Run-D.M.C., Metallica and Stooges are three of the nine nominees for the 2009 hall of fame class, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation has announced.

Guitarist Jeff Beck, disco and R&B band Chic, rock and roll singer Wanda Jackson, doo-wop group Little Anthony and the Imperials, the California funk band War and musician/songwriter Bobby Womack complete the nominee list that has been made public.

The Hall of Fame becomes accesible to artists only 25 years after the release of their first single or album. For this year’s ceremony, in order to be nominated, bands or singers need to have released their first production no later than 1983.

The jury for the Hall of Fame consists of more than 500 music industry professionals who will choose five of the nominees to be inducted in the 24th annual ceremony that is to be held on April 4 in Cleveland. In the past 10 years, New York has been host to the aforementioned ceremony. This year marks the first time tickets to the event are to be made available to the large public.

Heavy metal band Metallica was founded in 1981 by drummer Lars Ulrich, who posted an ad in a Los Angeles newspaper, looking for fellow musicians. The original line-up included Ulrich, vocalist James Hetfield, lead guitarist Dave Mustaine and bassist Ron McGovney.

Run-D.M.C. group founders feature famous names in the industry such as Joseph "Rev. Run" Simmons, Darryl "DMC" McDaniels and Jason "Jam Master Jay" Mizell. Their greatest hits include "It's Like That," "It's Tricky" and "Walk This Way," the latter being a collaboration with Aerosmith.