"Saturday, October 28, 2006
John Soeder
Plain Dealer Pop Music Critic
Go ahead and jump -- for joy! -- Van Halen fans. The hard-rocking band has been nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, along with eight other acts.
This is the first nomination for Van Halen, although the group has been eligible for at least the past three years.
R.E.M. and the Ronettes are the other first-time nominees on the latest Rock Hall ballot, which also has Chic, the Dave Clark Five, Grandmaster Flash, Patti Smith, the Stooges and Joe Tex in the running again for enshrinement, according to a source familiar with the nomination proceedings.
Van Halen has sold more than 56 million albums in the United States alone, on the strength of such hits as "Why Can't This Be Love" and the chart- topping "Jump." The Los Angeles band released its self-titled debut in 1978. Hotshot guitarist Eddie Van Halen has been a mainstay, but the group has had a succession of lead singers, including David Lee Roth, Sammy Hagar and Gary Cherone.
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The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, based in New York, oversees the induction process. Artists are eligible 25 years after the release of their first recording.
The foundation recently downsized its nominating committee, made up of music industry insiders and chaired by Bruce Springsteen's manager, Jon Landau.
"We've made the committee smaller to move things along quicker," said Joel Peresman, president and CEO of the foundation.
Ballots are set to be mailed in the next few days to an international pool of voters, including record company executives and previous inductees.
Plans for the 2007 induction ceremony have not been announced."
It's about time!
