At The 2015 Rock Hall Of Fame Inductions

Among this year's inductees were Joan Jett, Green Day, and Ringo Starr, who had previously been inducted with the Beatles.

2015 Rock Hall Inductees: Joan Jett, Green Day, Lou Reed, Ringo Starr

The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame has unveiled its list of inductees for the 2015 class. Via Rolling Stone:

Lou Reed, Green Day, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Bill Withers and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band will all join the class of 2015. Ringo Starr will be given the Award For Musical Excellence and 1950s R&B group the "5" Royales will receive the Early Influence Award. Artists are eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25 years after the release of their first album or single. Green Day, whose debut EP, 1,000 Hours, came out in 1989, are entering the institution in their first year of eligibility. Starr was inducted as part of The Beatles in 1988, though his three other bandmates have since entered the Hall of Fame as solo artists.

And once again Chic, who have been nominated NINE times since becoming eligible in 2002, are shut out.

BROOKLYN: Joan Jett Fronts Nirvana At Their Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction

Last night the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducted its 2014 class at Brooklyn's Barclays Center, where Joan Jett was among the women who stepped in to front inductees Nirvana in the place of Kurt Cobain, who committed suicide 20 years ago last week.

Nirvana’s emotional induction included speeches from Cobain’s widow, Courtney Love, as well as his mother, Wendy O’Connor. R.E.M’s Michael Stipe, whom Cobain greatly admired, gave the official induction. “Nirvana captured lightning in a bottle,” he said. The band pushed “us forward towards our individual and collective potential.” He saluted Nirvana’s anti-mainstream stance and specifically Cobain for offering an “outsider voice for the fags, the fat, the fed-up and the bullied.” “Kurt, I miss you,” he said, rawly. Cobain’s mother fought back tears as she said of her son “he would have been so proud. He’d say he wasn’t, but he would be.” An uncommonly terse Love echoed that sentiment, “Tonight, he really would have appreciated.” Love also vowed to give the award to their daughter, Francis Bean, “who isn’t here because she’s sick.” Novoselic thanked Cobain for fronting music “that means so much for so many people.” Joan Jett sang lead with the band on a ferocious “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Several other women also sang Cobain’s parts with genuine brilliance and edge: Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth on “Aneurysm,” Annie Clark on “Lithium” and Lorde on “All Apologies.”

Other inductees were the ever feuding KISS, the E Street Band, Yusaf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens), Peter Gabriel, Hall & Oates, and Linda Ronstadt, who was unable to attend due to her battle with Parkinson's. Artists become eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first record.

2014 Rock Hall Of Fame Nominees: Chic, Kiss, Nirvana, Ronstadt, Hall & Oates

The list of 2014 nominees for the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame was announced today. On the list for the eighth time are disco legends Chic, who remain fronted by mega-producer Nile Rodgers (Madonna, David Bowie, Duran Duran.) I took the photo above at Chic's free show at Lincoln Center last summer.

"Teen Spirit" and "Good Times" may be coming to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame -- sealed with a KISS. Grunge groundbreakers Nirvana, disco dynamos Chic and the costume-clad, Gene Simmons-led pop metal band KISS are among 16 nominees up for election in the museum's Class of 2014. The deep selection also includes '70s and '80s hitmakers Hall and Oates; college radio heroes the Replacements; New Orleans funkmeisters the Meters; sweet-voiced Linda Ronstadt; and pioneering gangsta rappers N.W.A. Completing the list: the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Deep Purple, Peter Gabriel, LL Cool J, Cat Stevens, Link Wray, Yes and the Zombies. The list spans more than six decades of rock and pop history and includes both major pop successes -- Chic, Hall and Oates, Gabriel, Ronstadt and Yes all hit No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart -- and influential players.

Artists become eligible 25 years after their first US release.

NOTE: There may some controversy about the nomination of Cat Stevens, who in 1977 converted to Islam, changed his name to Yusaf Islam, and who (some claim) supported the fatwa calling for the execution of Satanic Verses author Salman Rushdie. He has, however, won several major awards for promoting peace.

RELATED: Donna Summer was inducted earlier this year after five consecutive nominations. I took the photos below at the Rock Hall Of Fame when I was in Cleveland a couple of weeks ago. That's the waitress costume Summer wore for the She Works Hard For The Money video. To the right is a copy of one of her early fan club newsletters, which was titled Rumor Has It, after her hit single from 1977's Once Upon A Time.

Donna Summer To Be Inducted Into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame

Word accidentally leaked out today that Donna Summer will be announced tomorrow as one of the 2013 inductees into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Summer died of lung cancer earlier this year at the age of 63. Via Contact Music:

Due to an administrative error, the I Feel Love singer's induction notice has been released hours before Hall of Fame officials announce the Class of 2013 on Tuesday. A statement from the late star's family reads: "We are overjoyed the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame has recognized Donna's tremendous musical achievements. Its an honor we know she quietly hoped for and would very much cherish. We are deeply grateful. The family cannot fully express the gratitude they feel for the outpouring of love received over the past few months in support of Donna's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. From fellow recording artists and industry executives to friends and fans from around the world, it will not be forgotten."

Summer was previously passed over after four nominations despite numerous Grammy wins, including one for Best Rock Vocal Performance. Artists become eligible 25 years after the domestic release of their first commercial full-length record.  The other artists whose names may be called tomorrow are Joan Jett, The Meters, Public Enemy, N.W.A., Albert King, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Kraftwerk, Randy Newman, Procol Harum, Rush, the Marvellettes, Deep Purple, and Chic.  Like Summer was, Chic is especially overdue, having been nominated seven times. (Via The Randy Report)

Donna Summer Nominated To Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame For Fifth Time

For the fifth time, Donna Summer is among the fourteen acts nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Summer, who died of lung cancer* in May, was also nominated four of the last five years, but has been overlooked despite numerous Grammy wins, including one for Best Rock Vocal Performance. Artists become eligible 25 years after the domestic release of their first commercial full-length record.

Here's the full list, from which five will be chosen: Donna Summer, Joan Jett, The Meters, Public Enemy, N.W.A., Albert King, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Kraftwerk, Randy Newman, Procol Harum, Rush, the Marvellettes, Deep Purple and Chic.

For the first time ever, fans get to weigh in on this year's inductees, although the "fans ballot" will apparently count as only one of the 600 ballots distributed to artists, music critics, and industry insiders. You can vote for your top five selections at Rolling Stone.  (Via Randy Report)

RELATED: This is Chic's seventh nomination. They and Donna Summer are considered by some to be this year's favorites.

* Summer claimed that her lung cancer was contracted due to exposure to toxic chemicals blown into her downtown Manhattan home after the attack on the World Trade Center.

 

Elton John On Donna Summer

"I'm so sad. This woman was the queen of disco and so much more. Her records sound as good today as they ever did. That she has never been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a total disgrace, especially when I see the second-rate talent that has been inducted. She is a great friend to me and to the Elton John AIDS Foundation and I will miss her greatly." - Elton John, reacting to the death of Donna Summer.

Summer has been nominated to the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame four times, including this year. I didn't disagree with any of the 2012 inductees, but in previous years...yeah, I hear ya, Elton.

Lesbian Singer/Songwriter Lauro Nyro Named To 2012 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced its 2012 inductees. For the fourth time, multiple Grammy winner Donna Summer had been nominated, but was not selected. Of slight solace (to me), late lesbian singer/songwriter Laura Nyro made the cut on her first nomination.

More than a quarter century after they brought hard rock back to the top of the heap, the original lineup of legendary Los Angeles band Guns N' Roses will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April. Guns were among the acts named on Wednesday as the Class of 2012, which includes fellow L.A. rockers the Red Hot Chili Peppers, iconic New York rap trio the Beastie Boys, 1960s pop singer Laura Nyro, the Small Faces (and their later Rod Stewart-led incarnation, the Faces), as well as mellow 1960s singer Donovan.

As far as I know, the other gay folks in the Hall of Fame are Elton John (1994), Dusty Springfield (1999) and Freddie Mercury (2001), who was inducted as a member of Queen. Check out the list of inductees and see if I've missed somebody. Acts become eligible 25 years after the release of their first U.S. full-length album.

VIDEO: Nyro was more famed for her many smash songs recorded by other artists. Here's her own take on her song made into a hit by the Fifth Dimension.

Donna Summer Nominated To Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame For Fourth Time

For the fourth time, Donna Summer is among the fifteen acts nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Summer was also nominated three of the last four years, but has been overlooked despite numerous Grammy wins, including one for Best Rock Vocal Performance. Artists become eligible 25 years after the release of their first commercial full-length record. Here's the full list, from which five will be chosen:

Beastie Boys, The Cure, Donovan, Eric B. & Rakim, Guns N’ Roses, Heart, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, Freddie King, Laura Nyro, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rufus with Chaka Khan, The Small Faces/The Faces, The Spinners, Donna Summer, War.

Notably (and shamefully) absent this year is Chic, who has been nominated six of the last eight years, but has never been chosen. Also: Eric B & Rakim? SRSLY?

RELATED: Since some of you are probably wondering, yes, Madonna was inducted in 2008.

Donna Summer Lands Third Nomination To The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame

Donna Summer has been nominated to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame for the third time, after having been passed over for the 2008 and 2010 classes of inductees. Classic disco group Chic has been nominated for the sixth time. Here's the full list of this year's nominees:

Neil Diamond, Donovan, Alice Cooper, and Dr. John have all been nominated for the very first time, while The J. Geils Band (2005, 2006), Donna Summer (2008, 2010), Chic (2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009), Darlene Love (1999, 2010), Joe Tex (1998, 2006, 2007), Chuck Willis (1986-1990!), and Laura Nyro (2010) have made it this far before. Tom Waits, Bon Jovi (2008), LL Cool J, and the Beastie Boys are also up for the honor, all but one for the first time.

Artists become eligible for the honor 25 years after the release of their first commercial full-length album. Last year's inductees were ABBA, Genesis, the Stooges, Jimmy Cliff, and the Hollies.

ABBA Makes Rock-N-Roll Hall Of Fame

ABBA made the list of 2010 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame. Joining them will be Genesis, The Stooges, The Hollies, and Jimmy Cliff. And once again: NO DONNA SUMMER. Outrage! Eligibility begins 25 years after an artist's first release, making Donna now ten years overdue. So much for those 12 Grammy nominations and five wins, including for Best Rock Vocal.

But Still No Donna Summer

The latest round of inductees to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame has been announced.

Run-DMC, the rap group consisting of Jason Mizell, Jason Simmons and Darryl McDaniels, will be among the artists inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The rappers (Mr. Mizell died in 2002), along with the group Metallica, will be inducted at a ceremony on April 4 in Cleveland, the hall announced on Wednesday. Others to be installed are Jeff Beck, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Bobby Womack and Wanda Jackson in the early-influences category, along with Bill Black, D. J. Fontana and Spooner Oldham as sidemen. The ceremony, which will be in Cleveland for the first time since 1997, will be broadcast live on Fuse TV. A limited number of tickets will be available to the public for the first time in the foundation’s history during a one-day walk-up sale on Jan. 24 at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame box office in Cleveland and through Ticketmaster beginning on Jan. 26.

Jeff Beck? Seriously? Name me one Jeff Beck solo record. See? He's already in there with the Yardbirds anyway. Donna Summer was nominated in 2007, but Madonna got in and Summer didn't. Outrage. Artists become eligible 25 years after the release of their first record, meaning next year we may see Pet Shop Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, or Whitney Houston nominated. Current members are here.

RELATED: Run-DMC is only the second rap act to be inducted, partially due to the relative youth of the genre, partially because of the controversy over whether rappers are proper musicians. Last year Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five become the first rappers inducted. Beastie Boys became eligible last year, that one is bound to happen.

Madonna Inducted

Madonna was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame yesterday. Madonna. Hall of Fame. Rock and Roll. But not Donna Summer, who has won a Grammy for Best Rock Vocal performance. This is no justice in this world.

But I'll at least give Madge props for bringing along the also shamefully uninducted Iggy Pop to sing punked-up versions of Ray Of Light and Burnin' Up at the ceremony. At least, I think that's Iggy. He looks, um, different.