The 2001 slate of inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will be announced live on VH1 at 11 a.m. Eastern Time on Dec. 12. Jann Wenner, editor and publisher of Rolling Stone, will reveal the inductees during a half-hour program, which will air from the cable network’s New York studios.

Rock Hall voters picked from among sixteen nominees this year, according to various published reports. Michael Jackson [ tickets ] and Paul Simon [ tickets ], both first-time nominees who are already in the Rock Hall as part of groups, are likely to be among this year’s honorees. Jackson was inducted in 1997 with the Jackson 5, and Simon was inducted in 1990 for his work in Simon and Garfunkel.

Other first-timers on the ballot are AC/DC, New York Dolls, Bob Seger and Patti Smith.

Repeat nominees for enshrinement in Cleveland are Aerosmith, Black Sabbath [ tickets ], Solomon Burke, the Flamingos, Brenda Lee, Lynyrd Skynrd, Queen, Lou Reed, Steely Dan and Ritchie Valens.

Black Sabbath appeared on Rock Hall ballots for the fourth time. And for the second straight year, band member Ozzy Osbourne released a statement saying that he wasn't interested in the honor. "Why don't they let the fans vote?" he said in September. "As it stands now, what's the point? It's a joke. It's about glad-handing and grandstanding and I don't want any part of it."

Artists become eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first record. The award aims to recognize the contributions of people "who have had a significant impact over the evolution, development and perpetuation of rock and roll," according to the Hall's literature. About 1,000 rock historians make up the voting panel.

To be inducted into the Hall, a performer must receive at least 50 percent of the vote, and even then, the Hall typically limits the number of inductees per year to seven or fewer. Winners are usually revealed in December, and induction ceremonies take place early the following year.

Though the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is located in Cleveland, induction ceremonies typically take place in New York.