Seminal rap and influential metal outfits Run D.M.C. and Metallica have officially achieved their music-history artifact status, confirmed as inductees in the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall Of Fame’s Class of 2009.
Run-D.M.C. becomes just the second rap act named to the Hall, following Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five in 2006. Surviving members Joseph “Run” Simmons and Darryl “DMC” McDaniels will perform at the event for the first time since the 2002 murder of group member Jam Master Jay.
The New York hip hop group is credited with setting the “template for modern hip-hop, from their everyday-teenager style to their blazing live shows to a catalog of classic songs that few rappers have matched,” the Hall of Fame Foundation said in a statement.
For Metallica, their induction couldn’t come at a better time. They were at the top of the charts this past year with their “Death Magnet” album release and they’ve finally been recognized by their peers and critics as being widely successful. Metallica has taken home a couple of American Music Awards, three Billboard Music Awards, seven Grammy Awards and a couple of MTV Awards. With well over 50 million album sales under their belt, they’re easily one of the most successful bands in the metal genre.
“That’s really nice to hear!” Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich said. “It’s been a great year for Metallica. There’s a lot of love and goodwill from the fans, from the critics, from the peers, from all the sixth-graders over at my son’s school. There’s a lot of love everywhere I look. It’s amazing to be able to say 27 years into your career that you actually feel like you’re on top of your game.”
A handful of artists are inducted into the Hall of Fame in an annual induction ceremony, historically held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. The first group of inductees, inducted on January 23, 1986, included Chuck Berry, James Brown, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Fats Domino, The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, and Elvis Presley.
Groups or individuals are eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first record. Nominees should have demonstrable influence and significance within the history of rock and roll. Four categories are recognized: Performers, Non-Performers, Early Influences, and since 2000, Sidemen. However, fans have no input concerning who is nominated or elected to the hall.
This year, there were a total of nine nominees for the Hall of Fame. The other inductees include Jeff Beck, Bobby Womack and Little Anthony and the Imperials. The unlucky four who failed to acquire a spot this year are Chic, The Stooges and War. Additional 2009 inductees include rockabilly legend Wanda Jackson in the early influence category, as well as and pianist Dewey Lyndon “Spooner” Oldham and Elvis Presley bassist Bill Black and drummer D.J. Fontana in the sideman category.
The above artists will be inducted into the museum on April 4, 2009. Tickets to the Induction Ceremony will go on sale to Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Members from Thursday, January 22 to Friday, January 23. The entire show will be televised live on the cable network Fuse.