Metallica, Run-D.M.C. Lead Rock Hall Inductees

Riding high from the mammoth success of their most recent album, 'Death Magnetic,' Metallica can add one more accomplishment under their belt: Rock and Roll Hall of Famers.

The rockers, along with Run-D.M.C., Jeff Beck, Little Anthony and the Imperials, and Bobby Womack were selected as this year's inductees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The ceremony will be held on April 4 in Cleveland, home of the Rock Hall, and televised on Fuse TV.

"It's about unity," said drummer Lars Ulrich, who along with fellow members singer James Hetfield, guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo, was present at the Rock Hall press conference in New York on Tuesday. "We are part of a bigger picture. I personally love rock 'n' roll history and how everything fits together. To be a part of that history and to inspire what's coming after us is a great, great honor."

For artists to be considered for nomination into the Hall, their first recording has to be released 25 years prior to the nominating year. Metallica, whose nomination was announced back in September, released their first album, 'Kill 'Em All,' in 1983.

Frontman Hetfield said that former bassist Jason Newsted was contacted about attending the induction ceremony, but has not heard a response yet. Asked by Spinner what previous Metallica bassist Cliff Burton, who died in 1986, would have thought about the band's induction, he replied: "The spirit of Cliff lives in us. I want to think that he would love this -- the fact that Metallica is being recognized."


As for the other honorees:

British rock guitar legend Jeff Beck was previously inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992, as a member of '60s rock group the Yardbirds, which also featured Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page. After his stint in the Yardbirds, Beck went on to form the Jeff Beck Group, which included singer Rod Stewart and future Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood in 1967.

Originally from Hollis, Queens, Run-D.M.C. becomes the second hip-hop act after Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five to enter the Hall. The trio -- Reverend Run, D.M.C., and the late Jam Master Jay -- was one of rap's pioneering groups in the '80s with tracks such as 'Suckers M.C.'s' and 'King of Rock,' and achieved superstar status in 1986 with their cover of Aerosmith's 'Walk this Way.'

Bobby Womack has been renowned as a major soul singer and songwriter since performing music in the Fifties as a member of the Womack Brothers. His successes included singles in the Seventies such as 'That's The Way I Feel About 'Cha' and 'Woman's Got to Have It.' He also wrote 'Trust Me' and 'Breezin',' which were recorded by Janis Joplin and George Benson, respectively. Womack has collaborated with the Rolling Stones (who covered Womack's 'It's All Over Now'), Patti LaBelle and Los Lobos.

Little Anthony and the Imperials were one of the most popular vocal groups from the late '50s to the mid-'60s. With Anthony Gourdine's lead vocals, the New York City-based Imperials had hits such as 'Tears on My Pillow,' 'Goin' Out of My Head' and 'Hurt So Bad,' which was later covered by Linda Ronstadt.

Other artists inducted this year were rockabilly singer Wanda Jackson for the Early Influences category, as well as Elvis Presley bassist Bill Black and drummer D.J. Fontana, along with songwriter/musician "Spooner" Oldham, for the Sideman category.