The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation has announced its Class of 2023. To be eligible, artists are required to have released their first record 25 years prior to Induction.
Those elected for induction in the following categories are:
Performer Category: artists who have created music whose originality, impact, and influence has changed the course of rock & roll.
- Kate Bush - fourth nomination
- Sheryl Crow - first nomination
- Missy Elliott - first nomination & first female rapper inducted
- George Michael - first nomination & winner of Fan Vote
- Willie Nelson - first nomination
- Rage Against the Machine - fifth nomination
- The Spinners - fourth nomination
Musical Influence Award: artists whose music and performance style have directly influenced, inspired, and evolved rock & roll and music impacting youth culture.
- DJ Kool Herc - founding father of Hip-Hop
- Link Wray - late influential guitarist
Musical Excellence Award: given to artists, musicians, songwriters and producers whose originality and influence creating music have had a dramatic impact on music.
- Chaka Khan
- Al Kooper
- Bernie Taupin
Ahmet Ertegun Award: given to non-performing industry professionals who have had a major influence on the creative development and growth of rock & roll and music that has impacted youth culture.
- Don Cornelius - late creator, producer and host of Soul Train
The 38th annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Friday, November 3rd at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Ticket on sale information will be announced at a later date.
The seven artists who were nominated but failed to garner enough votes are:
- Cyndi Lauper - second in the Fan Vote
- Warren Zevon - third in the Fan Vote
- Iron Maiden - fourth in the Fan Vote
- Soundgarden - fifth in the Fan Vote
- Joy Division/New Order - ninth in the Fan Vote
- The White Stripes - 12th in the Fan Vote
- A Tribe Called Quest - 14th in the Fan Vote
So many incredible classic rock artists continue to be overlooked - Foreigner, Jimmy Buffett, Jethro Tull, Bad Company, Boston and many, many others.
By continuing to overlook many of the artists from the '70s (& '80s too), the Hall is alienating a large segment of potential customers and creating negative talk about the Hall.
Source: Variety and Premiere