From 1985, these people were recognised through various WAM Awards. The initial intake of inductees were:  

1985	Golden Rock Award, presented to Joe Cipriani
1989	Golden Rock Award, presented to Brian Peacock
1990	Golden Rock Award, presented to Steve Gordon
1991	Golden WAMi for Contribution to the Industry, presented to David Gerard
1992	Golden WAMi for Contribution to the Industry, presented to Michael Dwyer
1993	Golden WAMi for Contribution to the Industry, presented to Peter Woodward
	Rock 'n' Roll of Renown, presented to John Meyer
	Rock 'n' Roll of Renown, presented to Shirley (nee Smith) Pochee
	Rock 'n' Roll of Renown, presented to Anna Gare
	Rock 'n' Roll of Renown, presented to Dom Mariani
1994	Golden WAMi Award, presented to Mark Genge
	Rock 'N' Roll of Renown, presented to Kim Salmon
	Rock 'N' Roll of Renown, presented to Suze Demarchi
	Rock 'N' Roll of Renown, presented to Steve Tallis
	Rock 'N' Roll of Renown, presented to Lucky Oceans
	Kiss My WAMi Award for Contribution to the Industry, presented to Richard Lane
1995	Kiss My WAMi Award for Contribution to the Industry, presented to Bob Gordon
1996	Kiss My WAMi Award for Contribution to the Industry, presented to RTRfm 92.1
1997	Kiss My WAMi Award for Contribution to the Industry, presented to RTRfm 92.1
1998	Kiss My WAMi Award for Contribution to the Industry, presented to RTRfm 92.1
1999	Kiss My WAMi Award for Contribution to the Industry, presented to Bob Gordon
2000	Golden WAMi For Contribution to the Industry, presented to Brett Rowe
2001	Golden WAMi Award, presented to Mark Genge
2002	Golden WAMi Award, presented to Mark Genge
2003	Golden WAMi For Contribution to the Industry, presented to Luke Rinaldi

The 2004 collection of luminaries of the Western Australian music industry was launched with a presentation ceremony at the WAMi Weekender opening party held in Foundation Week.

A new WAM Hall of Fame was created during 2004, with WAM inducting new members as part of the WAMi Festival since 2005.

The WAM Hall of Fame recognises people who have made outstanding contributions to the WA contemporary music industry over their career. Inductees are selected by an independent panel, according to the following guidelines:

• Can be an artist, or other industry professional.
• Must have been involved in the music industry for a minimum of 10 years.
• Must have significant achievements, preferably at a national or international level. Local achievements should be exceptional.
• Must identify, or be readily identifiable as a West Australian. 

WAM Hall of Fame inductees since 2005 are:

2005	Bon Scott (posthumous)
	Dave Hole
	Martin Clarke
2006	David McComb (posthumous)
	The Pigram Brothers
	James Baker
2007	The Farriss Brothers
2009	Dave Faulkner
2010	Matt Taylor
2011	Shaun O'Callaghan (posthumous)
	The Waifs
	Pete Carroll
2012	Tim Minchin
	Robert Hunter
	Paul Bodlovich