Deep Purple Deep Purple joins others as inductees, announced Thursday,...

Deep Purple Deep Purple joins others as inductees, announced Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015, in the 2016 class at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Here, the British rock band presents their golden record received in West Berlin for the sales of their album "Deep Purple in Rock" in West Germany on Sept. 1, 1971. Credit: AP / Edwin Reichert

Deep Purple, including legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore who lives in Port Jefferson, leads a classic rock filled 2016 class of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees.

Deep Purple, Cheap Trick, Chicago, and Steve Miller will be inducted at an April 8 ceremony at Barclays Center, along with pioneering gangsta rappers N.W.A.

Blackmore's roaring guitar riffs that open "Smoke on the Water" inspired generations of guitar heroes.

The classic rock slate brings in several artists that rock purists have been clamoring for, artists who have been eligible for decades but hadn't made the cut until now.

Cheap Trick's "Live at Budokan" is seen as one of the greatest live albums of all time. Chicago's long and winding career includes everything from influential psychedelic rock to '80s pop ballads. And Miller's enviable string of '70s hits includes "Take the Money and Run" and "Fly Like an Eagle."

However, it is N.W.A.'s induction that will likely draw the most attention. With the rap group's origin story fresh on people's minds after this year's "Straight Outta Compton" smash biopic, the careers of members Dr. Dre and Ice Cube are as hot as ever.

The 2016 inductees were chosen by more than 800 voters of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. Artists are eligible 25 years after their first significant release.

The Barclays Center induction will air on HBO in the spring of 2016.

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