Bon Jovi to be inducted into rock hall
NEW YORK Iconic singer Nina Simone and New Jersey rockers Bon Jovi lead the 2018 class of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, which includes four first-time nominees.
The Cars, as well as first-time contenders Dire Straits, The Moody Blues and Sister Rosetta Tharpe, also are part of the 2018 class announced Wednesday. They will be inducted on April 14, in Cleveland, Ohio.
The six inductees were chosen from a group of 19 nominees, including Radiohead, who were expected to enter in the rock hall in their first year of eligibility, but didn’t make it.
Tharpe, a pioneering guitarist who performed gospel music and was known to some as “the godmother of rock ’n’ roll,” will be inducted with the award for early influence.” She died in 1973. The other five acts will be inducted as performers.
The jazzy and soulful Simone, also a first-time nominee, was a leader in pushing for civil rights and influenced the likes of Aretha Franklin before her death in 2003.
Bon Jovi, first nominated in 2011 and again this year, have sold more than 120 million albums and launched No. 1 hits such as Livin’ on a Prayer, You Give Love a Bad Name, and I’ll Be There for You. Jon Bon Jovi said Wednesday the news was “wonderful. It’s rewarding. It’s humbling.”
“I didn’t know how long things would last because I never envisioned 35 years later. I could have never dreamt of that,” he said. “I’m happy for the whole band, my family and for me.”
He will be inducted alongside current bandmates David Bryan and Tico Torres, as well as former members Richie Sambora and Alec John Such. The frontman said he and the other current members haven’t spoken to Sambora since he left the group four years ago, but said he invites the performer, along with Such, to be part of the rock hall festivities.
The 33rd annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held at Public Auditorium. Tickets will go on sale in January and the event will later air on HBO and be heard on SiriusXM Radio.