The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced the nominees that are eligible for induction as a part of the Hall’s Class of 2015.
This year’s nominees are: The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Chic, Green Day, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Kraftwerk, The Marvelettes, N.W.A, Nine Inch Nails, Lou Reed, The Smiths, The Spinners, Sting, Stevie Ray Vaughan, War, and Bill Withers.
“We are pleased to present this group of nominees, as they represent the myriad places where rock and roll converges with blues, electronic, dance, Motown, R&B, funk and other genres,” Joel Peresman, president and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, said in press statement. “Rock and roll incorporates the styles of so many different kinds of music and that’s what makes this group of nominees — and this art form — so powerful and unique.”
Green Day and Nine Inch Nails are two bands that have been nominated in their first year of eligibility, according to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. In April of 1989, Green Day released their EP 1,000 Hours; and, in October Nine Inch Nails released their first album Pretty Hate Machine.
Joining Green Day and Nine Inch Nails as newcomers to the ballot are: The Smiths, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Bill Withers, and Sting. While, Sting is a newcomer to the ballot as a solo artist, he was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003 as part of The Police. Additionally, the late Lou Reed was previously inducted, in 1996, as a member of The Velvet Underground.
So, how does an artist or band become nominated?
Well, for this year’s crop of contenders, in order to be even considered in the nomination process, the artist or band must have released their first single or album in prior to – or in the year of – 1989, according to Rolling Stone.
Following the nominations, ballots will be sent to an international voting body that is comprised of more than seven hundred artists, historians, and other influential and knowledgeable members of the music industry. But, the voting does not end there; the fans also get to have a voice in this process.
Until December 9th, 2014, fans can cast their vote online for which band or artist is most deserving of induction in 2015. There are three websites that will be open to collect fan votes: USAToday.com, RollingStone.com, and RockHall.com. The top five artists that are selected with the votes from fans will comprise a ballot that will be counted along with the others to determine which bands and artists will be inducted. So, if you are a huge fan of one of these groups, go vote, and let your voice be heard!
Later in December, the five inductees will be announced, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be April 18th, 2015, in Cleveland, Ohio.
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