Janet Jackson, Chic, The Smiths, Nine Inch Nails and N.W.A are among the 15 finalists on this year’s ballot for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, organizers have announced.
Others to make the nominated class for the 2016 Rock Hall are The Cars, Chicago, Deep Purple, Cheap Trick, the J.B.’s, Chaka Khan, Los Lobos, Steve Miller, The Spinners and Yes.
Acts are eligible for the Rock Hall 25 years after the release of their first recording, album or single — 1990 or before for this year’s nominees.
Disco legends Chic is more than familiar with the process. The group has been nominated for the Hall on 10 occasions, a record. N.W.A, which has enjoyed an international resurgence off the back of the biopic Straight Outta Compton, has been on the ballot four times, while Deep Purple and the Spinners have been considered for entry three times.
Earning a nod for the first time are Chicago, Cheap Trick, the Cars, Chaka Khan, The J.B.’s, Janet Jackson, Los Lobos and Steve Miller.
The public has until Dec. 9 to cast votes on the final inductees. The top five acts will comprise a “fans’ ballot” that will make an impression along with those of the 800 artists, historians and music industry professionals who make up the Rock Hall voting body.
A statement on the Rock Hall Website notes the successful inductees will be announced in the “coming weeks.” The chosen few will be announced in December and inducted in a Hall of Fame ceremony next April in New York, with HBO again handling the broadcast later in the year, Rolling Stone reports.
The 2015 Rock Hall class included Ringo Starr, Lou Reed, Green Day, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts and Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble.
Here are the nominees for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016:
Chicago
Cheap Trick
Deep Purple
The Cars
Chaka Khan
Chic
The JB’s
Janet Jackson
Los Lobos
Steve Miller
N.W.A.
Nine Inch Nails
The Smiths
The Spinners
Yes
