Grammy officials announced the newest inductees to the Grammy Hall of Fame in its 40th year. The list of the 27 tracks to be added to the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles was released on Wednesday, November 21. Whitney Houston’s self-titled debut album was among the recordings added, along with Band on the Run, the 1973 effort from Paul McCartney and Wings. The Recording Academy also honored Australian rock legends AC/DC, choosing their 1980 album Back in Black as well.
“Memorable for being both culturally and historically significant, we are proud to add the 2013 inductees to our growing catalog of outstanding recordings that have become part of our musical, social and cultural history,” The Recording Academy President and CEO Neil Portnow said in a statement.
Several individual tracks were selected as well, including Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changing,” James Brown’s “I Got You,” and Ray Charles’ “Hit the Road Jack.” In addition to being of historic of cultural significance, The Recording Academy only considers songs and albums that are at least 25 years old. The choices aren’t limited to just music either, as Richard Pryor’s 1974 comedy album That “N—–‘s Crazy” also made the cut.
Earlier this month the Grammys celebrated Houston with the CBS special “We Will Always Love You: A Grammy Salute to Whitney Houston,” which aired on Nov. 16. Whitney’s greatest hits album “I Will Always Love You: The Best of Whitney Houston” was also released this month, and included a never before released track “Never Give Up.”
