(Detroit, MI Sep 2, 2020)-The National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame has announced it will forego its live induction ceremony honoring its 2020 class due to the corona-virus pandemic. In a statement, released by the Founder/CEO LaMont Robinson he said, “Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame will replace the live annual induction ceremony with an special online salute honoring the class of 2020 Inductees on its official website @ www.rbhof.com”
The National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame induction committee group will combine the 2020 and the 2021 class together, and will have a special class of 16 inductees this year called the 2020 Posthumously Class of Pioneers.
The National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame also added that the 2021 Music Hall of Fame Weekend will resume next August. The 9th annual induction ceremony was originally scheduled for this past August @ the Charles H. Wright Museum in Detroit, Michigan.
The National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame Inductee Class of 2020:
- LaVern Baker-Singer
- Thomas “Beans” Bowles-Motown Bandleader/Musician
- Nat King Cole-Bandleader/Singer
- Cab Calloway-Bandleader/Dancer/Singer
- Billy Eckstine-Singer
- Ella Fitzgerald-Jazz Singer
- Harvey Fuqua-Motown Songwriter/Record Producer/Singer
- Jack “The Rapper” Gibson-Radio Personality
- Mahalia Jackson-Gospel Singer
- Etta James-R&B Singer
- Hal Jackson-Radio Personality
- Big Jay McNeely-Rhythm & Blues Saxophonist
- Lee Morgan-Jazz Trumpeter
- Charlie Parker-Jazz Saxophonist
- Sister Rosetta Tharpe-Singer/Guitarist
- The Royal Theater-Baltimore, MD
