Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Announces Nominees

TThe Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation has announced this year’s nominees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The award, held annually, is considered among the most prestigious in the industry today.

Some of rock ‘n’ roll’s biggest names are included in this year’s list of nominees, including Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, The Cure, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and, perhaps most notably, Guns ‘N Roses.

Although some might be perplexed as to why artists with legendary status aren’t already included in the Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation does have rules in place to ensure that any artist fulfills various criteria before being eligible for entry.

Artists become eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first record.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Ready for 2012

The voting process begins with the Foundation’s nominating committee, composed of rock and roll historians.

Ballots are then forwarded to an international voting body comprised of what the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame describes as ‘more than 500 rock experts’.

The performers receiving the highest number of votes are inducted.

The Hall of Fame is criticised in some circles as being less about rock ‘n’ roll than it should be, with some of the less obvious past inductees including pop heavyweights like Madonna and Abba.

But the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, itself, takes pride in its supporting a variety of musical genres, clearly identifying with the opinion that rock ‘n’ roll is more than just music.

The President and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, Joel Peresman, said, “From vocal groups to hip hop, from singer-songwriters to hard rocking artists, this group represents the spirit of what we celebrate at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.”

Successful nominees are represented in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio.

Next year’s induction ceremony is scheduled in Cleveland on 14 April 2012.

Samuel Agini is the editor of Andrew Apanov’s Dotted Music.