Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Cleveland, Ohio
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced its 2011 nominees for the induction next year, and the previously passed over J. Giles Band is once again a contender.
Other nominees this year include Donna Summer, Alice Cooper, Bon Jovi, Chuck Willis, Beastie Boys, Tom Waits, Joe Tex, LL Cool J, Donovan, Lara Nyro, Dr. John, Chic, Darlene Love and Neil Diamond.
Five of the 12 nominees will be named as inductees in December. Then they will officially join the Hall of Fame at a ceremony in New York City on March 14.
“I’m very excited, but, you know, we’ll see what happens,” said Jay Geils, guitarist for the namesake band. The band was nominated in 2004 and 2005 but was passed over both times.
Donna Summer has also been nominated but passed over several times.
“Based on who’s been getting in and who’s been left out, I’m not thrilled with the whole deal,” Geils said. “I’m not sure rappers belong in the Hall of Fame when Junior Walker isn’t in. You’ll hear ‘The Tonight Show’ band or Letterman’s band play ‘Shotgun’ at least once a week, that’s part of the canon. But Walker isn’t in and these others are?”
Hall of Fame inductees are chosen based on the ballots of more than 500 voters. To be eligible, a performer or group much have released a recording at least 25 years before its nomination.
“We believe our nominating committee has put forth a list of artists that truly represent the wide variety of music that defines rock and roll,” said Joel Peresman, president and chief executive officer of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation.