Charter Voting Open for Illinois Rock & Roll Hall
Voting for the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum’s Class of 2025 Hall of Fame has begun. Now, it’s up to the museum’s Charter Members who have until March 31 to cast their ballots to honor some of Illinois’ legendary performers, songwriters, radio personalities and more.
Voters may select two nominees in this year’s Artist/Performer’s Category that includes Head East, Aliota, Haynes & Jerimiah, Curtis Mayfield and Enuff Z’Nuff.
All other categories will honor only one nominee.
Voters must choose between the legendary Mitch Michaels and Tommy Edwards in the Radio Personality Category. Chicago’s Q101 and Rockford’s WKGL-FM “The Eagle” make up the Radio Station Category. Songwriters include Eddie Vedder and Tim Drummond. The Record Label choices are Delmark and Martha’s Music.
Class of 2025 inductions will be honored along with the Class of ’24 during the combined rescheduled Annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony to be held at the historic Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet on Sunday, Sept. 14. Tickets are $69, $59 and $49 each and are available now at RoadToRock.org, RialtoSquare.com and Ticketmaster. Additional charges may apply.
Ron Romero, Museum Founder and Board Chair, said those who wish to vote for the Class of ‘25 can still do so by becoming a Charter Member of the registered 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization before March 31.
“Becoming a Charter Member has many benefits in addition to being able to vote for the Hall of Fame,” Romero said. “Complete details are on the museum’s website at RoadToRock.org.”
The Class of 2024 was announced last year, and includes some of Illinois’ finest musicians, performers, songwriters and more.
“From Rock to Blues, to Country, Heavy Metal and more, it will be the largest group of Illinois-based singers, songwriters and scheduled live performers on the Rialto’s stage in the history of the theatre,” said Romero. “WGN Radio’s Bob Sirott will return as Master of Ceremonies and additional live performances are being added to the event every week.”
Hall of Fame Class of ‘25
Confirmed 2024 Hall of Fame inductees scheduled to perform live include Grammy Award-winner singer/songwriter Richard Marx, Grammy-nominated heavy metal band Disturbed, Award-winning Country singer Suzy Bogguss, 3-time Grammy-nominated Chicago Blues legend Billy Branch with a live tribute to the revolutionary Chicago Blues musician/singer/songwriter Little Walter and the award-winning Marshall Thompson & The Chi-Lites.
Iconic Chicagoland folk singer Bonnie Koloc and dynamic actor/singer/stage performer Skip Griparis will perform a live tribute to the late Steve Goodman. A special, surprise guest will lead the audience in singing Goodman’s “Go Cubs, Go!”
The evening will also feature Columbia College Chicago’s live musical/dance tribute to “Grease,” one of the world’s most successful movie-musicals of all time based on the book, play and songs written by Chicago-born songwriter Jim Jacobs and the late Warren Casey. Jacobs established a Musical Theatre Scholarship at the college and is scheduled to appear and accept his Hall of Fame Induction.
2024 Hall of Fame Inductions to the Artist/Performer category include Richard Marx, The Smashing Pumpkins, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter and Bo Diddley. Vee-Jay Records will join the Hall of Fame in the Record Label category. Bob Stroud, a hometown Classic Rock Radio favorite, will be inducted for his decades of on-air work as a Radio Personality, and the legendary Big 10 WCFL enters the Hall of Fame in the Radio Station category.
Marshall Thompson and The Original Chi-Lites will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. This year’s Founder’s Choice Award recipient is Country artist Suzy Bogguss. Suzy will receive a special introduction from WGN Radio’s Steve King and Johnnie Putman.
Songwriters entering the Hall of Fame include the late Willie Dixon and Steve Goodman. Disturbed will receive the President’s Choice Award.
The Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. EIN 82-2293229. Contributions are tax-deductible for income, gift, and estate taxes.
Event sponsorships and museum Charter Memberships are available by contacting Romero at 815-927-1540. Learn more at www.RoadToRock.org.