The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has revealed its 2023 nominees and also defined what it means by “Rock Music”.
After the long-awaited induction of Judas Priest into the Hall of Fame last year, metal and hard rock fans have reason to look forward to this year’s ceremony. Iron Maiden are up for consideration once again with their second nomination since 2021: Rage Against The Machine and Soundgarden also sit alongside them.
Jack White’s duo, The White Stripes is also nominated alongside a joint nomination for new wave icons Joy Division + New Order.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has shifted its mission statement to welcome a broader scope of genres. Its new description defines rock ‘n’ roll as an evolving spirit that connects youth culture, rather than limiting it by one type or genre, stating:
Born from the collision of rhythm and blues, country, and gospel, rock and roll is a spirit that is inclusive and ever-changing, the Hall defines, noting that rock is “not defined by any one genre” and that it is “rather a sound that moves youth culture.
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The full list of nominees is:
A Tribe Called Quest
Cyndi Lauper
George Michael
Iron Maiden
Joy Division/New Order
Kate Bush
Missy Elliott
Rage Against The Machine
Sheryl Crow
Soundgarden
The Spinners
The White Stripes
Warren Zevon
Willie Nelson
Expanding further on eligibility, John Sykes, Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation states:
To be eligible for nomination, an individual artist or band must have released its first commercial recording at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination.
This remarkable list of Nominees reflects the diverse artists and music that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honours and celebrates. These artists have created their own sounds that have impacted generations and influenced countless others that have followed in their footsteps.
With a voting body exceeding 1,000 people and one fan vote per nominated artist up for grabs – you can now have your say on who will be immortalized as an inductee in the Hall of Fame. Visit this page to cast your ballot today.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (RRHOF) is an establishment devoted to enshrining the history and legacies of the greatest names in rock and roll music. Founded in 1983 it is located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, this museum takes guests on a journey documenting how these powerful forces have shaped modern music culture over time.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has had a long-standing tradition of recognizing artistic excellence in popular music, often with an edge that can be seen as confrontational or counter-cultural. However, its record on diversity is becoming increasingly harder to ignore; male artists have been the majority of inductees thus far and there are calls from younger fans for this imbalance to change if the Hall wishes to maintain legitimacy.
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