The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced its newest inductees, the class of 2013. Among them are Rush, Heart, Public Enemy, Randy Newman, and the late Donna Summer and Albert King. Summer had spent six years on the ballot before she passed away in May, and will now earn the honor post-humously, something Newman had feared for himself.
“I’m very happy,” the 69-year-old singer-songwriter told the Associated Press on Monday. “I thought I’d have to die first, but I’m glad I’m around to see it.” Newman is the only living solo artist to make the cut this year.
Public Enemy is the fourth hip hop group to be included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, having nfluenced the careers of fellow hall members Run-D.M.C and the Beastie Boys. The iconic group was helmed by the politically astute rapper Chuck D—though Flavor Flav has become better known in the past decade, though often as a laughingstock, belying the group’s ultra-serious and controversial beginnings in 1982. This was the group’s first year on the ballot.
Also making it on their first try is legendary rock group Rush, having dominated airwaves since the mid 70s. The Canadian band released their 19th studio album earlier this year, Clockwork Angels, debuting at #2 on the Billboard 200 charts.
Female rock duo Heart has had a much harder road to the hall, having been on the ballot for eight years before getting the nod. Seattle sisters Anne and Nancy Wilson are still touring and recording today.
“Some people have an idea of what the shape of rock & roll is supposed to look like,” Ann Wilson told Rolling Stone’s Andy Greene. “We’re not really it. Personally, that’s why I think it’s taken quite a while. We’re always traveling and out there doing it. It can start to feel like you’re a tree falling in the forest, but nobody notices. So this kind of acknowledgement is really sweet.”
Disco legend Donna Summer was one of the forerunners to make the list, having earned five Grammys and multiple number one hits during her career. After losing her battle to lung cancer at the age of 63, voters decided to allow her into the hall. Joining Summer are super producer Quincy Jones and Lou Adler, by way of the Ahmet Ertegun non-performing category.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 28th annual induction ceremony will take place April 18, 2013 at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, and be aired on HBO May 18.
