Mary J. Blige, Peter Frampton Among 2024 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductees

The 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees have been officially announced, with Mary J. Blige, Peter Frampton and Ozzy Osbourne among those joining the exclusive club this year.

During Sunday’s “Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night” episode of American Idol, host Ryan Seacrest and judge Lionel Richie revealed that Mary J. Blige, Cher, Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & The Gang, Ozzy Osbourne, and A Tribe Called Quest are being inducted under the Performer Category, which honors “artists who have created music whose originality, impact, and influence has changed the course of rock & roll,” according to a release.

To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, an individual artist or band must have released its first commercial recording at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination. Four out of the eight inductees in the Performer category were on the ballot for the first time, including Cher, Foreigner, Kool & the Gang, and Frampton.

Robert ‘Kool’ Bell said in a statement: “We are honored to to be inducted into the class of 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. We could have never forseen this distinction 55 years ago when we debuted as Kool & the Gang. Back then we were die hard jazz enthusiasts still in high school and there was no such thing as the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Of our original magnificent seven, my brother Ronald Khalis Bell, Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas, George “Funky” Brown, Claydes “Charles” Smith, Robert “Spike” Mickens and Richard “Ricky” Westfield, I am the surviving member along with James “JT” Taylor who joined us for the amazing ride of the 80s. Thank you to our fans and to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame voters for celebrating Kool & the Gang with this award.

Cher’s induction comes after she publicly rebuked the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year for never nominating her. “I wouldn’t be in it now if they gave me a million dollars,” she said on The Kelly Clarkson Show in December. “I’m never gonna change my mind,” she declared. “I mean, they can just you-know-what themselves.”

The 2024 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame is also honoring the late Jimmy Buffett, MC5, Dionne Warwick, and legendary Motown songwriter Norman Whitfield with the Musical Excellence Award, which is given to “artists, musicians, songwriters and producers whose originality and influence creating music have had a dramatic impact on music.”

Alexis Korner, John Mayall, and Big Mama Thornton earned the Musical Influence Award, which goes to “artists whose music and performance style have directly influenced, inspired, and evolved rock & roll and music impacting youth culture.”

In addition, Suzanne de Passe is being honored with the Ahmet Ertegun Award, which goes to a “non-performing industry professional who’s had a major influence on the growth of the art form.”

Motown founder Berry Gordy said in an official statement, “Today marks a moment of intense pride as two members of the Motown Family will be honored at the upcoming Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation Awards, Suzanne de Passe and Norman Whitfield.

“I want to congratulate, Suzanne, my protégé and longtime friend, on being selected to receive the prestigious Ahmet Ertegun Award! Suzanne’s vision and passion contributed to Motown’s success. Every task I ever threw at her, she not only accomplished, but exceeded my expectations. Suzanne went from being my creative assistant, helping to launch the careers of Michael Jackson, the Jackson 5, Lionel Richie, the Commodores and more, to co-writing a screenplay for Lady Sings the Blues, for which she received an Oscar nomination.

“Suzanne has great instincts, a sharp wit, and a creative sense that has made her a formidable player in the entertainment world. I continue to be extremely proud of her.

“I am also so thrilled that Norman Whitfield, whom I consider a true musical genius and one of Motown’s most important creative forces, has been selected for the Rock & Rock Hall of Fame’s Musical Excellence Award.

“His brilliant body of work was versatile and bold. He had early collaborations like Marvin Gaye’s “Pride and Joy” and the Temptations “Just My Imagination.” He had numerous #1 hits, including two with the same song, “I Heard It Through The Grapevine,” back to back on two artists – Gladys Knight & the Pips and Marvin Gaye. Then, with his ear to the streets, he took the Temptations and Motown in a whole new direction. Norman’s music reflected the social consciousness of the times with songs like “Ball of Confusion, “War,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone.” His incredible body of work makes him one of the most important creative forces of his time.

Other artists who were nominated but not selected for induction for this year include Mariah Carey, Eric B. & Rakim, Jane’s Addiction, Lenny Kravitz, Oasis, Sinéad O’Connor, and Sade.

The 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction will air live on Saturday, October 19, on Disney+, with a special airing on ABC at a later date and available on Hulu the next day. Visit the event’s official website for further information.