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PEOPLE & ARTS Thursday 14 december 2017
Rock Hall 2018 class: Nina Simone, Bon Jovi, the Moody Blues

By MESFIN FEKADU the other current members
AP Music Writer haven’t spoken to Sambo-
NEW YORK (AP) — Iconic ra since he left the group
singer Nina Simone and four years ago, but said
New Jersey rockers Bon he invites the performer,
Jovi lead the 2018 class of along with Such, to be part
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame of the Rock Hall festivities.
inductees, which includes “(Sambora) had things
four first-time nominees. he had to deal with and
The Cars, as well as first- (he) didn’t show up any-
time contenders Dire more. I respect that,” Bon
Straits, The Moody Blues Jovi said. “He’s absolutely
and Sister Rosetta Tharpe, invited and will be asked
also are part of the 2018 to participate in every as-
class announced Wednes- pect, including the perfor-
day. They will be inducted mance, as will Alex Such
on April 14, in Cleveland, ... and they’ll be able to
Ohio. join the band, the current
The six inductees were band, onstage. They’ll be
chosen from a group of 19 most welcomed.”
nominees, including Radio- The Cars, founded in Bos-
head, who were expected ton in 1976, combined New
to enter in the Rock Hall in Wave and classic rock
their first year of eligibility, sounds. This year marked
but didn’t make it. the band’s third nomina- In this Oct. 19, 2016 file photo, members of Bon Jovi from left, Phil X, Tico Torres, Jon Bon Jovi,
Tharpe, a pioneering gui- tion. David Bryan and Hugh McDonald pose for a portrait in New York. The band will be inducted into
tarist who performed gos- Rock Hall voters have re- the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 14, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio.
pel music and was known cently opened their hearts Associated Press
to some as “the godmoth- to progressive rockers,
er of rock ‘n’ roll,” will be which benefited “Nights
inducted with the “Award in White Satin” singers The
for Early Influence.” She Moody Blues. English rock-
died in 1973. The other five ers Dire Straits, which in-
acts will be inducted as cludes brothers Mark and
performers. David Knopfler, blended
The jazzy and soulful Sim- blues into their music.
one, also a first-time nomi- Each year, between five
nee, was a leader in push- and seven acts usually
ing for civil rights and in- make it into the Rock Hall
fluenced the likes of Alicia following a vote by 1,000
Keys and Aretha Franklin people, including perform-
before her death in 2003. ers, music historians and
Bon Jovi, first nominated industry experts. Fans also
in 2011 and again this were able to vote on the
year, have sold more than Rock Hall’s website. All of
120 million albums and the inductees had to have
launched No. 1 hits with released their first record-
“Livin’ on a Prayer,” ‘’You ing no later than 1992 to
Give Love a Bad Name,” be eligible.
‘’Bad Medicine” and “I’ll The 33rd annual Rock &
Be There for You.” Roll Hall of Fame Induction
In an interview with The As- Ceremony will be held at
sociated Press on Wednes- Public Auditorium. Tickets
day, Jon Bon Jovi said the will go on sale in January
news was “wonderful. It’s and the event will later air
rewarding. It’s humbling.” on HBO and be heard on
“I didn’t know how long SiriusXM Radio.q
things would last because
I never envisioned 35 years
later. I could have never
dreamt of that,” he added.
“I’m happy for the whole
band, my family and for
me.”
He will be inducted along-
side current bandmates
David Bryan and Tico Tor-
res, as well as former mem-
bers Richie Sambora and
Alec John Such. Sambora
left in 2013; Such left in
1994.
The frontman said he and