The 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees had plenty to say about being part of the latest induction class. Their reactions can be viewed below.

As previously reported, the Rock Hall 2024 class is as follows:

Performer Category

  • Mary J. Blige
  • Cher
  • Dave Matthews Band
  • Foreigner
  • Peter Frampton
  • Kool & The Gang
  • Ozzy Osbourne
  • A Tribe Called Quest


Musical Influence Award

(Given to a performing artist or group whose music and performance style have directly influenced and helped inspire and evolve rock & roll and music that has impacted youth culture.)  

  • Alexis Korner
  • John Mayall
  • Big Mama Thornton

Musical Excellence Award

(Given to artists, musicians, songwriters and producers whose originality and influence creating music have had a dramatic impact on music.)

  • Jimmy Buffett
  • MC5
  • Dionne Warwick
  • Norman Whitfield


Ahmet Ertegun Award

(Given to non-performing industry professionals who, through their dedicated belief and support of artists and their music have had a major influence on the creative development and growth of rock & roll and music that has impacted youth culture. 

  • Suzanne de Passe

 

When is the Rock Hall 2024 Induction Ceremony?

The 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Saturday, October 19 at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio. As previously reported, the 2024 ceremony will live stream on Disney+. An edited special will air on ABC at a later date, which will be available on Hulu the next day.

John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, said in a statement, “Rock & Roll is an ever-evolving amalgam of sounds that impacts culture and moves generations. This diverse group of inductees each broke down musical barriers and influenced countless artists that followed in their footsteps.”

For the first time this year, the Rock Hall induction class was announced on American Idol. Host Ryan Seacrest and judge/2022 Rock Hall inductee Lionel Richie did the honors.

The Rock Hall noted in a press release, “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 Peter Frampton.” However, it should also be noted that Ozzy Osbourne was on the ballot for the first time as a solo artist, despite being eligible since 2005.

  • Ozzy Osbourne

    The Prince of Darkness spoke with Billboard about his induction as a solo artist. He noted how this honor “feels different” compared to being inducted with Black Sabbath since he’s been a solo act for the majority of his career.

    Ozzy said he didn’t feel confident about being inducted as a solo artist, but he started to think things could change after his late guitarist Randy Rhoads was honored in the Musical Excellence Category in 2021.

    Overall, he’s very happy about his upcoming induction saying, “I feel like I was invited to a party in 1980, and it hasn’t stopped. Not bad for a guy who was fired from his last band.”

  • Peter Frampton

    Frampton shared a very heartfelt statement following the announcement of the 2024 Rock Hall class. He wrote, “This is something I never expected. I am overwhelmed that I will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, especially alongside so many incredible artists who have gone before me.”

    He concluded, “I can’t thank everyone enough for voting for me. You are the best. Somebody pinch me please!!”

    Frampton has long been overlooked by the Rock Hall. Despite being eligible since 1997(!), 2024 was Frampton’s first Rock Hall nomination.

  • Foreigner

    Like Frampton, Foreigner is another classic rock great who’s been overlooked by the Rock Hall for years. They’ve been eligible for induction since 2002.

    Founder/guitarist Mick Jones told Billboard, “I think it means more to me now than perhaps 20 years ago. I’ve had a great career, and this is like the whipped cream and cherry on top.”

    Former Foreigner bassist Rick Wills also told Billboard, “It’s been over 20 years since we’ve been waiting for this day. I suppose we were frustrated, to be perfectly honest, but we tried to hide it as best we could because we didn’t want to appear like we were sad people. (laughs).”

  • Dave Matthews Band

    DMB shared a brief statement via social media saying, “Dave Matthews Band is honored to be in the @rockhall Class Of 2024. Congrats to our fellow nominees and thanks so much to all of our fans for the support!”

    This was the second Rock Hall nomination for DMB. They were previously nominated in 2020. That year, the band won the Fan Vote. They also won the 2024 Fan Vote.

  • Mary J. Blige

    The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul said via social media, “Beyond Great full!!!!!! This is incredible!!! God always has the final say!!!! Thank you to my fans all over the world!!!! Tears of Joy!!!! @rockhall #rockhall2024”

    Blige was first eligible for induction in 2017. She was previously nominated in 2021.

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