Paul McCartney wants Joe Cocker in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. On Monday, publicist Bob Merlis shared a scanning of a Feb. 25-dated letter from McCartney urging that the English musician be inducted into the organization.

Paul McCartney is petitioning for late English blues-rock singer Joe Cocker to be inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame this year. In a letter dated Feb. 25, and addressed to “rock and rollers,” McCartney described Cocker,

As McCartney implied, “With a Little Help From My Friends” was written by him and John Lennon, and sung by Beatles drummer Ringo Starr as the fictional character Billy Shears when it appeared on the group’s 1967 album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Phish holds a big lead in the 2025 Rock Hall fan vote, with Billy Idol, Soundgarden, Bad Company, Cyndi Lauper, Joe Cocker and Chubby Checker rounding out the top 7.

Paul McCartney was one of many to endorse Foreigner to be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, which was a campaign spearheaded by Mick Jones’ stepson Mark Ronson. Now, the Beatle is advocating for the late English blues-rock singer Joe Cocker,

The 2025 nominees are Bad Company, The Black Crowes, Mariah Carey, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Billy Idol, Joy Division/New Order, Cyndi Lauper, Maná, Oasis, OutKast, Phish, Soundgarden and The White Stripes.

Jasper was an R&B singer-songwriter and producer credited with shaping the sound of the Isley Brothers in the ‘70s and ’80s. He, along with Ernie and Marvin Isley, transformed the vocal trio (originally known for ‘50s and ’60s hits like “Shout” and “This Old Heart of Mine”) into a six-member R&B/funk group in 1973.

Though the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has (eventually) done right by these artists -- including other new wave greats like the Police, Blondie , Elvis Costello and the Cars -- many other deserving new wave greats remain on the outside looking in. We’ve highlighted the five most egregious omissions in the gallery below.