Van Halen, which several years ago became eligible for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, has made it onto the ballot for the first time. The group is one of nine nominees who make up the field of acts vying for induction next year; the others include R.E.M., Patti Smith, Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five, The Stooges, The Ronettes, Joe Tex, Chic, and The Dave Clark Five.
Of the nine nominees, five will be voted into the Rock Hall. The five inductees will be announced in January, and the induction ceremony is scheduled for March 12, 2007 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.
Artists become eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first single or album. Van Halen’s self-titled debut surfaced in 1978.
From the Rock Hall 2007 nominees press release:
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.
Throw in rumors of a potential 2007 Van Halen reunion tour with David Lee Roth at the helm, the possibility of Roth and Sammy both being on hand for the induction, and the recent news that Eddie has apparently replaced Michael Anthony with his son, Wolfgang Van Halen, and, well, it sounds like we can count on VH to bring the drama factor to the 2007 Rock Hall induction ceremony.