Green Day One Of Six Artists To Be Inducted Into Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame

Esteemed musical institution the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced its class of 2015. The six musical acts to be inducted are: Green Day; Bill Withers; Joan Jett & The Blackhearts; Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble; Lou Reed; and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band.

Former Beatle Ringo Starr will be honoured during the ceremony with an award for musical excellence, and ‘50s R&B quintet The “5” Royales will also be recognised for their influence on early pop music.

Green Day are to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, along with five other artists

It’s doubly surprising for Green Day as 2014 is the first year that they have been eligible for consideration – any act can only be considered for induction 25 years after their first official release. The punk group, from East Bay, California, released its debut EP 1,000 Hours back in April 1989.

Green Day’s lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong reacted by saying to Rolling Stone “The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has always held something for me because my heroes were in there.” When he heard the news, "I had to go for a walk," the 42 year old singer continued. "I wound up at this cafe and I sat down and my son met up with me. I told him and he was like, 'Oh my God. No way.' It just took some time to sink in. We're in incredible company and I'm still trying to make sense of this. It's just incredible."

Back in October, the long list of fifteen artists was announced, and the judges that decide whittled that number down to a final six who will be honoured at the ceremony at the Hall of Fame itself in April 2015. Bands who missed out included Mancunian indie legends The Smiths, Trent Reznor’s Nine Inch Nails, West Coast hip-hop pioneers N.W.A, and Sting, former member of The Police and successful solo artist.

The Hall of Fame’s foundation president Joel Peresman said in a statement: "As we mark 30 years of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductions, we're proud to honor these artists. These Inductees epitomize rock and roll's impact over the past 50 years and continuing through today."

More: Green Day’s touring guitarist Jason White diagnosed with tonsil cancer