Cher, Big Mama Thornton Among 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation has announced the inductees for the Class of 2024, with the induction ceremony set to take place on October 19 at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio. Among the notable inductees are pop icon Cher and blues musician Big Mama Thornton, who will be honored with the Musical Influence Award.

In the Performer Category, the inductees include Mary J. Blige, Cher, Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & The Gang, Ozzy Osbourne, and A Tribe Called Quest. Alexis Korner, John Mayall, and Big Mama Thornton will receive the Musical Influence Award, while Jimmy Buffett, MC5, Dionne Warwick, and Norman Whitfield were selected for the Musical Excellence Award. Suzanne de Passe will be presented with the Ahmet Ertegun Award.

The diverse group of inductees is being recognized for breaking down musical barriers and influencing countless artists that followed in their footsteps. John Sykes, Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, praised the inductees, stating, "This remarkable list of Inductees reflects the diverse artists and sounds that define rock & roll and will continue to influence and inspire generations to come."

The 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremony will stream live on Disney+ with a special airing on ABC at a later date and available on Hulu the next day. The inductees were announced live on ABC by Ryan Seacrest and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Lionel Richie during the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night episode of 'American Idol.'

Why this matters: The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductions celebrate the enduring legacy and cultural impact of influential musicians across various genres. The inclusion of diverse artists highlights the evolving nature of rock and roll and its ability to transcend boundaries.

The announcement has generated mixed reactions, with some expressing happiness about the inclusions and others questioning the continued relevance of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Cher, who had previously expressed frustration about not being inducted, will now finally take her place among the honored artists. For Ozzy Osbourne, this marks his second induction, having been previously inducted as a member of Black Sabbath.

Key Takeaways

• Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announces 2024 inductees, including Cher, Mary J. Blige.
• Cher, Big Mama Thornton to receive Musical Influence Award; others get Musical Excellence.
• Inductees recognized for breaking musical barriers, influencing future artists.
• Induction ceremony to stream live on Disney+, air on ABC and Hulu.
• Reactions mixed, with some praising inclusions, others questioning Hall's relevance.