Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Welcomes New Class; REM, Patti Smith, Grandmaster Flash, The Ronnetes, and Van Halen get the Nod.

Coming out of small college town Athens, Ga., R.E.M. established themselves as the first “indie” band to crack the mainstream. Comprised of Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Bill Berry, R.E.M. brought a new sound to the airwaves in the early 80’s. With songs like “Radio Free Europe”, “Superman”, “(Don’t go Back to) Rockville”, “Driver 8” and “Begin the Begin” R.E.M. solidified itself as rock pioneers.

Patti Smith released her debut album Horses, in 1975 and quickly became a Punk prophet. She ruled New York throughout the 70’s with her poetic lyrics and cutting voice and set the stage for future punk icons and helped put underground club CBGB’s on the map. Smith was often tied with artist Andy Warhol and the art movement of th e70’s in New York City.

Laying the groundwork for today’s hip-hop genre were Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. Starting out in the late 70’s this group integrated soul, r&b, funk, punk, new wave and hard rock to produce a sound never heard before. Their debut album “The Message” featured a track by the same name that helped elevate them from the Bronx to a worldwide stage.

Hits like “Be My Baby” and “Baby, I Love You” brought the all female group The Ronettes’ instant fame. Despite a short lived career that spanned from 1963 till 1966 the group attract a huge following and inspired groups to come like the Rolling Stones.

Van Halen hit the scene with their self titled debut album which sold over 10 million copies world-wide. They dominated the charts in the 80’s with singles that included “Jump”, “Eruption”, “Jamie’s Cryin’” and “Runnin with the Devil.” With guitar legend Eddie Van Halen and eccentric front man David Lee Roth Van Halen helped define early 80’s rock.

The five new inductees wee selected from 600 industry experts and will formally be inducted on March 12 in New York.
 
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