Soundgarden, Judas Priest + Motorhead Among 2020 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees
Who will make up the 2020 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction class? It appears as though organizers have put an emphasis on the "rock" of their name, announcing several heavier acts for the initial Rock Hall ballot.
Judas Priest, who were previously nominated in 2018 and got plenty of fan support the last time they were up for induction, are back on the ballot for the 2020 Rock Hall. Current members Rob Halford, Ian Hill, Glenn Tipton and Scott Travis would be inducted along with K.K. Downing, Les Binks and late drummer Dave Holland if they make it.
Soundgarden and Motorhead are both on the ballot for the first time. Sadly, the frontmen of both legendary acts are no longer with us. The late Chris Cornell would be inducted alongside Kim Thayil, Matt Cameron, Ben Shepherd and former Soundgarden member Hiro Yamamoto. Meanwhile, Motorhead's potential induction would salute the lineup of Lemmy Kilmister, "Fast" Eddie Clarke and Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor.
The Rock Hall ballot also includes Nine Inch Nails, who were previously nominated in 2015 and 2016; the oft-nominated MC5 and musician/producer Todd Rundgren, alongside fellow returning nominees Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk and Rufus featuring Chaka Khan.
Aside from Soundgarden and Motorhead, other first time Rock Hall nominees include the Dave Matthews Band, the Doobie Brothers, the Notorious B.I.G., Pat Benatar, T-Rex, Thin Lizzy and Whitney Houston.
To be eligible for nomination, an individual artist or band must have released their initial commercial recording at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination. The 2020 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class will be announced in January 2020, with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony taking place at the Public Auditorium in Cleveland on May 2.
As in past years, fans will have a chance to get their say with the "Rock Hall Fan Vote" kicking off today and running through 11:59PM ET on Jan. 10, 2020. The top five vote getters will then comprise the "fan ballot" that will be tallied alongside the international voting body of artists, music historians and members of the music industry. You can vote at the rockhall.com website.
To donate to the Rock Hall museum and get exclusive induction ticket opportunities, learn more here.
Rock + Metal Acts That Deserve to Be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame