Even after nearly five decades as a prominent figure in pop culture, ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic has expressed that he is not overly concerned about his absence from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a prestigious institution that honors influential musicians and bands.

In an interview with Vulture, Yankovic was asked for his thoughts on how he would convince the Rock Hall to “do the right thing and induct” him. Despite his iconic status in music parody, Yankovic appeared somewhat resigned to the idea that he may never receive this honor, stating, “The Rock Hall is going to do what they’re going to do.” His perspective reflects a blend of humor and acceptance regarding the situation.

“They’re obviously broadening the definition of what constitutes rock and roll when they make their selections,” he elaborated. “If they ever decide to include a comedic artist, I’d like to think I would be a strong candidate for that. However, if they opt for another accordion-playing parody writer before me, I would be disappointed and feel overlooked.”

“I don’t lose any sleep over not being nominated,” he remarked. “At the moment, there aren’t millions of fans questioning, ‘Why isn’t he in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?’ I would prefer that over having masses of people asking, ‘Who allowed that jerk in there?’” His remarks highlight his unique approach to fame and recognition.

Although Yankovic has been eligible for nomination to the Rock Hall since 2005, he has yet to see his name on any of the annual ballots. Nevertheless, the chairman, John Sykes, acknowledged in December that the renowned musical satirist has “come up in conversations” regarding potential inductees over the years, indicating some level of recognition within the institution.

“He’s a genius,” praised Sykes. “He has created remarkable versions of numerous songs, yet I must admit that he has never come close to making it onto the ballot.” This statement reveals the ongoing discussions surrounding Yankovic’s contributions to music and the challenges he faces in gaining formal recognition.

Comedian John Mulaney recently shared his views on Yankovic’s absence from the Rock Hall, reflecting on the induction of Chubby Checker this year despite his debut single “The Class” being categorized as a novelty song, which raises questions about the criteria for induction.

“I’m a strong advocate for novelty music,” Mulaney expressed. “I fully support ‘Weird Al’ being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. It seems like a step in the right direction, although I’m puzzled as to why it needs to be approached in steps. ‘Weird Al’ has introduced countless individuals to music, a fact that often goes unrecognized and deserves acknowledgment.”

“I must admit that I will diminish my coolness by stating that [when I was young], it wasn’t until ‘Smells Like Nirvana’ parodied ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ that I could truly appreciate the original,” Mulaney added. “Initially, it was intimidating. I was just a kid feeling happy. I needed that comedic angle to help me access the song, and after laughing at ‘Smells Like Nirvana,’ I realized, ‘Oh, this is an excellent song.’”

This year’s inductees into the Rock Hall include notable acts such as The White Stripes, Outkast, Soundgarden, Bad Company, Cyndi Lauper, and many others, emphasizing the diverse range of talent recognized by the Hall.

The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place live on Saturday, November 8, at the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles. This prestigious ceremony will once again stream live on Disney+, with a special airing on ABC at a later date and available on Hulu the following day, providing fans multiple ways to engage with this momentous occasion.