Earlier today, the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame 2017 inductees were announced, and needless to say, the list is just as interesting and controversial as ever! While some of the inductees were welcome and expected, others were met with quite a bit of resistance!
According to Rolling Stone , one of the most obvious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2017 inductees were, of course, Pearl Jam. The grunge-rock quintet, led by their enigmatic frontman, Eddie Vedder, got their first nomination into the Hall this year, and of course, they were unanimously voted in.
The band first came to prominence in the pop culture zeitgeist in 1991 with their debut album, Ten , which went on to sell more than 10 million albums. It is only the 22nd album in Soundscan history to reach “Diamond” status (meaning, sales topping more than 10 million), and it is Pearl Jam’s most commercially successful album to date. However, the band has sold more than 32 million albums in the United States, and more than 60 million albums worldwide. The lineup has remained relatively the same since their initial formation. In addition to Vedder, Pearl Jam is comprised of Stone Gossard, Jeff Ament, and Mike McCready. The fifth member, Matt Cameron, is the former drummer for Soundgarden, and the band’s initial drummer, Dave Krusen, left shortly after Ten was released.
Obviously we have to start the All American Power Hour with @PearlJam , now a member of the @rockhall Class of 2017! https://t.co/PkZHDH3HNL pic.twitter.com/x3LFJx7Mex
— DC101 (@DC101) December 20, 2016
Another musician that made it into the elite class of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2017 inductees was rapper Tupac. According to The Los Angeles Times , this selection was met with a little bit of resistance , initially, because Tupac is not a rock’n’roll star. For what it’s worth, Joan Baez, another one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2017 inductees, was met with the same resistance because she’s technically a folk singer, not a rock singer.
However, according to the outlet, he’s a fine addition to the lineup. He has sold more than 75 million albums worldwide and is considered by many hip-hop outlets to be one of the most influential rappers of all time. His albums All Eyez on Me and Greatest Hits have each surpassed the ten million mark in sales, as well.
Why America needs Tupac in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. https://t.co/FPiRcM6mM3 pic.twitter.com/9BHXjXLzLt
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) December 20, 2016
Another notable member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2017 inductee list is, of course, Journey. The band perhaps best known as the “Don’t Stop Believin’” band, which was the last song ever to be heard on The Sopranos , has earned enough mettle on its own, according to The Washington Post .
The American rock band originally fronted by Steve Perry is, like Pearl Jam and Tupac, a first-time nominee into the Hall. Originally formed in 1973, the band was comprised of former members of the legendary band Santana (fronted by Carlos Santana). They have sold more than 48 million albums in the United States alone and more than 90 million albums worldwide. They were also ranked the fifth-best rock band in history by USA Today .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lLmYLw0WRI
Congrats to @JourneyOfficial on being named a #RockHall2017 inductee! #LongLiveRock pic.twitter.com/rc06WXRoST
— SiriusXM VOLUME (@siriusxmvolume) December 20, 2016
Other Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2017 inductees include Joan Baez, Electric Light Orchestra, Yes, and Nile Rodgers. With the exception of Yes, all of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2017 inductees were nominated for the first time this year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnS9M03F-fA
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2017 inductees will officially enter the Hall during a ceremony that will take place in April, 2017. Congratulations to Pearl Jam, Tupac, Journey, and all of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2017 inductees!
[Featured Image by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Global Citizen]
