CLEVELAND-Run-D.M.C. could Walk This Way into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The 1980's rap act, along with Metallica and the Stooges, are among the nine nominees for next year's hall of fame class, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation announced Monday.
The other nominees are guitarist Jeff Beck, singer Wanda Jackson, Little Anthony and the Imperials, War, Bobby Womack, and disco and R&B group Chic.
The list is notable for the wide range of musical genres represented - hip hop, metal, punk, disco and R&B - and the large number of first-time candidates. Only Chic, the Stooges and Jackson have been previously nominated.
“It’s an interesting group because it really shows the nominating committee showed some thought and energy into who should be inducted,” said Joel Peresman, president and CEO of the New York City-based Rock Hall foundation.
The five leading vote-getters will be announced in January and inducted April 4, 2009, in Cleveland.
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five opened the door for rap at the Rock Hall as the first hip hop act to be inducted in 2007. Now, Run-D.M.C., nominated in the first year of its eligibility, has the chance to follow on the strength of rock and rap blends such as the 1986 cover of Aerosmith’s "Walk This Way" and classics like "It’s Tricky" and "My Adidas."
“The big thing they did is took hiphop more into the mainstream,” said Jim Henke, chief curator of the hall of fame and a member of the nominating committee. “They did combine a lot of rock elements. As far as hip hop groups go, they’re certainly right there at the top.”
To be nominated, an act must have released its first single or album 25 years prior.
“They’re great artists,” Peresman said. “People’s time comes for whatever reason when it does.”
More than 500 musicians, industry professionals and journalists vote on the inductions. AP
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