Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum and institution in Cleveland, Ohio, United States, dedicated, as the name suggests, to recording the history of some of the best-known and most influential rock and roll performers, producers, and other people who have in some major way influenced the industry.

Hall of Fame

Beginning in 1986, a handful of artists are inducted into the Hall of Fame in an annual induction ceremony in New York City. The first group of inductees, inducted on January 23, 1986, included Chuck Berry, James Brown, Ray Charles, Fats Domino, the Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley.

Related Topics:
1986 - Induction ceremony - New York City - January 23 - Chuck Berry - James Brown - Ray Charles - Fats Domino - The Everly Brothers - Buddy Holly - Jerry Lee Lewis - Elvis Presley

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Currently, groups or individuals are qualified for induction 25 years after the release of their first record. Nominees should have demonstrable influence and significance within the history of rock and roll. Four categories are recognized: Performers, Non-Perfomers, Early Influences, and since 2000, Sidemen.

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Not everybody is happy with the selection process; in particular, advocates of progressive rock feel that worthy artists are being deliberately shut out. Others feel that the number of inductees every year is too large, including too many less-notable artists, thereby diluting the impact of a nomination. Finally, some feel that the selection committee is effectively controlled by a few individuals, including founder Jann Wenner and writer Dave Marsh, and is not representative of the rock world as a whole.

Related Topics:
Progressive rock - Jann Wenner - Dave Marsh

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Performers

Performers include singers and instrumentalists.

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A nominating committee composed of music historians selects names for the Performers category, which are then voted on by roughly 1000 experts, including academics, journalists, producers, and others with music industry experience. Perfomers receiving the highest number of votes greater than 50% of the votes received are selected for induction; each year about five to seven nominees make the cut.

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Non-Performers

Non-Performers include songwriters, producers, disc jockeys, music industry executives, journalists, and other professionals.

Related Topics:
Songwriter - Producers - Disc jockey - Music industry - Journalists

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A separate selection committee selects inductees directly in the Non-Performers and Early Influences category.

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Early Influences

Early Influences includes artists from earlier eras, primarily country, folk, and blues, whose music inspired and influenced rock and roll artists.

Related Topics:
Country - Folk - Blues

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Sidemen

The new Sidemen category includes veteran session and concert players who are selected by a committee composed primarily of producers.

Related Topics:
Session - Concert

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