There are many ways to get into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. For Raven Slaughter, a fixture of the Cleveland music scene going back to the 1970s, that means having his S-shaped guitar on full display at the prestigious Rock Hall.

Now in hospice care, Slaughter still makes the effort to visit his old friend, a Gibson Les Paul Junior, which he sawed up and transformed into a custom S-shaped guitar for what he deems a really good reason.

“I made an S out of it because it sucked, and they thought it meant Slaughter. Really, it just sucked,” Raven tells Fox 8 News Cleveland. “It just kept going out of tune.”

Slaughter made a name for himself across Northeast Ohio and the Midwest throughout the ’70s and ’80s, playing iconic venues such as the Agora, the Beachland Ballroom, and the Fantasy. While he’s not a nationwide household name, he served as a mentor to many artists navigating the Cleveland scene and built a decades-long career in music.

All these years later, the guitarist admits “it’s weird” to see his loyal companion displayed at the Rock Hall, “because I’d like to play it, but it’s in there for everybody to see, but that’s OK.”

Mostly, though, he’s just glad that music fans now have the opportunity to see a very unusual guitar and learn more about the scene that helped him flourish.

Having his instrument displayed at such a prestigious location is validating for Slaughter. It showed how music allowed him to “just [be] me. I could be myself, and everybody dug just me being me.”

And, speaking of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the 2026 Rock Hall inductees were announced just a couple of weeks ago, and there’s a long overdue nod to some British heavyweights.

Paul McCartney’s post-Beatles exhibit at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, titled “Paul McCartney and Wings,” is supposed to open in two days (May 15). However, it is now being alleged that the guitars that were supposed to be part of the exhibit haven’t yet made their way to Cleveland.

According to Page Six, seven of McCartney’s guitars have been stuck in customs in London, since they’re made out of Brazilian rosewood and therefore fall under the remit of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – a multilateral treaty entered into force on July 1, 1975 that, as per UNESCO, ensures “international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.”

“They’ve been stuck in London customs for a month,” an unnamed source reportedly told Page Six. “The tree is endangered, so you can no longer use it, but it’s the best wood you can use for sound and acoustics.”

However, an insider also told the publication there has been some movement in order to ensure the guitars reach their destination in time for the opening.

The guitars are part of the Beatles bassist's personal collection, and therefore a crucial part of the upcoming exhibit, which marks the first time that a major museum exhibition will explore the story of McCartney and Wings.

According to Rock Hall, it’s set to feature “the most extensive collection of items from McCartney’s personal archives to ever be made accessible to the public, as well as donations from band members and associates.”

It will also include “instruments played in Wings’ recording sessions and in concert performances, clothing worn by the band, handwritten lyrics, original artwork, tour memorabilia, and previously unseen photography”, all presented within an immersive audio-visual experience.

Guitar World has reached out to McCartney's representatives and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for comment.

In more recent news, Macca has announced his first solo album in five years, The Boys of Dungeon Lane – inspired by a mysterious guitar chord and a cup of tea with Andrew Watt.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has unveiled its yearly list of inductees, and the class of 2026 comprises Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis, Sade, Luther Vandross, and Wu-Tang Clan, all in the Performer category.

Other inductees include Celia Cruz, Fela Kuti, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, and Gram Parsons, who will be honored with the Early Influence Award.

Producers Jimmy Miller, Rick Rubin, and Arif Mardin, alongside songwriter Linda Creed, will be presented with the Music Excellence Award. Rounding off the list is American television host and impresario Ed Sullivan, who will be posthumously bestowed with the Ahmet Ertegun Award.

“Induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is music’s highest honor,” said John Sykes, Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. “We look forward to celebrating these remarkable artists at this year’s ceremony – it’s going to be an unforgettable night.”

Nominees who were snubbed this year include Melissa Etheridge, Jeff Buckley, Pink, Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, INXS, and Shakira.

While Phil Collins was inducted as a member of Genesis in 2010, he has now received the nod as a solo artist. As for Billy Idol, he was overjoyed when he heard the news, telling Rolling Stone, “We’ve been building towards this, and it’s a perfect payoff. You couldn’t have dreamed it better, really.

“It’s absolutely perfect…To be recognized by your peers is incredible. You don’t really know what people think about you, but this gives you an indication.”

After three nominations, Iron Maiden have finally made it to the Hall of Fame. “We’d like to thank the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for including us (and former members who were all part of our story) in the 2026 roll call of inductees,” commented Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood.

“Iron Maiden have always been about our relationship with our fans above anything else, including awards and industry accolades. However, having said that, it’s always nice to be recognised and honoured for any achievements within the music industry too!”

Oasis have previously expressed skepticism about the Hall of Fame, with Liam Gallagher issuing controversial statements to The Sunday Times in a 2024 interview, “As much as I love Mariah Carey and all that, I want to say: Do me a favor and fuck off.

“It’s like putting me in the rap hall of fame, and I don’t want to be part of anything that mentally disturbed. Besides, I’ve done more for rock & roll than half of them clowns on that board, so it’s all a load of bollocks.”

However, Gallagher changed his tune upon the announcement, as he tweeted, “Reverse psychology vibes in the area Oasis RnR hall of farmers I mean famers.”

“I wanna thank all the people who voted for us it’s a real honour ever since I was a little kid and singing in the shower I’d dream about 1 day being in the RnR hall of fame it’s true what they say anything is possible if you have a dream.”

Meanwhile, Joy Division co-founder and bassist Peter Hook took a more heartfelt approach and dedicated the induction to the sorely missed Ian Curtis. He also confirmed he’ll be attending the ceremony.

“Hi. I’d just like to say how wonderfully pleased I am to be finally accepted into the Cleveland Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame,” he said in a video posted to social media, while notably wearing an Oasis T-shirt.

“I’ve been looking forward to it for years, so I definitely am gonna make the most of it. I’d like to say that this is for Ian Curtis, and for all our fans of both bands. Without you, we would be nothing. So thank you so much.”

While it remains to be seen who else will attend the ceremony, it will take place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on November 14 and air on ABC and Disney+ the following month.

Last year, Bad Company’s Paul Rodgers was forced to drop out of the 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, after previously confirming reunion plans.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced the nominees for its Class of 2026.

Heavy metal legends Iron Maiden spearhead the ballot for this year’s potential nominees, and have been joined by a diverse cast of music legends that span Britpop icons and post-punk pioneers to rap and hip-hop heroes.

Other big names on the ballot include Oasis, whose reunion tour last year was billed as the “biggest of all time”, as well as The Black Crowes, Billy Idol, and Joy Division/New Order.

Melissa Etheridge has also been given the nod, along with the late, underrated guitar great Jeff Buckley, Genesis drummer Phil Collins, Wu-Tang Clan, Shakira and New Edition. Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, INXS, Sade, P!NK, and Luther Vandross complete the list of nominees.

As per the Rock Hall’s rules, artists and bands become eligible for inclusion into the Hall of Fame 25 years after the release of their first commercial recording. Iron Maiden’s selection for the 2026 ballot, then, arrives 22 years after they first became eligible for nomination.

In other words, it’s been a long time coming, and for fans who have long-pointed out the Rock Hall’s aversion to giving heavier bands their flowers in these inductions, Iron Maiden’s inclusion will be welcome.

“Iron Maiden created the blueprint for how heavy metal bands should look, sound, and tour,” the Rock Hall writes in its promo. “Throughout the 1980s, the British group released seven high-octane albums that solidified them as one of rock & roll’s biggest bands.”

Oasis has also been re-nominated after failing to enter the Hall of Fame following the band’s inclusion in the 2025 ballot. The snub likely wouldn’t have bothered the Gallagher brothers, though. Liam once said he wasn’t interested in receiving recognition from “some geriatric in a cowboy hat” (via BBC).

Fans will also be pleased to see Jeff Buckley’s name involved in the running. The iconic singer-songwriter is widely regarded as an unsung guitar hero whose genius defies categorization; the mastermind behind 1994’s Grace, with a highly individual style that blended a number of nuanced inspirations.

A ballot for the fan vote has been opened. Inductees will be announced later this year, and a full induction ceremony will take place in autumn.

Head over to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for more info on each nominee.

You might think that after Aerosmith hung it up in 2024, Joe Perry would be kicking back. But he’s been working behind the scenes on a range of Aero-related activities, touring with the Joe Perry Project, and teaming up with Steven Tyler and Yungblud for an unexpected EP.

One More Time is the result of the veteran bandmates befriending the younger musician – real name Dom Harrison – last year. “It’s been three months of insanity,” Perry says.

“It was something we really hadn’t planned on. Then after it was done we had promotion, photoshoots and rehearsals morning to night.”

He adds: “The songs are inspired by him working with us, and us being inspired by working with him. There’s a lot of great guitar players and bands out there, but Yungblud really has the stuff, so we thought we’d throw our lot in.”

The EP has led fans to wonder if there’s more to come from Aerosmith. “I can’t really say,” Perry responds. “If this is the last thing that we do, it’s great. But I’m not retired yet. Steven doesn’t think he’s retired. Who knows? We’ve still got some juice left!”

What was your rig for the Joe Perry Project shows?

The couple of stacks that I have are the ones I was gonna use on the last Aerosmith tour. I’ve got gear in LA, Vegas and Boston, and this stuff was stashed in one place. They’re the ones with the old script lettering on them.

I had a Fender Vibroverb which was custom-made for me way back. I love those amps. For the studio I had a stack of three Vibroverbs, and two Marshall stacks, and a 5150 Iconic.

Another thing I used was the Terror Stamp by Orange. It’s a solid-state power amp the size of a big pedal; you can put it through a 10- or 12-inch speaker. I’ve been using it in my studio to practice, and I get all kinds of great sounds out of it.

Is that the same gear you used while recording the EP with Yungblud?

I ended up doing almost all of the five songs with that setup. A couple of times we were working at Johnny Depp’s studio, where I had a really nice old Supro. But it was basically the Orange because those things sound fucking great; and after that it was the usual foot pedals.

How did you first meet Yungblud?

Our manager’s son thought it would be a cool idea to get Aerosmith and Yungblud together, and he mentioned it to his dad, Larry Rudolph. They started talking to Yungblud’s manager. Then Dom and I got on the phone, and he ended up coming down to Florida last year.

He said, “Let’s work on some stuff for my next record,” Mainly it was just to get to know him, but when I heard his stuff I was like, “Holy shit, this guy’s got the pipes!” I watched some of his live stuff and I thought, “He’s got it, man!”

Dom went off on the road and I told Steven, “It would be great if we got together with him.” We went in a bunch of different studios – two down here in Florida and three in LA. We were all bouncing around, depending on who was doing what. When we got three songs done we were like, “Holy shit, we’re really locking into something!”

What led to the cover of Back in the Saddle?

The record company said, “You guys gotta write two more songs so you put an EP out. That’s how we’re setting up to release stuff now.” We had six days before I started rehearsals with my band, and we wrote another song.

I was thinking, “If we can’t come up with anything else, we can always do a blues song.” But then my wife, Billie, said, “Why don’t you cover an Aerosmith song?” The light goes on in my head, so we covered Back in the Saddle, and it was a lot of fun. We’re gonna do a dance mix of it and all that.

What led you, Steven, and Yungblud to hook up at the VMAs?

Steven and Yungblud played at the Ozzy thing in Birmingham, and somebody there said, “Why don’t you guys do this for the VMAs?”

You just played at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony for Bad Company.

It turned into a really big deal because it was the first time it was going to be broadcast that way. I remember when it used to be a couple of thousand people showing up, and it was really loose. This time there must have been 7,500 people there. The fans could get in; it was a lot bigger of a deal.

You were playing the role of Mick Ralphs. What was that like?

It was kind of sad because Mick passed away recently. I’d always thought how much fun it would be to play with Bad Company – but I didn’t wanna do it that way, you know? I did everything I could do to honor him.

Chris Robinson ended up filling in for Paul Rodgers. Seeing as you’ve been touring with him with the Project, that must have been a comfortable transition.

Paul had another health scare and his doctor said, “You can’t fly; you can’t travel.” We found out two days before the show, so Bryan Adams came on, and then Chris was able to do it, which was great. We all did the best we could do to pay homage to Bad Company.

You used a gorgeous vintage Gibson Black Beauty that we’ve not seen you play much.

Mick’s style was basic yet really soulful. He was a Les Paul guy, so I pulled out my ’58 Black Beauty, and I fell back in love with it, you know? I’ll be using it again a lot more. As much as I love the Strat, it was great playing that.

And on the other end of the spectrum, you used a Les Paul Junior.

There was one song with an open tuning, and the guitar that seemed to work best was the Junior with one P-90. It really was both ends of the spectrum – I had arguably the fanciest Les Paul they ever did with the three pickups, the binding, and all that; and then I had what they say is the beginner’s guitar!

But I’ll tell you it was tough to say which sounded better, because those P-90s, man, with the dog ears, they’re just phenomenal-sounding. It was great to be able to play the two of them.

With the EP out, I’m sure you and Steven want to play some of this stuff live. Are there plans for one final Aerosmith show – or a few one-offs with Yungblud?

There’s stuff flying around; you know, ideas. The latest thing is that we’ve been talking about doing at least one show, somehow, some way, in conjunction with a documentary that tells the band’s story.

We’re still talking. Steven’s bouncing back and forth from New England to LA; I’m in Florida; and Yungblud’s on the road in Europe. So, it’s been a lot of Zoom calls!

If the last Aerosmith record is already done, are you comfortable putting a period on everything?

I don’t think about it like that – I think about it like I don’t know what’s gonna happen next. For the last 20 years I’ve looked at every show and played it like it’s the last show. You really don’t know what’s gonna happen.

• Aerosmith + Yungblud’s One More Time EP is out now.

The 40th Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony took place over the weekend (November 8), and as usual the event was filled with star-studded collaborations.

The White Stripes, Bad Company, Soundgarden, Carol Kaye, Cyndi Lauper, Joe Cocker, Outkast and Chubby Checker were all among the Rock Hall’s Class of 2025, along with Warren Zevon, Thom Bell, Nicky Hopkins, Lenny Waronker and Salt N Pepa.

Soundgarden were inducted by Jim Carrey, who paid tribute to the band’s late singer Chris Cornell, remembering the time they crossed paths on Saturday Night Live – and was gifted a prized electric guitar signed by all Soundgarden members.

“I met the band in 1996 when I was hosting Saturday Night Live for the very first time, and I insisted on Soundgarden as the musical guest,” Carrey remembered. “By then, the lineup was Chris [Cornell], Kim Thayil, Matt Cameron on drums, and Ben Shepherd on bass. They launched into the dark, epic beauty of Pretty Noose.

“I stood right in front of them, letting the waves of electricity wash over me, like an audio baptism. They pushed me under and when I came up I was free.

“After the show, they handed me what is to this day, one of my most prized possessions. The Fender Telecaster Chris played on the show, signed by the whole band.

“Tonight, we make sure that Chris Cornell, Kim Thayil, Hiro Yamamoto, Matt Cameron and Ben Shepherd go down in history as one of the most majestic, powerful and influential bands ever to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Long live Chris Cornell. Long live Soundgarden.”

Carrey’s tributes to Cornell and Soundgarden were accompanied by a performance from the surviving members of the band, who were fronted by Taylor Momsen and Brandi Carlile for covers of Rusty Cage and Black Hole Sun, respectively.

It was a heroic outing for grunge music. For Soundgarden’s set, Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready – wielding a Gibson Les Paul for the occasion – doubled up Thayil’s riffs on Rusty Cage, while Alice in Chains’ Jerry Cantrell layered up the leads for Black Hole Sun with his G&L Rampage.

It wasn’t the only performance dedicated to Soundgarden and Cornell. Toni, Chris’ daughter, was joined by Nancy Wilson for an acoustic rendition of Fell on Black Days, performed underneath an in memoriam photograph of the late vocalist.

Elsewhere on the docket, The White Stripes were honored by pop-rock duo twenty one pilots, who performed Seven Nation Army, and Olivia Rodrigo, who – fresh from her festival-stealing Glasto headline set – joined Feist with her acoustic guitar to sing We’re Going to Be Friends.

Flea also played bass for Stevie Wonder on a cover of Sly & The Family Stone’s Dance to the Music, and The Killers honored Warren Zevon with a performance of Lawyers, Guns and Money. Zevon was inducted by David Letterman, who, in his own speech, also recalled the time Zevon had gifted him a guitar.

Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi closed out the show with a cover of The Beatles’ With a Little Help From My Friends. Bryan Adams, Cyndi Lauper and Chris Robinson were among the song’s guest stars.

Trucks and his trusty Gibson SG were on guitar duty for the song, and though the spotlight was firmly on the singers, he still found room for some trademark fingerstyle licks sans slide.

You can catch up on the 40th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony and rewatch all the action at Disney+.

Days before this year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Bad Company's Paul Rodgers has announced he will be missing the show due to ill health.

The singer and guitarist took to social media to explain his absence. “My hope was to be at the Rock & Rock Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and to perform for the fans, but at this time I have to prioritize my health,” he wrote in a statement posted to the band’s official Instagram.

“I have no problem singing, it’s the stress of everything else. Thanks for understanding. Simon along with some outstanding musicians will be stepping in for me – guaranteed to rock.”

The rock supergroup is set to be inducted into the Rock Hall this weekend at the Peacock Theater in L.A., alongside Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Cyndi Lauper, OutKast, Soundgarden, the White Stripes, Salt-N-Pepa, Warren Zevon, Thom Bell, Nicky Hopkins, Carol Kaye and Lenny Waronker.

And while the other surviving original member of Bad Company, former Free drummer and co-founder Simon Kirke, revealed the two intended to reunite on stage on Saturday, plans have now changed due to Rodgers' health.

The reunion would have marked the duo's first public performance since 2019, with the drummer previously confirming the news with Gold Derby, “I’m not at liberty to say which songs. I mean, quite honestly, I don’t give a shit. We’re going to play, and whatever Paul chooses is fine by me! Just to play with him again is going to be a real thrill for me. I missed him.”

Over the past decade, Rodgers has suffered 11 minor strokes and two major strokes, and in 2023, even told CBS Mornings that the band was likely done due to various health issues.

The 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will stream live on Disney+ on November 8 at 8 p.m. ET and will be available on-demand shortly after.

At last year's ceremony, Peter Frampton stole the show by busting out his signature talk box and treating audiences to a collaboration with Keith Urban.

Wrecking Crew documentary director Denny Tedesco has shared his thoughts on Carol Kaye's recent decision to decline her Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction invitation, after she posted a statement that made reference to the 2008 film.

The legendary session bass guitar player is set to be inducted into the Rock Hall alongside the White Stripes, Soundgarden, and Bad Company in November.

However, she had taken to social media to decline her invite to the ceremony, believing the Rock Hall “doesn’t reflect” the work that session musicians did during “the golden era” of hit-making. Tedesco’s 2008 film, which told the story of Kaye and her fellow session peers – who were since collectively referred to as the Wrecking Crew – was also highlighted in the statement, with Kaye saying, “I was never a 'wrecker' at all, that's a terribly insulting name.”

Writing on her website , Kaye had previously said the film “doesn’t tell the real story as [Denny Tedesco] said it would, it’s skewered, re-edited”. She also alluded to the term ‘Clique’ as a better way to describe the group, and rejected the idea that the Wrecking Crew moniker was used while the group were active.

Denny Tedesco, the son of Tommy Tedesco, a guitar-playing member of the group, has, until now, remained silent on the matter. In a lengthy Facebook post, the director addresses Kaye’s criticisms of the film and of the Wrecking Crew term – and lends his opinion on the Hall of Fame induction.

“Carol’s biggest complaint about my film was this name and the term in general,” he alleges, writing on the documentary’s Facebook page. “By the way, I agree with her 100%. I don’t think the name was ever used in the studios during the 1960s when they were recording, and I addressed this at the beginning of the film.”

He also claims that “Carol had fallen out with [session drummer] Hal Blaine in the early years of the film's production.” He claims their relationship was over “once and for all” by the time the film premiered on the festival circuit in 2008.

Indeed, Tedesco believes the Wrecking Crew name came from Blaine, as evidenced by his 1990 book of the same name. It was written to detail the young collective’s early days trying to break into the session scene, which a score of older musicians didn’t take kindly to.

“Rumor has it,” Tedesco continues, “Hal heard one of the older guys say to another older musician, ‘These guys are going to wreck the business playing this rock & roll shit.’ And that is the genesis of the term.”

He accepted that a term was needed for more cohesive storytelling for the documentary. Since Blaine had later adopted it, it stuck – even if Tedesco claims he remained sensitive to the issue throughout.

“In my voice-over, I specifically set up the story and roundtable [interview] with this line: ‘On the first day of shooting, I brought four of LA’s greatest session players together.’ I didn’t say four Wrecking Crew members. Why? Because I didn’t want to upset Carol. Is it a negative term? I don’t think so unless you take it seriously and don’t understand the irony.”

The filmmaker also says he is “confused” why he was brought up in Kaye’s post, considering he has no affiliation with the Rock Hall. As such, he is determined to echo his appreciation for the musician’s legacy.

“Whatever your opinion is about some music museums, I believe it’s an honor to be recognized. There is one thing that should never be questioned,” he writes, “Carol Kaye is one of the greatest bass players of all time. She is a brilliant musician and the star of the documentary.”

Since her initial post, Kaye has responded to the wave of support she received, saying, “A word of thank-you to all the 100s of emails I’ve been getting.

“Thank you for your wonderful support and ‘congratulatory’ messages, just because I said no to something I am not a part of, and you understood the cause of my decision.”

Meanwhile, Soundgarden have confirmed they will reform for the Rock Hall induction. Guitarist Kim Thayil believes it serves as a positive reinforcement to the late Chris Cornell's legacy.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation has revealed this year's inductees in an announcement delivered by Ryan Seacrest on the latest episode of American Idol – with a list that included some overdue names and omitted others who had an almost surefire shot at this year's class of inductees.

The guitar world is represented by The White Stripes, Soundgarden, and Bad Company in the Performer category. They are joined by Girls Just Wanna Have Fun icon Cyndi Lauper, gravel-voiced English singer Joe Cocker, Atlanta hip-hop duo Outkast, and Chubby Checker, who gets the nod nearly 40 years after he was first eligible for Hall of Fame recognition.

Bass legend Carol Kaye – who has played on more than 10,000 recordings over her six decade-plus career – is honored in the Musical Excellence Award category, alongside prolific R&B record producer, arranger, and songwriter Thom Bell, and English pianist and organist Nicky Hopkins.

Salt-N-Pepa, the first female rap act to achieve gold and platinum status from the Recording Industry Association of America, will also receive the Musical Influence Award, alongside Werewolves of London singer-songwriter Warren Zevon.

Meanwhile, record producer, former president of Warner Bros. Records, and co-founder and co-chair of DreamWorks Records, Lenny Waronker, is the recipient of this year's Ahmet Ertegun Award – reserved for non-performing industry professionals who have had a major influence on music and culture.

“Each of these inductees created their own sound and attitude that had a profound impact on culture and helped to change the course of Rock & Roll forever,” said John Sykes, Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. “Their music gave a voice to generations and influenced countless artists that followed in their footsteps.”

As is the case every year, there are a few high-profile snubs. Mariah Carey's omission, in particular, is a notable oversight, considering this is the second time she has been overlooked by the Rock Hall's voters. Britpop leaders Oasis were also given the cold shoulder, while jam band Phish – who topped the fan vote – didn't make the final cut.

This isn't the first time the winner of the fan ballot lost out on that year's induction. Dave Matthews Band, who won the 2020 fan vote, was ultimately not included in that year's final list – and had to wait four years before finally receiving their flowers.

The Class of 2025 will be inducted live on November 8 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California, with the ceremony streaming live on Disney+, a special airing on ABC at a later date, and available on Hulu the next day.

Last Saturday's 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremony in Cleveland was full of memorable moments. However, one definite standout was Peter Frampton's performance alongside Keith Urban. Long considered overlooked by Rock Hall, Frampton finally received his honors at a critical moment for the inventive guitarist, who is currently battling a degenerative disease.

Frampton was introduced by The Who's Roger Daltrey and promptly treated audiences to a stellar rendition of Baby (Somethin’s Happenin), complete with a blistering guitar solo on his Gibson "Phenix" 1954 Les Paul Custom.

“This is fantastic, thank you. I wanna bring on a dear friend of mine for a very long time, a great singer-songwriter and guitar player,” Frampton said with a smile, as Urban joined him on stage.

The country star was fully equipped with his 40th Anniversary Fender Telecaster for a solo-dueling Do You Feel Like We Do, featuring a shortened version of Frampton's signature talk box solo – which typically stretches up to 20 minutes in his concerts.

“That’s the one everybody wants to hear,” Frampton told Billboard, “so we edited that down, and that includes jamming with Keith as well.”

Urban added: “When he called and asked me if I’d play that song, of all songs, I was very happy to get to do it. It was amazing getting to play with Peter. He’s just got such a control over sensitivity and dynamics and intents. He makes it look easy, but it’s really hard to do what he does. He’s like a black diamond (trail) skier making it look like a green. It’s insane.”

Meanwhile, Daltrey gushed about Frampton's pioneering work and performance, noting: “It was fabulous to hear the sound of real guitars instead of all the fuzz box shit that they put out these days, detuned. It’s not rock ‘n’ roll. It’s not music… and it was wonderful to hear Peter’s guitar sound and Keith and the band work together, and the sensitivity in (Frampton’s) voice.”

In recent news, Frampton claimed he was forced to cancel a live show after Megadeth damaged the stage during their soundcheck a few nights before his scheduled performance.

Ozzy Osbourne was honored with a star-studded second induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame over the weekend, this time for his work as a solo artist.

Ever humble, the singer took the opportunity to pay tribute to his former guitarist, admitting, “If I hadn't met Randy Rhoads, I wouldn't be sat here right now,” during a brief but heartfelt speech.

The Prince of Darkness’ contributions to the festivities were few and far between, with the singer remaining on his bat-adorned throne for much of the evening, having recently retired from touring due to his deteriorating health.

So it was up to a few familiar faces from across Ozzy's storied career to provide the sparkle and entertainment, with Jack Black delivering a passionate speech before a revolving all-star band took to the stage for a handful of knockout performances.

Guest instrumentalists for the ceremony included Wolfgang Van Halen, Zakk Wylde, Billy Idol guitarist Steve Stevens, and Metallica and former Ozzy bass player, Robert Trujillo.

Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer Chad Smith was behind the kit, while Adam Wakeman and producer Andrew Watt were also called into action.

Vocal duties for the evening were delivered by Tool’s Maynard James Keenan, who gave Crazy Train a signature twist. Country Star Jelly Roll sang Mama I’m Coming Home, while Billy Idol crooned his way through a suitably dark No More Tears.

But it was Wolfgang’s contributions that were perhaps the most poignant. The Eddie Van Halen versus Randy Rhoads rivalry is one of the most debated in shred history, with the pair both at the peak of their powers in the early '80s.

As such, watching Wolfgang weave and tap his way through the Crazy Train solo on his EVH signature was a notable footnote to the festivities. It also nicely set the Van Halen/Rhoads rivalry aside and emphasized the legacy that both guitarists have created, and the influence they've since had on the world that adores them.

In truth, both virtuosos were guilty of fanning the flames that licked their rivalry. Eddie once said “everything he [Randy] did he learned from me,” while Ozzy claimed that “Randy didn't have a nice thing to say about Eddie”.

Wolfgang Van Halen is set to join Zakk Wylde, Billy Idol guitarist Steve Stevens and super-producer Andrew Watt at this month’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony, which will see the induction of Ozzy Osbourne.

In April, it was announced that the Prince of Darkness would be among the Hall’s Class of 2024, alongside the likes of Peter Frampton, John Mayall, MC5, Dave Matthews Band, Cher, Foreigner and more.

The ceremony is set to take place on October 19, and according to a report from Rolling Stone, it will feature some high-profile performances from a number of names associated with Osbourne’s career.

Speaking to Rolling Stone, Osbourne revealed actor/musician Jack Black would be the one to formally induct him into the Hall of Fame, while Wolfgang and a host of other musicians will be tasked with providing the entertainment.

“I don’t know what to think,” Osbourne said. “I’m still in shock that I’m getting inducted for a second time. But at the same time, I’m very excited.”

Reportedly, the evening will host a tribute honoring Osbourne’s solo career, and although the man himself didn’t comment on whether he’ll be singing for the occasion, he did tease the ceremony won’t be shy of A-list performers.

Billy Idol, Tool’s Maynard James Keenan and country artist Jelly Roll will all perform Osbourne tracks. Wylde – who has been one of Osbourne’s most faithful guitarists since the late 1980s – will be there to take part in the tribute, as will Wolfgang Van Halen and Andrew Watt.

The rest of the rhythm lineup will comprise Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, both of whom, according to Osbourne, make the perfect pairing.

“The rhythm section is the anchor of the band,” Osbourne adds, “and you honestly couldn’t get a better rhythm section than Robert Trujillo and Chad Smith.”

Most of these players all have something in common, of course: they’ve all collaborated with Osbourne in one way or another. Watt helmed production for Osbourne’s last two solo albums. Wylde was once part of his band. Smith featured on 2020’s Ordinary Man and 2022’s Patient Number 9. The list goes on.

It remains to be seen exactly what songs Wolfgang and co will perform on the night, but it stands to reason that a handful of Osbourne cuts will be on the cards. Given the fact such ceremonies have proven to deliver historic performances in the past – look no further than Prince’s epic solo from 2004 – so we have a feeling this won’t be one to miss.

Visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to find out more ahead of the ceremony on October 19.

A documentary that may never be released has shed new light on Prince’s famous While My Guitar Gently Weeps guitar solo from the 2004 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which was reportedly performed in part to spite Rolling Stone magazine.

Prince’s legendary career was filled with plenty of iconic onstage electric guitar moments, but the night he was finally inducted into the Hall of Fame is especially notable.

On that night, Prince joined Tom Petty, Steve Winwood, Jeff Lynne and Dhani Harrison for a cover of While My Guitar Gently Weeps, during which he ripped through a powerfully moving solo.

It was long seen as an exemplary display of Prince’s guitar prowess, and while that still holds true, it seems there is slightly more to the solo. In a feature recently published by The New York Times Magazine, which focuses on Ezra Edelman's new nine-hour Prince documentary, that night is cast in a new light.

As the documentary reports, Prince’s solo was “an act of revenge” designed to spite Rolling Stone, who had left the musician off its 100 Greatest Guitar Players Of All Time list the year before his RRHOF induction.

His response to being omitted from the list? Unleash a guitar solo so epic that it would forever live on in the memory of music fans, and cap it off by launching his guitar in the air. It would become one of Prince’s enduring guitar legacies.

As The New York Times Magazine reports, “On its face, it’s a supreme expression of Prince’s superiority and bravura. But the film gives it a new context. Questlove, on the screen, talks about his disbelief, the previous year, when Rolling Stone made a list of the 100 greatest guitar players of all time, and Prince was left off it.

“Prince nursed these kinds of slights, and his commandeering of the stage – at an event associated with [founder] Jann Wenner and Rolling Stone – was, in part, an act of revenge. There’s spite and aggression in the performance. But there’s also pain – in his wincing face, his apartness: a small, soigné Black man onstage with these rumpled white rockers.”

Those who shared the stage with Prince that night knew they were witnessing history.

In 2016, following Prince’s death, Petty told The New York Times, “You see me nodding at him, to say, ‘Go on, go on.’ He just burned it up. You could feel the electricity of ‘something really big’s going down here.'”

Prince’s solo clearly made quite the impression, and Rolling Stone avoided making the same mistake when it came to assembling its recently updated list of the 250 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time.

Published last year, that list put Prince in 14th place – a huge improvement after being completely left off the lineup two decades ago. That new list wasn’t without its own controversies, though, and was called out for having omitted a number of indisputable game-changers.

The release of Edelman's nine-hour Prince documentary is currently in doubt. As The New York Times Magazine reports, the artist's estate is attempting to block it, worried it will tarnish Paisley Park's reputation.

Peter Frampton, Foreigner and Dave Matthews Band are among the names to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for 2024, it has been revealed. 

The Class of 2024 also includes Ozzy Osbourne, Cher, Mary J. Blige, and Kool & the Gang. The MC5 are included in the Musical Excellence Award category, with legendary blues rock guitarist John Mayall included in Musical Influence. 

Peter Frampton has enjoyed a prolific career, producing 18 solo albums along the way. He’s been described by the Hall of Fame as an “exceptional guitarist, and cultural touchstone”.  

Frampton's induction feels especially well-deserved, and comes at a very fitting time. The guitarist has recently discussed how he's had to change guitar playing as he battles a rare degenerative disease, and revealed he's decided to continue touring to savor his last remaining playing days.

He also guested on a new track by Andy Timmons earlier this month, which was originally meant as a tribute to the guitarist. Now, he joins a distinguished list of Hall of Famers, including Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Prince, and B.B King. 

Speaking to Billboard after the announcement, Frampton said, “I think I’m a little bit in shock, and speechless. I never expected this. 

“People always said, ‘You should be in.’ I said, ‘Eh, what is to be,’ y’know? So mixed emotions, because it’s something that I just never expected, whereas other people did for me. It’s wonderful.”

Frampton also name-dropped the artist he'd like to play with at the induction ceremony on October 19: Sheryl Crow, who included Frampton in her own induction performance in 2023.

As mentioned, Frampton shares the induction list with an array of music royals. Foreigner wrote nine albums between 1977 and 2009, selling more than 80 million copies, while the Dave Matthews Band's 10-album career included a Grammy win for 1997's So Much to Say.

Elsewhere, this is Ozzy Osbourne’s second induction after Black Sabbath joined the elite club in 2006, while the MC5 are being honored for their contribution to punk and heavy music in general. In fact, we ranked Kick Out the Jams as no. 4 on our roundup of the 20 heaviest songs before Black Sabbath.

Previous inductee Lionel Richie announced the 2024 additions during Sunday’s American Idol alongside Ryan Seacrest. The induction ceremony is set to be streamed live on Disney+ on October 19. 

The 2023 induction ceremony featured Jimmy Page's first live performance in eight years as he covered Link Wray's Rumble on his iconic Gibson EDS-1275.  

Other notable induction events throughout the years include Dave Grohl teaming up with Lionel Richie in 2022, and Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, and Joe Perry joining Metallica for a pulverizing Train Kept A-Rollin' in 2009. Only time will tell what guitar-playing exploits the 2024 ceremony has in store for us...

Jimmy Page took to the stage for his first live performance in nine years this weekend, playing a cover of Link Wray’s Rumble at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Friday (November 3). 

The appearance represents Page’s first live performance in eight years, following his impromptu cameo at Seattle’s Experience Music Project (aka the Museum of Pop Culture) during their star-studded 2015 Founder’s Award show. That show saw Page hop onstage with a borrowed Gibson Les Paul.

This time, though, the Led Zeppelin man appeared holding his iconic Gibson ES-1275 doubleneck (famously used on Stairway to Heaven) and performed the full two minutes and 25 seconds of the track on the 12-string neck. 

“I was asked to induct Link Wray into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame; a guitarist, instrumentalist and songwriter that I’d admired from the very first taste of the Rumble,” wrote Page on social media, following the show.

“I first heard it when I was 14, roaring from a jukebox in my hometown of Epsom. As a guitar instrumental the attitude of it was totally unique in its mystery, imagination and execution – it had a profound effect on me.

“Link Wray and Rumble stand alone at the pinnacle in the world of instrumentals and I was thrilled to stand on stage in New York with drummer Anton Fig and bassist Tim Givens at the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame last night to induct one of my heroes.”

As noted in GW’s recent piece on the legacy of Link Wray’s Rumble, the track was famous for its aggressive distortion tone (achieved when Wray poked holes into the speaker of his Premier guitar amp with a pencil), combined with an unhinged vibrato effect.

Page also counted Rumble among his most important early influences in the 2010 film, It Might Get Loud. 

“The first time I heard the Rumble… that was something that had so much profound attitude to it,” says Page in the documentary, as he plays the track back. 

“[Throughout, he starts] to increase vibrato on his amplifier and it gets more and more intense.

“Most of my day was spent going through these records listening to sounds or playing guitar with the sounds. I was pulled into those speakers by this wonderful guitar playing, [I thought] ‘I gotta get to grips with that.’”

The track was also a major inspiration for Page‘s fellow Yardbird, Jeff Beck, who covered the track shortly before his death in a promo for Fender‘s American Vintage II range.

Regardless of the motivation (and we must admit it's a good one), Page’s live appearance has been a long time coming. Let’s hope it’s the first step towards some of those “multiple” new projects Page hinted at back in 2022 seeing the light of day.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's 2023 list of inductees was revealed today (May 3), and leading the honorees is an eclectic group of guitar-toting artists. 

Rap-metal pioneers Rage Against the Machine, superstar singer/songwriter Sheryl Crow, instrumental guitar titan Link Wray, and country legend Willie Nelson highlight a group that also includes pop auteurs Kate Bush and George Michael, R&B A-lister Missy Elliott and vocal group The Spinners. 

Rounding out the induction list is DJ Kool Herc, Elton John lyricist Bernie Taupin, Al Kooper, R&B/soul singer Chaka Khan and Soul Train host Don Cornelius.

“This year’s incredible group of inductees reflects the diverse artists and sounds that define rock & roll,” Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation Chairman John Sykes said in a press release. “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.”

In the wake of their induction, Rage Against the Machine paid tribute to both their fans and influences on social media.

“Many thanks to the Hall of Fame for recognizing the music and the mission of Rage Against the Machine," the band wrote on Instagram. "We are grateful to all of the passionate fans, the many talented co-conspirators we’ve worked with and all the activists, organizers, rebels, and revolutionaries past, present, and future who have inspired our art.”

Notably omitted from the Hall of Fame's induction list were nominees like Iron Maiden, Soundgarden, The White Stripes, Joy Division, New Order and Warren Zevon.

The inductees were selected by a body of more than 1,000 artists, historians and members of the music industry, with the public participating via a process called the Fan Vote, an online poll conducted on the Rock Hall's website that was tallied along with the other ballots.

The 2023 inductees will be honored at the 38th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on November 3 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Last year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony saw the long-awaited (and overdue) induction of Judas Priest, along with that of Eminem, Dolly Parton, Duran Duran, Lionel Richie, Carly Simon and influential blues guitar player Elizabeth Cotten, among others.

For more info on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame museum and this year's inductees and induction ceremony, visit the organization's website.

The 2023 nominees for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame were revealed today (February 1).

Iron Maiden, Rage Against the Machine, Soundgarden and The White Stripes lead a nomination class that also includes seminal post-punk acts Joy Division and New Order, country-pop superstar Sheryl Crow, hip-hop legends Missy Elliott and A Tribe Called Quest, and pop auteurs Kate Bush, Cyndi Lauper and George Michael.

R&B legends The Spinners, country icon Willie Nelson and the beloved singer/songwriter Warren Zevon round out the 2023 nominee class.

Crow, Elliott, Joy Division/New Order, Lauper, Michael, Nelson, The White Stripes, and Zevon are all on the ballot for the first time.

“This remarkable list of nominees reflects the diverse artists and music that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honors and celebrates,” John Sykes, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation's chairman, said in a statement. “These artists have created their own sounds that have impacted generations and influenced countless others that have followed in their footsteps.”

Nominations will be voted on by a body of more than 1,000 artists, historians and members of the music industry, but fans can also participate in the Hall of Fame selection via a process called the Fan Vote.

Through April 28, fans can vote online at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's websiteor in person at the Museum itself in Cleveland, Ohio. The top five artists in the Fan Vote will then comprise a “fans’ ballot” that will be tallied along with the other ballots to determine the 2023 inductees. 

The 2023 inductees will be announced in May, with the induction ceremony set to take place this fall, though the date and venue have yet to be announced as of press time. 

The 2022 ceremony saw the long-awaited (and overdue) induction of Judas Priest, along with that of Eminem, Dolly Parton, Duran Duran, Lionel Richie, Carly Simon and influential blues guitar player Elizabeth Cotten, among others.

For more info on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame museum and this year's inductees, visit the organization's website.

Judas Priest reunited with K.K. Downing at this year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony for the guitarist's first performance with the band in 13 years.

The group of musicians – also including vocalist Rob Halford, bassist Ian Hill, guitarist Glenn Tipton, drummer Scott Travis and former drummer Les Binks – were all inducted into the Rock Hall after receiving the Musical Excellence Award, bar guitarist Richie Faulkner, who replaced Downing in the British heavy metal institution in 2011. Late drummer Dave Holland was also inducted.

During the performance, which took place at LA’s Microsoft Theater on Saturday (November 5), and for which touring guitarist Andy Sneap sat out, the band played a medley of three of their biggest songs, You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’, Breaking the Law and Living After Midnight.

In a social media post following the event, Faulkner described sharing the stage with Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing at the same time as “an experience I’ll never forget”.

“One life, I’m gonna live it up,” he wrote. “What a night! I’m sure it was a flood of emotions for everybody involved and for all the fans, but to be up there with both [Glenn Tipton] and K.K. [Downing] as part of a guitar trio with Judas Priest was an experience I’ll never forget. A huge congrats to all the guys and to all the amazing artists who got inducted last night. It was truly surreal to be there.”

Said Alice Cooper, who inducted the British metal titans into the Rock Hall: “[Judas Priest] defined the sound we know of heavy metal and their sound is unmistakable. And what can you say about Rob Halford’s voice? Never have screams covered such a range. Is there any emotion that he can’t express?

“They’re electrifying on stage and one of the hardest-hitting live bands in the history of rock and roll. Priest [have] carried the flag of hard rock and heavy metal proudly for something like 50 years, never wavering or following trends or pretending to be anything but exactly what they are. They are flying high tonight. Much deserved and long overdue.”

In his acceptance speech, Rob Halford addressed the subjects of inclusivity in heavy metal, and the band’s 50 years in the game.

“I’m the gay guy in the band,” he said. “We call ourselves the heavy metal community which is all-inclusive, no matter what your sexual identity is, what you look like, or what you believe in or don't believe in. Everybody's welcome.”

He continued: “We should get out another 50 years, but the joy about music is that it lives forever. And that's the reason why we're here. We live for heavy metal. We live for music. And we're living for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.”

Other inductees into the Rock Hall this year included Eminem, Dolly Parton, Duran Duran, Lionel Richie, Pat Benatar, Eurythmics and Carly Simon.

It’s unclear yet whether Downing’s appearance with Judas Priest at the Rock Hall induction ceremony was a one-off, or whether it will spark future collaboration.

Last month, in conversation with the Detroit Metro Times, Ian Hill said that while “time is not on our side” for any such projects, Downing’s appearance at the 2022 Rock Hall induction ceremony “might kickstart something”. “On the other hand, he might pull us apart,” Hill joked.

In another interview with Ultimate Classic Rock last month, Downing described the thought of getting on stage with his former Judas Priest bandmates as “almost like cracking a beer, let alone riding a bike”.

“It’s embedded in me,” he said. “It’s what I do. So it’ll be quite something to look forward to, just to get up there and crank the amps up and just do it once again, for that short moment in time.”

Downing’s performance with his former bandmates was a landmark occasion, following years of tension. In a Guitar World interview back in February, Glenn Tipton fired back at K.K. Downing, saying: “His accusations have gotten sillier and sillier – and I deserve to respond.”

“I never wanted to get into a public argument after KK left,” he said. “I never said a word and I stuck to my guns for over 10 years, but there comes a point when you read things that have been said that are just crazy. It's time to say something, really because he's saying things that he really shouldn't be saying. They aren't fair.”

“He's insinuated that he was the driving force of the band,” he continues. “It just isn't true. Priest [is] made up of five guys working together. [There's] not just one person driving the band. He's said all these things that, I think, are meant to upset us and get us to say something in response and for a long time we didn't. But I've got a lot to say and enough's enough.”

Collaborations between pedal makers are increasingly common – a benefit of the thriving boutique scene. EarthQuaker Devices, though, has gone one step further finding a novel new partner in the shape of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. 

The Rock Hall has teamed-up with the Akron, Ohio pedal builder to offer limited edition re-finishes of the Plumes Small Signal Shredder and the Hizumitas Fuzz Sustainer, both of which feature some bat-laced artwork from Anthony Zart.

The artist, like the Rock Hall, is based in Cleveland, so feeds a little of the museum’s hometown flavor into the collaboration. 

“Seeing a project like this one come to fruition – especially when collaborating with Northeast Ohio pedal manufacturer EarthQuaker Devices – is a very gratifying experience,” says Zart. “Factor in an iconic museum? That’s icing on the cake.”

The collaboration launched with the limited edition Plumes, but has now added the Hizumitas – a signature model for Boris guitarist Wata. We’re told these are just the first units in an ongoing series.

“Effect pedals are a massive part of guitar driven rock and roll,” said Rock Hall President and CEO Greg Harris. “Throughout the years, Inductees ranging from Jimi Hendrix to The Edge have relied on effects pedals to craft their own unique sound. Thanks to EarthQuaker Devices, we invite you to shred with us at home or inside the Museum’s Jam Room using our limited-edition guitar pedal.”

The Rock Hall x EarthQuaker Devices limited-edition Hizumitas and Plumes are priced at $149 and $99 respectively. Both pedals are available directly from the Rock Hall website, or at the Cleveland museum store.

Three men – including a curator for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – have been indicted over allegedly possessing a selection of stolen notes containing lyrics and other material handwritten by Eagles co-founder Don Henley. The notes are estimated to be worth more than $1 million.

Craig Inciardi – who has been suspended from his role at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, according to Rolling Stone – as well as Glenn Horowitz and Edward Kosinski, are accused of conspiring to sell nearly 100 pages of Henley’s stolen notes – which include lyrics for Hotel California and Life in the Fast Lane.

The handwritten notes were reportedly stolen in the 1970s by an unnamed biographer, who sold them to Horowitz in 2005. Henley has been attempting to recover them since.

According to the indictment, Horowitz recruited Inciardi and Kosinski, whereafter the three men went about selling the notes to various auction houses – including high profile auctioneers such as Sotheby’s and Christie’s – and even tried to “coerce” Henley into buying them back. 

Shortly before the death of founding Eagles frontman Glenn Frey in January 2016, the New York County district attorney’s office started investigating the case, alleging that Horowitz had planned to claim the notes belonged to Frey, with the intention of making any criminal investigation against the men crumble.

Rolling Stone alleges that Horowitz once wrote in an email that “identifying [Frey] as the source would make this go away once and for all”.

In terms of charges, all three men are facing one count of conspiracy in the fourth degree – which carries up to a four-year prison sentence – while Horowitz also faces one count of attempted criminal possession of stolen property in the first degree, and two counts of hindering prosecution. Both Inciardi and Kosinski have been charged with first-degree counts of criminal possession.

Regarding Inciardi’s current employment status, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame President and CEO Joel Peresman wrote in a recent letter to board members: “At this time we do not know whether Craig engaged in any wrongdoing. He will remain on leave pending the resolution of the third party internal investigation and the extent of the charges once the indictment is unsealed.”

“This action exposes the truth about music memorabilia sales of highly personal, stolen items hidden behind a facade of legitimacy,” Eagles manager Irving Azoff tells Rolling Stone. “No one has the right to sell illegally obtained property or profit from the outright theft of irreplaceable pieces of musical history. These handwritten lyrics are an integral part of the legacy Don Henley has created over the course of his 50-plus-year career.”

Echoing Azoff’s statement, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg writes in a press release: “New York is a world-class hub for art and culture, and those who deal cultural artifacts must scrupulously follow the law. 

“These defendants attempted to keep and sell these unique and valuable manuscripts, despite knowing they had no right to do so. They made up stories about the origin of the documents and their right to possess them so they could turn a profit.”

Country music legend Dolly Parton announced today that she is withdrawing her nomination for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

In a note posted to her social media accounts, Parton said that, though she's "extremely flattered and grateful" for the nomination, she doesn't feel that she's "earned [the] right" to be inducted.

"I really do not want votes to be split because of me, so I must respectfully bow out," she said, before adding that she's open to being nominated and inducted into the Rock Hall in the future.

"I do hope that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will understand and be willing to consider me again – if I'm ever worthy. This has, however, inspired me to put out a hopefully great rock 'n' roll record at some point in the future, which I have always wanted to do.

"My husband," Parton added, "is a total rock 'n' roll freak, and has always encouraged me to do one. I wish all the nominees good luck and thank you again for the compliment. Rock on!"

2022 marked the first time Parton had ever been nominated for inclusion into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a distinction she shared with fellow 2022 nominees Eminem, A Tribe Called Quest, Duran Duran, Beck, Lionel Richie and Carly Simon.

Other artists on the nomination ballot this year are Rage Against the Machine, Fela Kuti, the New York Dolls, Dionne Warwick, Devo, Kate Bush, MC5, Eurythmics, Pat Benatar and Judas Priest.

From now through April 29, the public can also participate in the selection process by voting at the Rock Hall's website or at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame museum in Cleveland. The public's top five artists will comprise a “fans’ ballot” that will be tallied along with the other ballots to select the 2022 inductees.

The 2022 inductees will be announced in May, while the induction ceremony will take place this fall.

Late Ozzy Osbourne legend Randy Rhoads has been posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The recipient of the Musical Excellence Award – which is given to “artists, musicians, songwriters and producers whose originality and influence have had a dramatic impact on music” – Rhoads was inducted into the hallowed Rock Hall by Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello during the 2021 ceremony in Cleveland, Ohio on Sunday (October 31).

Appearing via video message, Morello paid tribute to the late guitarist. “Randy Rhoads is a peerless talent,” he said. “He revived Ozzy Osbourne's career as his gunslinger sideman. And it was Randy Rhoads' poster that I had on my wall. You could study Randy's songs in a university-level musicology class and bang your heads to them in a 7-Eleven parking lot.”

He continued: “When it comes to musical excellence, there is no-one more deserving of the highest echelon of recognition and praise. Now the incomparable Randy Rhoads stands where he belongs.”

Shortly after Rhoads' induction into the Rock Hall was announced earlier this year, Ozzy Osbourne said that he was “so happy [his] genius [was] finally being recognized”.

“I only wish he was here in person to get this award and that we could all celebrate together,” Ozzy told Premiere Radio Networks’ Sal Cirrincione. “It's really great that Randy's family, friends and fans get to see him honored this way.”

Metallica's Kirk Hammett and Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde also offered tributes during the ceremony. Hammett said, via video message: “All of a sudden, the curtain came down unexpectedly and the show was over before it really, really got going.”

Wylde added that “Randy, hands down, sits at” the table of guitar greats at the Hall of Fame alongside Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Eddie Van Halen and Eric Clapton.

Passing in 1982 at the age of just 25, Randy Rhoads' career was short-lived, but had a lasting impact on generations of guitarists to come. During his tenure with Ozzy Osbourne, he appeared on two of the singer's most notable studio albums – Blizzard of Ozz (1980) and Diary of a Madman (1981).

The full list of 2021 Rock Hall inductees – which the organization describes as the “most diverse” in its history – includes Tina Turner, Carole King, The Go-Go's, JAY-Z, Foo Fighters, Todd Rundgren, Kraftwerk, Charley Patton, Gil Scott-Heron, LL Cool J, Billy Preston, Randy Rhoads and Clarence Avant.

Last month, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced an exhibit showcasing items associated with this year's inductees, including Randy Rhoads' iconic white Jackson Concorde, as well as an Ampeg Dan Armstrong guitar used heavily by Dave Grohl on stage, and a purple embroidered suit worn by Todd Rundgren during the filming of his live album, Back to the Bars.

The full Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will air on November 20. For more information, head to HBO.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced a brand-new exhibit showcasing items associated with this year's Rock Hall inductees, who include Randy Rhoads, Foo Fighters, Todd Rundgren, The Go-Go's and more.

Taking place at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio from October 24, highlights of the exhibit include a white asymmetrically V-shaped Jackson Concorde guitar personally designed by late Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Randy Rhoads, and an Ampeg Dan Armstrong guitar used heavily by Dave Grohl during the Foo Fighters' One by One era and Wasting Light tour.

There's also a purple embroidered suit worn by multi-instrumentalist Todd Rundgren during the recording of his live album, Back to the Bars, costumes and instruments worn and played by each member of The Go-Go's, and a red lace dress worn by Tina Turner during the making of the video for her 1984 track, Private Dancer.

Other items include Carole King's Acrosonic piano and bench, which she has used throughout her illustrious career, a Casio Voice Arranger VA-10 keyboard used by Billy Preston, Gil-Scott Heron's signature brown hat, and a portrait of JAY-Z entitled Tree of Life, donated by the rapper himself, created by Jerin Beasley.

The full list of 2021 Rock Hall inductees is as follows: Tina Turner, Carole King, The Go-Go's, JAY-Z, Foo Fighters, Todd Rundgren, Kraftwerk, Charley Patton, Gil Scott-Heron, LL Cool J, Billy Preston, Randy Rhoads and Clarence Avant.

On Randy Rhoads being selected to win a Musical Excellence Award this year, Ozzy Osbourne said back in May that he was “so happy that [the guitarist's] genius [was] finally being recognized”.

“I only wish he was here in person to get this award and that we could all celebrate together,” the singer told Premiere Radio Networks’ Sal Cirrincione. “It's really great that Randy's family, friends and fans get to see him honored this way."

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is set to open the virtual doors to its all-new Reverb shop on Wednesday August 18, which will stock a set of six-strings signed by a number of people from electric guitar royalty.

Over the years, the Rock Hall ceremony has seen several guitar heroes autograph axes backstage during the annual celebration, with the signed instruments helping raise funds to support the institution's activities.

Now, those guitars will be available for the first time ever via a soon-to-be-opened online store, which is to be hosted by musical instrument marketplace Reverb.com.

Chief among the collection is a Gibson Les Paul Jr. signed by the ‘09 ceremony’s Inductees and presenters – including Jeff Beck, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Metallica, Run-DMC, Bobby Womack, Wanda Jackson and more – as well as an ES-335 signed by every performer from Chuck Berry’s American Music Masters ceremony.

Names from Berry’s 2012 concert include Ernie Isley, Lemmy Kilmister, Joe Bonamassa, Chuck Prophet, Rosie Flores and many more.

Other highlights from the Reverb shop include a Les Paul Studio from 2018 signed by The Moody Blues members Justin Hayward, Graeme Edge, John Lodge and Denny Laine, a Les Paul 'T' signature model signed by Don Everly and a ‘67 Flying V autographed by the members of My Chemical Romance.

A second Flying V, sporting the signatures of Duane Eddy, James Burton and rockabilly hero Lonnie Mack, completes the six-string lineup.

Elsewhere, the shop is also set to feature a number of limited-edition photos, which were donated to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by renowned photographer Baron Wolman. Those depicted in the pics include BB King, Albert King, Jimi Hendrix and Pete Townshend.

Proceeds from the sales will go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and will support it in continuing its mission – to “engage, teach, and inspire through the power of rock 'n' roll."

Keep your eyes peeled on Reverb.com for Rock Hall's online store, which will open for business on Wednesday August 18.

Many of the artists who have been honored as Inductees in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame got their start kicking out the jams in a humble garage. However, Covid pressed "pause" on countless rehearsals across the country this past year, leaving in its wake a deafening silence. But players of all stripes can rejoice again, because the Rock Hall is back to offering visitors the opportunity to safely travel that same rehearsal-room-to-rock-immortality path with the Garage, the Rock Hall's innovative interactive exhibit.

The Garage is the Hall’s first-ever dedicated space for visitors to not only view instruments, but actually pick them up, crank the volume and create music just like their heroes. In essence, it recalls the same early-days environs of many legendary rock stars, minus the screaming parents and local cops hassling you to turn down the volume—and with much, much better gear.

Get ready to rock

The Garage is separated into five main areas, including a practice space, a jam room and even a gear exhibit where fans can learn about some of the key instruments of rock and check out historic instruments from the Hall’s collection.

The practice space is where it all begins. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned musician with years of experience under your guitar strap, you can immediately pick up an instrument, cue up an instructional video and get to work mastering a variety of Hall of Famers’ songs in a range of styles, from classic rock and soul to grunge and hip-hop and beyond.

You’re with the band

Once you have the basics under your belt, you can head over to the jam room to get together with friends and fellow visitors and create a genuine pickup band. There, you and your new band mates can participate in freestyle jam sessions, try your hand at recording tracks and even “brand” your new band with custom merchandise.

“We wanted it to have that sort of D.I.Y., everything is possible, you’re just getting started kind of feel,” says Mandy Smith, the Rock Hall’s Director of Education. “We wanted to capture that in visitors who have already had that experience and take them on a trip down memory lane. Like ‘Oh my god. I remember 40 years ago, when I was 14 years old and I went to my friend’s garage and jammed.’ I was in my first garage band 25 years ago, when I was 12 years old, and I feel like we really captured that.”

Great gear, right at your fingertips

 The Garage indeed captures that—and more. Because while your best friend’s two-car, cold concrete space probably felt like the center of the musical universe when you were a kid, it likely wasn’t stocked with top-notch gear like Gibson Les Pauls and Fender Strats, Martin D-28 acoustics, and Marshall JCM900 and vintage Fender silver face Super Reverb amps, as well as an assortment of basses, keyboards, drums, microphones and more.

“The only places you can really go and pick up an instrument are places like music stores,” says Smith. “Those can be really intimidating for people, and they don’t have an educational purpose; they have a purpose to sell instruments. Having a safe space where kids feel like they can play is really important. And it just so happens that adults want to play rock n’ roll too, so it works for age zero to infinity.” 

“There’s nothing better than the thrill of cranking up the volume on an electric guitar,” adds RRHOF President & CEO Greg Harris. “And visitors can now do exactly that at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame!” 

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has not been kind to metal artists through the years. And while 2021 still saw them pass over seemingly no-brainer nominees like Iron Maiden, the announcement of 2021’s inductee class does include Ozzy Osbourne and Quiet Riot electric guitar legend Randy Rhoads, who has been tapped for the Musical Excellence Award.

The Musical Excellence Award, as defined by the Rock Hall, is given to artists, musicians, songwriters and producers whose originality and influence creating music have had a dramatic impact on music.

Now, Ozzy Osbourne has chimed in on Rhoads’ honor, telling Premiere Radio Networks’ Sal Cirrincione (via Blabbermouth), "I'm so happy that Randy's genius, which we all saw from the beginning, is finally being recognized and that he is getting his due. I only wish he was here in person to get this award and that we could all celebrate together. It's really great that Randy's family, friends and fans get to see him honored this way."

Tom Morello, who was on this year’s nominee list with Rage Against the Machine – a band that, like Iron Maiden, did not get the selected for inclusion – also chimed in on his official Instagram page, writing:

“Congrats to @randyrhoadsofficial on his induction into the @rockhall. A peerless talent who fused timeless riffs, solos of ingenious beauty and emotional fire, and a catalog that melds technical mastery and raw rock power, it was Randy’s poster that was on my wall when I was practicing 8 hours a day.

“Randy was a tremendous musician and huge inspiration and I’m so glad to see him honored.”

The 36th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on October 30 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, and will be broadcast on HBO Max and Streamed on HBO Max at a later date. Tickets go on sale to the public in July at ticketmaster.com.

In other Randy Rhoads news, a new book, Randy Rhoads by Ross Halfin, is set to celebrate the life and legacy of the legendary Ozzy Osbourne guitarist, with an epilogue penned by Osbourne and Morello.

The 2021 inductees to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame have been announced, with the Foo Fighters, Tina Turner, Carole King, the Go-Go’s, Jay-Z and Todd Rundgren all getting the nod this year.

It will be Foo Fighters leader Dave Grohl’s second go-round, following his 2014 induction with Nirvana, as well as number two for Turner, who entered in 1991 with Ike & Tina Turner, and King, who was honored with her former songwriting partner Gerry Goffin in 1990.

And while electric guitar-heavy nominees like Iron Maiden, Rage Against the Machine and the New York Dolls didn’t make the cut this time around, Randy Rhoads has been announced as one of three recipients of the Musical Excellence Award, alongside LL Cool J and Billy Preston.

Other honorees this year include Kraftwerk, Gil Scott-Heron and Delta blues legend Charley Patton, recipients of the Early Influence Award, and music executive Clarence Avant, who will receive the Ahmet Ertegun Award.

“This diverse class of talented Inductees reflects the Rock Hall’s ongoing commitment to honor artists whose music created the sound of youth culture”, said John Sykes, Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. “It will make for an unforgettable live celebration of music in October at this year’s Induction Ceremony in Cleveland.”

The 36th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on October 30 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, and will be broadcast on HBO Max and Streamed on HBO Max at a later date. Tickets go on sale to the public in July at ticketmaster.com.

You can find out more about all the honorees here.

In other Randy Rhoads news, it was yesterday announced that a new book, Randy Rhoads by Ross Halfin, is set to celebrate the life and legacy of the legendary Ozzy Osbourne guitarist, complete with an epilogue penned by Osbourne and Tom Morello.

After 2020’s ceremony took place virtually, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced plans to host an in-person event later this year.

The 36th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on October 30 in Cleveland, Ohio, at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Arena, which is set to be the largest venue ever to host the prestigious event.

The Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Arena has been favored over the ceremony’s usual Cleveland venue, the Cleveland Public Auditorium, and has the potential to host up to 20,000 people.

Rock Hall's move to the FieldHouse is also part of a multi-year deal, which will see the venue host future induction ceremonies.

In a statement, Rock Hall said, “FieldHouse provides a new and truly world-class venue that prioritizes health and safety, and offers increased space and flexibility to host the Induction Ceremony in Cleveland as part of a multi-year partnership."

However, despite the increase in size, it remains to be seen if the venue’s capacity will be limited due to the pandemic, with the FieldHouse currently approved for only 25% of its normal capacity.

Of these concerns, Rock Hall CEO and President Greg Harris said, “Ticketing capacity is an important question these days as we move through the health challenges of our nation but also get reopened again.

“Ticket on-sale announcement will be in July,” he elaborated. “Until then, we’re going to monitor best practices and make sure that however we’re seating the event, we’re doing it in a careful way.”

Nominees for the 2021 award include guitar heavyweights Rage Against The Machine, Foo Fighters and Iron Maiden, as well as a number of artists who are traditionally positioned outside the rock sphere, such as rappers Jay Z and LL Cool J.

Head over to Rock Hall for more information about the upcoming event and to see a full list of nominees.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 2021 nominations have been announced. The list includes guitar heavyweights Rage Against The Machine, Foo Fighters and Iron Maiden, as well as names traditionally outside the rock sphere, like Tina Turner and Jay-Z.

The full 2021 shortlist is: Mary J Blige, Kate Bush, Devo, Foo Fighters, The Go-Go's, Iron Maiden, Jay-Z, Chaka Khan, Carole King, Fela Kuti, LL Cool J, New York Dolls, Rage Against The Machine, Todd Rundgren, Tina Turner and Dionne Warwick.

Receiving their first-ever nominations are: Foo Fighters, Iron Maiden, Jay-Z, The Go-Go's, Fela Kuti and Dionne Warwick, though if Foo Fighters are inducted, it will mark the second time Dave Grohl has joined the hall, after previously entering in 2014 with Nirvana.

Similarly, Tina Turner was inducted alongside Ike Turner in 1991, and Carole King was inducted alongside Gerry Coffin in 1990.

The inductees are decided via the Hall of Fame's voting body – which is made up of over 1,000 artists, historians, and music industry members – as well as fan votes submitted to the Hall's website.

Last year's ceremony was originally slated to be held on May 2, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It eventually took place virtually on November 7, with Slash, Kirk Hammett and Tom Morello paying tribute to late guitar icon Eddie Van Halen.

The ceremony is to take place in-person later this year at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. For more information, head over to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's website.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Garage is an innovative new interactive exhibit that offers visitors the opportunity to not only view instruments, but actually pick them up and create music just like their heroes. It’s a place to step back and take a break from merely admiring the awe-inspiring music and music-making tools of the legends that populate the Hall’s museum, and crank up the volume to make a glorious noise of your own.

Because at the end of the day, if you really want to understand the music and motivations of rock’s greatest artists, what better way to do it than to place yourself in their shoes? In the Garage, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame makes this seemingly impossible act a reality by replicating the humble environs of legendary musicians who spent the beginning stages of their careers holed up in garages, basements, living rooms, warehouses and other makeshift rehearsal rooms.

Take, for instance, world-class metal titans Metallica. These days, the band routinely travel the globe to play in front of stadiums full of chest-thumping, headbanging fans. And head to the Rock Hall’s Heavy Metal Scene exhibit and you can admire late bassist Cliff Burton’s 1978 Rickenbacker 4001 bass guitar. 

But back in Metallica’s early days you could find Burton, his bass and his band mates at 3132 Carlson Boulevard in El Cerrito, California, huddled together in the garage where the thrash icons composed much of their classic albums, Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets. That garage has since been torn down (although frontman James Hetfield does own a guitar built from reclaimed wood salvaged there), but the music created in that space lives forever in the hearts and minds of millions of rock fans.

Starting off small

Metallica, of course, is only one of many Rock Hall artists that started off creating raw, no-frills music in a raw, no-frills space. Nirvana honed their craft in garages and other shabby spaces on the outskirts of Seattle before exploding into the mainstream with their second album, Nevermind, which defined the early Nineties alternative-rock uprising. 

Among the many Nirvana items to be found in the Hall, at the Play It Loud: Instruments of Rock & Roll exhibit running through summer 2020, is frontman Kurt Cobain’s smashed 1993 left-handed Fender Stratocaster, which he demolished at the climax of a performance in Inglewood, California, during the 1993 In Utero tour. He destroyed the bridge pickup using his technician’s Makita drill—an item that is also displayed in all its glory in the exhibit.

These energetic and often scrappy acts span from all corners of the world. There was the Ramones in New York (and you can see Johnny Ramone’s circa 1977 white Ventures II guitar in the Cities & Sounds: New York exhibit), and the Who in London (be sure to check out Pete Townshend’s “No. 6” Les Paul Deluxe in Play It Loud); as well as Weezer in Los Angeles and the Stooges in Detroit (and fans of those bands won’t want to miss Rivers Cuomo’s Epiphone Les Paul and James Williamson’s 1971 Cherry Sunburst Gibson Les Paul).

Kick out the Jams

The list of bands that started off young and determined in small, sweaty rooms is endless, from Rock Hall Inductees like Creedence Clearwater Revival and 2020 nominees MC5, to the Runaways and the Cramps, two artists whose instruments populate the Hall’s artifact collection. 

In the Garage, visitors can recapture and recreate that electric and one-of-a-kind moment that so many legendary acts have experienced in their careers—only they get to do it with better gear and working air conditioning.

With that in mind, head to the Garage, pick up a guitar, a bass or a pair of drumsticks, and prepare, in the words of one such iconic band, to kick out the jams!

The 2020 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, scheduled to take place at Cleveland’s Public Hall on May 2, has been postponed due to the coronavirus.

The announcement is the latest in a string of coronavirus-related cancellations and postponements, including, among many others, SXSW, Coachella, all of Live Nation and AEG’s current tours, and the electric guitar brand PRS’s Experience PRS 2020 festivities.

Said Rock and Roll Hall of Fame President Joel Peresman in a statement, “We are very disappointed to announce the postponement of this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

“Our first concern is to the health and safety of our attendees and artists and we are complying to the direction of the local and state authorities and common sense. We look forward to rescheduling the ceremony and will make that announcement at the earliest convenience.”

This year’s Hall of Fame induction class includes Nine Inch Nails, the Doobie Brothers, T. Rex, Whitney Houston, Depeche Mode and the Notorious B.I.G.

No word has been given as to a potential rescheduling date for the ceremony.

For more information, head to RockHall.com.

The Garage is the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s first-ever dedicated space for visitors to pick up instruments and make music—and do it in an environment designed to recreate the experience many of us had while playing in our first bands.

But while you and your childhood friends may have spent countless hours in a garage bashing out “Smoke On the Water” or “Free Bird,” chances are you probably didn’t do it surrounded by an incredible array of artist-played gear from legendary Rock Hall Inductees.

Rock history on display

At the Garage Gear exhibit, visitors can take a break from making music and check out iconic and historic music-making items from the Museum’s collection. Which means the Garage is more than a place for fans to revisit their own musical youth by grabbing a guitar or microphone and rocking out with abandon—it’s also a spot to take a trip back in time to learn about rock history and view the actual tools of the trade close up, in a constantly changing display.

And what a display it is. Some of the items currently exhibited in the Garage are true historical artifacts, such as Les Paul’s “The Plank” guitar from 1940. Paul’s name, of course, would later become most associated with the Gibson electric six-string that, in the hands of artists like Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and Slash, became a celebrated instrument of rock. But The Plank, which the famed musician and inventor constructed from 2 x 4 wooden boards, screws, a door hinge, a spring and two guitar strings, represents one of Paul’s earliest attempts at building a solid-body stringed instrument.

Another standout design is Eddie Van Halen’s 1996 Peavey Wolfgang guitar, hand-built and delivered to the six-string legend at his home recording studio, and which Eddie played and critiqued in the development of what would become his signature production-line model.

Additional showcased instruments include a Fender Telecaster played in the studio by artists ranging from B.B. King to Jeff Beck to the Smiths’ Johnny Marr, the circa 1970 Gibson Les Paul Custom that James Gang and Eagles great Joe Walsh used to write his 1973 solo smash, “Rocky Mountain Way,” a red-and-white polka-dot 1996 Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster custom-made for—and played by—Buddy Guy, and an Aria bass used by the Pixies’ Kim Deal onstage, in the studio and in the video for the band’s classic 1989 song, “Monkey Gone to Heaven.”

And guitars are only the beginning. There’s also a Ludwig floor tom drum played by Bikini Kill’s Tobi Vail, cymbals off a Black Sabbath drum kit, a Fender Bassman amplifier used at the legendary FAME Studios, home of the “Muscle Shoals Sound,” in the 1960s, Public Enemy DJ Terminator X’s Technics Quartz direct drive turntable, and a genuine travel case belonging to Yes keyboard wizard Rick Wakeman.

Inspiration across the generations

These one-of-a-kind instruments are genuine pieces of rock history come to life. And they serve as an inspiring backdrop for Rock Hall visitors creating their own unforgettable musical moments in the Garage.

“What we’re doing here at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame,” says Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, a 2009 Inductee with Run DMC, “is honoring the birthplace of the greatness not just of the creators, but those that hear, see and experience the beauty of the soul and spirit of rock & roll.”

That greatness is alive in each and every one-of-a-kind instrument on display in the Garage Gear exhibit, and is ready to be seen, heard and experienced by rock fans of every generation.

The Cars—a genre-bending quintet that sold millions of albums during their heyday, the late Seventies through the Eighties—were among the honorees at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cleveland this past Saturday night.

All five original members—singer/guitarist Ric Ocasek, lead guitarist Elliot Easton, keyboardist Greg Hawkes, drummer David Robinson and late bassist Benjamin Orr—were included in the induction. Orr, who sang some of band's best-loved songs, including “Just What I Needed,” died in 2000 at age 53.

“New Wave, Post Punk, Power Pop—tonight, they’re all riding together into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame," said the Killers' Brandon Flowers, who introduced the band. "On the back of what is now established as one of the greatest debut albums ever made, the Cars were named 'Best New Artist' in the 1978 Rolling Stone Readers Poll. Forty years later, they still sound like a new band to me.”

As if out to prove Flowers correct, the Cars—whose lineup was bolstered by Weezer bassist Scott Shriner for the occasion—ran through a handful of hits, including “You Might Think,” “My Best Friend’s Girl,” “Moving in Stereo” and “Just What I Needed.” You can check out “Just What I Needed” above. Below, you'll find "My Best Friend's Girl," "You Might Think" and the band's lengthy but heartfelt "thank you" speech.

The Cars have been eligible to join the Hall since 2004; they were previously nominated in 2016 and 2017. Besides the Cars, this year's nominated acts included the Moody Blues, Dire Straits, Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Bon Jovi.

When Led Zeppelin were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, they got on stage with fellow Rock Hall inductee Neil Young and performed a new arrangement of "When the Levee Breaks," a classic Led Zeppelin IV track.

You can relive the, um, magic by watching the top video below.

Because Jimmy Page's Les Paul and Young's Les Paul weren't quite enough, vocalist Robert Plant grabs a Les Paul of his own at the 2:00 mark. You can watch him truly go to town on his Gibson at 4:36 as Page looks on.

Page and Plant were in full-on Page & Plant mode at this time; in fact, they'd just released a successful live album called No Quarter, which was packed with Led Zep tunes. However, they didn't ask the other surviving Led Zep member, John Paul Jones, to take part in the project.

That's why Jones—during the band's now-legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame acceptance speech, which you can watch in the bottom video—says, "Thank you, my friends, for finally remembering my phone number" (jump to 6:31).

That's Michael Lee on drums.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has just announced their list of nominees to be inducted as part of the 2013 class.

Included in the list are several names that perpetually appear on "Hall of Fame Snubs" lists, including Deep Purple, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Heart and Rush.

“The definition of ‘rock and roll’ means different things to different people, but as broad as the classifications may be, they all share a common love of the music,” said Joel Peresman, President and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation in a press statement. “This year we again proudly put forth a fantastic array of groups and artists that span the entire genre that is ‘rock and roll.'"

While Rush are usually cited as one of the most egregious omissions from the hallowed halls of Cleveland, guitarist Alex Lifeson seemingly couldn't care less about the prospect of induction.

"I really don’t feel the need to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame because, at the end of the day, it’s just somebody’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame," Lifeson told Guitar World earlier this year. "They have a particular process, and they’re welcome to do it however they want to do it. If they feel that they want to exclude a certain genre or certain bands from their hall of fame, they’re welcome to do it. I don’t need to be in there. I have no interest in going there. I think that so long as we keep this relationship, we probably both benefit. If Rush is not in there, the controversy continues, and it keeps Rush fans very pissed-off. There’s some great bands in there that I really respect. Just recently, it was great to see the Chili Peppers get in—I love those guys. But I don’t need it. I have no interest in going, and hope that we never will."

Rush posted the following to their Facebook page earlier today, "We are honored to be among the nominees for this year's Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame. We are especially thrilled for the many, many dedicated Rush fans to whom this nomination is so very important."

The full list of nominees for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013 is:

• The Paul Butterfield Blues Band
• Chic
• Deep Purple
• Heart
• Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
• Albert King
• Kraftwerk
• The Marvelettes
• The Meters
• Randy Newman
• N.W.A
• Procol Harum
• Public Enemy
• Rush
• Donna Summer