WASHINGTON — The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will induct its newest members this weekend with a star-studded ceremony filmed Saturday in Cleveland that will air May 5 on HBO.
The Class of 2018 features popular and influential artists across a range of genres.
Here are this year’s honorees with the Hall of Fame’s reasoning for induction:
Bon Jovi
“Over 120 million albums. More than 2,600 concerts around the world. They’ve seen well over a million faces — and yes, rocked them all. Bon Jovi redefined the rock anthem by dominating arenas and captivating audiences with hooks that continue to define the decade.”
The Cars
“Hook-savvy with the perfect combo of new wave and classic rock, you can’t help but sing along to The Cars. The band’s magnetism and intellectual arrangements resonated with an audience ready to leave the left of the dial underground and cement themselves into the mainstream.”
Dire Straits
“Mixed with blues and a dash of country, the Dire Straits were one of the few rock bands to break out in an era dominated by punk and disco. Introspective lyrics with out-of-this-world guitar and drum sounds made them one of the most original rock bands of the ’80s.”
The Moody Blues
“Progressive rock pioneers turned synthesizer-driven rockers, The Moody Blues have created over 50 years of exhilarating and significant music that has influenced countless musicians and rocked fans around the world.”
Nina Simone
“Nina Simone’s unapologetic rage and accusatory voice named names and took no prisoners in the African-American struggle for equality int the early 1960s. Her triumphant voice sang what it meant to be young, gifted and black in a sometimes unjust and troubled world.”
Sister Rosetta Tharpe
“Sister Rosetta was the first guitar heroine of rock & roll. Her heartfelt gospel folksiness gave way to her roaring mastery of her trusty Gibson SG, which she wielded on a level that rivaled the best of her male contemporaries.”
Who else belongs in the Hall of Fame? Vote in our poll below!
NOTE: Before you vote, check out the previous inductees and remember that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has expanded beyond the rock ranks to include pop (Madonna, Donna Summer), soul (Al Green, Marvin Gaye), Motown (Drifters, Temptations), hip-hop (2Pac, N.W.A.) and country (Hank Williams, Johnny Cash). Look at it this way: some inductees “rock” and other inductees “roll.”
Write-Ins: Boz Scaggs, Brian Setzer, Def Leppard, Eric B & Rakim, Janet Jackson, Living Colour, NRBQ, Poison, Snoop Dogg, Three Doors Down, Todd Rundgren.
