The Mercury News

Rock Hall noms go to Elliott, Nelson, Michael, Lauper

- By Mark Kennedy

NEW YORK >> Missy Elliott, Willie Nelson, Kate Bush, Iron Maiden, Cyndi Lauper, Soundgarde­n, Sheryl Crow and the late George Michael are the 2023 nominees for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, reflecting a mix of country, soul, hip-hop, metal, pop, rap-rock and grunge.

The Cleveland-based institutio­n announced Wednesday the 14 artists and groups being considered for Rock Hall induction, also including Rage Against the Machine, the Spinners, A Tribe Called Quest, the White Stripes, Warren Zevon and Joy Division/New Order.

If Elliott makes it, she would become the first female hip-hop artist in the hall.

“This is an incredible honor. I'm so humbled and grateful to be counted amongst all the incredible honorees. I've spent my career making the kind of music I love and it means so much to know that I have touched others as well,” she said in a statement.

Artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before they're eligible for induction.

“This remarkable list of nominees reflects the diverse artists and music that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honors and celebrates,” said John Sykes, chair of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation in a statement. “These artists have created their own sounds that have impacted generation­s and influenced countless others that have followed in their footsteps.”

Eight out of 14 nominees are on the ballot for the first time, including Crow, Elliott, Joy Division/New Order, Lauper, Michael, Nelson, the White Stripes and Zevon. This is the first year of eligibilit­y for Elliott and the White Stripes. While the late Zevon has been eligible since 1994, Billy Joel led a push for his entry, writing to the nominating committee urging them to consider Zevon.

A Tribe Called Quest and Bush were nominees last year and didn't make the cut but now find themselves back in the running this year. Bush's latest nod may be due to a new wave in popularity after the show “Stranger Things” featured her song “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God).”

Inductees will be announced in May and the ceremony will take place this fall.

 ?? THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ?? From left, Missy Elliott, George Michael and Willie Nelson are among this year's nominees for 2023induct­ion into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS From left, Missy Elliott, George Michael and Willie Nelson are among this year's nominees for 2023induct­ion into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

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