The American Pop Music Hall of Fame nominees

The Monkees, from left, Peter Tork, Mike Nesmith, the late David Jones, and Micky Dolenz at a news conference at the Warwick Hotel in New York on July 6, 1967. The group is among 40 nominees proposed for the inaugural induction into the American Pop Music Hall of Fame.

Roy Orbison

Singer Roy Orbison on Jan. 6, 1987. Orbison, who died in 1988, was known for dark ballads, like "only the Lonely " and "Crying."

The Beatles

From left to right, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon and George Harrison of The Beatles on Jan. 11 1963.The hugely popular British group broke up in 1970. Lennon was murdered in 1980 and Harrison died of lung cancer in 2001.

Nat King Cole

A headshot of singer Nat King Cole in 1943. A pianist and singer, Cole got his start during the bind band era. The father of singer Natalie Cole, he died in 1965.

Bobby Darin

A headshot of singer Bobby Darin from 1965.The "Splish Splash" singer-songwriter was just 37 when he died during heart surgery in 1973.

The Beach Boys

From left to right, Al Jardine, Mike Love, Dennis Wilson, Brian Wilson and Carl Wilson of The Beach Boys in 1966. The quintessential California surfing band made a reunion album, "That's Why God Made the Radio," in June.

Dean Martin

A headshot of singer Dean Martin from 1987. The "Everybody Loves Somebody" singer was also an actor, comedian and member of the famed Hollywood Rat Pack. He retired just months before he died in 1995.

Bobby Vinton

Bobby Vinton performing on April 18, 2002. The "Roses Are Red" singer continues to perform in limited engagements.

Hank Williams

Hank Williams, Jr. makes a speech at the first night session of the 2000 Republican National Convention on July 31, 2000, in Philadelphia. The country singer-songwriter continues to be very political, which sometimes gets him in trouble ESPN dropped Williams' song from the opening of its Monday Night Football broadcast after hearing some of his comments about the president.

Andy Williams

Singer Andy Williams performs under red stage lights at Royal Albert Hall during his tour of the United Kingdom July 1, 2002, in London. The "Moon River" singer was treated for bladder cancer earlier this year and is scheduled to perform this fall.

The Sumpremes

Diana Ross, center, and two former members of the Supremes, Lynda Laurence and Scherrie Payne hold a news conference April 4, 2000, at Grand Central Terminal in New York.Ross has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Patti Page

Patti Page was a presenter at the 36th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles on May 9, 2001. Page, whose signature song is "Tennessee Waltz," continues to perform at select engagements.

Ray Charles

Ray Charles performs on Nov. 5, 1989, during Paris Jazz Festival. The blind soul-singer and songwriter died in 2004, the same year a biopic about him, "Ray" was released. The title role won an Oscar for actor Jamie Foxx.

The Everly Brothers

Musical artists Don and Phil Everly of The Everly Brothers perform on July 15, 2004, in Hyde Park, London. The "Bye Bye Love" duo last produced an album in 1989.

Pat Boone

Veteran pop music singer Pat Boone poses for photos at the 24th Annual American Music Awards Jan. 27 in Los Angeles. Boone, who turned to gospel music in recent years is also is a member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra in file picture dated April 1968 at Orly airport arrives in Paris. The legendary singer, Oscar-winning actor and head of the Hollywood Rat Pack died in 1998.

The Bee Gees

The Bee Gees perform during the "One Night Only" concert at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia.Barry Gibb is the only one of the "Staying Alive" trio to survive. Maurice died unexpectedly in 2003 and Robin lost a long battle with cancer in May

Perry Como

Perry Como holding his Emmy award at New York's Colonial Theater March 16, 1957. Known to TV viewers as "Mr. C," Como died in 2001.

Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash with his Grammy Legend Award Dec. 5, 1990. The country music legend died in 2003.

Les Paul & Mary Ford

Guitarist Les Paul arrives at the 2005 Songwriters Hall Of Fame induction ceremony at the Marriott Marquis Hotel June 9, 2005, in New York. The 1950s husband-and-wife/group musical team performed together from the late 1940s until their divorce in 1963. Singer Ford died in 1977. Paul, a guitarist, songwriter and famous inventor, performed right up to his death in 2009.

Four Seasons

Actor Joe Pesci, cetner, stands with Frankie Valli, left, and the original Four Seasons onstage at the 60th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall June 11, 2006, in New York. The group is the subject of the hit Broadway musical "Jersey Boys."

Johnny Mathis

Singer Johnny Mathis performs at the Society of Singers' 16th ELLA Award on Sept. 10, 2007, in Los Angeles. the "Wonderful, Wonderful" singer has three Grammy awards and continues to perform a few times a year.

Smokey and the Miracles

Mowtown legend Smokey Robinson, left, performs with the Miracles at a 50th anniversary celebration of Motown Oct. 20, 2007, in Detroit.The group is known for such songs as "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" and "The Tracks of My Tears." Robinson continues to perform as a solo act.

Connie Francis

Singer Connie Francis performs at a tribute to Neil Sedaka's fifty years in music at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall on Oct. 26, 2007, in New York. The "Who's Sorry Now" singer continues to make stage appearances.

The Dave Clark Five

Inductee Dave Clark of The Dave Clark Five poses in the press room during the 2008 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremony at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel March 10, 2008, in New York. Also known as the "DC5," the group disbanded in 1970 after making dozens of Top 40 hits. Member Denis Payton died in 2006.

Chubby Checker

Musician Chubby Checker speaks onstage at the IEBA 2009 Honors at Ryman Auditorium on Oct. 12, 2009, in Nashville, Tenn. Credited with popularizing the twist in the 1960s, Checker continues to perform on stage.

Simon & Garfunkel

Musicians Art Garfunkel and Paul Simon of Simon & Garfunkel perform during the 38th AFI Life Achievement Award honoring Mike Nichols held at Sony Pictures Studios on June 10, 2010, in Culver City, Calif. The "Sound of Silence " duo split in 1969 and each has his own solo career.

Paul Anka

Singer Paul Anka attends the Gorby 80 Gala at the Royal Albert Hall on March 30, 2011, in London. The singer-songwriter known for teenage hits like "Put Your Head on My Shoulder," continues to write and has done some TV and movie acting.

Chuck Berry

Chuck Berry performs during the 2012 Awards for Lyrics of Literary Excellence at The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library And Museum on Feb. 26, 2012, in Boston, Mass. In his 80s, the "Johnny B. Goode" singer and guitarist continues to play live.

Dionne Warwick

Singer Dionne Warwick arrives for the opening gala of the historic Howard Theater in Washington on April 12, 2012. The "Walk On By" singer continues to perform and was recently a contestant on "The Celebrity Apprentice."

Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder performs for the first family and guests during a concert honoring Gershwin Prize winners Burt Bacharach and Hal David in the East Room at the White House on May 9, 2012, in Washington.

Tony Bennet

Tony Bennett performs at the North Sea Jazz Festival, in Rotterdam, on July 8, 2012. Winner of 16 Grammy awards, Bennett is more popular now than he was at the start of his career

Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan performs on stage during the 21st edition of the Vieilles Charrues music festival on July 22, 2012, in Carhaix-Plouguer, western France. Dylan, honored this spring at the White House, just released his 35th studio album.

Elton John

Sir Elton John visits the AIDS Memorial Quilt at The National Mall on July 23, 2012, in Washington. The "Rocket Man" singer and pianist has six Grammys, an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award and a Tony.

Neil Diamond

Singer Neil Diamond attends a ceremony honoring him with the 2,475th Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Aug. 10, 2012, in Hollywood, Calif.

Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley in an undated photo. The "King of Rock and Roll" has become a pop culture icon since his 1977 death and continues to earn large sums for his estate.