A handful of artists are inducted into the Hall of Fame in an
annual induction ceremony historically held at the Waldorf-Astoria
Hotel in New York City. The first group of inductees, inducted on
January 23, 1986, included Chuck Berry, James Brown, Ray Charles, Sam
Cooke, Fats Domino, The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis,
Little Richard, and Elvis Presley.
Currently, groups or
individuals are qualified for induction 25 years after the release of
their first record. Nominees should have demonstrable influence and
significance within the history of rock and roll. Fans have no input
concerning who is nominated or elected to the hall.
Beginning
in 2009, the annual induction ceremony will move to Cleveland on a
rotating basis, perhaps as often as every three years.