For the first time ever, fans have the ability to decide who gets inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The nominees were announced include first timers such as Rush, Deep Purple, N.W.A., Public Enemy, Albert King, The Marvelettes and Procol Harum. They will be joining previous nominated artists such as Chic, Heart, Donna Summer, Kraftwerk, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Randy Newman, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band and The Meters.
For acts to be eligible for a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nomination, artists must have released their work at least 25 years prior to appearing on the ballot. That means this year’s hopefuls released their first single in 1987 or earlier. While blues guitarist Albert King has been eligible since 1987, 2013 marks the first year the seminal hip-hop acts N.W.A. and Public Enemy are eligible.
What separates this year from the rest is that starting from today through December 5, fans can vote at several sites including Rockhall.com to boost their favorite artists’ chances of making the cut. The top five acts selected by those votes will become part of a special “fans’ ballot” that will be counted alongside the international voting body of more than 600 artists, historians, and industry members.
The winners will be revealed in December and the 28th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held in Los Angeles at the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE on Saturday, April 18, 2013. The show will be broadcast on HBO at a later date.
So Nation, are you going to vote for this year’s winner or do you think someone else should have been nominated?
