Deceased “Bad Girls” singer Donna Summer will face off against the likes of Deep Purple, N.W.A. and Canadian power trio Rush for a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The Cleveland-based Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced the nominees for 2013 induction on Thursday, a list that included disco queen Summer — who died of lung cancer in May at the age of 63 — along with others such as Chic, Heart, Deep Purple and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.
While the list might include a number of acts that wouldn’t traditionally fall into the “rock and roll” category, foundation president and CEO Joel Peresman defended the organization’s “fantastic array” of nominees.
“The definition of ‘rock and roll’ means different things to different people, but as broad as the classifications may be, they all share a common love of the music,” Peresman said. “This year we again proudly put forth a fantastic array of groups and artists that span the entire genre that is ‘rock and roll.'”
To be eligible for nomination, this year’s nominees had to have released their first recording in 1987 or earlier.
More than 600 artists, historians and music-industry professionals will be sent ballots for this year’s induction. The induction ceremony will take place April 18 at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live, and will air on HBO at a later date.
Read the full list of nominees below.
The Paul Butterfield Blues Band
Chic
Deep Purple
Heart
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Albert King
Kraftwerk
The Marvelettes
The Meters
Randy Newman
N.W.A
Procol Harum
Public Enemy
Rush
Donna Summer