The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - All You Need To Know

If you're a music lover you should definitely plan a trip to The Rock Hall. What a beautiful building right on the water with the city in the background. From cars hanging from the ceiling to brightly colored guitars; oh yes, and a Bon Jovi motorcycle.

Founded in 1983, the location was not decided on until 10 years later, in 1993. Ground was broken that year and the museum opened to the public in 1995. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is dedicated to preserving the history of rock music. Exhibits in the museum today are related to performers, producers, or any person that has influenced rock and roll.

Certain areas focus on rock’s early years and influences while others examine specific music scenes through the years. From Liverpool England in the 60’s to Seattle in the 90’s, all areas are completely covered. But the draw of the museum is in the displays of particular artists and performers who have had major influences on the evolution of rock and roll.

Inductees are divided into four categories:

1. Performers.
These artists are eligible for entry into the rock and roll Hall of Fame twenty five years after their first album was released. Areas considered include overall influence and how significant their contributions were to the rock world.

2. Non-performers.
This category is for behind the scenes influences like producers, DJs or recording professionals who have had an impact on rock and roll.

3. Early influences.
This is for any artist or individual whose musical contribution was prior to the appearance of rock and roll. How they influenced rock and possibly inspired today’s artists is a heavy consideration for this category.

4. Side men.
This one was just added in 2000 and covers session musicians or other professionals who have spent their careers in a backup/supporting role for major performers either live or in studio. The public rarely knows these folks by name, yet their music is heard every day.

Crowd waiting to enter the Rock Hall of Fame.

A committee selects artists each year for induction to the Hall of Fame. Voting is done by a body of international rock experts. The performers who receive the highest number of votes AND make up the top 50 percent of all votes are nominated. In general, between five and seven artists are voted in each year.

A special selection committee is formed that selects the nominees for the non-performer and early influences categories. For the Side Men category, a completely separate panel is formed that is mostly made up of producers.

All in all, getting into the Rock and roll Hall of Fame is not as easy as it may seem. It takes hard work and dedication to become eligible and your work has to have had a major impact on rock and roll for the past 25 years. That is no small feat, my fine friends.

Tell me who you would like to see inducted into the Rock Hall!

One day I hope to see Deep Purple and Slade among those hard working bands that are already in.

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