The results are in for the 2019 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee class, and the Cure, Def Leppard, the Zombies, and Radiohead are among those entering the hallowed music institution. Janet Jackson, Stevie Nicks and Roxy Music round out the victorious seven, chosen by a cross section of music industry professionals, historians, former inductees, and (since 2012) fans themselves.
Nicks' inclusion makes her the first woman to ever be inducted twice, the first time happening when her band Fleetwood Mac was inducted in 1998. She said in a statement, "I have been in a band since 1968. To be recognized for my solo work makes me take a deep breath and smile. It's a glorious feeling."
Def Leppard's induction came as a bit of a surprise, as while they've been eligible for 13 years, this was their first nomination. Frontman Joe Elliot told Rolling Stone, "I think it is a nice badge of honor. I don't think it's going to make too much difference to many people. It was something that we weren't overly concerned about until the fan vote thing became a major part of it. The people that really matter to every band are the audience."
Notable nominees who were snubbed this year include Rage Against the Machine, MC5, German electronic outfit Kraftwerk, rapper LL Cool J, new wave act Devo, and musician and producer Todd Rundgren. Rundgren came in third on the fan vote and has been making music for nearly 50 years, twice the requisite 25-year eligibility limit.
Rage Against the Machine became eligible for induction in 2017, this year marked their second nomination. Political proto-punks MC5 have been eligible since 1991, and this year was their fourth nomination.
Kraftwerk have been nominated five times since 2003 with no wins, despite their influence on everything from early punk and synth pop to their effect on early hip hop artists like DJ Afrika Bambaataa. LL Cool J also clocks in with five nominations since he became eligible in 2009. This was Devo's first nomination, though they've been eligible since 2003.
The induction ceremony will take place at Brooklyn, New York venue Barclay's Center on March 29th. HBO will air an edited version of the event along with SiriusXM, and ticketing information will be announced in January.
