'Weird Al' Yankovic's Name Has 'Come Up in Conversations' for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction. Why It Hasn't Happened

Is it time for “Weird Al” Yankovic to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?

Since the 65-year-old parody musician’s career began in the 1970s, he’s earned legitimate hits, won five Grammy Awards, toured the world constantly and earned the respect of many of the artists he’s impersonated — so why not welcome him to a prestigious music organization?

In a new interview with Vulture, Rock Hall president John Sykes opened up about why several performers who have been in the game for a while have yet to be inducted, including Yankovic.

Why the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame won’t change its name despite complaints from many stars

“Weird Al” Yankovic in October 2024.

Alberto Rodriguez/Variety via Getty

“‘Weird Al’ came up in conversations,” said Sykes, 69. “He’s a genius.”

The entertainment executive added of the “Eat It” singer: “He’s done brilliant versions of songs, but I’ll be honest: He’s never come close to being voted in.”

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Some other acts that were discussed for induction but never made it, Sykes also told the outlet, are the B-52’s, Phil Collins as a solo artist, the Pixies and Joe Cocker.

Regardless of whether he is drafted or not, Yankovic has a busy 2025 ahead of him. The comedian is gearing up for his massive Bigger & Weirder Tour, which includes stops at major North American venues such as Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado, Madison Square Garden in New York and the Kia Forum in Los Angeles.

“Weird Al” Yankovic in May 2023.

Scott Dudelson/Getty

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Elsewhere in Sykes’ interview with Vulture, the president talked about why the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame won’t be changing its name anytime soon despite inducting artists from a variety of genres — including Dolly Parton, who has publicly said she doesn’t feel like she deserves the honor as a country musician .

“I think it’s because some people don’t understand the meaning of rock and roll,” he said. “If you go back to the original sound in the ’50s, that was it. Like [2023 inductee] Missy Elliott calls it, it was gumbo. It just became known as rock and roll.”

Sykes continued, “So when I hear people say, ‘You should just change it to the Music Hall of Fame,’ rock and roll has pretty much covered all that territory. Instead of putting the name out there, it does a better job of communicating with people where rock and roll is from.” came and what it is actually about, once they hear it that way, they understand.”

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Source: HIS Education