We are pleased to announce the launch of the Ultimate Classic Rock Hall of Fame, a 100% fan-voted award focusing exclusively on honoring the most important artists in classic rock history.

Each month, eight legendary classic rock artists -- that's right, no pop, no R&B and no hip-hop allowed -- will compete via head-to-head battles for the right to be permanently enshrined in our Hall of Fame. To be eligible, an artist or group's debut album must have been released at least 40 years ago.

Your vote will determine who wins each month. The runner-up gets to try again the following month, everyone else has to wait at least three months for their next shot at immortality. You can read the complete rules for the Ultimate Classic Rock Hall of Fame right here.

As you can see, we're starting off with bands from the dawn of the classic rock era, with a very impressive field featuring the Beatles, the Kinks, Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones. Which of these amazing pioneers will be the first artist elected into the Ultimate Classic Rock Hall of Fame? That's entirely up to you. You can vote once a day in each of the four first-round battles from now until 11:59 ET Sunday, March 17. The first inductee to the Ultimate Classic Rock Hall of Fame will be announced on Monday, April 1 -- no foolin'!

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