Tuesday, September 28, 2010
FAME GAME: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame reached back into the ’60s for a handful of the nominees for the Class of 2011. The ballots have gone out, with 15 artists up for nomination: Bon Jovi, the Beastie Boys, Neil Diamond, Alice Cooper, Donovan, Tom Waits, LL Cool J, Chic, Dr. John, J. Geils Band, Darlene Love, Laura Nyro, Donna Summer, Joe Tex and Chuck Willis. These are the first nominations for Bon Jovi, Donovan, Alice Cooper, Dr. John and Diamond, while Chic, Summer and Love have already been nominated several times. Out of this batch, five to seven inductees will be chosen by the 500 voters and announced in December. The 26th annual induction ceremony will be held March 14 at the Waldorf-Astoria in Manhattan. Among those left off the ballot: Kiss, Hall & Oates, New York Dolls, Cat Stevens, Depeche Mode, The Cure, Linda Ronstadt, Iron Maiden, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Fela Kuti, Johnny Ace, Teddy Pendergrass and Small Faces. For the record, it took The Stooges, who were inducted last year, seven nominations to finally get in. (9/28p)