Clapton Back To Hall Of Fame?

Aerosmith, Eric Clapton and Queen head the list of 15 nominees for induction next year into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

Clapton, the rock and blues guitar player who has previously been inducted twice as a member of the Yardbirds and Cream, released his first solo album in 1970. Musicians are eligible for nomination to the hall 25 years after the release of their first recording.

Aerosmith, which released its self-titled debut album in 1973, is still producing hits with its blues-laced, hard rock style.

The British band Queen gained fame in the '70s and '80s with a theatrical style of rock, including hits We Will Rock You, We Are the Champions and Bohemian Rhapsody. Flamboyant lead singer Freddie Mercury died in 1991.

Also nominated were: The O'Jays; soul performer Solomon Burke; Earth, Wind & Fire; doo-wop groups the Flamingos and the Moonglows; the Lovin' Spoonful; jazz-rock group Steely Dan; rock 'n' roll pioneer Ritchie Valens; heavy metal act Black Sabbath; singer-guitarist Bonnie Raitt; singer-songwriter Lou Reed and James Taylor.

The list of nominees was released Tuesday by Hall of Fame officials.

Ballots will be mailed to more than 1,000 artists, producers, journalists and music industry executives by the New York-based Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. The artists who win induction will be announced in November.