Foo Fighters, Todd Rundgren and The Go-Go's are among the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees.
This year's class also includes JAY-Z, Tina Turner and Carole King. Artists are eligible to be inducted 25 years after the release of their first commercial recording.
Foo Fighters are being inducted in their first year of eligibility. Frontman Dave Grohl is now a two-time Rock Hall inductee, after previously being enshrined as a member of Nirvana. In addition, Turner and King also will be inducted for a second time, joining Stevie Nicks as the only women to be welcomed into the Rock Hall twice.
Speaking to ABC Audio about the Foos' induction, Rock Hall Vice President of Education Jason Hanley says, "They've really carried the torch for classic rock 'n roll.'
Hanley also notes that The Go-Go's are the first "all-female band where they played their own instruments" to be inducted.
"This is not just a singer or songwriter or something like that," he says. "This is a rock 'n roll band."
Of Rundgren, Hanley says his work as both a musician and a producer makes him a worthy inductee.
"He never did one thing twice," Hanley says. "He always innovated something new each album."
In addition to the six inductees entering the Rock Hall in the Performer Category, several other artists are also being inducted in conjunction with receiving special Rock Hall awards. For example, three artists will be honored with the Musical Excellence Award: Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Randy Rhoads, R&B artist and Beatles and Rolling Stones session keyboardist Billy Preston, and rapper LL Cool J.
Additionally, electronic pioneers Kraftwerk are being recognized with the Early Influence Award, along with blues legend Charley Patton and soul musician and poet Gil Scott-Heron, while music executive Clarence Avant will be given the Ahmet Ertegun Award.
As Hanley explains, artists who receive these awards are all official Rock Hall inductees.
The Artists who were nominated this year but were not chosen for induction were Iron Maiden, Rage Against the Machine, Devo, New York Dolls, Kate Bush, Mary J. Blige, Chaka Khan, Fela Kuti and Dionne Warwick.
The 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place October 30 in Cleveland.