This combination photo shows Notorious B.I.G., who won rap artist and rap single of the year, during the annual Billboard Music Awards in New York on Dec. 6, 1995, left, and singer Whitney Houston at the BET Honors in Washington on Jan. 17, 2009. Houston and the Notorious B.I.G. are among the 16 acts nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 2020 class. (AP Photo)
The Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) - The late musical icons Whitney Houston and the Notorious B.I.G. are among the 16 acts nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 2020 class.
The prestigious organization announced Tuesday that Dave Matthews Band, Motorhead, Pat Benatar, Soundgarden, The Doobie Brothers, T.Rex and Thin Lizzy join Houston and B.I.G. as first-time Rock Hall nominees. The 35th annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on May 2, 2020, at the Public Auditorium in Cleveland, Ohio.
Nine Inch Nails, Judas Priest, Rufus featuring Chaka Khan, Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk, MC5 and Todd Rundgren round out the 16 nominees for the 2020 class. The official inductees will be announced in January.
Each year, between five and seven acts usually make it into the Rock Hall following a vote by 1,000 people, including performers, music historians and industry experts. Fans are able to vote online.
Acts are eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first commercial recording. Houston has been eligible for nearly a decade: Her self-titled debut album was released in 1985. The six-time Grammy winner is one of the greatest singers of all-time, known for hits like "The Greatest Love of All," ''I Will Always Love You" and "I Wanna Dance With Somebody." She died in 2012.
B.I.G., born Christopher Wallace, released his debut album, "Ready to Die," in 1994. He was shot to death in 1997, 16 days before the release of his sophomore album, "Life After Death." His hits include anthems like "Juicy," ?Big Poppa," ?Stay With Me," ?Hypnotize" and "Mo Money Mo Problems."
FILE - This May 4, 2019 file photo shows Dave Matthews of the Dave Matthews Band performing at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans. The Dave Matthews Band are among the 16 acts nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 2020 class. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Oct. 18, 2001 file photo singer Pat Benatar performs during the taping of Lifetime Television's Second Annual "Women Rock! Girls and Guitars," in Los Angeles. Benatar is among the 16 acts nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 2020 class. (AP Photo/E.J. Flynn, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this May 19, 2013 file photo, Chris Cornell of Soundgarden performs at Rock on the Range in Columbus, Ohio. Soundgarden are among the 16 acts nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 2020 class. (Photo by Barry Brecheisen/Invision/AP, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - This April 29, 2015 file photo shows , from left, Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald, John McFee and Pat Simmons of the band the Doobie Brothers onstage after receiving the ASCAP Voice of Music Award at the 32nd Annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards in Los Angeles. The Doobie Brothers are among the 16 acts nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 2020 class. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - This Nov. 13, 2012 file photo shows, from left, Phil Campbell, Lemmy Kilmister, and Mikkey Dee, of Motorhead, at the Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards at the Roundhouse venue in Camden, north London. Motorhead are among the 16 acts nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 2020 class. Kilmister died on on Dec. 28, 2015. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP, File)
The Associated Press
This combination photo shows Notorious B.I.G., who won rap artist and rap single of the year, during the annual Billboard Music Awards in New York on Dec. 6, 1995, left, and singer Whitney Houston at the BET Honors in Washington on Jan. 17, 2009. Houston and the Notorious B.I.G. are among the 16 acts nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 2020 class. (AP Photo)
The Associated Press