Rock legends Mary J. Blige, Cher, Foreigner, A Tribe Called Quest, Kool & The Gang, and Ozzy Osbourne have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, along with Dave Matthews Band and Peter Frampton. The induction ceremony will be held on October 19 at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio, and will be streamed live on Disney+ with an airing on ABC at a later date, followed by availability on Hulu. The Musical Influence Award went to Alexis Korner, John Mayall, and Big Mama Thornton, while the Musical Excellence Award was given to the late Jimmy Buffett, MC5, Dionne Warwick, and Norman Whitfield. Suzanne de Passe, a pioneering music executive, received the Ahmet Ertegun Award.
John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, emphasized the diverse impact of rock ‘n’ roll on culture and generations, noting how each inductee broke down musical barriers and influenced countless artists. Foreigner, with hits like “Urgent” and “Hot Blooded,” had a starry push for induction, with notable figures like Mark Ronson, Jack Black, Slash, Dave Grohl, and Paul McCartney backing the move. Ozzy Osbourne, known for his devil imagery and sludgy music, enters the hall as a solo artist, having previously been inducted with Black Sabbath. The list of this year’s nominees included Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz, Sinéad O’Connor, Sade, Oasis, Eric B. & Rakim, and Jane’s Addiction.
Cher, with a No. 1 song in each of the past six decades, and Mary J. Blige, with multiple multi-platinum albums and Grammy Awards, will help increase the representation of women in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before they are eligible for induction. Nominees were selected through a voting process involving over 1,000 artists, historians, and music industry professionals. Fans also had the opportunity to vote online or in person at the museum, with the top five artists from the public vote forming a “fans’ ballot” that was combined with professional ballots for final selection.
Overall, the induction of Mary J. Blige, Cher, Foreigner, A Tribe Called Quest, Kool & The Gang, Ozzy Osbourne, Dave Matthews Band, and Peter Frampton into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame acknowledges their significant contributions to the music industry and their lasting impact on culture. The recognition of influential figures such as Alexis Korner, John Mayall, Big Mama Thornton, and Suzanne de Passe further highlights the diverse range of talent that has shaped the history of rock music. The ceremony, scheduled for October 19 in Cleveland, Ohio, will celebrate the legacy of these icons and honor their groundbreaking achievements that have inspired generations of artists.
