Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Welcomes Outkast, Cyndi Lauper, and Chubby Checker
LOS ANGELES — The prestigious Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced its latest inductees, showcasing the diverse talents of innovative rap group Outkast, pop icon Cyndi Lauper, and 1960s trailblazer Chubby Checker.
The unveiling of this year’s honorees took place during a live broadcast of American Idol, with the UK being represented by rock band Bad Company and the unique voice of Joe Cocker, even after 11 years since his passing due to lung cancer.
Despite the excitement surrounding the induction, Manchester bands Oasis and Joy Division/New Order did not make the cut this time.
Artists become eligible for consideration 25 years after the release of their first commercial recording. The selection process involves over 1,200 music historians, industry professionals, and previously inducted artists.
The lineup of performers to be enshrined this year includes:
– Bad Company
– Chubby Checker
– Joe Cocker
– Cyndi Lauper
– Outkast
– Soundgarden
– The White Stripes
Additionally, Salt-N-Pepa, the pioneering female rap group, will receive the musical influence award, along with revered singer-songwriter Warren Zevon, who was a source of inspiration for legends like Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan.
The induction ceremony is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles on November 8th and will be live-streamed on Disney+.
“Each of these inductees has left an indelible mark on culture with their unique sound and attitude, forever changing the landscape of Rock & Roll,” stated John Sykes, chairman of the Hall of Fame.
While the focus is on the new inductees, attention will also be given to notable artists who missed out on the honor, spanning various genres of popular music.
One glaring omission is Mariah Carey, whose exclusion has raised eyebrows given her immense success in the music industry. With 19 US number one singles, she ranks only behind The Beatles in chart achievements.
Despite her impressive track record, Carey has been overlooked by the Rock Hall voters for the second time.
On the subject of being snubbed last year, Carey remarked, “My thoughts are, I didn’t get in.”
This perceived bias against women in the Hall of Fame has come under scrutiny, with Lauper being the only other female artist on this year’s main ballot.
Similarly, Oasis and Phish faced disappointment for the second time, with both acts missing out on the recognition they had hoped for.
Checker, known for his global hit “The Twist” in 1960, had to wait for years before finally being acknowledged by the Rock Hall. His persistence paid off, echoing the sentiment of demanding recognition while still alive.
Among the other honorees this year are Outkast, the dynamic duo behind hits like “Ms. Jackson” and “Hey Ya!”, who reshaped the hip-hop landscape with their Southern style.
Soundgarden, famous for their grunge anthem “Black Hole Sun,” and The White Stripes, the garage rock sensation led by Jack and Meg White, are also set to be inducted.
Speculation surrounds whether Meg White, who has been out of the public eye since 2009, will attend the ceremony.
Furthermore, there are musical excellence awards for influential figures like Thom Bell and Nicky Hopkins, along with a special honor for guitarist Carol Kaye, known for her work on classic tracks.
Record executive Lenny Waronker will receive the Ahmet Ertegun award, recognizing his significant impact on rock music through his work with iconic artists. — BBC
