It's somehow that time yet again: after announcing the 15 nominees for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in February, the institution revealed the 2024 inductees last night (April 21) during a Rock Hall-themed episode of American Idol with guest Gene Simmons. How hip!
Mary J. Blige, Cher, Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & the Gang, Ozzy Osbourne, and A Tribe Called Quest are being inducted as performers, while Jimmy Buffett, MC5, Dionne Warwick and Norman Whitfield will receive the Musical Excellence Award following the passing of Buffett and MC5's Wayne Kramer. Furthermore, Alexis Korner, John Mayall and Big Mama Thornton are being honoured with the Musical Influence Award, and Motown executive Suzanne de Passe will receive the Ahmet Ertegun Award.
Last year, Cher said that she wouldn't be in the Rock Hall if they gave her a million dollars. Another of this year's nominees who wasn't too keen on the honour was, what a surprise, Liam Gallagher. Luckily for him, still-not-reuniting Oasis didn't make the cut, and neither did 2024 nominees Sinead O'Conner, Mariah Carey, Sade, Jane's Addiction, Lenny Kravitz or Eric B. & Rakim.
Meanwhile, Dave Matthews Band's induction has been a long time coming, with the group winning the fan vote in 2020 and not even ending up on the ballot (for the first time since the fan vote was instituted in 2013). DMB won the fan vote again this year.
A Tribe Called Quest celebrated the 30th anniversary of Midnight Marauders last year, and Exclaim! ranked their 20 best songs to mark the occasion. Foreigner's induction is also timely, with guitarist Mick Jones's stepson, Mark Ronson, having launched a campaign — featuring testimonials from Rock Hall inductees like Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl and Chad Smith — following their nomination.
The Rock Hall's Class of 2023 saw Kate Bush, Rage Against the Machine, Missy Elliott, Willie Nelson, George Michael, Sheryl Crow and the Spinners inducted. Airing live on Disney+, this year's ceremony will take place on October 19 at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, OH.