The 38th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is set to take place Friday, November 3rd at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation has announced its 2023 Inductees in four categories: Performers, Musical Influencers, Musical Excellence, and the Ahmet Ertegun Award.
This year’s inductees in the Performer Category are Kate Bush, Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, George Michael, Willie Nelson, Rage Against the Machine, and The Spinners. Receiving the Musical Influence Award are DJ Kool Herc and Link Wray. The Musical Excellence Award will go to Chaka Khan, Al Kooper, and Bernie Taupin, while this year’s Ahmet Ertegun Awardee is Don Cornelius.
The announcement was recently streamed on Apple Music 1 during a one-hour special with hosts Ebro Darden, Rebecca Judd, Matt Wilkinson, Brooke Reese, and Kelleigh Bannen, with special guests Sheryl Crow and Bernie Taupin.
“This year’s incredible group of Inductees reflects the diverse artists and sounds that define rock & roll,” said John Sykes, Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. “We are honored that this November’s Induction Ceremony in New York will coincide with two milestones in music culture; the 90th birthday of Willie Nelson and the 50th Anniversary of the birth of Hip Hop.”
The Induction categories are what they are for the following reasons. Performers: artists who have created music whose originality, impact, and influence has changed the course of rock & roll. Musical Influence Award: artists whose music and performance style have directly influenced, inspired, and evolved rock & roll and music impacting youth culture. Musical Excellence Award: given to artists, musicians, songwriters, and producers whose originality and influence creating music have had a dramatic impact on music. Ahmet Ertegun Award: non-performing industry professionals who have had a major influence on the creative development and growth of rock & roll and music that has impacted youth culture.
To be eligible, artists are required to have released their first record 25 years prior to Induction. Four of seven Inductees in the Performer category were on the ballot for the first time, including Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, George Michael, and Willie Nelson. This was the first year of eligibility for Missy Elliott.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (RRHF) celebrates the sound of youth culture and honors the artists whose music connects us all. Born from the collision of rhythm & blues, country, and gospel, rock & roll is a spirit that is inclusive and ever-changing. RRHF shares stories of the people, events, and songs that shape our world through digital content, innovative exhibits, live music, engaging programs, and their annual Induction Ceremony.
They intentionally foster a diverse, equitable, educational nonprofit Museum that encourages and embraces creativity and innovation. As a community leader, RRHF seeks to value, empower, and respect all people. Visit the RRHF in Cleveland, Ohio or virtually at rockhall.com. You can follow them on Facebook (@rockandrollhalloffame), Instagram (@rockhall), Twitter (@rockhall), TikTok (@RockHallFame), and YouTube (youtube.com/rockhall).
