Brian May at the 91st annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on February 24, 2019.
(Photo by Eric McCandless/ABC)
Janelle Monae at a New York City screening of “Hidden Figures” at the SVA Theater on December 10, 2016. (Photo by Marion Curtis/Starpix)
The presenters have been announced for the 34th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by Klipsch Audio, which will take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on March 29, 2019.
Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, presenting for The Cure
Brian May of Queen, presenting for Def Leppard
Janelle Monáe, presenting for Janet Jackson
Harry Styles, presenting for Stevie Nicks
David Byrne, presenting for Radiohead
John Taylor and Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran, presenting for Roxy Music
Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles, presenting for The Zombies
The show will have a live radio broadcast on SiriusXM, and HBO will premiere a special televising highlights from the show on April 27 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The special will also be available on HBO on Demand, HBO Go, HBO Now and partners’ streaming platforms. Exhibits showcasing the new inductees will be on display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland in conjunction with the induction ceremony.
Performers eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame are those whose first single or first album was released at least 25 years before the artist can be inducted. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame voting members (which number about 1,000 people), as well online voting from the public, determine who will be inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced its 2019 Inductees in the performer category:
The Cure
Def Leppard
Janet Jackson
Stevie Nicks
Radiohead
Roxy Music
The Zombies
The 34th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by Klipsch Audio, will take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on March 29, 2019. Information on general ticket sales will be announced in January 2019. A limited number of pre-sale tickets are available for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members who have current membership as of December 31, 2018. The show will have a live radio broadcast on SiriusXM, and HBO will have a special televising highlights from the show on a date to be announced. Exhibits showcasing the new inductees will be on display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland in conjunction with the induction ceremony.
Performers eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame are those whose first single or first album was released at least 25 years before the artist can be inducted. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame voting members (which number about 1,000 people), as well online voting from the public, determine who will be inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Artists who were nominated for the 2019 induction but didn’t make the cut were Devo, John Prine, Kraftwerk, LL Cool J, MC5, Rage Against the Machine, Rufus featuring Chaka Khan and Todd Rundgren. Six out of the 15 nominees were on the ballot for the first time: Def Leppard, Devo, John Prine, Roxy Music, Nicks and Rundgren.
With her induction as a solo artist, Nicks has made Rock and Roll Hall of Fame history for being the first woman to receive two inductions. As a member of Fleetwood Mac, Nicks was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. She launched her solo career in 1981.
Nicks commented on her solo Hall of Fame induction in this statement: “I have a lot to say about this, but I will save those words for later. For now I will just say, I have been in a band since 1968. To be recognized for my solo work makes me take a deep breath and smile. It’s a glorious feeling.”
Radiohead released this statement: “The members of Radiohead have been surprised to learn of the band’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2019. The band thanks the Hall of Fame voting body and extends congratulations to this year’s fellow inductees.”
Jackson commented in a statement: “Thank you Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I am truly honored and I am happy to be in there with my brothers.”
Roxy Music frontman Bryan Ferry tweeted: “We are delighted to accept this prestigious award on behalf of everyone who has been involved in the world of Roxy Music – musicians, engineers, producers, designers and numerous people behind the scenes… and of course our loyal fans.”
Zombies lead singer Colin Blunstone tweeted: “This is a career-defining [and] life-defining moment,” while Zombies keyboardist Rod Argent tweeted: “This time to turn the corner and get inducted, feels fantastic … I’m just so delighted.”
Def Leppard tweeted: “It’s official, we are 2019 @rockhall Inductees. THANK YOU to all of our fans & the Rock Hall committee! What a way to wrap up an incredible year.”
Fleetwood Mac has parted ways with longtime singer/guitarist Lindsey Buckingham. The band has hired former Crowded House singer/guitarist Neil Finn and former Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell to join Fleetwood Mac for the band’s 2018 tour, which is expected to launch in the autumn. According to Rolling Stone, Buckingham was let go from Fleetwood Mac over disagreements on when he would be willing to start the tour. Buckingham reportedly wanted the tour to be delayed to 2019. Fleetwood Mac’s last performance with Buckingham was at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall on January 26, 2018, when Fleetwood Mac was honored as MusiCares Person of the Year. Fleetwood Mac was the first band to receive this honor.
Buckingham and singer Stevie Nicks, who were previously the duo Buckingham Nicks, joined Fleetwood Mac in 1974, when the lineup consisted of original members drummer Mick Fleetwood, bassist John McVie and singer/keyboardist Christine McVie, who was John’s wife at the time. With Buckingham and Nicks in the band, Fleetwood Mac had an unbroken string of hit albums, starting with with the band’s self-titled 1975 album until 1987’s “Tango in the Night.” Fleetwood Mac’s Grammy-winning 1977 album, “Rumours,” which remains the band’s biggest hit, was recorded during the breakups of the romantic relationships of the McVies and Buckingham/Nicks. Over the years, Buckingham became Fleetwood Mac’s unofficial music director.
Buckingham, who launched a solo career in 1981, quit Fleetwood Mac in 1987, and rejoined the band in 1997 for the live reunion album “The Dance.” He sang lead vocals on the Fleetwood Mac songs that he wrote, such as “Go Your Own Way,” “Second Hand News,” “Tusk” and “Big Love.” In 2017, Buckingham and Christine McVie teamed up for an album titled “Lindsey Buckingham/Christine McVie” and toured in support of the album.
Fleetwood Mac issued this statement about Campbell and Finn joining the band: “We are thrilled to welcome the musical talents of the caliber of Mike Campbell and Neil Finn into the Mac family. With Mike and Neil, we’ll be performing all the hits that the fans love, plus we’ll be surprising our audiences with some tracks from our historic catalogue of songs. Fleetwood Mac has always been a creative evolution. We look forward to honoring that spirit on this upcoming tour.”
There’s no word yet if Campbell and Finn will record a studio album with Fleetwood Mac, which has not released a studio album of new songs since 2003’s “Say You Will.”
October 11, 2018 UPDATE: Buckingham has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court against Fleetwood Mac, claiming he was wrongfully dismissed from the band. He is seeking millions in damages to compensate for the income he would have gotten from the band’s 2018 tour and other revenue sources, according to Variety. Fleetwood Mac’s publicist issued this statement to The Hollywood Reporter: “Fleetwood Mac strongly disputes the allegations presented in Mr. Buckingham’s complaint and looks forward to their day in court. The band has retained Dan Petrocelli to handle the case.”
December 8, 2018 UPDATE: The lawsuit between Buckingham Fleetwood Mac has been settled. In an interview with “CBS This Morning,” Buckingham said that his ouster from Fleetwood Mac “hurt” for few months after it happened. He also said he found out he was fired when Fleetwood Mac manager Irving Azoff called Buckingham up in a surprise phone call and allegedly screamed at him: “Stevie Nicks never wants to be on stage with you again!” Buckingham added that his current relationship with Nicks (who was his girlfriend for most of the 1970s) is “fragmented,” but that Fleetwood Mac keyboardist Christine McVie emailed him to say that McVie missed him and had nothing to do with the idea to kick him out of the band. Buckingham also claims that McVie also told him in the email that, deep down, Nicks misses Buckingham too, and eventually wants him back in the band. However, Buckingham said in the interview that it is doubtful that he will reunite with Fleetwood Mac.
Stevie Nicks performs at the grand opening of Park Theater at Monte Carlo Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on December 17, 2016. (Photo by Al Powers for Park Theater)
On December 17, 2016, Stevie Nicks was the first headlining performer at the grand opening of the Park Theater at Monte Carlo Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The sold-out show at the 5,200-seat venue also featured a performance from the Pretenders.
According to a Monte Carlo press release, Nicks was presented with an honorary key to the theater. She also autographed a backstage wall, to start a tradition for all Park Theater performers to come. At the concert, Nicks performed songs from her career with Fleetwood Mac, as well as some of her solo hits, including “Edge of Seventeen” and “Wild Heart.” She and Pretenders lead singer Chrisse Hynde also sang the duet “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,” a song originally recorded by Nicks and Tom Petty. Nicks concluded the concert with Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide,” which she dedicated to MGM Resorts International executives Bill Hornbuckle and Richard Sturm for inviting Nicks to be a “part of history” as the first headliner to perform at Park Theater.
In 2017, other artists who will headline shows at the theater include Cher, Ricky Martin and Bruno Mars.
The premiere of Park Theater is the first in a series of plans to reinvent the Monte Carlo, which is owned by MGM Resorts International. According to a press release, the Monte Carlo’s transformation, which will take place over the next two years, “will include two distinct hotel experiences: a Las Vegas version of Sydell Group’s famed NoMad Hotel and the launch of a luxury hotel named Park MGM.”
Each will have redesigned guest rooms and new food/beverage offerings, including the Italian food marketplace Eataly.
The Park Theater is one of two big U.S. venue openings for MGM Resorts International this month. MGM National Harbor, a $1.4 billion resort and casino, opened in Oxon Hill, Maryland, on December 8, 2016.
Stevie Nicks autographs a wall backstage at the grand opening of Park Theater at Monte Carlo Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on December 17, 2016. (Photo by Al Powers for Park Theater)
Stevie Nicks and the Pretenders lead singer Chrissie Hynde at the grand opening of Park Theater at Monte Carlo Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on December 17, 2016. (Photo by Al Powers for Park Theater)
Stevie Nicks performs at the grand opening of Park Theater at Monte Carlo Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on December 17, 2016. (Photo by Al Powers for Park Theater)
The Park Theater at Monte Carlo Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. (Photo by Al Powers for Park Theater)
The Park Theater’s lobby bar at Monte Carlo Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. (Photo by Al Powers for Park Theater)
The Park Theater at Monte Carlo Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. (Photo by Al Powers for Park Theater)
