The Rock Hall voters like to reward pioneers in the music and they did so today in a couple genres. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five became the first Hip Hop band to get the nod. They had a hit with "The Message" in 1982.
The Godmother of Punk, New York poet Patti Smith, was inducted. She's most well known for her crossover hit "Because the Night." But fellow punk pioneers, Iggy Pop and the Stooges, were passed over. On the opposite side of the spectrum, The Dave Clark Five were nominated, but also failed to earn enough votes. The band that helped launch the Alternative Rock movement - R.E.M. - was chosen.
Other Rock Hall of Fame inductees include the 1960's girl group the Ronettes, led by Ronnie Spector, and 80's rockers Van Halen whose leader is up for grabs - as two lead singers David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar can both lay claim. Induction ceremonies will be held in New York in March when all the inductees can make an attempt to jam.