Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announces nominations

The nominations for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012 have been released, and it’s an interesting list.

Ballots will be sent out to over 500 voters, who will choose the artists to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year.
The nominees are:

• Beastie Boys

• The Cure

• Donovan

• Eric B. & Rakim

• Guns 'N Roses

• Heart

• Joan Jett and The Blackhearts

• Freddie King

• Laura Nyro

• Red Hot Chili Peppers

• Rufus with Chaka Khan

• The Small Faces/The Faces

• The Spinners

• Donna Summer

• War

“The 2012 Nominees embody the broad scope of what ‘rock and roll’ means,” said Joel Peresman, President and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation.
According to the press release, to be eligible for nomination, “an individual artist or band must have released its first single or album at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination.” That means the 2012 nominees must have released their first recording no later than 1986. (Sorry, Justin Bieber, check back in 2034.)
The winners will be announced on April 14, 2012, at the 27^th Annual Induction Ceremony, held in Cleveland, Ohio.