The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced seven inductees for its 34th annual ceremony Thursday. Janet Jackson, Radiohead, Def Leppard, Stevie Nicks, The Cure, Roxy Music and The Zombies are the newest class of inductees.
According to the Hall of Fame website, "inductees are recognized for having contributed over 25 years of musical excellence."
NPR reported that the inductees were voted upon by over 1,000 past winners, historians and members of the music industry. The seven inductees were chosen from 18 nominees, which were announced in October.
Related: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announces nominees for Rock Hall 2019 induction
Nicks is already a member as part of Fleetwood Mac, but she's a first-time nominee as a solo artist. Billboard reported that Def Leppard and Roxy Music are also first-time nominees. Janet Jackson was nominated twice before and The Zombies were nominated three times.
"I have a lot to say about this, but I will save those words for later. For now I will just say, I have been in a band since 1968," Nicks said in a statement, according to Rolling Stone. "To be recognized for my solo work makes me take a deep breath and smile. It's a glorious feeling."
"Now we can stop holding our breath," Def Leppard singer Joe Elliott told Rolling Stone. "How wonderful to be in the same club as the Rolling Stones and the Beatles and the Who and Queen … It's a nice badge of honor."
“Thank you Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,” Jackson said in a statement. “I am truly honored and I am happy to be in there with my brothers.”
The New York Times reported Radiohead and The Cure were nominated twice before, but it's unlikely Radiohead will be at the ceremony. Most of the band expressed no interest in a 2017 interview with Rolling Stone.
“It’s probably not at the top of my list of things to do,” drummer Phil Selway said.
“I don’t care,” lead guitarist and keyboardist Jonny Greenwood said. “Maybe it’s a cultural thing that I really don’t understand.”
“I don’t want to be rude, but if you ask me what I’d rather be doing that night, I’d rather be sitting at home in front of the fire or going to a gig,” guitarist Ed O’Brien said. “I realized years ago that I didn’t like award ceremonies.”
Lead singer Thom Yorke echoed O’Brien’s remarks: “It wouldn’t be the first place … don’t ask me things like that. I always put my foot in my mouth.”
Bassist Colin Greenwood was the only member to lean more positively toward an induction. “I’d be grateful if we got in. Look at the other people that have been inducted. I don’t know if everyone else will go, though.”
Collectively, the band issued a broader statement in response to the induction news.
"The members of Radiohead have been surprised to learn of the band's induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2019," they said in a statement, according to Variety. "The band thanks the Hall of Fame voting body and extends congratulations to this year's fellow inductees."
The 2019 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be March 29 at the Barclays Center in New York. An edited special will air in the spring on HBO.
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