Janet Jackson, the youngest nominee, didn’t make the cut. HBO will later air a broadcast featuring footage from the ceremony.
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The 2016 crop was chosen by more than 800 members of the Hall’s voting committee, which includes artists, historians and music industry members.
With the induction of Cheap Trick, Chicago, Deep Purple and Steve Miller – along with relative rookies N.W.A – as its class of 2016, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is bringing some pre-holiday joy to fans who have felt those acts have been slighted and deserving recognition sooner than this.
Chicago power-pop legends Cheap Trick have been eligible for induction for over a decade and even top selling acts like rock-jazz hybrid Chicago (38.5 million in albums sales in the US according to the RIAA) and Steve Miller (24.5 million USA album sales) have been passed over for over two decades.
“Chicago’s early line-up created such an unmistakable sound and their inclusion into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is not only well-deserved, but an honour that has been overlooked”.
N.W.A., led by Dr. Dre and Ice Cube, was elected after three unsuccessful nominations in a year when a movie about their career, “Straight Outta Compton”, was a box office hit.
FILE – In this September 1, 1971, file photo, British rock band Deep Purple present their golden record they received in West Berlin for the sales of their latest album, “Deep Purple in Rock”, in West Germany. The Illinois band was a cult favourite until their Cheap Trick at Budokan and Dream Police releases launched them into the mainstream in 1979 with hits like Surrender and I Want You To Want Me.
Members of the band Deep Purple (from the left) Rod Evans, Jon Lord, Ritchie Blackmore, Nicky Simper and Ian Paice.
Steve Miller performs onstage during The 7th Annual Little Kids Rock Benefit at Manhattan Center Grand Ballroom on October 20, 2015 in New York City.
Artists become eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their initial recording.
Miller, 72, moved from blues to pop and back again, producing classic hits like The Joker, Fly Like an Eagle, Take the Money and Run and Abracadabra.
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Chicago. Formed in IL in the late ’60s with a revolving door of members, the band continues its US tour in January.
