On March 29, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2019 Induction Ceremony will take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. With a voting body of more than 1,000 artists, historians and members of the music industry, artists will be critiqued on musical influence, length and depth of career as well as innovation in style and overall technique.
From Def Leppard and Radiohead to Janet Jackson and Stevie Nicks and Rage Against the Machine, the list of nominees is nothing short of spectacular. We’ve compiled a list of artists so that you can get to know the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees just a little bit better.
Known for their 1980 single “Whip It,” Devo is an American rock band from Akron, Ohio who formed in 1973. Made of two sets of brothers, the Mothersbaughs (Mark and Bob) and the Casales (Gerald and Bob), with the addition of Alan Myers, Devo has made an impression on fans with their elaborate stage performances, ongoing jokes and over-the-top synth-inspired sound. Inspired by the idea that mankind is regressing, the name Devo is short for “de-evolution,” a concept that attracted the likes of David Bowie and won the band a contract with Warner Music Group in 1976.
From “That’s the Way Love Goes,” and “Together Again,” to “When I Think of You,” and “Nasty,” Janet Jackson has engaged her fans with addictive sing-a-long tracks, sold-out tours and provocative records. Known as one of the most successful female pop artists in the industry, Jackson has led the musical landscape from 1986 to 1993 with her innovation and charm. The youngest of the Jackson family, the artist has signed two record-breaking multi-million-dollar contracts with Virgin Records and was names the second most successful recording artist of the decade after Mariah Carey by Billboard magazine.
American country folk singer-songwriter, John Prine has been performing since the 1970s and has spent nearly 50 years on the road. Known for his quirky songwriting and gritty vocals, Prine has delivered fan-favorite tracks like “Knockin’ on Your Screen Door” and “Summers End” and produced Grammy-winning material that made him one of the most influential artists of his time. Prine began playing guitar at 14 years old sang at open mic bars in the late 1960s until being discovered by Kris Kristofferson. In 1971, Prine released his self-titled record that earned a great deal of recognition. The artist received multiple awards, including Best New Artist, Best Contemporary Folk Album, Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting, Artist of the Year and more.
Kraftwerk is a German band formed in 1970 in Düsseldorf and has been known as innovators and leaders in the electronic music space. Originally part of West Germany’s experimental krautrock scene, the band became inspired by synth-pop, post-punk and club music and bean including drum machines, synthesizers and vocoders into their overall sound. They’ve released their album Autobahn in 1974, which garnered ongoing success and hit number five in the Billboard top 200. Since then, Kraftwerk has released nine additional albums and has won three Grammy Awards for Best Dance/Electronic Album, Lifetime Achievement Award and Hall of Fame.
From “Doin It” and “Mama Said Knock You Out” to “Going Back to Cali” and “Loungin,” LL Cool J has prevailed the hip-hop scene with his powerful rap and memorable lyrics. The artist began rapping at just nine years old and dove into music headfirst after his grandfather bought him over $2,000 worth of recording equipment. Released in 1985 on Def Jam Recordings, his album Radio received critical acclaim, selling over 500,000 copies in just five months. Since then, LL Cool J has become a radio sensation, he has hosted the Grammy Awards Show for five consecutive years and has appeared in a number of films like Krush Groove, Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, Charlies Angels and more.
Michigan-born rock band MC5, was formed in 1964 and is known for their anti-establishment lyrics, vibrant psychedelic rock and energetic stage presence. Their debut album Kick Out the Jams, was released in 1969 which earned them a cover story in Rolling Stone magazine. Since then, the band has released two additional records and released remarkable singles, including “Looking at You” and “Shakin’ Street.” While the band came to an end after just three years, their music developed a solid fan following and the band was nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, 2016 and 2018.
English rock band formed in 1985, Radiohead consist of members including Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, Ed O’Brien and Philip Selway. After releasing their worldwide hit and debut single “Creep” in 1992, Radiohead quickly became an industry darling and released albums, including Pablo Honey, The Bends and OK Computer, which brought them international success. Known for their electronic melodies, experimental rhythms and extensive looping, Radiohead has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide and has won awards for Best Alternative Music Album, Best Choreography and Best Boxed Special Limited Edition Package.
Are you going to watch the induction ceremony? Who are you most excited about seeing inducted, and who do you want to see inducted next year? Let us know!