Editorial credit: Cheri Alguire / Shutterstock.com
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame revealed its 2021 Inductees Wednesday morning, celebrating the most diverse list of Inductees in the history of the organization. They are:
Performer Category:
- Tina Turner
- Carole King
- The Go-Go’s
- JAY-Z
- Foo Fighters
- Todd Rundgren
Early Influence Award:
- Kraftwerk
- Charley Patton
- Gil Scott-Heron
Musical Excellence Award:
- LL Cool J
- Billy Preston
- Randy Rhoads
Ahmet Ertegun Award:
- Clarence Avant
“This diverse class of talented Inductees reflects the Rock Hall’s ongoing commitment to honor artists whose music created the sound of youth culture”, said John Sykes, Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. “It will make for an unforgettable live celebration of music in October at this year’s Induction Ceremony in Cleveland.”
To be eligible, artists are required to have released their first record 25 years prior to induction. Learn more about the qualifications and categories here: rockhall.com/inductees/categories
Ballots were sent to an international voting body of more than 1,200 artists, including current living Inductees, historians and members of the music industry. Factors such as an artist’s musical influence on other artists, length and depth of career and the body of work, innovation and superiority in style and technique are taken into consideration.
The 36th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Saturday, October 30, 2021 at 8 p.m. ET at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio with a radio simulcast on SiriusXM’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Radio channel 310. The Induction Ceremony will air at a later date on HBO and stream on HBO Max. Tickets go on sale to the public and members in July. Select Rock Hall donors and members get exclusive Induction ticket opportunities. Donate or join by June 30, 2021 to be eligible. Visit rockhall.com/join to learn more.
Click on the images below to find out more about this year’s inductees in the Performer category:
TINA TURNER: Tina Turner worked hard to reimagine the role of a Black woman in rock and roll – one not relegated to the edges.
CAROLE KING: By singing about her desires, experiences, heartaches, and life, King gave women a voice and the confidence to incite change.
THE GO-GO’S: Considered the most successful all-woman rock band of all time, the Go-Go’s catchy, well-crafted songs formed a bridge between the brash urgency of L.A. punk and the dark melodies of new wave pop.
JAY-Z: JAY-Z has maintained authenticity with hip-hop purists while still achieving incomparable commercial and business success. Many have tried, but no one has come close to knocking him off his throne.
FOO FIGHTERS: Foo Fighters carry the torch of rock authenticity with infectious hooks, in-your-face guitar riffs, monster drums, and boundless energy.
TODD RUNDGREN: A true jack of all trades, Todd Rundgren continues to redefine the sound of rock & roll through genre-melding songwriting and production.
