Rock Hall Short List Includes Guns 'N Roses, Cure, Joan Jett & Faces

by Gary Graff, Detroit  |   September 27, 2011 6:00 EDT

Guns N' Roses, Heart, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts and the Cure are among the first-timers on short list of nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's class of 2011, joining returning hopefuls the Beastie Boys, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Donna Summer and others.

Fifteen finalists are on the ballot that's been sent to the Rock Hall's more than 500 voters, who will in turn select five to be inducted into the shrine on April 14, when the 27th annual ceremony returns to Cleveland for the third time. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation will subsequently determine non-performing inductees and recipients of the Award for Musical Excellence (formerly Sidemen).

Other first-time nominees on this year's ballot include the Small Faces/Faces, the Spinners, Rufus with Chaka Khan, Freddie King and rappers Eric B. & Rakim. Donovan, Laura Nyro and War are making return visits to the ballot.

Acts are eligible at least 25 years after their first commercial recording release, meaning 1986 or before for this year's group. This is the first year for Guns 'N Roses and Eric B. & Rakim's eligibility.

Faces, 1971: Sloppy & Fantastic

Small Faces and Faces keyboardist Ian McLagan announced that "it's about bloody time" his bands were nominated but said he felt that grouping the two together was "a bit insulting. If we have to go in as a combo, that's not right. It's a dollar short and many years too late -- but I'll take it." Two of the Faces are already in the Rock Hall: Rod Stewart as a solo artist; and Ron Wood as part of the Rolling Stones. Drummer Kenney Jones was briefly in the Who but was not inducted with them in 1990.

As in 2009, the 2012 ceremony will be open to the public. Individual tickets will go on sale in December, while tables and VIP packages are available now, Information can we found at www.rockhall.com. The Hall of Fame + Museum is planning 10 days of special activities leading up to the ceremony, including the unveiling of a new exhibit and the grand opening of its library and archives.

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