The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced its Class of 2020: Nine Inch Nails, the Notorious B.I.G., Whitney Houston, Depeche Mode, the Doobie Brothers and T. Rex.
While no country artists were on the ballot this year, thereâs certainly a country connection for a couple of the new electees.
- Whitney Houstonâs best-selling song, âI Will Always Love You,â was penned by Dolly Parton, who originally recorded the tune in 1974. Whitneyâs 1992 rendition has been certified 8X Platinum by the RIAA for sales of 8 million units.
- The Doobie Brothersâ 2014 album, Southbound, featured the Doobies teaming with some of countryâs top talent for one-offs, including Blake Shelton (âListen to the Musicâ), Brad Paisley (Rockinâ Down the Highwayâ), Toby Keith (Long Train Runninâ) and Zac Brown Band (âBlack Waterâ).
Pat Benatar, Dave Matthews Band, Judas Priest, Kraftwerk, MC5, Motörhead, Rufus featuring Chaka Khan, Todd Rundgren, Soundgarden, and Thin Lizzy were among the nominees that didnât receive enough votes for election this year. Ballots were cast by an international voting body of more than 1,000 artists, including current inductees, historians and members of the music industry.
The induction ceremony will air live on HBO from Clevelandâs Public Hall on May 2.
photo by Kevin Ferguson, AFF-USA.com