The first group of musicians , added on January 23 , 1986 , were Chuck Berry , James Brown , Ray Charles , Sam Cooke , Fats Domino , the Everly Brothers , Buddy Holly , Jerry Lee Lewis , Little Richard , and Elvis Presley . The first group of inductees , inducted on January 23 , 1986 , included James Brown , Little Richard , Elvis Presley , Fats Domino , Ray Charles , Chuck Berry , Sam Cooke , The Everly Brothers , Buddy Holly , and Jerry Lee Lewis .