The RARHOF 2018 class was announced earlier this morning, with five performers and one award for early influence named.
The inductees:
• Bon Jovi - American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, the band has been a staple in varying genres of rock music for over three decades.
• The Cars - one of the forerunners of the New Wave/post punk movement, band originated from Boston in 1976.
• Dire Straits - British blues-rock outfit formed in 1977, music also influenced by folk and jazz. An early staple on MTV.
• The Moody Blues - Formed in Birmingham, England in 1964, the band is best known for their influence on classic rock (notably the symphonic, progressive, art, and psychedelic genres).
• Nina Simone - American singer-songwriter and activist, "the High Priestess of Soul" was a pioneering performer who composed/arranged both her own compositions and covers of other artists in a variety of genres - blues, folk, gospel, jazz, and classical. Her performances were also an outlet for her own social commentary in participating in the Civil Rights Movement during the 50's and 60's.
The award for early influence awarded to Sister Rosetta Tharpe, a singer-songwriter known for her gospel and influence on early R&B artists.
The formal induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, April 14 in Cleveland, HBO will broadcast the event (details TBA).
Your thoughts on the inductees? Which nominees who weren't voted in?
