On October 19, 2024, a new induction ceremony for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will be held in Cleveland, Ohio. Once again, this year's class leaves out bands from Latin America, while honoring other prominent artists such as Mary J. Blige, Peter Frampton, Dave Matthews Band, Cher, Ozzy Osbourne, Kool & the Gang, Foreigner, and A Tribe Called Quest.
This year's inductees include first-time honorees Cher, Kool & The Gang, and Peter Frampton. Ozzy Osbourne, who is already a member due to his role as Black Sabbath's vocalist, will be celebrated again for his solo career.
Other notable names such as Lenny Kravitz, Mariah Carey, and Sinéad O'Connor were left out after the final vote by more than 500 experts, journalists, and music industry professionals.
Additionally, the Musical Excellence Award will be presented to Jimmy Buffett, MC5, Dionne Warwick, and Norman Whitfield, who all meet the key requirement of having released their first commercial production at least 25 years prior to nomination.
Most of the honorees, except for Ozzy Osbourne, who is facing health challenges, are expected to perform at the ceremony, playing the songs that earned them this recognition.
Special performances will be given by rapper Dr. Dre and singer-actress Dua Lipa. Additionally, James Taylor, Jelly Roll, Julia Roberts, Slash, Demi Lovato, Keith Urban, and Kenny Chesney will be part of the event's organization.
The ceremony will be broadcast live from Cleveland on Disney+ at 7:00 p.m. (ET), 6:00 p.m. (CT), and 4:00 p.m. (PT).
Who Are The Latinos Who Have Already Been Inducted?
Despite the wealth of nominees and the rich history behind the Hall of Fame, it's noteworthy that no Latin American bands have yet been included. This stands in contrast to several non-U.S. musicians who have made it into the Hall. Notably, Jerry Garcia, of Spanish descent, was inducted in 1994 as a member of the Grateful Dead.
Richie Valens, of Mexican descent, was one of the first musicians with Latino heritage to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Known for his hit "La Bamba," he is often considered the first major figure in Spanish-language rock. However, as he was born in California, he is categorized as a U.S. solo artist. Valens was inducted in 2001.
One of the biggest mysteries surrounding the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is the lack of recognition for Spanish-language bands that have made history in music.
Since the induction events began in 1986, no Spanish-language bands have been honored, possibly due to a "deep-rooted mindset of only nominating Anglo-American bands."
Perhaps the most famous case is that of Mexican-born guitarist Carlos Santana, who, along with Nicaraguan musician Chepito Areas, was inducted in 1998 as part of Santana Band. However, the band is not classified under the Latin group category.
This sentiment is echoed by Mexican-American journalist Miguel Gálvez, who has spoken about this issue on several occasions. Since 2020, he has led a digital petition campaign urging the Hall to consider including one of the most iconic Spanish-language bands: Soda Stereo.
The Argentine trio, consisting of Gustavo Cerati, Charly Alberti, and Zeta Bosio, was a groundbreaking phenomenon in Argentine rock and later achieved unparalleled success in countries such as Mexico, Venezuela, Spain, and even the U.S., becoming the first Spanish-language rock band to tour multiple states in the U.S.
With Soda Stereo's iconic status, and as 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of their debut album, fans will have to wait until February 2025, when the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame selection committee meets again, to see if the popular demand for their recognition will finally be heard.
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