Joan Jett & The Blackhearts helped break in the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls just a few weeks ago. She talked about how honored she was to be the act chosen for that honor. This morning (October 9) she got another honor: Jett is one of the finalists announced for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in April, 2015!

One of the 'first ladies of rock', from her days as a founder of The Runaways at the age of 16, to the inspiration she has become, Jett heads a list of 15 artists and bands that will now be considered for induction by a panel who will go over each artist and vote. Those with the most votes will be inducted April 18th.

But we, the fans, have a voice as well! Through December 9th, fans can visit www.rockhall.com, www.rollingstone.com, and www.usatoday.com to cast votes for the artist they believe to be most deserving of induction. The top five artists, as selected by the public, will comprise a 'fans ballot' that will be tallied along with the other ballots to choose the 2015 nominees.

The other nominees are, in my opinion, led by a man who introduced so many of us to the blues: the late great Stevie Ray Vaughan. Stevie Ray was taken from us (like so many of the greats) way too early. But unlike many of the other rock stars who passed young from drugs and alcohol, Vaughan died in a helicopter crash after leaving a gig at Alpine Valley in East Troy, Wisconsin in 1990. Blues fans everywhere have been waiting to see him inducted. Hopefully this is the year.

Former Police frontman Sting is already in the Hall with the band, he is now being recognized for his solo career.

As is Rolling Stone editor Jann Wenner's way, rap and disco acts are also being considered like: N.W.A. and Chic.

Here's the full list of nominees:

The Paul Butterfield Band
Chic
Green Day
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
Kraftwerk
The Marvelettes
N.W.A

Nine Inch Nails
Lou Reed
The Smiths
The Spinners
Sting
Stevie Ray Vaughan
War
Bill Withers

Around Christmas, we will find out what performers will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland April 18, 2015.

And of course with the nominees, come the snubs like: Deep Purple, Yes, Jethro Tull, Bad Company, Bon Jovi, Cheap Trick, Chicago, Def Leppard, Doobie Brothers, Judas Priest, Megadeth, Motorhead, Ozzy Osbourne (he's in with Black Sabbath, but not solo) Steve Miller Band, Thin Lizzy...and the list goes on.

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