2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees Announced

Digital Vision/Photodisc/Thinkstock(CLEVELAND) -- One of the most eclectic rosters of nominees in recent memory was announced Tuesday for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Potential inductees include Guns 'N Roses and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, rappers the Beastie Boys and Eric B. & Rakim, 1960s rock icons Donovan and The Small Faces, the late singer-songwriter Laura Nyro, former disco queen Donna Summer, pioneering female rockers Heart and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, and others.

“The 2012 Nominees embody the broad scope of what rock and roll means,” declared Joel Peresman, president and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation.  “From vocal groups to hip-hop, from singer-songwriters to hard rocking artists, this group represents the spirit of what we celebrate at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.”

In order to make this year's ballot, an artist had to have released their first single in 1986 or earlier.
The 27th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, April 14 of next year.

There are currently 619 people in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame among 296 total inductees, including individuals and groups.

Here are the 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees:

- Beastie Boys
- The Cure
- Donovan
- Eric B. & Rakim
- Guns 'N Roses
- Heart
- Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
- Freddie King
- Laura Nyro
- Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Rufus with Chaka Khan
- The Small Faces/The Faces
- The Spinners
- Donna Summer
- War

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