(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — In its inaugural year, seven bands and musicians were inducted in the first ever Illinois Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame. This fall, the Joliet-based museum will honor a new class of rock ’n’ roll icons.
For the 2023 class, Illinois Rock ’n’ Roll Museum founder Ron Romero said his team received thousands of nominations from around the world. The ballot was narrowed down to over a dozen names, and in the end, a handful of familiar musicians were selected to the hall.
“This year, we have a great lineup of inductees: The first one is Earth, Wind and Fire; we have the Cryin’ Shames; the Shadows of Knight; Nat King Cole; and we also have Miles Davis,” he said.
Romero continued: “For songwriter, we have John Prine. We want to include everybody in this that has anything to do with Illinois music … not only the performers and the writers, but the people who put it out there — our radio personalities and DJs.”
Previous bands and artists that have been inducted into the hall include: Cheap Trick, REO Speedwagon, Ides of March and Chuck Berry.
WXRT — a sister-station of WBBM — was named to the hall of fame in 2022.
Romero said the hall of fame events are always a rousing success and pay tribute to Illinois musicians. The first two events featured appearances from REO Speedwagon and a performance by the Ides of March.
“It started out as a crazy idea several years ago with the first hall of fame,” Romero said. “We had a fantastic turnout. In the second year … we had Ides of March and many others performing. The more we do this, the more it grows.”
The third annual induction ceremony will be held Sept. 17 at the Rialto Theater.
All proceeds from the event go toward construction of the museum and toward its music education program.
Editor’s note: Lisa Fielding is on the Illinois Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame’s ambassador board.
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