LYNN NEARY, HOST:
From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Lynn Neary.
ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST:
I'm Robert Siegel and we'd like to take this time to offer our congratulations to the class of 2012.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE")
SIEGEL: Actually, not that class of 2012. No caps and gowns here. We're talking about this one...
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT (TO PARTY)")
NEARY: Today, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced its latest class of performer inductees. To be eligible, the artist or group must have released a record at least 25 years prior to the induction and demonstrated, quote, "unquestionable musical excellence."
SIEGEL: Those who passed the test this year include New York's hip-hop trio, the Beastie Boys, as well as the late singer/songwriter, Laura Nyro.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "DON'T GO")
LAURA NYRO: (Singing) Don't go. Don't go.
NEARY: Also inducted, the alternative rock band, Red Hot Chili Peppers.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "UNDER THE BRIDGE")
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS: (Singing) I don't ever want to feel like I did that day. Take me to the place I love. Take me all the way. I don't ever want to...
NEARY: And a British twofer, The Small Faces and The Faces. After The Small Faces disbanded in 1969 when front man Steve Marriott left the group, the remaining members recruited singer Rod Stewart and guitarist Ron Wood. From then on, they were known simply as The Faces.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "OOH LA LA")
THE FACES: (Singing) Poor old granddad. I laughed at all his words. I thought he was a bitter man. He spoke of women's ways.
SIEGEL: Also from that side of the Atlantic, Donovan, the folk troubadour from Scotland.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "CATCH THE WIND")
DONOVAN: (Singing) In the chilly hours and minutes of uncertainty, I want to be in the warm hold of your loving mind.
NEARY: And rounding out the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's class of 2012 is a band that made its name on the Sunset Strip of Los Angeles and took its hard charging, hard drinking style into the living rooms of middle America, Guns N' Roses.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE")
GUNS N' ROSES: (Singing) Find whatever you may need. If you got the money, honey, we got your disease. In the jungle. Welcome to the jungle. Watch it bring you to your knees, knees.
SIEGEL: The Rock Hall will honor all the inductees at a ceremony in Cleveland on April 14th. To borrow words from a past Hall of Fame inductee, for those about to rock, we salute you.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE")
ROSES: (Singing) ...and you're a very sexy girl who's very hard to please. You can taste the bright lights, but you won't get there for free in the jungle. Welcome to the jungle... Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.