Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announces 2013 induction nominees


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Rock and Roll Hall of Fame released this year’s nominees Thursday morning, and the list includes a few names that you might not normally associate with rock music.

Legendary hip-hop groups N.W.A. and Public Enemy were both nominated in their first year of eligibility, and according to Spin.com they were the only acts to do so this year. In order to be eligible for the Hall of Fame ballot, artists must have released their first single or album at least 25 years before the date of nomination.

The German electronic group Kraftwerk also made the cut this year, possibly as a nod to the current near-takeover of the U.S. music business by electronic dance music. Kraftwerk are widely regarded as pioneers of electronic music after popularizing their revolutionary sound in the ’70s and early ’80s that combined driving, repetitive rhythms with catchy melodies, a formula that today’s top EDM artists still follow.

Other diverse nominees include disco acts Donna Summer and Chic, Oscar winner Randy Newman, blues guitarist Albert King and Motown girl group The Marvelettes.

Rock and roll purists need not worry, though, as the list also includes rockers like Deep Purple, Rush, Heart and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.

According to President and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, Joel Peresman, the variety in this year’s nominees reflects the wide scope of the genre.

“The definition of ‘rock and roll’ means different things to different people, but as broad as the classifications may be, they all share a common love of the music,” Peresman said. “This year we again proudly put forth a fantastic array of groups and artists that span the entire genre that is ‘rock and roll.’”

This also marks the first year that voting will be open to the public. Fans can vote at RollingStone.com until Dec. 3, and the top five vote-getters will comprise a “fan’s ballot” that will be counted amongst the 600-plus ballots from an international voting body of artists, historians and members of the music industry.

The 28th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held at the Nokia Theatre in L.A. Live on April 18, 2013.