2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees Announced

2021 will see a group of thirteen inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Six artists who were nominated in the performer category have gotten in headed up by Tina Turner, Carole King, The Go-Gos, Jay-Z, the Foo Fighters, and Todd Rundgren. In addition, inductees from the categories of earlier influencers, musical excellence, and the Ahmet Ertegun (non Award winner were named putting an additional seven inductees into the Hall of Fame – headed up by longtime nominee LL Cool J. The official induction ceremony takes place in Cleveland on October 30, 2021.

“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 in a statement. “It will make for an unforgettable live celebration of music in October at this year’s Induction Ceremony in Cleveland.” 

In order to be considered eligible, artists or bands must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years ago.

PERFORMERS

As for the performers inducted, all but one were first time nominees even though three of the artists had gotten in as part of other acts. The six were selected from a pool of 16 nominees.

Following the announcement of the nominees a “fan vote” was held. The top five artists of the fan vote are submitted as a single fan ballot. The top five finished as follows with 3 artists from that ballot garnering induction. This vote is placed among the approximate 1000 music industry professionals who vote on the Hall of Fame.

1. Tina Turner (Inducted)
2. Fela Kuti
3. The Go-Gos (Inducted)
4. Iron Maiden
5. Foo Fighters (Inducted)

As a result of the final ballot, six artists will be inducted in the Performer Category:

• Tina Turner
• Carole King
• The Go-Go’s
• JAY-Z
• Foo Fighters
• Todd Rundgren

Tina Turner was a big winner in 2021. On her first nomination as a solo artist, she will get inducted. Being she won the fan-vote, she also will have a large amount of fan support. This is actually Tina Turner’s second induction into the Hall of Fame. In 1991 she was inducted with ex-husband Ike Turner as a part of the Ike and Tina Turner duet.

Meanwhile Dave Grohl also goes into the Hall of Fame for the second time. In 2014 he was inducted with Nirvana. Now with his band Foo Fighters he is will get in again. Foo Fighters earns an induction on its first nomination.

Carole King joins the club as a two-time inductee. She was inducted in 1990 under the Ahmet Ertegun Award category with ex-husband Gerry Goffin for songwriting. As a performer, King was first nominated for the Hall of Fame in 1989, but hadn’t been nominated since then. This year King gets in on her second nomination after a 32 year wait.

The Go-Gos are also a first time nominee. Finishing third in the fan vote, many considered the pioneering all-female pop/rock band a long shot, but this year they will be going to Cleveland to be inducted.

Jay-Z was considered the overwhelming favorite for induction, and the groundbreaking Hip Hop artists gets in. Finally Todd Rundgren was the lone performer in 2021 who did not get in one the first nomination. 2021 was the third time Rundgren was nominated.

Early Influence Award

• Kraftwerk
• Charley Patton
• Gil Scott-Heron

Kraftwerk, Charley Patton and Gil-Scott Heron garnered induction on the Early Influence Award category. Kraftwerk is considered the pioneers in electronic music. Patton is considered a pioneer in delta blues. Scott-Heron is a  American soul and jazz poet known for his spoken words and considered one of the earliest rappers.

Musical Excellence Award

• LL Cool J
• Billy Preston
• Randy Rhoads

The Rock Hall describes this category as “The Award for Musical Excellence shall be given to artists, musicians, songwriters and producers whose originality and influence creating music have had a dramatic impact on music.”

LL Cool J has been nominated six times as a performer but he gets in under the musical excellence category. Preston was a session musician who eventually worked with the Beatles. He also worked with Eric Clapton and The Rolling Stones and did have a solo career as well. Finally, Rhoads is best known for his work with Ozzy Osbourne and the founder of Quiet Riot. In addition to being a well-know guitarist, he worked as producer and songwriter.

Ahmet Ertegun Award

• Clarence Avant

Clarence Avant gains induction as the 2021 Ahmet Ertegun Award winner. Avant has had a successful career as a is an American music executive, entrepreneur, and film producer.