First time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees Whitney Houston and the Notorious B.I.G. topped this year’s short-list of potential inductees, the institution announced Tuesday.
The late music icons are among 16 acts vying for a coveted spot, joined by performers and groups including Soundgarden, Depeche Mode, Dave Matthews Band, Motorhead, PatBenatar, and The Doobie Brothers.
This year’s field is marked by three legendary artists who died young.
The new class of inductees will be announced in January 2020, with the annual star-powered ceremony set for May 2 in the hall of fame’s home city of Cleveland, Ohio.
Germany’s electronic music pioneers Kraftwerk are also up for the honor, with Nine Inch Nails, Judas Priest, Rufus featuring Chaka Khan, MC5, Todd Rundgren, T.Rex, and Thin Lizzy rounding out the pack.
Inductees are chosen following a survey of more than 1,000 musicians, historians and industry members, who consider an act’s career work, innovation, skill and influence in voting in new members.
