Bon Jovi at the 2018 Rock Hall Inductions. Credit: Joe Kleon
Earlier this week, John Sykes, the new Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation told the Los Angeles Times that next year’s ceremony will air live on HBO. That’ll mark a departure from years past as HBO has aired the ceremony a few weeks after the event takes place.

The 2020 Inductions are slated to take place in Cleveland, but the Rock Hall has yet to announce a date and venue.

Given that other awards ceremonies such as the Grammys and the Oscars air live, it makes sense that the Rock Hall Inductions would air live too.

“We have new board members,” Sykes says in his interview with the Los Angeles Times. “The induction ceremony will be live [on HBO] next year instead of taped. We’re also looking to do a lot more in California, because it is a cornerstone of the music business. The best time to reinvent is when you’re on top of the game. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is setting new attendance records, it has gained recognition as a true cultural institution. I think now is our chance.”

It won’t be the first time the Inductions have aired live. In 2008, Fuse TV, a channel that, at the time, tried to rival MTV by airing music videos, rock concerts and music-related programs, inked a three-year deal to air the Inductions live.

Sign up for Scene’s weekly newsletters to get the latest on Cleveland news, things to do and places to eat delivered right to your inbox.

This article appears in Sep 25 – Oct 1, 2019.

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 jniesel@clevescene.com.