The New Orleans ensemble have been revered by fans of both funk and R&B. Formed in the 1960s, they had hits like "Sophisticated Cissy," and "Look-Ka Py Py. Their songs have been sampled by hip-hop pioneers like the Beastie Boys and Run DMC and covered by artists like the Grateful Dead.
The Meters —
The New Orleans ensemble have been revered by fans of both funk and R&B. Formed in the 1960s, they had hits like "Sophisticated Cissy," and "Look-Ka Py Py. Their songs have been sampled by hip-hop pioneers like the Beastie Boys and Run DMC and covered by artists like the Grateful Dead.
This is one fans have been waiting for. This Canadian group enjoyed popularity in the 1970s with songs like "Tom Sawyer" and "The Spirit Of Radio" and have long been favored to make the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Rush —
This is one fans have been waiting for. This Canadian group enjoyed popularity in the 1970s with songs like "Tom Sawyer" and "The Spirit Of Radio" and have long been favored to make the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Courtesy Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
Known as a funyman of music for his satirical lyrics, Newman has already won Grammys, Academy Awards and Emmys. He may be best known for his hits "I Love L.A." and "Short People."
Randy Newman —
Known as a funyman of music for his satirical lyrics, Newman has already won Grammys, Academy Awards and Emmys. He may be best known for his hits "I Love L.A." and "Short People."
Courtesy Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
As political as they were hip-hop pioneers, Public Enemy was led by frontman Chuck D. and showman Flavor Flav. Their 1988 album "It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back" and 1990 release "Fear Of A Black Planet" forever changed the landscape of rap.
Public Enemy —
As political as they were hip-hop pioneers, Public Enemy was led by frontman Chuck D. and showman Flavor Flav. Their 1988 album "It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back" and 1990 release "Fear Of A Black Planet" forever changed the landscape of rap.
Courtesy Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
"A Whiter Shade of Pale" landed in the Top 40 in 1967 and introduced this quintet to the world of rock 'n' roll. In 1972, "Conquistador" became what some have called one of rock's greatest orchestral projects. Members have changed since their debut, but they have continued to put out live albums for the past 20 years.
Procol Harum —
"A Whiter Shade of Pale" landed in the Top 40 in 1967 and introduced this quintet to the world of rock 'n' roll. In 1972, "Conquistador" became what some have called one of rock's greatest orchestral projects. Members have changed since their debut, but they have continued to put out live albums for the past 20 years.
Literally "Straight Outta Compton," the controversial rap group helped usher in West Coast hip-hop. Their G-Funk sound was built on P-Funk samples and their raw lyrics reflected the members L.A. neighborhoods. They are probably the only nominees to have been sent a warning letter from the F.B.I which is currently on exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
N.W.A. —
Literally "Straight Outta Compton," the controversial rap group helped usher in West Coast hip-hop. Their G-Funk sound was built on P-Funk samples and their raw lyrics reflected the members L.A. neighborhoods. They are probably the only nominees to have been sent a warning letter from the F.B.I which is currently on exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
They may not be as well known as some of their former label mates, but The Marvelettes helped make history. The quartet gave the Motown/Tamla label its first official No. 1 Hot 100 hit in 1961 with the single "Please Mr. Postman" which included Marvin Gaye on drums. Their songs have been covered by the likes of Blondie and Bonnie Raitt.
The Marvelettes —
They may not be as well known as some of their former label mates, but The Marvelettes helped make history. The quartet gave the Motown/Tamla label its first official No. 1 Hot 100 hit in 1961 with the single "Please Mr. Postman" which included Marvin Gaye on drums. Their songs have been covered by the likes of Blondie and Bonnie Raitt.
Germany proved to be the birthplace of the style of all synthesizer-based rock and electronic dance music that put Kraftwerk on the charts. Their use of synthesizers, multi-track recording and traditional instruments were technological advances in the 1970s when their avant-garde sound first burst on the scene. Their music has influenced everyone from hip-hop artists of the 1980s to current DJs like Deadmau5.
Kraftwerk —
Germany proved to be the birthplace of the style of all synthesizer-based rock and electronic dance music that put Kraftwerk on the charts. Their use of synthesizers, multi-track recording and traditional instruments were technological advances in the 1970s when their avant-garde sound first burst on the scene. Their music has influenced everyone from hip-hop artists of the 1980s to current DJs like Deadmau5.
Jett famously sang "I Love Rock 'N' Roll" and her fans returned the love. Jett was a founding member of the all-female band Runaways and along with the Blackhearts she enjoyed success on the charts with three Top 20 albums. They also appeared on the ballot last year.
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts‎ —
Jett famously sang "I Love Rock 'N' Roll" and her fans returned the love. Jett was a founding member of the all-female band Runaways and along with the Blackhearts she enjoyed success on the charts with three Top 20 albums. They also appeared on the ballot last year.
Sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson were two of the first women to find fame fronting a hard rock band. The female rockers dominated the video music scene in the 1980s with hits like "Alone," and "What About Love." Their band included guitarist Roger Fisher, bassist Steve Fossen, guitarist/keyboard player Howard Leese and drummer Michael DeRosier.
Heart —
Sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson were two of the first women to find fame fronting a hard rock band. The female rockers dominated the video music scene in the 1980s with hits like "Alone," and "What About Love." Their band included guitarist Roger Fisher, bassist Steve Fossen, guitarist/keyboard player Howard Leese and drummer Michael DeRosier.
Courtesy Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
"Queen of Disco" Donna Summer has five times before appeared on the ballot for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She was the first female artist to have four No. 1 singles in a 13-month period with "MacArthur Park," "Hot Stuff," "Bad Girls" and "No More Tears." Summer died in 2012 after a battle with lung disease.
Donna Summer —
"Queen of Disco" Donna Summer has five times before appeared on the ballot for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She was the first female artist to have four No. 1 singles in a 13-month period with "MacArthur Park," "Hot Stuff," "Bad Girls" and "No More Tears." Summer died in 2012 after a battle with lung disease.
Courtesy Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
British quintet Deep Purple helped rock critics coin the term "heavy metal." With songs like "Smoke on the Water" and "Highway Star," their lineup changed over the decades and included rockers like singer David Coverdale and bassist Glenn Hughes. Founding member Jon Lord died in 2012, but the current three members of the band, Ian Paice, Ian Gillan and Roger Glover have continued to tour the world for more than four decades.
Deep Purple —
British quintet Deep Purple helped rock critics coin the term "heavy metal." With songs like "Smoke on the Water" and "Highway Star," their lineup changed over the decades and included rockers like singer David Coverdale and bassist Glenn Hughes. Founding member Jon Lord died in 2012, but the current three members of the band, Ian Paice, Ian Gillan and Roger Glover have continued to tour the world for more than four decades.
Chic is often credited as the group who helped rescue disco in the 1970s. Over the years their music has been sampled by several hip-hop and pop artists. Their hits include "Le Freak" and "Good Times" and they hold the distinction this year of most number of times previously on the ballot as this is their seventh appearance.
CHIC —
Chic is often credited as the group who helped rescue disco in the 1970s. Over the years their music has been sampled by several hip-hop and pop artists. Their hits include "Le Freak" and "Good Times" and they hold the distinction this year of most number of times previously on the ballot as this is their seventh appearance.
The Windy City was the home base for this racially diverse band and their brand of blues. They debuted in 1965 and tunes like "Blues With a Feelin'" and "East West" helped cement their place as blues players with a bit of an edge. Their Southside Chicago sound so impressed Bob Dylan that he used some of their members to play with him at the now famous 1965 Newport Folk Festival.
The Paul Butterfield Blues Band —
The Windy City was the home base for this racially diverse band and their brand of blues. They debuted in 1965 and tunes like "Blues With a Feelin'" and "East West" helped cement their place as blues players with a bit of an edge. Their Southside Chicago sound so impressed Bob Dylan that he used some of their members to play with him at the now famous 1965 Newport Folk Festival.
Albert King's husky vocals and signature Gibson Flying V guitar influenced several artists including Eric Clapton and avid fan Stevie Ray Vaughan. Known for such songs as "Don't Throw Your Love on Me So Strong" and "That's What the Blues Is All About," it's the first nomination for the Mississippi Delta native who died in 1992.
Albert King —
Albert King's husky vocals and signature Gibson Flying V guitar influenced several artists including Eric Clapton and avid fan Stevie Ray Vaughan. Known for such songs as "Don't Throw Your Love on Me So Strong" and "That's What the Blues Is All About," it's the first nomination for the Mississippi Delta native who died in 1992.
Courtesy Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum