Inductee: Yusuf Islam, or Cat Stevens, at the 2012 launch of the musical Moonshadow, based on his songs. Credit:Penny Stephens Musicians are taken into consideration for induction 25 years after the release of their first album or single. Nirvana's first single, Love Buzz, was released in 1988, so the band is being inducted at first opportunity. President and chief executive of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Joel Peresman said the quick nod to the seminal grunge band was "really no surprise to me". "People see the relevancy of that band," he said. The induction comes 20 years after frontman Kurt Cobain committed suicide at age 27.

Peter Gabriel was inducted in 2010 as part of Genesis, but will now be honoured for his solo material. "For once... I'm speechless," said former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, now frontman for Foo Fighters, in a statement. "From the basements, to the dingy clubs, to the broken down vans, to... the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. "I'd like to thank the committee not only for this induction, but also for recognising Nirvana for what we were: pure rock and roll. "Thank you most of all to Kurt Cobain," former Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic added. "And to everyone who's kept rock music going strong for 60 years and counting." Kiss have been eligible for 15 years, but will only be receiving the honour in 2014. "We've got thousands of letters," said Peresman. "They also did extremely well in the public vote."

Peter Criss, Kiss's original drummer and vocalist, said the band changed rock forever by raising the bar for live performances. "We were four guys from New York City who brought Barnum & Bailey into rock'n'roll," he said. "We wanted the make-up and the costumes and the bombs," Criss said. "Our idea was to give people a hell of a lot more for their money. We changed music by insisting you can't go up there and just sing any more. That's going to stand forever." Singer/guitarist Paul Stanley who, with bassist Gene Simmons, has anchored Kiss's changing line-up for 40 years, said the band never cared when critics slammed them. "The spirit of rock'n'roll for me has always meant following the paths I choose, regardless of what my critics or my peers think," he said. "For 40 years, Kiss has built an army that apologises to no one, and I'm honoured to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame knowing we have remained true to ourselves and our fans."

Peter Gabriel was already inducted in 2010 as part of Genesis, but will now be honoured for his solo material. He was unable to attend the 2010 ceremony, but has said that "this time, I will definitely go. I'm very grateful to have gotten in again. It's a huge honour." The ceremony will take place at New York's Barclays Center. The Hall of Fame is in Cleveland, but the location of the induction ceremony varies from year to year. It is the first time that members of the general public will be able to attend, and will be the biggest ever induction ceremony. It will be broadcast in May on HBO. Traditionally, the ceremony ends with an all-star jam on a song by a band inducted on the night. Choosing the tune can be considerably challenging, and this year will be no different. "We already have visions going through our head," Peresman said. "Should it be Rock and Roll All Nite, or a Bruce Springsteen song? What's the best way to represent it? We just don't know yet." Meanwhile Kiss co-founder Paul Stanley has a memoir scheduled to come out less than two weeks after the ceremony.

HarperOne announced on Tuesday that Stanley's Face the Music: A Life Exposed will be released on April 22. The publisher says the book will feature rare photographs and candid memories about his wild life with the mega-selling rock band. - with AP