The Smiths, Green Day, Nine Inch Nails and Bill Withers are among the first-time nominees for the 2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The four acts are eligible to be inducted next year if they gain enough votes from the public and the Rock Hall voting body.

The other acts nominated include hip hop group N.W.A, the late Lou Reed, Sting, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Kraftwerk, disco legends Chic, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, The Marvelettes, The Spinners, Stevie Ray Vaughan and War.

Speaking about this year's nominations, Joel Peresman, president and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, said: ''The acts represent a broad, diverse group of artists and demonstrates how rock 'n' roll has evolved over the years.''

The Rock Hall voting body is comprised of over 700 members, including recording artists, music historians and industry insiders and their vote will be combined with the fans' choice. Fans can visit www.rockhall.com/vote to choose their favourite acts up until December 9.

In order to be eligible for this year's ballot, acts needed to have released their first single or album in 1989 or earlier.

The induction ceremony will be held on April 18 in Cleveland, Ohio, which is where the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is located.

If The Smiths are inducted are attend as a band it would be the first time all four members, singer Morrissey, guitarist Johnny Marr, bassist Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce, have appeared together in years.

They split acrimoniously in 1987 and in 1999 divisions between the four members deepened when Rourke and Joyce sued Morrissey - who this week revealed he is being treated for cancer - and Marr over royalties.