Rock Hall of Fame to induct Run DMC, Metallica

Rap pioneers Run DMC, heavy-metal band Metallica and soul singer-songwriter Bobby Womack have made the cut to join the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation announced its latest batch of honourees on Wednesday. Other artists joining the class of 2009 include doo-wop group Little Anthony and the Imperials, and guitarist Jeff Beck.

"I'm a rap dude, I'm an MC from Hollis [a New York neighbourhood], just rockin' the mic, and to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with the Beatles, and [Bob] Dylan, and the rock 'n' roll gods? It's ridiculous! Ridiculous in a good way," Darryl (DMC) McDaniels said in an interview Wednesday.

Rockabilly singer Wanda Jackson will be inducted as an early musical influence, while three session musicians will be recognized in the "sidemen" category: keyboard player Spooner Oldham, drummer D.J. Fontana and bassist Bill Black.

This year's artists will be celebrated at the 24th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction gala on April 4, with the festivities returning to the hall's home in Cleveland after a few years of celebrating in New York. Tickets for the music-filled show will also be open to the public.

Recording artists are eligible to join the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25 years after the release of their first single or album. More than 500 musicians, music journalists and industry representatives then vote for who will join the U.S. musical institution, and the new inductees arethen featured in an exhibit at the Cleveland museum.