Rock Hall 2024 Induction Class to be Announced on ‘American Idol’

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is doing things a little differently this year when it comes to unveiling the Rock Hall 2024 induction class. Instead of announcing the class via social media/press release, the 2024 class will be announced on American Idol.

Host Ryan Seacrest unveiled this news on last night’s (April 15) episode of American Idol (h/t

The 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees will be announced live on American Idol on Sunday, April 21st. #RockHall2024 @AmericanIdol @rockhall

— Future Rock Legends (@futurerocklgnds) April 16, 2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Future Rock Legends) and said the 2024 class would be announced on the April 21 episode of the show.

Billboard also reported that judge and 2022 Rock Hall inductee Lionel Richie would be joining Seacrest in announcing the 2024 class. On top of that, the entire episode will be Rock Hall-themed, so get ready for current American Idol contestants to take on the music of Rock Hall inductees. Fingers crossed there’s a contestant weird enough to cover Kraftwerk and confuse the hell out of judge/country superstar Luke Bryan. (Yeah, that won’t happen, but a rocker can dream!)

Billboard further notes that the Rock Hall-themed episode will feature Gene Simmons as a guest mentor. Simmons, of course, was inducted into the Rock Hall as a member of KISS in 2014.

The April 21 episode of American Idol will air on ABC beginning at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT.

Who Are The Rock Hall 2024 Nominees?

The 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees were announced on February 10. The 15 nominees are:

-Mary J. Blige
-Mariah Carey
-Cher
-Dave Matthews Band
-Eric B. & Rakim
-Foreigner
-Peter Frampton
-Jane’s Addiction
-Kool & the Gang
-Lenny Kravitz
-Oasis
-Sinéad O’Connor
-Ozzy Osbourne
-Sade
-A Tribe Called Quest

As previously reported, ten of the 15 nominees are on the ballot for the first time. Those artists are Mariah Carey, Cher, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & the Gang, Lenny Kravitz, Oasis, Sinéad O’Connor, Ozzy Osbourne and Sade.

This year’s induction ceremony will take place in Cleveland. The exact date of the ceremony is currently unknown, but it will take place in the fall. As with last year, the 2024 ceremony will live stream on Disney+. An edited special will air on ABC at a later date, which will be available on Hulu the next day.

In a statement on the 2024 nominees, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation Chairman John Sykes said, “This remarkable list of Nominees reflects the diverse artists and music that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honors and celebrates. Continuing in the true spirit of Rock & Roll, these artists have created their own sounds that have impacted generations and influenced countless others that have followed in their footsteps.”

Despite the initial end date of April 26 being previously announced, the 2024 Rock Hall Fan Vote end date

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame quietly pushed up the Fan Vote closing date to April 15th. It had previously been set to close on April 26th.

Dave Matthews Band has taken control of the lead and Mariah Carey is hanging on by the slimmest of margins over Kool & the Gang for 7th. pic.twitter.com/VqNLKBdX5S

— Future Rock Legends (@futurerocklgnds) March 26, 2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">was quietly changed and came to an end on April 15. The final standings and vote tallies can be viewed below.

 

Rock Hall Fan Vote 2024: Voting Ends Early, Final Standings

• 7. Kool & the Gang: 286,912 votes.

  Kool & the Gang have been eligible for induction since 1995. However, they only received their first Rock Hall nomination in 2024. It’s pretty shocking, considering just how many hits are in their catalog. Those hits include “Celebration,” “Ladies’ Night,” “Get Down on It,” “Jungle Boogie” and “Hollywood Swinging.”

• 6. Lenny Kravitz: 310,663 votes.

  Lenny Kravitz has been eligible for induction since 2014. This is his first nomination. Since debuting in 1989, he’s consistently offered up his unique brand of rock to the masses. Some of his biggest hits include “It Ain’ Over ’til It’s Over,” “Again,” “Fly Away” and “Are You Gonna Go My Way.”

• 5. Cher: 339,939 votes.

  Cher has been eligible for the Rock Hall for over three decades, but 2024 marks her first nomination. Despite her current standing in the Fan Vote, Cher recently bashed the Rock Hall in a December 2023 appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Cher said, “I wouldn’t be in it now if they gave me a million dollars … They can just go you-know-what-themselves.”

• 4. Ozzy Osbourne: 480,292 votes.

  Currently, The Prince of Darkness is atop the Fan Vote rankings, and it’s not a terribly big surprise. He’s been one of the most iconic figures in hard rock and metal for over 50 years. This is Osbourne’s first Rock Hall nomination as a solo artist, despite being eligible since 2005. Over course, Ozzy has a history of delayed acknowledgment from the Rock Hall. He was inducted as a member of Black Sabbath in 2006, despite being eligible since 1995.

• 3. Foreigner: 527,193 votes.

  Foreigner has been one of the Rock Hall’s most notable snubs over the years. The band has been eligible since 2003, and this is their first nomination. Guitarist/founding member Mick Jones said in response to the nomination, “I deeply appreciate the recognition from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame committee … Getting this news today is an incredible endorsement of what we have achieved over time.”

  Similar to Dave Matthews Band, expect Foreigner’s fans to really rally and put their support behind these classic rock giants.

• 2. Peter Frampton: 528,482 votes.

  Like Foreigner, Peter Frampton has long been overlooked by the Rock Hall. Despite being eligible since 1997(!), 2024 marks Frampton’s first Rock Hall nomination. The guitarist candidly told Billboard he was in the bathroom when he learned of his nomination and let out a scream. Frampton said his band leader Rob Arthur came running once he heard him scream.

  “He thought something was wrong,” said Frampton. “So, anyway, it was a very good day.”

• 1. Dave Matthews Band: 586,211 votes.

  This year marks the second Rock Hall nomination for Dave Matthews Band. They were previously nominated in 2020. That year, the band won the Fan Vote, but they failed to be inducted. After the 2024 nomination was announced, DMB didn’t waste any time to plug the Fan Vote on social media. Considering their enthusiastic fanbase, don’t be surprised if Dave Matthews Band rises in the Fan Vote ranks.