Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees
Dec. 12 -- At this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, maybe Michael Jackson will teach Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler how to moonwalk.
The King of Pop and Tyler’s band Aerosmith are among several musicians who will be inducted to the Cleveland museum’s Hall of Fame in March. The annual gala event usually turns into an all-star jam session.
Jackson and folkie Paul Simon are second-timers to the Hall of Fame. This time each is being recognized for his solo work. Jackson was earlier inducted as part of the Jackson Five, while Simon was first honored as half of Simon and Garfunkel.
Newcomers and Alums
Inductees making their first visit to the Hall of Fame are Boston natives Aerosmith, jazz rockers Steely Dan, and Queen, proving once again they are the champions. For the British rock anthem pros, it is no doubt a bittersweet victory, since lead singer Freddie Mercury died in 1991.
The Hall of Fame is also offering a posthumous tribute to Ritchie Valens, who hit it big with “La Bamba” but died at age 17. He was killed in a plane crash on Feb. 3, 1959 — “the day the music died”— along with Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper.
Doo-wop pioneers The Flamingos are also being inducted in the Hall of Fame. These Chicago boys melted the hearts of ladies with songs like “I Only Have Eyes For You.” Rounding out the list are soul singer Solomon Burke and sidemen Johnnie Johnson and James Burton.
A non-musician is also being honored: Island Records founder Chris Blackwell, who fostered the careers of Bob Marley, Tom Waits and U2.
The rockers on the list were chosen from 16 candidates. Among those not making the grade: Lou Reed, AC/DC, Black Sabbath and Patti Smith.
Artists are eligible for consideration 25 years after releasing their first album, and are voted on by an international group of 1,000 rock experts.
The induction ceremony will be held March 19 in New York and will be broadcast on VH1.
Related Stories
ABC News Live