A weird little building in Ohio just made an announcement that the music world continues to deem worthwhile: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced its 2015 inductees: Lou Reed, Green Day, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Bill Withers and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band will all join the induction class of 2015. Ringo Starr will be given the Award For Musical Excellence and 1950s R&B group the “5” Royales will receive the Early Influence Award.
The induction ceremony will take place at Cleveland’s Public Hall on April 18th, 2015, giving Cleveland just enough reason to keep its lights on (fuck you, Drew Carey. Cleveland does not rock. It’s a ghost town).
Artists are deemed eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25 years after the release of their first album or single. Green Day enter their first year of eligibility as their debut EP, 1,000 Smoothed Out Slappy Hours Hours, made its appearance in 1989.
“I had to go for a walk when I heard the news,” says Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong. “We’re in incredible company and I’m still trying to make sense of this. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has always held something special for me because my heroes were in there. This is a great time for us to sort of reflect and look back with gratitude.”
Jett shares Armstrong’s enthusiasm. “It’s surreal and very humbling,” she says. “It’s a culmination of all you’ve dreamed about doing as a musician. I’ve always been hopeful [that I’d get in] because I think it’s an incredible acknowledgment. I’m very proud to be with all these great musicians. It’s going to take a few minutes to sink in before I see how I really feel about it.”
