There have been no less than 15 nominees put up for a spot in the 2013 class of the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame, including some real heavyweights -as you'd expect - like Rush, the late Donna Summer, Public Enemy and NWA. Indeed, just the names of those three show that it's diversity beyond the more recognised elements of rock that is starting to be recognised by the prestigious club these days, the shortlist showing vast sub-genres that rock & roll now takes in. Certainly in the case of Public Enemy and NWA you can point to their attitude, and the way in which they forced people to pay attention to them as rock & roll in itself; and they are just as worthy candidates as Summer, who passed earlier this year, but who made some of the most futuristic music of her era that only feels now like it's being caught up with.

There are others included too, whose nominations might not be because they were directly rock themselves, but whose influence shone in others who could more readily associate themselves with the genre. Take Chic, for instance: known as writers of some of the finest disco songs of all time, Nile Rodgers guitar playing actually became a huge influence on many who followed him, with Johnny Marr of The Smiths one notable six-stringer to pay homage to the great man. Germany's Kraftwerk are more roundly known for their exploration in electronic music, but it's that electronic direction that - coupled with more orthodox instrumentation - has affected everyone from David Bowie to Radiohead and on to today's new acts. More staple rock icons like Deep Purple, might find themselves ousted this year, as the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame seeks to bring some real diversity into the fold.