“I don’t care.” That was Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood’s thoughts last year when asked about the band’s potential induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Well, they’re determined to make you care, Jon-Boy, ‘cause Radiohead is one of the seven acts that will be inducted into the 2019 class. Joining them will be The Cure, Def Leppard, Janet Jackson, Stevie Nicks, Roxy Music, and The Zombies.
Today, Radiohead offered a sigh, a muttered “fine,” and some breezy cocktail words for their fellow inductees. “The band thanks the Hall of Fame voting body and extends congratulations to this year’s fellow inductees,” they said in a statement.
That voting body consisted of 1,000 artists, historians, and industry luminaries, though a fan vote was also considered. In order to be eligible, the act’s first recording must have been released at least 25 years ago. Among the nominees that didn’t make the cut were Devo, Kraftwerk, Rage Against the Machine, MC5, LL Cool J, and Todd Rundgren, among others. Express your fury accordingly.
Today’s announcement does, however, contain a bit of history. Following her 1998 induction with Fleetwood Mac, Nicks’ inclusion marks her as the first woman to be inducted on two separate occasions. “I have a lot to say about this, but I will save those words for later,” she said in a statement. “For now I will just say, I have been in a band since 1968. To be recognized for my solo work makes me take a deep breath and smile. It’s a glorious feeling.”
Jackson offered her own thoughts in a trim statement. “Thank you Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,” she said. “I am truly honored and I am happy to be in there with my brothers.”
Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott spoke to Rolling Stone about the hair metal band’s inclusion, saying, “Now we can stop holding our breath. How wonderful to be in the same club as the Rolling Stones and the Beatles and the Who and Queen … It’s a nice badge of honor.” Somebody pour some sugar on this man.
The Zombies, who were entering Susan Lucci levels of fruitless nominations, acknowledged the long wait that brought them here. “You do start to doubt that it could happen,” he told Rolling Stone. “I’ve tried to be fairly philosophical about it and tell myself that if we don’t get inducted, it’s just a bit of fun. Don’t take it too seriously. But of course when you’re actually inducted, everything changes. You think, ‘This is a career-defining [and] life-defining moment.’”
Also, Roxy Music! The Cure! That’s neat!
The ceremony is set to unfold on March 29 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. An edited special will air on HBO in the spring.