The Rock Hall's 2015 class includes the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Green Day, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Lou Reed, Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble and Bill Withers, all in the performer category.

This year's class also recognizes the "5" Royales with the early influences award, and former Beatle and solo artist Ringo Starr enters the Hall of Fame. He is the last of the Fab Four to be inducted as a soloist, following John Lennon in 1994, Paul McCartney in 1999 and George Harrison in 2004.



"As we mark 30 years of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductions, we're proud to honor these artists," said Rock and Roll Hall of Fame foundation president Joel Peresman in a statement. "These Inductees epitomize rock and roll’s impact over the past 50 years and continuing through today."

Leading up to the April 18 ceremony, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame hosted a series of special events, including the grand opening of the major new 2015 inductee exhibit, which served as an introduction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame visitor experience.

As in previous years, the 2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performer inductees were chosen by a voting body of more than 700 artists, historians and members of the music industry. To be eligible for nomination, an individual artist or band must have released its first single or album at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination. The 2015 nominees had to release their first recording no later than 1989.

For more information, visit RockHall.com.