Maverick musician Tom Waits is to enter the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, it was announced today.
The gravelly-voiced singer joins Neil Diamond, Alice Cooper, Dr John and Darlene Love in the Hall of Fame, which was established in 1986.
Among those to have lost out this year despite being shortlisted include Donna Summer, the Beastie Boys, Bon Jovi, Chic and Donovan.
The 2011 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performer inductees were chosen by more than 500 voters. Artists are eligible for inclusion in the Hall of Fame 25 years after the release of their first recording.
The first group of inductees ever to be included in the Hall of Fame comprised of James Brown, Little Richard, Elvis Presley, Fats Domino, Ray Charles, Chuck Berry, Sam Cooke, The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, and Jerry Lee Lewis.
Other famous acts to have been inducted include U2, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan and the Beach Boys.
The latest nominees will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at a ceremony in New York on March 14th.
Neil Diamond said it was an honour to be included in the Hall of Fame list. "Any club that has Chuck Berry and Little Richard and the Everly Brothers is a club that I want to be a part of," the 69-year-old Sweet Caroline singer said in a statement.
