Uncovering the Next Generation's Hall of Fame
2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Presenters Announced
Here is the lineup (see also our complete list of past inductees and presenters):
- Beastie Boys -- Chuck D from Public Enemy
- Donovan -- John Mellencamp
- The Small Faces / The Faces -- Stevie Van Zandt from the E Street Band
- Red Hot Chili Peppers -- Chris Rock
- Laura Nyro -- Bette Midler
- Freddie King -- Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill from ZZ Top
- Don Kirshner -- Carole King
- Cosimo Matassa, Tom Dowd, Glyn Johns -- Robbie Robertson from The Band
- The Blue Caps, The Comets, The Crickets, The Famous Flames, The Midnighters and The Miracles -- Smokey Robinson
The one glaring omission from the list of presenters is a choice for Guns N’ Roses. Apparently the Rock Hall is still trying to find an artist who can induct the band and perhaps perform some of their songs, similar to what Velvet Revolver did for Van Halen in 2007, since it seems that the band will not reunite for a performance at the ceremony.
In addition to the names above, Billboard learned that Jim James from My Morning Jacket will perform with Donovan. The Rock Hall’s press release promises more induction ceremony details will be coming soon.
The induction ceremony is being held at Cleveland’s Public Auditorium, a short walk away from the Rock Hall. During the ceremony, the Museum is hosting its annual simulcast of the proceedings, the only place you can watch an unedited version of the event. Darlene Love wrote on her Facebook page that she will be performing at the Museum’s simulcast event, presumably before or after the induction ceremony.
If you’re unable to make it to Cleveland and want to watch the induction ceremony, you’ll have to wait until HBO premieres a 2 1/2 hour version at 9pm on May 5th. There is no official online live stream of the ceremony.
