The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced the class of 2016 inductees, which include Compton-based hip-hop group N.W.A., British hard rockers Deep Purple, American rock band Cheap Trick, American guitar god Steve Miller and U.S. rock band Chicago, Billboard reported. The 31st annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony is set for April 8 at the Barclay's Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., which marks the second time the venue will host the event.
Next year's class includes four classic rock acts, and the Rock Hall has long been criticized for not including groups from that era in previous induction ceremonies, according to Billboard. Joel Peresman, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation president and CEO, said that a smaller nominating committee made it easier for rock bands from the '70s to be nominated and inducted.
"This year, there was more free-form discussion where people could truly be advocates and ask more and better questions. [The committee] could dig a little deeper into the importance and the impact of these bands and discuss them in greater depth and make more of a case that maybe helped get them on the ballot," Peresman told Billboard.
Fans were able to vote for their favorites in an online vote as well, with Chicago leading the polls with 23 percent, USA Today reported. It was the first time the group was nominated for the chance to be included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The acts that were nominated for the 2016 class but snubbed for the induction are Janet Jackson, Chaka Khan, The Cars, The J.B.'s, Los Lobos, Chic, Nine Inch Nails, The Smiths, The Spinners and Yes, as previously reported by HNGN.
HBO will film the 2016 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony on April 8, to be aired at a later date.
