Tupac Shakur, Pearl Jam lead hall of fame ballot
NEW YORK — The late rapper Tupac Shakur and Seattle-based rockers Pearl Jam are among the first-time nominees on the ballot for induction next year into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Nine of the 19 acts nominated are on the ballot for the first time, with Shakur and Pearl Jam in their first year of eligibility. More than 800 artists, historians and music-industry officials vote, with results announced in December and induction next April. Others back for another chance include pop superstar Janet Jackson.
Nominations were announced Tuesday.
Other first-time nominees are: the hard-core punk pioneers Bad Brains; 1980s synth-poppers Depeche Mode; Jeff Lynne’s 1970s hit machine Electric Light Orchestra; Lollapalooza instigators Jane’s Addiction; 1960s folkie Joan Baez; and Steppenwolf, Canadian rockers of “Born to be Wild” fame.
There is no set number of inductees.
This year’s class had five members.