The votes have been counted and the following have been elected for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Class of 2021:
Performer Category – honoring bands and solo artists who, in their careers, have created music whose originality, impact and influence has changed the course of rock ‘n’ roll:
- Jay-Z
- Carole King
- Todd Rundgren
- Tina Turner
- Foo Fighters — Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Rami Jaffee, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett and Pat Smear
- The Go-Go’s — Charlotte Caffey, Belinda Carlisle, Gina Schock, Kathy Valentine and Jane Wiedlin
Musical Excellence Award — given to artists, musicians, songwriters and producers whose originality and influence creating music have had a dramatic impact on music:
- LL Cool J
- Billy Preston
- Randy Rhoads
Early Influence Award — given to a performing artist or group whose music and performance style have directly influenced and helped inspire and evolve rock ‘n’ roll and music that has impacted youth culture:
- Gil Scott Heron
- Charley Patton
- Kraftwerk — Karl Bartos, Wolfgang Flür, Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider
Ahmet Ertegun Award – given to non performing industry professionals who, through their dedicated belief and support of artists and their music have had a major influence on the creative development and growth of rock ‘n’ roll and music that has impacted youth culture:
- Clarence Avant — music executive, entrepreneur and film producer who also goes by the name of “The Black Godfather”
To be eligible, artists are required to have released their first record 25 years prior to induction
Carole King went in with her ex-husband and songwriting partner Gerry Goffin in 1990 in the non-performer category. She has been eligible as a performer since 1986.
Tina Turner was inducted with Ike and Tina Turner in 1991. She’s been eligible as a solo performer since 2000, and finished number-one in the Fan Vote.
Two honorees worth noting are LL Cool J and Kraftwerk.
Each have been nominated six times, so, to ensure they are enshrined, they’ve been honored outside the Performer Category with LL getting the Musical Excellence Award, and Kraftwerk the Early Influence Award.
The 36th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Saturday, October 30th at 8 p.m. ET at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland.
Tickets go on sale in July at Ticketmaster.com.
