Bill Withers to be inducted to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015

Bill Withers is to be inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.

The musician, whose hits include Lean On Me and Lovely Day, has not released any new material since 1985 and makes very few public appearances.

Bill Withers, 76, told Rolling Stone magazine he would attend the Hall of Fame ceremony on April 18, 2015, joking: “I guess I’ll have to go buy a suit.”

Asked whether he would sing, Bill Withers replied: “I don’t know if I can.”

“I’ll find out between then and now,” he added.

“There are some people that can sing in their later years and some of them that can’t,” he continued.

“I don’t want to be one of those old guys that sounds like a gerbil trying to give birth to a hippopotamus.

“I’ve gotta see if I can’t conjure it up.”

Bill Withers was announced as a nominee for the Hall of Fame in October, alongside The Smiths, Lou Reed, Sting, Green Day, NWA and Nine Inch Nails.

Bill Withers’ name was selected for induction following a vote by fellow artists, historians, music industry insiders and the public.

“It was kind of odd to get nominated,” he told Rolling Stone.

“I just never felt that anyone owed me this.”

Other artists to be given a spot include I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll hitmaker Joan Jett, late guitar virtuoso Stephen Ray Vaughan and The Paul Butterfield Blues Band.

Lou Reed and Green Day also earned places, but The Smiths, NWA and Sting all missed out – as did disco pioneers Chic and German electronic band Kraftwerk.

However, Ringo Starr will also receive a special award for musical excellence at the ceremony, making him the last Beatle to be inducted as a solo artist.

Artists are eligible for entry into the Hall of Fame 25 years after their first recording was released.

Paul Simon, Michael Jackson, Nirvana, Joni Mitchell, Madonna, Elvis Presley, Led Zeppelin and Elton John have all earned their places over the years.

Rock and Roll hall of fame – 2015 inductees:

• Lou Reed
• Green Day
• Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble
• Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
• Bill Withers
• Paul Butterfield Blues Band
• The 5 Royales
• Ringo Starr