Seventies rock band Van Halen will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, along with R.E.M, Patti Smith, 1960s girl group The Ronettes and hip-hop icons Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.

The musicians, chosen from a shortlist of artists whose first recording was made 25 years prior, will be honoured at a New York ceremony in March. The awards ceremony also doubles as a fundraiser for Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

With Van Halen's rocky history, it is uncertain whether all ex-band members will attend the event.