Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Lionel Richie Join Packed and Diverse 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the dynamic duo whose songwriting and production skills are the driving force behind some of pop and R&B music's greatest hits over the last 30 years, are headed to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

"We are overjoyed to announce that we have been elected to The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2022," the duo's official Twitter account posted following the announcement Wednesday. "Thank you so much to the voters, everyone at @rockhall and of course the fans, without whom none of this would be possible."

Originally members of Prince's opening act, The Time, they were fired for missing a gig in 1983 because they were busy producing for other acts. Nearly four decades, 16 No. 1 pop hits and 26 R&B chart-toppers later, they're joining their former mentor in rock ’n’ roll's Valhalla.

We are overjoyed to announce that we have been elected to The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2022. Thank you so much to the voters, everyone at @rockhall and of course the fans, without whom none of this would be possible. #RockHall2022 #MusicIsTheDivineArt #FlyteTyme40 pic.twitter.com/eIMPVjJv8X

— Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis (@JamAndLewis) May 4, 2022

"I was shocked, quite honestly," Jam said, reacting to the group's selection to the "musical excellence" category by Hall of Fame officials, to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "As far as career recognition, it's as big as it gets to me. It's huge to me. People that are members of that club, so many of them are people I admire and love."

The hitmakers, who worked with everyone from Michael and Janet Jackson to Human League, will be joined by a lineup of equally impressive musicians, and rock notables in the class. R&B legend Lionel Richie and Harry Belafonte, who helped incorporate calypso and West Indian music into the mainstream in the 1950s, are also among the 14 acts to be inducted.

Other notables joining the hall this year include Eminem, Dolly Parton, Eurythmics, Duran Duran, Pat Benatar, Carly Simon and Judas Priest. The induction ceremony will be held Nov. 5 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. For a complete list of inductees click here.