NWA, Cheap Trick Join the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Ground-breaking rap act NWA, Deep Purple and Chicago have been announced as inductees of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Though Chicago’s popularity is unquestionable, co-founder Robert Lamm thought that the time had passed for the band to get an induction, but was pleasantly surprised they finally were getting the honor.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2016 inductees have been revealed. Joel Peresman, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation president and CEO, said that a smaller nominating committee made it easier for rock bands from the ’70s to be nominated and inducted. The ceremony will take place on April 8 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Dr. Dre (left) and Ice Cube, two members of N.W.A., subject of the movie “Straight Outta Compton”, promote the film in April. The inductees are Cheap Trick, Steve Miller, N.W.A, Chicago, and Deep Purple.

Highlights from the induction ceremony will be broadcast on HBO. The group only released three albums between 1987 and 1991, and then suddenly imploded until they were able to release more songs. Deep Purple, best known for their sludgy brand of rock “n” roll and helping to bring in an era of metal, have classics such as “Smoke on the Water”, “Hush” and “Highway Star” in their lineup.

Cheap Trick, also from the state of IL, developed a style of heartland rock with guitar-driven anthems such as Surrender.

Though some overhauls and changes have been made to help ensure younger voters and more women have the opportunity to vote the musical artists who will join the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, this year, the voters have still played it safe, for the most part, with the possible exception of N.W.A.

Last year’s event featured performances from Beck, Dave Grohl and John Legend; Lou Reed, Green Day, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Bill Wither and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band were inducted in 2015. In the case of Yes, induction would not only have meant acknowledging of the group’s influence but also the musicianship of such members as Steve Howe, Alan White, Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Rick Wakeman and Geoff Downes. It’s all legitimized in a way because the whole music industry has to honor the group in a way…