The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has long cloaked its nomination process in secrecy, leaving fans to speculate about how their favourite artists make—or miss—the cut. Recently, however, Hall chairman John Sykes pulled back the curtain, offering a rare glimpse into the deliberations that shape the annual ballot.
“I call the annual nominating committee a cross between an intellectual conversation and WWE,” Sykes revealed in a candid interview with Vulture. “It’s not a beautifully organized or wonderful meeting. It goes on for hours. It all just depends when people decide to stop fighting for their artists they want to get in.”
The committee, comprised of about 30 members, is an eclectic mix of artists, journalists, critics, and executives. Familiar names like Sheryl Crow, Dave Grohl, Tom Morello, and Questlove have all taken part in the lively debates. “These are not people who give in easily,” Sykes noted. “They really come prepared with their artists and why they deserve it.”
The meeting, held each January behind firmly closed doors, allows no cameras—just passionate advocates determined to make their case. “There’s no way you could fix the ballot in that room,” Sykes assured. “It’s very diverse, and there are checkpoints every way around. I guess what I’m saying is that this is a democratic process. There are no backroom decisions. People fight it out.”
While committee members don’t face term limits, Sykes emphasized the importance of keeping the group dynamic and relevant. “We need a committee that understands and represents [the artists we’re inducting],” he explained. Efforts are made to ensure a balance of gender, race, age, and other factors to reflect the diversity of the music itself.
Still, Sykes is well aware of the inevitable controversies. “There’s always going to be questions about who got in and who didn’t,” he admitted. But he takes pride in the passion that fuels each nomination cycle.
“I love this job, but it can be thankless at times because you can’t get everyone,” Sykes confessed. “Look at the names of the 2024 class. How do you not put these people in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Yet there’s still more we got to put in, which is why in January we’re going to sit down in New York City, close the doors for five hours, and get into a good old-fashioned shouting match.”
And so, the process rolls on—messy, heated, but undeniably fueled by a genuine love of music.
