Hall of Fame branches out with upcoming inductions

Each year the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame welcomes a handful of legendary artists into its family and this year is no exception.

This year’s inductees bring a refreshing new group of artists to Cleveland. In the past, the Hall of Fame has inducted primarily what could be considered traditional, classic rock bands. However this year’s class looks to break down the barriers that have defined the Hall of Fame for so long by inducting artists spanning from rap to metal.

Run DMC will be just the second hip-hop group inducted into the Hall of Fame, as Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five was inducted in 2007. Run DMC cemented their place in rock when they teamed up with Aerosmith to record a cover of “Walk this Way” in 1986.

In addition to its second rap group, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame looks to induct its first true metal band when it welcomes Metallica on Saturday.

Other notable inductees include the likes of Jeff Beck, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Bobby Womack and Wanda Jackson.

Making it into the Hall of Fame is no easy feat due to the standards for qualification. Artists aren’t even eligible for nomination until 25 years after the release of their first major label recording. Once a band reaches this milestone, they are eligible for consideration, but representatives state that it is truly the artist’s impact on rock and roll that is most important.

In past years the induction ceremony aired on VH1, days after it had actually taken place. However, last year the Fuse music video network signed a three-year contract allowing them to air the four-hour ceremony live from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

With expanded categorical boundaries and a new batch of fresh artists to welcome, the family that is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame looks to get a little bigger and a little brighter this year, and for many years to come.

Fuse TV will air this year’s induction ceremony live on Sat., April 4 at 9:00 p.m.

Matt Murray is a journalism sophomore.

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