The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame could next year be joined by the most un-rock'n'roll group to be commemorated in the Cleveland museum. Among the nominees for 2013 entry to the Hall of Fame are Kraftwerk, who if inducted will join the ranks of such far-from-kindred spirits as the Eagles, Neil Young and Rod Stewart. They would also be the first all-synthesiser group to join the assorted grizzled legends of the Hall of Fame.
Also nominated are two hip-hop groups – Public Enemy and NWA – alongside Albert King, Chic, Deep Purple, Heart, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, the Marvelettes, the Meters, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Procol Harum and Rush.
Artists become eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first record. "Criteria include the influence and significance of the artists' contributions to the development and perpetuation of rock'n'roll," according to the Hall of Fame's website.
Unsurprisingly, perhaps, Kraftwerk weren't shouting from the rooftops about the nomination – their site remained stubbornly free of any acknowledgement. Rush, by contrast, were effusive. "We are honoured to be among the nominees for this year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame," they said. "We are especially thrilled for the many, many dedicated Rush fans to whom this nomination is so very important." Rush, Kraftwerk and Deep Purple are currently first, second and third on the list of artists who deserve induction compiled by the website notinhalloffame.com.
Since the first nominees were honoured in 1986, the Hall of Fame has been dogged by criticism of its processes, especially the influence over selections of Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner and a small number of other people. When the Sex Pistols were inducted in 2006, they refused to attend the ceremony and called the institution "a piss stain".
The 2013 inductees will be announced at a ceremony in Los Angeles on 18 April.
