Cooper, Bon Jovi nab Rock Hall noms
A golfing glam-rocker. Some hairy guys from Jersey. A disco queen. A boho hobo troubadour. Some beastly rappers. Meet the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s class of 2011.
The Cleveland institution announced the latest crop of nominees on Tuesday ó and as usual, you couldn’t hear a more eclectic lineup if you hit shuffle on your iPod. The 15 artists on the list include rockers like Alice Cooper, Bon Jovi and The J. Geils Band, pop chart- toppers like Donna Summer and Chic, singer-songwriters like Neil Diamond, Laura Nyro and Tom Waits, rappers like LL Cool J and Beastie Boys, and R&B and soul icons like Joe Tex and Darlene Love (who was also nominated last year). Artists are eligible 25 years after the release of their first record.
Asked earlier this year about Bon Jovi’s chances of making the cut, guitarist Richie Sambora wasn’t sure ó though he felt the band deserved a shot.
“Yes, I think we should get in there at one point,” he said in January. “I do, you know, after you look at our track record and how many people that weíve made happy in the world through our music.
Yes, I think we deserve to be in there.
“Do I think weíre going to get in? Donít know. It is definitely a political situation. Itís almost like running for office over there.
I mean, thereís so many bands that should be in there that are not in there, so you never know.”
Indeed. Perennial bridesmaids KISS didn’t make the cut again this year. Other names bandied about included T. Rex, The Smiths and Canada’s own Rush.
The final list of inductees will be named in December, with ceremonies being held at a gala in New York City next March.
2011 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees:
Alice Cooper
Beastie Boys
Bon Jovi
Chic
Neil Diamond
Donovan
Dr. John
J. Geils Band
LL Cool J
Darlene Love
Laura Nyro
Donna Summer
Joe Tex
Tom Waits
Chuck Willis
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