First Time's the Charm for 2016 Rock Hall

The late rapper Tupac Shakur and Seattle-based rockers Pearl Jam lead a class of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees that also includes folkie Joan Baez and 1970s favorites Journey, Yes, and Electric Light Orchestra. While Shakur, Baez, Pearl Jam, and ELO were elected this year in their first time on the ballot, disco-era band Chic failed again to make the cut after its 11th time nominated, reports the AP. However, the rock hall says it will give a special award to Chic songwriter and guitarist Nile Rodgers, who later became one of the hottest producers in the business, behind some of the '80s most indelible albums, including David Bowie's Let's Dance and Madonna's Like a Virgin.

Former Journey singer Steve Perry, estranged from the band for many years, offers some potential rock hall drama: Will he show up for his induction? Founding member Neal Schon was quoted in Billboard recently saying that there are so many non-rock artists in the hall that "I don't really care about being there." He did allow that it would be nice for fans of the band, never a critical favorite. The hall's 32nd annual induction ceremony will take place on April 7 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. HBO will show highlights later, with SiriusXM doing a radio broadcast. (More Rock and Roll Hall of Fame stories.)