Induction Ceremony and Process

Congratulations to the 2008 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees!

The 23nd annual induction ceremony took place at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York City on March 10, 2008.

Watch clips from the 2008 ceremony.

The inductees and their presenters:

• Leonard Cohen inducted by Lou Reed
• The Dave Clark Five inducted by Tom Hanks
• Madonna inducted by Justin Timberlake
• John Mellencamp inducted by Billy Joel
• Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff inducted by Jerry Butler
• The Ventures inducted by John Fogerty
• Little Walter inducted by Ben Harper

Election of Inductees

Leaders in the music industry joined together in 1983 to establish the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. One of the Foundation’s many functions is to recognize the contributions of those who have had a significant impact on the evolution, development and perpetuation of rock and roll by inducting them into the Hall of Fame.

The Categories

Performers

Artists become eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first record. Criteria include the influence and significance of the artists’ contributions to the development and perpetuation of rock and roll.

The Foundation’s nominating committee, composed of rock and roll historians, selects nominees each year in the Performer category. Ballots are then sent to an international voting body of more than 500 rock experts. Those performers who receive the highest number of votes - and more than 50 percent of the vote - are inducted. The Foundation generally inducts five to seven performers each year.

Non-Performers

Songwriters, producers, disc jockeys, record executives, journalists and other industry professionals who have had a major influence on the development of rock and roll.

Early Influences

Artists whose music predated rock and roll but had an impact on the evolution of rock and roll and inspired rock’s leading artists.

The special selection committee elects the inductees in the Non-Performer and Early Influences categories.

Side Men

This category was introduced in 2000. It honors those musicians who have spent their careers out of the spotlight, performing as backup musicians for major artists on recording sessions and in concert. Though they often play a key role in the creation of memorable music, the public rarely knows them by name. A separate committee, composed primarily of producers, selects the inductees in this category.

Watch the 2007 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

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