Metallica to join US hall of fame

Metallica have sold more than 60 million records in the US alone

Rock band Metallica and 1980s rap act Run DMC are to be inducted into the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

They will be joined by British guitarist Jeff Beck, soul singer Bobby Womack and doo-wop group Little Anthony and the Imperials.

The five artists were voted for by 600 music experts.

An induction ceremony will take place on 4 April in Cleveland, Ohio, where the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is located.

Artists become eligible for inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25 years after their first recording is released.

"We've done this our way - 27, 28 years later, we're here," said Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich.

Run DMC were the first rap act to achieve widespread mainstream success and the first to achieve a platinum album with 1986's Raising Hell.

'Ridiculous'

Beck played with The Yardbirds and formed The Jeff Beck Group

Darryl "DMC" McDaniels called the group's induction "inconceivable".

"I'm a rap dude. I'm an MC just rocking the mic and to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Beatles and [Bob] Dylan and the rock 'n' roll gods? It's ridiculous. Ridiculous in a good way," he said.

Guitarist Beck played with The Yardbirds as well as forming The Jeff Beck Group in the 1960s.

Little Anthony and the Imperials, who began singing in the 1950s, are known for such hits as Tears On My Pillow and Goin' Out Of My Head.

Womack has been recording music since the 1960s, both as a singer and as a backing guitarist for Sam Cooke.

Besides the main inductees, rockabilly singer Wanda Jackson will also be honoured in the early influence category.

This year's "sidemen inductees" include session musician Spooner Oldham and two of Elvis Presley's musicians - drummer DJ Fontana and bassist Bill Black.

In addition to being honoured at the April ceremony, the artists will be featured in the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame museum.

Madonna, John Mellencamp, The Ventures, Leonard Cohen and The Dave Clark Five were inducted last year.