Classic Rock Fans Won’t Be Happy With the Early Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Fan Vote Results

Early Voting Shows Surprising Leaders

The first week of fan voting for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 2026 class has produced results that many classic rock fans may not expect. After seven days of voting, more than two million ballots had already been submitted, giving an early look at how the public is reacting to this year’s list of nominees.

Seventeen artists were announced as nominees on Feb. 25. The list includes performers from several music styles and generations. Some come from traditional rock backgrounds, while others represent pop, R&B, and hip-hop. This wide mix has become common in recent years and has often sparked debate among fans who believe the Hall should focus more on rock music.

Phil Collins Leads the Early Count

So far, Phil Collins has taken the lead in the fan vote. As of Wednesday, March 4 at 9 a.m. EST, the singer and drummer had earned more than 230,000 votes. Collins already entered the Hall once as a member of Genesis, but a solo induction would recognize his long run of hits during the 1980s and 1990s.

Behind him is the R&B group New Edition with more than 190,000 votes. Pop singer Pink holds the third spot with just under 173,000 votes. Soul legend Luther Vandross follows closely with more than 169,000 votes. These early numbers show strong support for artists outside the classic rock field.

Rock Acts Sit Lower in the Top Ten

Billy Idol is the highest-ranking rock artist so far. The singer has gathered around 152,000 votes, placing him in fifth. Idol rose to fame in the early 1980s with songs like “White Wedding” and “Rebel Yell,” and many fans have pushed for his induction for years.

The rest of the current top ten includes several well-known names from different genres. Sade, INXS, Mariah Carey, Wu-Tang Clan, and Lauryn Hill fill the remaining spots. Their presence shows how wide the Hall’s nomination pool has become compared with its earlier years, when guitar-driven bands dominated the ballot.

Iron Maiden and Other Rock Bands Lag Behind

One notable rock act sitting outside the top ten is Iron Maiden. The band currently holds 11th place with more than 111,000 votes. Their frontman Bruce Dickinson has already made it clear that he does not place much value on the Hall’s recognition, once suggesting the band could do without it.

Other rock nominees are even further down the list. Oasis currently sits in 13th place, while The Black Crowes hold 14th. Both groups helped define rock music in the 1990s, yet their vote totals remain behind several pop and R&B artists.

Fan Vote Is Only One Piece of the Process

Even strong support in the fan vote does not guarantee induction. The public ballot counts as one vote alongside hundreds of ballots from music historians, artists, and industry members who help decide the final class.

Recent history shows how unpredictable the process can be. Last year the jam band Phish finished first in the fan vote, while Billy Idol came in third. Despite those strong results, neither artist was chosen for induction.

According to Future Rock Legends, the fan vote will continue until April 3. Fans can cast one ballot each day at RockHall.com. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame plans to announce its 2026 inductees later in April.