Rock Hall Nominees Revealed

Nominees for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015 have been revealed. To be eligible for nomination, an individual artist or band must have released its first single or album at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination. The 2015 nominees had to release their first recording no later than 1989. The nominees are:

• The Paul Butterfield Blues Band
• Chic
• Green Day
• Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
• Kraftwerk
• The Marvelettes
• N.W.A.
• Nine Inch Nails
• Lou Reed
• The Smiths
• The Spinners
• Sting
• Stevie Ray Vaughan
• War
• Bill Withers

“We are pleased to present this group of nominees, as they represent the myriad places where rock and roll converges with blues, electronic, dance, Motown, R&B, funk and other genres,” said Joel Peresman, President and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. “Rock and roll incorporates the styles of so many different kinds of music and that’s what makes this group of nominees – and this art form – so powerful and unique.” The Foundation’s nominating committee selects nominees each year in the Performer category.

Ballots will be sent to an international voting body of more than 700 artists, historians and members of the music industry.

Fans can participate in the induction selection process. Beginning October 9, 2014, and continuing through December 9, 2014, fans can visit www.rockhall.com to cast votes for induction. The top five artists, as selected by the public, will comprise a “fans’ ballot” that will be tallied along with the other ballots to choose the 2015 inductees.  

Inductees will be announced in December and the induction ceremony will be held April 18, 2015, in Cleveland, the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Public ticket sale information will be announced at a later date.

Read about the nominees, the induction process or revisit MusicRow critic Bobby Karl’s trip to the 2012 induction ceremony.