Welcome to the Rock Godz Hall of Fame
ROCKGODZ HALL OF FAME AWARDS 2020 GRAND CASINO, HINCKLEY, MN
ATTENTION: To ensure the safety of our Guests, Associates, and others, Grand Casino Hinckley has decided to postpone the RockGodz Hall of Fame event on Friday, April 10. The event has been rescheduled to Friday, July 31 at 8:30 p.m. – all tickets will be honored towards the new date.
Refunds are available through the original point of purchase until May 1, 2020. For tickets purchased at Grand Casino, please visit our Box Office upon reopening. For tickets purchased online, please log into your Ticketmaster account, find the event, and click the blue “Refund” button.
Please note: Due to the increased volume of requests at this time, all Guests are experiencing intermittent delays. Please be patient as Ticketmaster works through these issues. Fans can also request refunds through the call centers.
“Our mission is to acknowledge the contributions of a group of stunningly gifted musicians and professionals who flew under the radar while delivering to the world music that has orchestrated the soundtrack of many lives. We believe that these virtuosos, maestros and those working in the trenches behind the scenes need not wait any longer to be recognized and acknowledged for their part. In the day they may have been relatively unknown to the music world and fans at large but RockGodz Hall of Fame has purposely taken on the challenge and goal of celebrating their achievements.” -Founder Cindy Landeen
All RockGodz Hall of Fame inductees are selected by inductee alumni, their peers, which continues to make the organization highly respected by the music community. This year’s Awards Show will be opened with live musical performances and throughout the evening inductees will perform tributes to their biggest hits. The evening will also feature appearances from current alumni, special guests, surprise performances and a one-of-a-kind all-star jam of past and present inductees will close the event.
Today we heard that our dear Benny Mardones has passed away and left us with only his memory. Benny was the first RockGodz Hall of Fame Inductee and the inspiration for RockGodz to continue its mission of honoring those who have brought us the music that plays in the background of our lives, the soundtracks of our memories. Benny was one of the kindest and dearest Rock Stars that existed, one of the old guard who understood what success really is, which is to love and be loved by those you hold dear. Family and his beautiful wife Jane were that for Benny. We will miss you Benny, but will think of you so often when they play one of our favorites ” Into the NIght”. ….gone but not forgotten.
RIP Benny Mardones.
Rare video uncut video written by Benny Mardones & Robert Tepper
Benny Mardones Into the Night. 1980 single charting at #11 in the US in September 1980, #29 in New Zealand in October 1980, #12 in Canada in November 1980, and #19 in Australia in March 1981. From the album ‘Never Run Never Hide’.
2019 Award Show Highlights
Rock Godz Hall of Fame Inductees
Howard Leese
Inducted July 30, 2014
Howard received his inspiration to pick up the guitar during the 1960s after seeing Dick Dale, the guitarist in the surf band “the Del-Tones”, and feeling the excitement from his playing. He studied violin and music theory at the City College, Los Angeles, and also played in a band called The Zoo. Read More.
Steve Vai
Inducted July 30, 2014
Former guitarist and copyist/transcriber for Frank Zappa, Vai is a fast-fingered guitar god who’s considered one of rock’s greatest musicians. Read More.
Steven Adler
Inducted July 30, 2014
As the original drummer for Guns N’ Roses, the quintet issued one of the best-selling rock debuts of all-time, 1987’s Appetite for Destruction whose raw, stripped down approach (both musically and visually) was a welcome break from the overwrought glam pop bands that were ruling the airwaves at the time. Read More.
Steve Lukather
Inducted July 30, 2014 Best known as the guitarist for early MTV-era hitmakers Toto, Steve Lukather remains one of the world’s top session men, having played on well over a hundred recordings by a wide variety of artists over the years. Read More.
Benny Mardones
Inducted July 30, 2014
Singer/songwriter and Maryland native Benny Mardones made a huge splash with his ’80s hit “Into the Night.” The song made the Top Ten twice, a first for a solo artist. Read More.
Steven Rosen
Inducted July 30, 2014
Published in well over 700 articles appearing in major periodicals around the globe, from the United States and Canada to Japan, Germany, France, England, Australia, and even Katmandu, Steven’s work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Los Angeles Times, Playboy, Musician, Guitar Player, Guitar World, Musician, US, Creem, Circus, Player, Total Guitar, Classic Rock, Mojo, Drum! and a myriad of others. Read More.
Chris Slade
Inducted July 30, 2014
One of the most influential drummers in rock, Chris Slade has played with Jimmy Page, Paul Rodgers, AC/DC and many others. Read More.
Duncan Faure
Inducted July 30, 2014
Rabbitt were a South African rock band formed in 1972, evolving from a band called The Conglomeration, consisting of members Trevor Rabin, Duncan Faure, Ronnie Robot, and Neil Cloud.[1] Their successes included making it to the top of the South African charts with the hit “Charlie” in 1976. Rabbitt broke up in 1978. Rabin later became a member of Yes, and Faure went on to join the Bay City Rollers. Read More.
Doug Aldrich
Inducted July 30, 2014
From Whitesnake to Burning Rain, Doug Aldrich is one of the hottest guitar players to emerge from the hard rock scene of the 80s and 90s. Read More.
Paul Shortino
Inducted July 30, 2014
Former Quiet Riot vocalist Shortino found musical ambition early in life, coming from a talented family and taking vocal lessons before his teens. Later came a series of bands on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip playing club gigs. Read More.
Joe Vitale
Inducted July 30, 2014
Joseph Anthony “Joe” Vitale is an American musician primarily known as a drummer but also a flautist, keyboardist and singer. He has played with many of the top names in music during a career dating back to the 1970’s. Read More.
Rudy Sarzo
Inducted July 30, 2014
Sarzo is a member of a super group called Project Rock featuring members of Judas Priest, Guns n’ Roses, Alice Cooper, AC/DC, The Scorpions and more. Read More.
Steve Thompson
Inducted July 30, 2014
Steve Thompson is an American record producer and remixer. He has worked with Guns N’ Roses, Madonna, John Lennon, Wu-Tang Clan, Korn, Cutting Crew, Belouis Some, Public Enemy, Blondie, Whitney Houston, Metallica and Red Hot Chili Peppers, among others. Read More.
Les Warner
Inducted July 30, 2014
Les Warner (also known as Lez Warner) is a British born musician and producer, primarily a drummer best known for his work with The Cult. Read More.
Sally Steele
Inducted July 30, 2014
Sally Steele was born in Indianapolis, Indiana and is the publisher, founder, CEO and Editor-In-Chief of Vegas Rocks! magazine. Read More.
Bumblefoot (Ron Thal)
Inducted March 25, 2015
Mitch Perry
Inducted March 25, 2015
Tony Frankln
Inducted March 25, 2015
Dave Amato
Inducted March 25, 2016
Al Bowman
Inducted October 27, 2016
Buster Akrey
Inducted October 27, 2016
“Dugie” (Kevin Dugan)
Inducted October 27, 2016
Freddie Salem
Inducted October 27, 2016
Gregg Fox
Inducted October 27, 2016
Hugh McDonald
Inducted October 27, 2016
Jeff Young
Inducted October 27, 2016
Lonn Friend
Inducted October 27, 2016
Michael Anthony
Inducted October 27, 2016
Scott Coogan
Inducted October 27, 2016Sandy Rizzo
Inducted October 27, 2016
Sandy Rizzo is the founder and CEO of 18-Hour Management. She has substantial artist management experience throughout the music industry. Rizzo began her career in Boston. There, she accepted the opportunity to work with Aerosmith’s management company. Holding a variety of different positions within that company, she learned all the ins and outs of the industry. A few years later, she relocated to the west coast and continued her artist management opportunities with famed rock manager Doc McGhee. Working in tandem with Doc and the best bands that era had to offer, (i.e. Scorpions, Bon Jovi, KISS, Skid Row, etc.) she was able to make a name for herself throughout the industry by honing her innate talents in artist management, promotion, touring and production. Read More.
Frankie Banali
Inducted October 26, 2017 A disciple of the legendary drummer John Bonham, Frankie Banali has been most famously associated as the longtime drummer for Quiet Riot. Frankie has recorded seven albums with W.A.S.P. which includes their most critically acclaimed release spanning three decades. Additionally, he has played with Billy Idol, Gary Hoey, Billy Thorpe, Glenn Hughes and Pat Thrall. His thunderous approach behind a drum kit has left an indelible print on many of the drummers who followed. Read More.
Carmine Appice
Inducted March 25, 2017
Brooklyn’s favorite son, Carmine Appice took the drummer out of the shadows and pushed him headfirst into the spotlight. Known for his legendary live performances, Appice was at the rhythmic foundation for a score of influential classic rock bands including Vanilla Fudge, Beck, Bogert & Appice, and Cactus. He revolutionized the way a rock drummer played and brought his knowledge to fans all over the world beginning with his now iconic how-to book Realistic Rock. He would later go onto play with Rod Stewart, Ozzy, Ted Nugent and form his own King Cobra and Blue Murder bands. Read MoreStephen Perkins
Inducted October 26, 2017 A native Los Angeleno, Stephen Perkins was banging on stuff when he was eight years old. After a series of non-descript bands—Champion, Disaster— played around Hollywood, he finally formed Jane’s Addiction in late summer of 1985. A decade later, he put together Porno for Pyros and in the early 2000s played with Panic Channel. He’s subsequently assembled various bands including Banyan, Hellride, Tabitha and Summer Moon. When he’s not hitting things, he’s inventing things with which to invent stuff Read More.
Phil Chen
Inducted October 26, 2017
Jamaican Phil Chen was a mainstay of the English recording scene during the 1970s and 1980s. He played with Jeff Beck [appearing on the guitarist’s seminal Blow By Blow album], the Rod Stewart Band and ex-Doors keyboardist and guitarist Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger. Additionally, he has accompanied a litany of the world’s greatest guitar players including Brian May, Eddie Van Halen, Eric Clapton, Pete Townshend and a host of others. As inventive as he is technically gifted. Read More.Chris Chaney
Inducted October 26, 2017 Jamaican Phil Chen was a mainstay of the English recording scene during the 1970s and 1980s. He played with Jeff Beck [appearing on the guitarist’s seminal Blow By Blow album], the Rod Stewart Band and ex-Doors keyboardist and guitarist Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger. Additionally, he has accompanied a litany of the world’s greatest guitar players including Brian May, Eddie Van Halen, Eric Clapton, Pete Townshend and a host of others. As inventive as he is technically gifted. Read More.Tommy Nast
[c] Stargaze Media Photos Photo By Glenn Weiner
gifted.
Rory Kaplan
Inducted October 26, 2017 A disciple of the legendary drummer John Bonham, Frankie Banali has been most famously associated as the longtime drummer for Quiet Riot. Frankie has recorded seven albums with W.A.S.P. which includes their most critically acclaimed release spanning three decades. Additionally, he has played with Billy Idol, Gary Hoey, Billy Thorpe, Glenn Hughes and Pat Thrall. His thunderous approach behind a drum kit has left an indelible print on many of the drummers who followed. Read More.Robin McAuley
Inducted October 26, 2017
Born in Co. Meath, Ireland, Robin McAuley first remembers being turned on to the beautiful music coming from Motown. He originally fancied himself a drummer but started exercising his vocal cords after hearing Paul Rodger’s shake the world with Free. Like most English musicians yearning for a career in music, Robin ultimately moved to London where he crossed paths with Michael Schenker. Having declined an offer to join MSG (Michael Schenker Group) in 1981, that changed four years later in 1985 and so did the name of the band, which was then changed to McAuley Schenker Group. Robin was the lead vocalist of the American band, Survivor from 2006-2011, and he is currently performing in the Las Vegas production of Raiding the Rock Vault. Read More.Ritchie Kotzen
Inducted October 26, 2017
Richie Kotzen has been blessed with guitar, vocal and songwriting chops few other artists possess. Over the course of a career that now spans three decades, the Pennsylvania-born musician has gone from six-string shredder in the mid-1980s to a multi-faceted solo artist who has also spent time with arena rockers Poison, Mr. Big and more recently in the rock trio called the Winery Dogs. Read More.Lita Ford
Inducted October 26, 2017
Lita Ford was born in London, grew up in Long Beach, CA and spent her formative years as a fixture of on the Sunset Strip. In joining the Runaways, she would forever cement her legacy as one of the first and fiercest female guitar rockers. She recalled those early years in a new book titled Living Like A Runaway and further revisited her past with the recent release of Time Capsule, a collection of unreleased songs written and record back in the 1980s. She continues dismantling an electric guitar with her own band in a series of non-stop tours around the world. Read More.Bruce Kulick
Inducted October 26, 2017
When Bruce Kulick was asked to join KISS in 1984, he transformed from guitar player to Guitar Hero. He remained part of the band for 12 years during which time he established himself as one of the most fiery and unique rock guitarists in the world. Kulick also toured or recorded with everyone from Meatloaf, and Billy Squier to Michael Bolton and Lordi. He’s pursued his own solo career and recorded three individual albums as well as forming UNION in 1998 with ex-Motley Crue singer John Corabi. He has been the lead guitarist for Grand Funk Railroad since 2000. Read More.Greg Bissonette
Inducted October 26, 2017
Following gigs with trumpeter Maynard Ferguson, Brandon Fields and Gino Vannelli, Gregg Bissonette was invited to join ex-Van Halen singer David Lee Roth’s band in 1985. The doors were opened for this remarkably versatile drummer from the Motor City and it didn’t take long before he was sticking it to everyone from Joe Satriani, Toto and Don Henley to Santana, Jeff Lynne/Electric Light Orchestra and Ringo. He has released two solo albums and has been deeply involved in drum instruction. Read More.KennyAronoff
Inducted October 26, 2017
Following gigs with trumpeter Maynard Ferguson, Brandon Fields and Gino Vannelli, Gregg Bissonette was invited to join ex-Van Halen singer David Lee Roth’s band in 1985. The doors were opened for this remarkably versatile drummer from the Motor City and it didn’t take long before he was sticking it to everyone from Joe Satriani, Toto and Don Henley to Santana, Jeff Lynne/Electric Light Orchestra and Ringo. He has released two solo albums and has been deeply involved in drum instruction. Read More.Phil Soussan
Inducted October 26, 2017
Englishman Phil Soussan, a multi instrumentalist and performer, first began laying his fingers on a violin but eventually laid them across the frets of electric bass guitars. That switch from classical to rock has yielded insanely successful collaborations with Ozzy Osbourne, Jimmy Page, Billy Idol, Vince Neil, Steve Lukather and a multitude of others. He has also written for several of these artists including the Ozzy mega hit “Shot In the Dark.” and earned a Grammy nomination for a song for Toto. Recently, after being involved with
the Grammy’s as a Board member, Phil was elected to the elevated position of Vice President for that organization for a full two year term. His current band is Last In . Read More.Gary Hoey
Inducted October 26, 2017
Gary Hoey Has crafted an incredible career releasing 20 albums in styles from Rock, Surf, Blues, Holiday and Soundtracks. Hoey moved to Los Angeles in 1987 after an audition with Ozzy Osbourne inspired the Boston native to move out West. In 1993 he launched his career with a Top 5 hit cover of “Hocus Pocus” by Focus for Warner Bros. His popular Ho! Ho! Hoey series of Christmas CDs have become a tradition at hundreds of rock radio stations. He has toured with guitar legends, Jeff Beck, Ted Nugent, Brian May, and Joe Satriani. His latest album “Dust & Bones” on Provogue/Mascot Label, is an exuberant fusion of Blues and Rock. Read More.David Welderman
Inducted October 26, 2017
Not surprisingly, Guitar Center Director of Artist Relations Dave Weiderman came from a musical family. He became immersed early in the culture of retail music by watching his father run a music store in Chicago. Totally fascinated by that aspect of the music business, Weiderman took that passion and brought it to every element of his subsequent gig as Director of Artist Relations at Guitar Center’s Hollywood flagship store. He has established and cultivated relationships with many of the most important musicians in the world [many of whom have been captured for posterity when they set their handprints in cement on the famed Hollywood Rock Walk— a project Weiderman pioneered —in the front of the Sunset Blvd. Guitar Center store. Read More.Dustin Brayley
Inducted October 26, 2017
Singer Dustin Brayley moved from his native Virginia to New York where he met Paul O’Neill, the creator of Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Brayley joined TSO and from his vantage point onstage, has seen the world. O’Neill passed away on April 5th of this year and in honor of his passing, Brayley is accepting the award posthumously for Paul. Read More.Daniel Margasa
Inducted October 26, 2017
As a drummer for the past 25 years, Daniel Margasa has done everything from playing in L.A.’s exclusive studio scene to performing on sessions for Pepsi, NBC and CBS. In-between there have been gigs with Meatloaf, J. Geils and fronting the pop punk band Five Star Loser. Currently mixing the debut album for Klutchlok featuring Masa Takahashi and Tony Franklin, Daniel also spends his time designing, crafting and building some of the most astonishing guitars you’ve ever laid your fingers on. Read More.Elliot Easton
Inducted October 26, 2017
As guitarist for the Cars for 12 years, Elliot Easton exhibited a mastery of guitar styles ranging from country and rockabilly to classic rock and even jazz. A left-handed player, Easton was eventually honored by Gibson Guitars who in 2013 created a signature Tikibird Firebird in his honor. He has since gone on to play with the Empty Hearts and Creedence Clearwater Revisited. Slash calls Easton one of his favorite guitar players. Read More.Lee Sklar
Inducted October 26, 2017
Lee Sklar has recorded over 2,600 albums during his ongoing career as one of the preeminent bassists in the studio scene. He first found fame playing with a then-unknown James Taylor and would subsequently lay down the groove for Jackson Browne, Ray Charles, Joe Cocker, Phil Collins, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Don Henley, Billy Cobham’s Spectrum and hundreds of others. As a studio rat, he performed on so many sessions with guitarist Danny Kortchmar, drummer Russ Kunkel and keyboardist that the quartet were dubbed The Section and ultimately recorded a trio of albums of their own.
Playing the bulk of his sessions on an instrument he dubbed the “Frankenstein bass,” he has also been pivotal in the development of bass guitars for Dingwall and Warwick. Read More.Norm Harris
Inducted October 26, 2017
For nearly five decades, Norman Harris has been buying, selling, trading, collecting and just generally fixating over anything with strings and a fretboard. Considered one of the founders of the used and vintage guitar market, Harris has gone on to sell instruments to Richie Sambora, George Harrison and Eddie Halen. He recently published a book of his memoirs titled Confessions Of A Vintage Guitar Dealer: The Memoirs Of Norman Harris. Read More.Alex Skolnick
Bob Glaub
Brett Tuggle
Burleigh Drummond
Danny Kortchmar
Greg Leisz
Jeff Bova
Jim Keltner
John “JR” Robinson
Peter Beckett
Rachel Bolan
Richie Zito
Rita Wilde
Ross Hogarth
Rowan Robertson
Teddy Andreadis
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