It’s time yet again for the annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. This year’s event, to be held November 3 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, is honoring seven exceptional musicians. See below to learn more about the performers being feted by the Rock Hall this year.
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1. Kate Bush
The experimentalist extraordinaire Kate Bush experienced a renaissance in 2022 thanks to a well-timed needle drop in season 4 of Netflix’s Stranger Things. Her 1985 hit, “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God),” reintroduced Bush’s atmospheric musicality to the world. With her renewed fame, Bush is a perfect candidate for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this year.
2. Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Crow has a foothold in several genres. She has a standing in the pop, country, and folk worlds, but on November 3, she’s all rock & roll. Crow’s powerhouse vocals and guitar-led musicality give her an edge many of her fellow singer/songwriters do not have. If you have any doubts about her ability to rock, check out this 2002 performance of Crow covering Led Zeppelin, below.
3. Missy Elliott
The Rock Hall’s decision to induct artists who don’t fall within the traditional confines of rock has proven to be controversial. Regardless of which camp you side with in that discussion, no one can deny that Missy Elliott is an artist worth celebrating. The hip-hop icon has more than her fair share of hits and has been a source of inspiration for countless subsequent rappers.
4. George Michael
George Michael will receive his induction posthumously; he passed away in 2016. The Wham! member turned solo artist’s invitation to join this lauded institution is long overdue. His pop-leaning rock was era-defining. It’s hard to imagine the ’80s music scene without the integral contributions of Michael.
5. Rage Against the Machine
On the harder end of the sonic spectrum, we have Rage Against the Machine. The alt-metal group has carved out a unique space in the rock sphere. Few bands are as rousing in a live setting as RATM. Their politically charged messaging paired with their anthemic sound is an unstoppable force.
6. The Spinners
Motown is getting its dues this year via The Spinners. The famed vocal group is known for their soulful hits “The Rubberband Man,” “It’s A Shame,” and more. The band only has one original surviving member, Henry Fambrough. We’re glad the Rock Hall is giving at least one Spinner their flowers while they can celebrate it alongside their fellow musicians.
Willie Nelson
Following Dolly Parton’s induction last year, we will likely see more country legends getting invites to the Rock Hall. Who is more legendary in the country scene than Willie Nelson? The outlaw country pioneer deserves any award he can get his hands on.
Sheryl Crowe Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images; Missy Elliott Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Strength Of A Woman Festival & Summit; Willie Nelson Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images
