The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class of 2017 is shaping up quite nicely, thanks to a number of major nominees.
The late Tupac Shakur, grunge rockers Pearl Jam and British band Yes currently lead the list with the highest vote counts. This is the first ballot appearance for the former two acts, while Yes has previously been nominated twice.
To be eligible this year, all nominees must have released their first single or album in 1991 or earlier. (Pearl Jam just made the cut with 1991’s Ten.)
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Other artists among this year’s hopefuls include Janet Jackson, Depeche Mode and Journey.
For the fifth consecutive year, the public will have the opportunity to vote alongside more than 800 artists, historians and music industry insiders. The top five acts will comprise a “fan’s ballot,” that will count as one of the ballots that will determine the class of 2017.
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The artists with the most votes will be announced in December and inducted next April at a ceremony at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. HBO will broadcast the ceremony later in the year.
In a change to tradition, the Hall of Fame has announced that only the individual members of each band will be honoured. For example, Pearl Jam has had five drummers in its time, but only current drummer Matt Cameron and founding member/original drummer Dave Krusen will be inducted if they make it in.
Fans can vote online from now through Dec. 6 on Rolling Stone‘s website.
Last year’s Hall of Fame class included N.W.A, Steve Miller, Cheap Trick, Chicago and Deep Purple.
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Check out the full list of nominees below.
2017 Rock Hall of Fame Nominees
Pearl Jam
Tupac Shakur
Yes
Depeche Mode
Electric Light Orchestra
Jane’s Addiction
Janet Jackson
Journey
The Cars
The Zombies
Bad Brains
Chaka Khan
Chic
J. Geils Band
Joan Baez
Joe Tex
Kraftwerk
MC5
Steppenwolf
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