Seven bands and artists get voted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame each year. The current fan vote standings for 2025 inductees is:
Phish 193k
Billy Idol 123k
Bad Company 121k
Soundgarden 116k
Cyndi Lauper 110k
Joe Cocker 105k
Chubby Checker 94k
Lagging behind in eighth place with 82k votes is the Black Crowes.
I'm a big Crowes fan. Along with Cypress Hill (who should also be nominated), the Crowes helped light the fire for marijuana legalization in the '90s. Both bands appeared on the cover off High Times in 1992 (I wrote the stories) and advocated for drug-law reform.
In my interview then with lead singer Chris Robinson, he told me:
"Pot's nothing to be taboo about. It's part of pop culture. In the '80s it was sort of passé. People who were wrapped up in money saw weed as a frivolous extravagance. It's really old-fashioned. It goes way, way back. I'm really into how it's interwoven into cultures – Afghani culture, Moroccan culture... When you get high you see things from another angle. Why would a manipulative government want you to see any angle but the one they're giving you? It's fucking obvious."
That was year the Crowes headlined the Atlanta Pot Festival and their second album, Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, was released. In concert they showed off a huge potleaf banner on stage during shows. It always elicited a chorus of cheers and applause.
Starting with 1990's Shake Your Moneymaker, which produced several hit singles ("Hard to Handle," No. 26; "She Talks to Angels," No. 30; Jealous Again," No. 75), the Crowes have released 10 albums over the years. Their latest Happiness Bastards received a 2024 Grammy nomination for Best Rock Album. The band's only other Grammy nom was Best New Artist. They didn't win either.
A B-side from Southern Harmony, a cover of Bob Dylan's "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35," ended up as the opening track of the NORML benefit album, Hempilation, which I co-produced in 1995.
The Crowes have had their ups and downs over the years with Chris and his guitar-playing brother Rich having several fallings out, leading to hiatuses and solo projects. Original drummer Steve Gorman wrote a nasty tell-all about being in the band and keyboardist Ed Hawrsch died of an overdose. Chris went through a hard-drug period as well. He was also married to actress Kate Hudson from 2000-2006. They have a 21-year-old son Ryder. Chris is 58 and Rich is 55.
Why Vote for the Black Crowes
I like most of the leading vote-getters, especially Phish and Soundgarden. Though I respect Chubby Checker, he should be added with a special induction like many other older performers before him.
I don't expect them to get in this year. Perhaps next year both the Crowes and Cypress will be nominated and inducted at the same time. That would be one for the stoners.
The other 2025 nominees are: Mariah Carey 78k, Joy Divison/New Order 63k, Outkast 60k, the White Stripes 59k, Oasis 57k and Maná 22k.
Fan voting closes on April 21.
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