Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Bad Company, Cyndi Lauper and Outkast get into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
This combination of photos shows Cubby Checker at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards in New York on June 12, 2014, left, British singer Joe Cocker performing in Monaco on Aug. 5, 2011, center, and Cyndi Lauper at the MTV Video Music Awards in New York on Sept. 12, 2021. (AP Photo)
By MARK KENNEDY
First-time nominees Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker and Bad Company will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a class that also includes pop star Cyndi Lauper, the hip-hop pioneers Outkast, the rock duo the White Stripes and grunge masters Soundgarden.
Salt-N-Pepa, the first female rap act to achieve gold and platinum status, and the late singer-songwriter Warren Zevon will get the Musical Influence Award. The late record producer Thom Bell, pianist Nicky Hopkins and bassist Carol Kaye will each get the Musical Excellence Award.
The late Cocker, who sang at Woodstock and was best known for his cover of The Beatles' 'With a Little Help From My Friends,' had the backing of Billy Joel, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top and Pete Thomas, a member of Elvis Costello & The Attractions, who argued that Cocker is "about as rock and roll as it gets.'
Soundgarden — with the late Chris Cornell as singer — get into the Hall on their third nomination. They follow two other grunge acts in the Hall — Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Bad Company get in having become radio fixtures with such arena-rock staples as 'Feel Like Makin' Love,' 'Can't Get Enough' and 'Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy.'
The Ahmet Ertegun Award — given to nonperforming industry professionals who had a major influence on music — will go to Lenny Waronker, a former head of Warner Bros. Records who signed Prince and R.E.M., and had a part in records from Madonna, Randy Newman, the Doobie Brothers, Rickie Lee Jones, Paul Simon and Gary Clark Jr.
Some nominees that didn't get in this year include Mariah Carey, Phish, Billy Idol, Joy Division/New Order, Maná, the Black Crowes and Oasis.
Checker's recording of 'The Twist,' and subsequent 'Let's Twist Again' are considered among the most popular songs in the history of rock 'n' roll. The 83-year-old has expressed frustration that he hadn't been granted entry before, including telling the AP in 2014: 'I don't want to get in there when I'm 85 years old. I'll tell them to drop dead, so you better do it quick while I'm still smiling.'
Lauper rose to fame in the 1980s with hits such as 'Time After Time' and 'Girls Just Want To Have Fun' and went on to win a Tony Award for 'Kinky Boots.' OutKast, made up of André 3000 and Big Boi, have six Grammys and a reputation for pushing the boundaries of hip-hop. The White Stripes — made up of Jack White and Meg White — were indie darlings in the early 2000s with such songs as 'Seven Nation Army.'
Artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before they're eligible for induction. The induction ceremony will take place in Los Angeles this fall.
Nominees were voted on by more than 1,200 artists, historians and music industry professionals. The selection criteria include 'an artist's impact on other musicians, the scope and longevity of their career and body of work, as well as their innovation and excellence in style and technique.'
Last year, Mary J. Blige,Cher, Foreigner, A Tribe Called Quest, Kool & The Gang, Ozzy Osbourne, Dave Matthews Band and singer-guitarist Peter Frampton all were inducted.
© Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tokyo Weekender
20 hours ago
- Tokyo Weekender
The World's 50 Best Restaurants List 2025 Features Four From Japan
Tokyo is well known as one of the world's culinary capitals. It has the most Michelin stars across the globe, beating cities like New York City and Paris. From modest, hole-in-the-wall izakaya to elegant omakase sushi establishments and innovative fusion cuisine, Japan's capital holds endless intrigue for gastronomes everywhere. Eateries in Tokyo regularly feature on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list. One of the most respected and influential scales in the culinary world, the list is produced by the UK media company William Reed. With a panel of over 1,000 experts made up of food writers, critics, chefs and well-travelled gourmets, the organization releases it every year to celebrate historic and unique culinary experiences. This year, four restaurants in Japan — three from Tokyo and one from Osaka — made the World's 50 Best Restaurants list. Read on to learn about each establishment's specialty. List of Contents: Sézanne (No. 7) Narisawa (No. 21) Florilège (No. 36) La Cime (No. 44) Related Posts courtesy of four seasons hotel tokyo at marunouchi courtesy of four seasons hotel tokyo at marunouchi courtesy of four seasons hotel tokyo at marunouchi Sézanne (No. 7) Two-Michelin-starred Sézanne opened in July 2021, on the seventh floor of the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi. With British chef Daniel Calvert at the helm, the modern French restaurant quickly generated buzz for its incredible 12-course tasting menu that pays tribute to Asia's deep culinary cultures. Calvert previously led the acclaimed neo-Parisian bistro Belon in Hong Kong, after honing his skills at New York's Per Se and Epicure in Paris. At Sézanne, he curates each dining experience to reflect Japan's finest seasonal ingredients, highlighting elements such as bouillabaisse with saffron from Saga Prefecture and fugu (puffer fish) from Yamanashi Prefecture. Narisawa Dish "Satoyama Scenery and Essence of the Forest" Narisawa Dessert dish "Camellia and Koji" Narisawa (No. 21) Most gastronomes around the world would have heard of satoyama cuisine, and chef Yoshihiro Narisawa's vanguard cooking style. Traditionally, satoyama refers to rural landscapes where humans live in harmony with nature; in recent years, it has come to symbolize sustainability, a deep respect for the earth and the integration of humans and the natural world. Established in 2003 in Tokyo's elegant neighborhood of Aoyama, Narisawa has an omakase-style menu that fuses a variety of culinary techniques with the concept of satoyama. The two-Michelin-starred restaurant has earned international recognition for its quality, innovation and commitment to environmentally conscious gourmet dining — securing a Michelin Green Star, 14 consecutive years on the World's Best Restaurants list and numerous other accolades. You can learn more about Narisawa from our conversation with Chef Narisawa . courtesy of florilège courtesy of florilège Florilège (No. 36) Situated in the stylish Azabudai Hills, the two-Michelin-starred Florilège is a creative French-Japanese restaurant led by chef Hiroyasu Kawate, who comes from a family of chefs. He trained at Le Jardin des Sens in Montpellier, France, before working as a sous-chef at Quintessence in Tokyo. Kawate has a strong focus on sustainability when it comes to curating his menu, highlighting locally sourced ingredients and experimenting with plant-forward tasting menus. The restaurant promises to portray 'a new side of vegetables that everyone knows,' reducing the amount of meat, fish and dairy products used. courtesy of la cime courtesy of la cime La Cime (No. 44) Modern French restaurant La Cime is located in the business district of Honmachi, which is considered the heart of Osaka. Established in 2010, the restaurant is headed by chef Yusuke Takada, who trained in Lyon and worked at renowned Parisian establishments such as Le Taillevent and Le Meurice. Takada gained global recognition after receiving the Inedit Damm Chefs' Choice Award in 2020. La Cime's menu spotlights seafood and produce from the Kansai region, as well as citrus and other ingredients from the subtropical island of Amami Oshima. The menu's signature dish is the Boudin Dog, a batter-fried boudin noir (blood sausage) colored with edible bamboo and charcoal. Related Posts Narisawa: Where Foraged Flavors Become Culinary Art Osaka's Best Restaurant and Bar Openings: Spring 2025 Michelin Guide Introduces New Restaurants in Kyoto and Osaka for 2025
The Mainichi
a day ago
- The Mainichi
What to know about BTS as the K-pop group returns from military service
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- It's official -- almost. Soon, all seven members of the massively popular K-pop group BTS will have completed South Korea's mandatory military service. Rapper Suga will be the last of the bandmates to be released on Saturday, after fulfilling his duty as a social service agent, an alternative to serving in the military that he reportedly chose due to a shoulder injury. BTS' entertainment agency said no events are planned for Suga's release out of concern for overcrowding. The six others, RM, V, Jimin, Jung Kook, Jin and j-hope, served in the army. Earlier this month, four members of BTS -- RM, V, Jimin and Jung Kook -- were discharged from South Korea's mandatory military service. Jin, the eldest BTS member, was discharged in June 2024 as was j-hope in October. BTS is expected to reunite later this year. Ahead of that highly anticipated homecoming, here's what you need to know about the group. The rise of BTS BTS -- short for Bangtan Sonyeondan, or "Bulletproof Boy Scouts" in Korean -- debuted in June 2013 under the company Big Hit Entertainment, now known as HYBE. The seven-member group consists of RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook. The group launched in 2013 with the hip-hop heavy single album "2 Cool 4 Skool," releasing three full-length projects before really gaining momentum with their 2016 album "Wings." Their global breakthrough came in 2017 when "DNA" entered the Billboard Hot 100, making BTS the first Korean boy band to achieve such a feat. The song's success was followed by a performance at the American Music Awards, further fueling their international fan base. The band is largely credited with bringing K-pop to the international stage, and with good reason. Across their discography, BTS broke boundaries and records: In 2020, they released the five-time platinum "Dynamite," their first all-English single, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 -- a first for an all-South Korean musical act. At the height of their popularity, BTS was not only the biggest K-pop group on the planet, but the biggest boy band overall. Global appeal In fact, they've been certified platinum many times over, according to The Recording Industry Association of America. Their platinum successes include: -- 2018's "Mic Drop;" -- 2020's "Map of the Soul: 7," "Love Yourself: Answer," and "Idol;" -- 2021's "Be," and song of the summer "Butter;" -- and high-profile collaborations "My Universe" with Coldplay and "Boy With Luv" featuring Halsey. BTS has also been nominated for five Grammy Awards. Their first, for "Dynamite" in the best pop duo/group performance category, marked the first time a K-pop act received a Grammy nod. As their global popularity grew, the septet also became international advocates for social justice. Their 2018 address to the United Nations General Assembly launched the "Love Myself" campaign in partnership with UNICEF to combat violence, abuse and bullying while promoting self-esteem among young people. The group's commitment to human rights activism continued in 2020 when they donated $1 million to the Black Lives Matter movement, denouncing racial discrimination and violence. Their fan base, known the world over as ARMY, responded by matching the donation within 24 hours. Their dual impact on music and social causes culminated in 2022 when they were invited to the White House to discuss anti-Asian hate crimes with President Joe Biden. BTS' mandatory military service stirs debate In South Korea, all able-bodied men aged 18 to 28 are required by law to perform 18-21 months of military service under a conscription system meant to deter aggression from rival North Korea. The law gives special exemptions to athletes, classical and traditional musicians, and ballet and other dancers if they have obtained top prizes in certain competitions and are assessed to have enhanced national prestige. K-pop stars and other entertainers aren't subject to such privileges. However, in 2020, BTS postponed their service until age 30 after South Korea's National Assembly revised its Military Service Act, allowing K-pop stars to delay their enlistment until age 30. There was heated public debate in 2022 over whether to offer special exemptions of mandatory military service for BTS members, until the group's management agency announced in October 2022 that all seven members would fulfill their duties. Break allows time for solo projects BTS tiered their enlistments, giving ample time for its members to focus on solo projects while the group was on a break. Jin released two EPs, "Happy" in 2024 and "Echo" in May of this year. Suga dropped his debut solo album, "D-Day," in 2023 under his moniker Agust D. Also in 2024, RM released his second solo album, the elastic, experimental "Right Place, Wrong Person", and j-hope released an EP, "Hope on the Street Vol. 1." Earlier this year, j-hope embarked on his first solo tour. Jimin released two projects, 2023's "Face" and 2024's "Muse." V's debut album, the smooth alt-R&B "Layover," arrived in 2023, as did Jung Kook's retro-pop debut, "Golden."
Yomiuri Shimbun
2 days ago
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Alfred Brendel, Pianist Renowned for Refined Playing of Beethoven, Dies at Age 94
AP file photo Austrian pianist Alfred Brendel performs at the piano with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra at the Lucerne Festival in Lucerne, Switzerland on Sept. 5, 2006. LONDON (AP) — Alfred Brendel, a pianist and poet renowned for his refined playing of Beethoven over a six-decade career, died Tuesday at his home in London. He was 94. Brendel's death was announced by the public relations agency Bolton & Quinn. Born in what is now the Czech Republic, Brendel gave his first recital in Graz, Austria, in 1948 at age 17. His final concert was with the Vienna Philharmonic at the Musikverein on Dec. 18, 2008. 'I grew up in a family that was not musically inclined, not artistically inclined and not intellectual, so I had to find out a lot of things for myself,' he said in a 2012 interview for the Verbier Festival. 'I was a young person who in the early 20s did not think I have to achieve something within five years but I thought I would like to be able to do certain things when I'm 50. And when I was 50 I said to myself I have actually done most of the things I want to do.' Brendel also was praised for his interpretations of Mozart, Schubert, Liszt and Haydn. He recorded the 32 Beethoven piano sonatas three times, and he played them over a month at New York's Carnegie Hall in 1983, among 77 recitals in 11 cities during the 1982-83 season. He repeated the sonatas again at Carnegie over three seasons in the 1990s. 'With winks to the audience and demonstrative hand movements, he has a playful manner that offsets his serious, contemplative interpretations,' The Associated Press wrote during the 1990s cycle. Born on Jan. 5, 1931, in Wiesenberg, northern Moravia, Brendel studied piano in Zagreb, Yugoslavia, with Sofia Dezelic and then at the Graz Conservatory with Ludovika von Kaan. He also took composition lessons with Artur Michl. His studies were interrupted when he and his mother fled as the Russian army invaded during World War II. 'When I turned 16, my piano teacher told me I should now continue on my own and give a first public recital,' he recalled during a lecture after his retirement. 'I should also audition for the great Swiss pianist Edwin Fischer, which I did the following year. Three of his masterclasses that I attended during the Lucerne festivals made an impact that lasts to this day. I also met Eduard Steuermann, the pupil of Busoni and Schoenberg. Apart from these encounters, I studied on my own.' Brendel had lived in London since 1971. He received 10 Grammy nominations without winning. He wrote several books, including a collection of poems called 'Cursing Bagels.' 'I used to live a double life,' he said in a 2012 interview with the Verbier Festival. 'I'm also a literary person lecturing, giving readings of my poems and teaching.'
