Rock Hall Nominations Include 7 First-Timers

Dolly Parton, Eminem, Lionel Richie, Duran Duran, and A Tribe Called Quest are among this year's first-time nominees for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The Cleveland-based institution announced 17 artists and groups being considered for Rock Hall induction, including Rage Against the Machine (the band's fourth nod), Pat Benatar, Dionne Warwick, Carly Simon, Judas Priest, and Beck. Beck and Simon are also in their first year of eligibility, reports the AP.

This year's class will be announced in May, with an induction ceremony planned for later this year. "This year’s ballot recognizes a diverse group of incredible artists, each who has had a profound impact on the sound of youth culture," said John Sykes, head of the foundation that runs the Rock Hall. Artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before they're eligible for induction. Rolling Stone points out that while seven of the 17 are ballot first-timers, Eminem is the only one who is in his very first year of eligibility: His debut LP Infinite dropped in 1996. The other nominees are Kate Bush, DEVO, Eurythmics, Fela Kuti, MC5 (up for the sixth time), and the New York Dolls.

(More Rock and Roll Hall of Fame stories.)