Music has some new royalty after the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced its new class of inductees Wednesday, including four first-time nominees like Whitney Houston and Notorious B.I.G.

John Goehrke, the Hall of Fame’s Director of Fan Engagement, told Cheddar this class of inductees “celebrates the diversity of Rock and Roll.” In addition to Houston and Biggie, the Doobie Brothers, Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails and T. Rex join the prestigious club.

“I think it's a very diverse class of inductees, which, to us, is awesome because rock and roll has never been one thing. It’s always been more about the spirit and an attitude than about the music sounds, the way an artist looks,” said Goehrke.

Artists become eligible for admission 25 years after the release of their first records. Ballots are sent to more than 1,000 artists, scholars, current living Inductees, and members of the music industry. An artist’s influence on other artists, the length of their career, and their musical impact are all factors taken into consideration when voting for a new class of inductees.

This year, the Hall of Fame also received more than 8.2 million votes from the official Fan Vote, an increase from the 3.3 million votes it got in 2018. Despite the outpouring (especially for Dave Matthews Band fans), the top five Fan Vote-getters comprise a single “fans’ ballot” which get counted along with the thousand others.

There were 16 nominees this year, and for those fans whose idols didn’t land on top, Goehrke noted there is no expiration date. “If you feel a little disappointed today, that’s okay. Hopefully, next year, or the year after, will be your year,” Goehrke said.

This year’s induction ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 2 in Cleveland. For those not lucky enough to get a ticket, it will also be available to watch on HBO.

Share:
More In Culture
'Diall' App To Connect People With Specialized Support
Two friends have joined forces to come up with an app dedicated to making mental health more approachable and to provide users with the tools needed to improve their mental health and overall well-being. Co-Founders of the Dial App Jonah Salita and Marcel Johnson, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
Microsoft U.S. President Talks What International Women’s Day Means to Her
On this International Women’s Day, Deb Cupp, president of Microsoft U.S., joined Cheddar News to talk about the implementation of her pillars to extend the company's culture, such as acting with care and putting the team first. "What I like about the pillars is they're very simple, so it's easy for us to think about how they show up every day in our lives," Cupp said.
Steven Spielberg Takes Issue With Cutting Oscar Categories From Live Broadcast
Steven Spielberg has spoken out against the Motion Picture Academy’s decision to move the presentation of eight categories to the pre-show off-air for this year’s Oscars. "We should all have a seat at the supper table together, live at five," said the Academy Award-winning director, who is also nominated for two statues at this year's event.
The History and Future of the Women's Rights Movement
On this episode of Cheddar Reveals, Sally Roesch Wagner, Historian & Executive Director, The Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation, discusses how the early women's rights movement evolved and the hidden influence of Native American women on early American feminists.; Christian Nunes, President of the National Organization for Women, takes a look at where the women's rights movement stands today and where it's headed; Cheddar gets a look at Curiosity Stream's 'Ascent of Woman.'
The True Origins of the Women's Rights Movement
Sally Roesch Wagner, Historian & Executive Director, The Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation, joins Cheddar Reveals to discuss how the early women's rights movement evolved and the hidden influence of Native American women on early American feminists.
Load More