2023 Inductee Announcement

WATCH

2023 Inductee Announcement

WATCH

2023 Inductees Announced

New York, NY – May 3, 2023 – Today, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation announces its 2023 Inductees in the following categories: 

Performer Category 

Kate Bush 
Sheryl Crow 
Missy Elliott 
George Michael 
Willie Nelson 
Rage Against the Machine 
The Spinners 

Musical Influence Award 

DJ Kool Herc 
Link Wray 

Musical Excellence Award 

Chaka Khan 
Al Kooper 
Bernie Taupin 

Ahmet Ertegun Award 

Don Cornelius 

The announcement was 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.” Read the full press release here.

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Sheryl Crow

2023 Inductees React
  • Sheryl Crow
    00:10:26
  • Rage Against the Machine
    00:01:25
  • Bernie Taupin
    00:07:56
  • Willie Nelson
    00:03:48

Kate Bush

A spellbinding visionary, the singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Kate Bush created a unique space in rock. She used lush soundscapes, radical experimentation, literary themes, sampling, and theatricality to captivate audiences and inspire countless musicians.

Sheryl Crow

Sheryl Crow’s voice is forever woven into the tapestry of American music. Through her powerhouse solo performances, collaborations with industry icons, and early session musician work, Crow’s influence reverberates through classic 1990s rock, pop, country, folk, blues, and the work of countless singer-songwriters.

Missy Elliott

Songwriter, groundbreaking producer, label executive, and video trendsetter, Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott was crucial to crafting the Virginia Beach sound that took over the airwaves in the late 1990s and 2000s. She established herself as an in-demand songwriter and producer and founded her own record label, all before breaking out as a Platinum-selling solo star.

George Michael

George Michael possessed extraordinary talent as a songwriter, vocalist, and producer. His incomparable vision and drive propelled him to superstardom, and he became the most-played artist on British radio from 1984 to 2004 and one of the best-selling artists of all time.

Willie Nelson

With over 60 years in the music business, Willie Nelson (b. 1933) – songwriter, performer, anti-establishment outlaw, political activist, and philanthropist – is an American institution. Nelson may call country music his home, but he has always pushed stylistic boundaries – mixing in rock & roll, jazz, pop, and blues.

Rage Against The Machine

The greatest rock & roll is the voice of change, and Rage Against the Machine shook the foundations of the status quo – lyrically, sonically, and philosophically. The band mixed hip-hop, punk, metal, funk, and rock in an entirely new way. They took aim at oppressive systems of power – cultural, political, and economic – and set a new standard for how to ignite a revolution through the power of music.

The Spinners

The Spinners remain one of the most beloved R&B vocal groups in the world, celebrated by fans and fellow artists alike. Initially a Motown band with Detroit origins, the Spinners’ lush, soulful harmonies and magnetic stage presence would come to define Philadelphia soul. They achieved massive crossover success, with their songs filling the airwaves and connecting with listeners around the world.

DJ Kool Herc

DJ Kool Herc is one of hip-hop’s founding fathers; his innovation and experimentation created the blueprint for hip-hop and set the stage for future artists and DJs to build upon.

Link Wray

Link Wray was the original punk, the inventor of the power chord, and the architect of a sound that laid the foundation for metal, punk, and every genre that relies on raw, untamed noise to convey its message.

Chaka Khan

At a time when audiences for rock and soul were splitting into different camps, Chaka Khan’s voice and presence represented the racial and social integration at the heart of rock & roll.

Al Kooper

A massive influence on American music, composer, multi-instrumentalist, singer, arranger, and producer Al Kooper has collaborated with the biggest names in rock & roll.

Bernie Taupin

Taupin’s rich, resonant words have created evocative images for Elton John and other musicians to melodize and for millions of listeners to visualize.

Don Cornelius

Don Cornelius created a vehicle for soul, R&B, dance, and hip-hop to find their way into our living rooms. In the process he became a visionary entrepreneur who opened the door – and held it open – for many others to follow him through.

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