Update: Tina Turner, Jay-Z and Foo Fighters Top List of Rock Hall Inductees

Foo Fighters performing at Blossom in 2018. - Joe Kleon
Joe Kleon
Foo Fighters performing at Blossom in 2018.

Update: Just this morning, the Rock Hall announced the new class of Inductees, and Tina Turner leads the list. Already inducted into the Rock Hall as a member of the influential R&B act Ike & Tina Turner, Turner, the subject of a terrific new documentary film that traces the professional and personal obstacles she’s overcome during her extensive career and the winner of the Rock Hall's Fan Vote, will also be inducted as a solo artist. The induction is long overdue for the talented Turner.

The list of new Inductees that also includes hip-hop icon Jay-Z, hard rock act Foo Fighters, the Go-Go's, multi-instrumentalist and producer Todd Rundgren, and singer-songwriter Carole King.

Rapper LL Cool J will receive a musical excellence award for people “whose originality and influence creating music have had a dramatic impact on music.” Other musical excellence recipients include keyboardist Billy Preston and guitarist Randy Rhoads.

The Ahmet Ertegun Award for nonperformers will go to the record executive Clarence Avant, and Gil Scott-Heron, Charley Patton and Kraftwerk will receive “early influence” trophies.

"This diverse class of talented Inductees reflects the Rock Hall’s ongoing commitment to honor artists whose music created the sound of youth culture”, says John Sykes, Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, in a statement. “It will make for an unforgettable live celebration of music in October at this year’s Induction Ceremony in Cleveland.”

The Induction Ceremony will take place on Oct. 30 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Details and ticket on-sale information will be announced later.

Select Rock Hall donors and members get exclusive Induction ticket opportunities but must donate or join by Monday, May 31, to be eligible.

Original Post 2/10/2021: Earlier today, the Rock Hall released its very eclectic list of nominations for this year's Inductions. Shoe-ins like Foo Fighters and Jay-Z lead the list that also includes Mary J. Blige, Kate Bush, Devo, the Go-Go’s, Iron Maiden, Chaka Khan, Carole King, Fela Kuti, LL Cool J, New York Dolls, Rage Against the Machine, Todd Rundgren, Tina Turner and Dionne Warwick.

To be eligible for nomination, an individual artist or band must have released its first commercial recording at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination. Seven out of this year's 16 nominees are on the ballot for the first time, including Foo Fighters, the Go-Go’s, Iron Maiden, JAY-Z, Carole King (as a performer), Fela Kuti and Dionne Warwick.

“This remarkable ballot reflects the diversity and depth of the artists and music the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame celebrates” says John Sykes, Chairman, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, in a statement. “These nominees have left an indelible impact on the sonic landscape of the world and influenced countless artists that have followed them.”

Today through April 30, fans can vote every day at rockhall.com, or at the Hall of Fame itself. The top five artists, as selected by the public, will comprise a “fans’ ballot” that will be tallied along with the other ballots to select the 2021 Inductees. 

Inductees will be announced in May. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2021 Induction Ceremony will take place here this fall. Details and ticket on-sale information will be announced later.

Select Rock Hall donors and members get exclusive Induction ticket opportunities but must donate or join by Monday, May 31, to be eligible.

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Jeff Niesel

Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 25 years now. On a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town. And if you're in a local band that he needs to hear, email him at [email protected].
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