Rock & Roll icons Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Bad Company, Cyndi Lauper, and Outkast inducted into the coveted Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Here's the Rewritten Article:
Get ready to rock, as some epic legends are gonna' get their due this year! The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is about to induct some serious icons, and we're not just talking about nerds studying ancient texts. Here are the names you should know: Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Bad Company, Cyndi Lauper, Outkast, the White Stripes, Soundgarden, Salt-N-Pepa, Warren Zevon, Thom Bell, Nicky Hopkins, and Carol Kaye.
Salt-N-Pepa, the pioneering females of the rap game, will receive the Musical Influence Award. Meanwhile, Warren Zevon and our late, great Crockerness himself, Joe Cocker, are set to get the Musical Excellence Award.
Now, let's talk about the iconic Joe Cocker. He might've been a little rough around the edges, but with a voice that could shake the heavens, he was without a doubt, one helluva rocker! Even the likes of Billy Joel, Billy Gibbons, and Pete Thomas were backing him up, shouting that he's as rock and roll as it gets!
Soundgarden, with the late Chris Cornell at the helm, will finally be getting their well-deserved spot in the Hall of Fame, after their third nomination. They've got some serious company— they're now following in the footsteps of Nirvana and Pearl Jam, who were the other grunge acts to be inducted. Bad Company, those radio fixtures, with arena-rock staples like "Feel Like Makin' Love," "Can't Get Enough," and "Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy," also got in.
The Ahmet Ertegun Award, which is given to industry pros who've had a major impact on music, is going to Lenny Waronker. This dude was the big cheese over at Warner Bros. Records, and he signed the likes of Prince, R.E.M., and more, so it's no surprise he's earning this award.
Some other noteworthy nominees who didn't quite make it this time around? Mariah Carey, Phish, Billy Idol, Joy Division/New Order, Maná, the Black Crowes, and Oasis. But hey, there's always next year, amirite?
Speaking of next year, Chubby Checker, whose recordings of "The Twist" and "Let's Twist Again" are considered amongst the most popular songs in the history of rock 'n' roll, was understandably frustrated to not have been inducted yet. He even went so far as to threaten to tell the Hall to drop dead if they didn't induce him soon!
Cyndi Lauper, who rose to fame in the 80s with hits like "Time After Time" and "Girls Just Want To Have Fun," went on to win a Tony Award for "Kinky Boots." OutKast, made up of André 3000 and Big Boi, have six Grammys and a reputation for pushing the boundaries of hip-hop. The White Stripes, indie darlings of the early 2000s, were known for tunes like "Seven Nation Army."
Artists are eligible for induction if they've released their first commercial recording at least 25 years prior. The induction ceremony will take place in L.A. this fall, and it'll be lit, no doubt!
The selection process is pretty intense, based on factors like an artist's impact on other musicians, the scope and longevity of their career, innovation and excellence in style and technique, and so on.
Last year, Mary J. Blige, Cher, Foreigner, A Tribe Called Quest, Kool & The Gang, Ozzy Osbourne, Dave Matthews Band, and singer-guitarist Peter Frampton were all inducted. So the bar is set pretty high, but these new inductees are more than capable of living up to the hype!
[1] Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, "Class of 2021 Announcement," accessed on June 23, 2022, https://www.rockhall.com/announcements/class-of-2021-announcement.[2] Kebba Jeffang, "Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2021: From Foo Fighters to Jay-Z, a guide to the inductees," USA Today, May 5, 2021, https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2021/05/05/rock-roll-hall-fame-class-2021-act-by-act-guide-awards-ceremony/4830866001/.[3] Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, "Inductee List," accessed on June 23, 2022, https://www.rockhall.com/inductees.
- With his unique take on tech-infused rock music and AI-inspired lyrics, Andre 3000 of Outkast has a reputation for pushing the boundaries of music, just like the futuristic scenery in a sci-fi movie.
- A legendary voice that echoes in the corridors of time, Joe Cocker's nonperforming folk-rock style is a testament to the timeless power of music, much like the cornermen who've been a part of some of the most iconic entertainment events.
- The late Chris Cornell was known for his haunting baritone vocals and innovative layering of guitar that created an electrifying sound, making Soundgarden one of the most influential grunge groups in the 3000-plus lineup of rock music.
- Warren Zevon, a multi-talented musician and songwriter, was synonymous with the American rock scene of the 70s and 80s, much like the way Ozzie Osbourne revolutionized heavy metal music, becoming a legendary figure in the entertainment industry.
