for her stance on human rights and her dedication to her craft. Songs by Smith include, “Because the Night,” “Gloria,” and “People Have the Power.”

2008   Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress, and director. She is often referred to as the “Queen of Pop” and is considered a cultural icon for pushing the creative envelope of artistic expression with her music and live performances. Her songs include social, cultural, political, sexual, and religious themes. Madonna has sold over 300 million records worldwide earning her the title of being the best-selling female recording artist of all time. Some of her most popular songs are “Like a Virgin,” “Holiday,” “Papa Don’t Preach,” “Crazy for You,” and “Ray of Light.”

2010   Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad of the Swedish pop band, ABBA along with bandmates Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus. ABBA is one of the most commercially successful groups in the history of popular music. ABBA achieved international acclaim and they are the most successful Swedish recording group. Some of their most popular songs are “Mama Mia,” “Waterloo,” “Dancing Queen,” and “Take a Chance on Me.”

2011   Darlene Love is a soul singer and actress. She was the lead singer of the girl group, The Blossoms before her solo career. She sang lead vocals for The Crystals hits, “She’s a Rebel” and “He’s Sure the Boy I Love.” Love played Trish, the wife of Danny Glover’s character Roger Murtaugh in the Lethal Weapon series.

2012   Laura Nyro - Nyro was a pianist and American jazz singer-songwriter. She had a three-octave mezzo-soprano vocal range and wrote hits for artists such as Barbra Streisand and The Fifth Dimension. She died of cancer in 1997 at the age of 49 and was also posthumously inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame (2010).

2013   Ann and Nancy Wilson of the Seattle band, Heart with bandmates, Michael DeRosier, Roger Fisher, Steve Fossen, and Howard Leese - Heart’s unique sound was a blend of hard rock, metal, and folk music. Ann Wilson performs lead vocals and plays the flute. Nancy Wilson plays rhythm guitar and contributes backing vocals occasionally taking over lead vocal duties. Heart has sold over 35 million records (22.5 million in the U.S.) and ranks #57 on VH1’s “100 Greatest bands of Hard Rock.” Some of their best-known hits are “Barracuda,” “Crazy on You,” “Magic Man,” “These Dreams,” and “Alone.”

2013   Donna Summer - Summer was known as the Queen of Disco. She died of lung cancer a year before she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her greatest hits are “Last Dance,” “Love to Love You Baby,” “I Feel Love,” “MacArthur Park,” and “Bad Girls.”

2014   Linda Ronstadt - Ronstadt is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who has been successful in multiple genres, such as rock, country, light opera, and Latin music. She has released 24 studio albums and 15 compilation/greatest hits albums.  She is well known for collaborating with other artists in multiple genres. Ronstadt was among five honorees who received the 2019 Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime artistic achievements. Her best-known songs are “Blue Bayou,” “You’re No Good,” and “Don’t Know Much” with Aaron Neville.

2015   Joan Jett - lead singer and guitarist for her band The Blackhearts with bandmates Kenny Laguna, Gary Ryan, Lee Crystal, and Ricky Byrd – Jett is an American singer-songwriter, musician, actress, and record producer. She was also a member of the Runaways (“Cherry Bomb”).  Some of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts best-known songs are “Bad Reputation,” “I Wanna Be Your Dog,” and “I Love Rock and Roll.”

2017   Joan Baez - She is an American contemporary folk singer-songwriter and musician known for her protest songs and activism. Baez is fluent in Spanish and English and has recorded songs in six other languages. In a career that has spanned over 60 years, Baez has recorded over 30 albums. Some of her best-known songs are “Diamonds and Rust,” “Forever Young,” “We Shall Overcome,” and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.”

2018   Nina Simone was inducted into the RRHOF 15 years after her death. She was a singer-songwriter, musician, arranger, and civil rights activist. Simone was a gifted pianist and wanted to become a concert pianist but faced many race-related obstacles. To support herself, she began playing piano in local bars. After she was told she would have to sing as well as play, her career blossomed. Audiences responded to her deep soulful vocal stylings which transcended multiple music genres, such as classical, jazz, blues, pop, folk, R&B, and gospel. Some of her best-known hits are “My Baby Just Cares for Me,” “I Put a Spell on You,” and “I Wish I Knew How it Would Feel to be Free.”

2019   Janet Jackson is an American singer-songwriter, actress, dancer, and record producer. She began her career in 1973 and is one of the top 10 selling artists in the history of contemporary music. Jackson has released eleven studio albums. After struggling to distance her professional life from her famous family, Jackson has earned critical acclaim and emerged as a music icon in her own right. Some of her most popular songs are “Nasty,” “Rhythm Nation,” “When I Think of You,” and “What Have You Done for Me Lately?”

2019   Stevie Nicks as a solo artist. She became the first woman to be inducted twice (Fleetwood Mac lead singer and her solo career). Some of Nicks’ most popular songs are “Edge of Seventeen,” “Stand Back,” “Rooms on Fire,” “Leather and Lace” with Don Henley, and “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” with Tom Petty.   

2020   Whitney Houston was a singer-songwriter, model, and actress. She was the first woman of color to appear on the cover of Seventeen magazine. Houston is the most awarded female artist of all time (Guinness Book of World Records). She was inducted into the RRHOF eight years after her death. Famous for her vocal range and perfect pitch, Houston is regarded as one of the best female vocalists of all time, ranking #3 on MTV’s list of 22 Greatest Voices. Some of her best-known songs are “I Will Always Love You,” “Greatest Love of All,” “I Have Nothing,” and “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.”

There are many deserving artists/bands who have yet to be nominated or selected and new artists/bands who should be on your radar.

Here are a few Women Artists/bands to follow and support:

Dolly Parton is a talented singer-songwriter who has hits in multiple genres as an artist and songwriter. Parton who grew up in poverty has also become a successful businesswoman, entrepreneur, actress, author, and humanitarian. She has been active in the music business for 64 years (1956 to the present). She has 50 nominations and ten Grammy wins. Twenty-five of her songs have reached #1 on the Billboard Country Music Charts. Parton has 44 Top 10 country albums. She has composed over 3,000 songs and in 1999, she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. She has received at least one nomination for an Academy Award, Tony Award, Grammy Award, and Emmy Award. Parton’s Imagination Library distributes books to almost 850,000 children each month who are enrolled in the free program. Enrollment can begin at birth and continues until they enter kindergarten.

Tracy Chapman is a multi-platinum six-time nominated, four-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter who also plays guitar and harmonica. She has been active in the music business for 35 years (1986 to the present). Chapman is politically and socially active supporting causes that matter to her such as Make Poverty History, amfAR, AIDS/Life Cycle, and Cleveland elementary school programs promoting Black History awareness. She is best known for her hits “Fast Car” and “Give Me One Reason.”

June Carter Cash sang with her husband, Johnny Cash, but few people know she played guitar, banjo, harmonica, autoharp, and piano, Cash was also a talented songwriter who penned “Love’s Ring of Fire” with fellow songwriter, Merle Kilgore and co-wrote many other hits recorded by Johnny Cash.

Beyoncé is an American singer-songwriter, actress, director, humanitarian, and record producer. Before her solo career, she was the lead singer for Destiny’s Child one of the top-selling girl groups of all time. She has been active in the music business for 24 years (1997 to the present). Beyoncé has had hits in multiple genres such as soul, hip-hop, R&B, and pop. She has been nominated for 79 Grammy awards and has won 24 times. Beyoncé has won numerous other awards and is active in humanitarian causes in The United States and around the world. Two of her most popular songs are “Love on Top” and “Dangerously in Love.”

Dolores O’Riordan was the lead singer for The Cranberries, an Irish rock band that achieved international success and critical acclaim. She was active in the music business for 28 years (1990 until her death in 2018). She was also a gifted songwriter and philanthropist. In 2018, O’Riordan was named the Top Female Artist of All Time on Billboard’s Alternative Songs chart. Her best-known songs are “Linger” and “Zombie.”

Shirley Manson of Garbage is a Scottish singer, songwriter, musician, and actress. She performs in the genres of alternative music, electronic rock, and dream pop. Manson is Garbage’s lead singer and she also plays guitar and keyboards. She has recorded albums with three groups, Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie, Angelfish, and Garbage as well as solo albums.

Cher is an American singer, actress, television personality, and activist/philanthropist. I think you’d have to live in a cave not to know her music. She’s sold 100 million records to date. Cher has been eligible for induction in the RRHOF since 1991 but has never been nominated.

Pat Benatar is an American rock singer-songwriter and four-time Grammy winner. Benatar is a classically trained coloratura. She has had two multi-Platinum albums, five Platinum albums, and 15 Billboard Top 40 singles in the United States, and eight straight Platinum albums in Canada. She was snubbed by the RRHOF this year after receiving a nomination in 2020.

The Bangles are an American all-female rock band that formed in 1981. In 2015 they received the She Rocks Awards Lifetime Achievement Award. The Bangles have been eligible for the RRHOF since 2007and have received no nominations.

Florence and the Machine are an indie British rock band formed in 2007. They have released four critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums to date. Lead singer Florence Welch is often compared to Kate Bush and Tori Amos. Beyoncé cited Florence and the Machine as an influence on her 2011 album.

Siouxsie and the Banshees were a British punk rock band that was founded in 1976. They released 11 albums and 30 singles during their career. They are one of the original alternative rock bands and are credited with influencing bands and artists such as Thom Yorke of Radiohead, John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jeff Buckley, and Shirley Manson from Garbage.

Taylor Swift is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, actress, and philanthropist/activist. After a successful career in country music, she has made the transition to pop music almost seamlessly and continues to experiment with new genres such as rock, folk, and alternative music. At 31, Swift has already sold more than 200 million records worldwide and won ten Grammys.

Gwen Stefani (No Doubt and solo artist) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, record producer, fashion designer, and businesswoman. She records in multiple genres including ska, pop, R&B, electronica, rock, and new wave. Stefani isn’t afraid to experiment with new sounds or push the creative envelope with her music. She has sold over 30 million albums worldwide.

Alicia Keyes is an American singer-songwriter, musician, actress, philanthropist, and activist. Keys is a classically trained pianist who began composing songs at age 12. Her debut album, Songs in A Minor (2001) won five Grammys and has sold over 12 million copies worldwide. To date, she has won 15 Grammy Awards, 17 NAACP Image Awards, and 12 ASCAP Awards. She has sold over 35 million albums and 40 million singles worldwide. Keys was named the top R&B artist of the 2000s decade by Billboard. VH1 included her on their 100 Greatest Artists of All Time and 100 Greatest Women in Music. In 2005 and 2017, Time included her in their lists of the 100 most influential people of the year. Keys is also recognized for her humanitarian work, philanthropy, and activism. She co-founded and serves as the Global Ambassador of the nonprofit HIV/AIDS-fighting organization, Keep a Child Alive.

Norah Jones is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and philanthropist. She plays piano, keyboards, and guitar. Jones started out as a lounge singer and was recruited by Peter Malick of the Peter Malick Group to record with them. In 2002, Jones released her debut solo album, Come Away with Me. The album is a fusion of jazz, blues, folk, and country. It sold over 27 million copies and won five Grammy Awards including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best New Artist. She has released eight solo studio albums and ten collaborative albums to date. Jones donates her time and talents to causes such as animal charities and The Enough Project to raise awareness and funds to protect and empower women in the Congo.

Photo Credits:

Kate Bush: By Permission obtained from the creator here (Archived here) - Philip Chappell aka squidneyImage courtesy of a user of the Kate Bush News & Info Forum, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2027491

The Go Go’s: By Michael Borkson - https://www.flickr.com/photos/protestphotos1/7193873140/in/faves-24788065@N02/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19446765

Carole King: By John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA - Carole King 1, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=87363152

Dionne Warwick: By Raph_PH - DionneWRAH180918-23, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=73964665

Todd Rundgren: By Mitchell Weinstock - Flickr, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31313438

Jay-Z: By i am guilty - JAY-Z, original resolution, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3904691

Devo: By Mandy Hall - originally posted to Flickr as Devo, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5997919

Foo Fighters: By Raph_PH - FoosLondonStad220618-124, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=70337546

Iron Maiden: By File:Steve Harris 521.jpg: adelsFile:Davemurray.jpg: adelsFile:Adrian Smith Iron Maiden Newcastle.jpg: Mike LawrenceFile:Iron Maiden en Costa Rica Bruce.jpg: adelsFile:Nicko McBrain 2.jpg: adelsFile:Janick Gers @ Bluesfest July 6 2010.jpg: Scott Penner - File:Steve Harris 521.jpgFile:Davemurray.jpgFile:Adrian Smith Iron Maiden Newcastle.jpgFile:Iron Maiden en Costa Rica Bruce.jpgFile:Nicko McBrain 2.jpgFile:Janick Gers @ Bluesfest July 6 2010.jpg, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26614696

Fela Kuti: By derivative work: Klausness (✍)WAÏPA_FELA_KUTI.JPG: MOI MEME - WAÏPA_FELA_KUTI.JPG, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=57243286

LL Cool J: By U.S. State Department - https://www.flickr.com/photos/statephotos/38832214941/in/photolist-22ayQ4r-215bWSS-22atfBg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=76810126

New York Dolls: By Tabercil - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10687341

Rage Against the Machine: By Penner - https://www.flickr.com/photos/penner/1977294428/, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4158723

The Supremes: By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19065373

Etta James: By John K. Addis - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17699064

Martha and the Vandellas: By Aug856 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=47788836

Bonnie Raitt: By John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA - Bonnie Raitt, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=76514115

Tina Weymouth: By Michael Markos, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10266807

Chrissie Hynde: By Harmony Gerber from Los Angeles | Orange County, USA - The Pretenders / Chrissie Hynde, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26705494

Patti Smith: By Daigo Oliva from São Paulo - Originally posted to Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3056808

Madonna: By chrisweger - Madonna Rebel Heart Tour 2015 - Stockholm, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=52196466

ABBA: By AVRO - FTA001019454_012 from Beeld & Geluid wiki, CC BY-SA 3.0 nl, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17768826

Darlene Love: By Montclair Film Festival - https://www.flickr.com/photos/montclairfilmfest/8694607305/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31498936

Laura Nyro: By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22667756

Ann and Nancy Wilson: By John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA - Nancy and Ann Wilson ...Heart, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=75809591

Linda Ronstadt: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12109943

Nina Simone: By Gerrit de Bruin - http://amazingnina.com/presskit.html, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=57893728

Janet Jackson: By Rich Esteban - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=68958588

Tracy Chapman: By © Hans Hillewaert, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7279274

Cher: By Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America - Cher, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=95568807

Pat Benatar: By Heidy Escobar from VALPARAISO; LAGUNA VERDE, CHILE - PAT BENATAR, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=92296927

The Bangles: By Tabercil - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20627858

Florence + The Machine: By Kairi p - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16536760

Siouxsie and the Banshees: By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37660971

Taylor Swift: By Cosmopolitan UK, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=90905376

Gwen Stefani: By Lorie Shaull - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=91267237

Norah Jones: By Yaffa - Norah Jones at Bright Eyes at Town Hall 29-May-2007, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=87388281

All other photos are in the Public Domain – all photos are used with no intention of copyright infringement.

Sources for this article include:

Wikipedia – various artist’s/band’s biographical data

https://www.rockhall.com/nominees-announced-2021-induction