The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has delivered some early Christmas presents to a couple of the bands who will be inducted in April.
The Hall has added members to the induction list of two of the groups — bassist Hugh McDonald to Bon Jovi and founding member Denny Laine to the Moody Blues. Both were left off the original lists, but lobbying on their behalf led to their addition to the band rosters.
Jon Bon Jovi told us he was particularly adamant about McDonald, who played on his 1982 debut single “Runaway” and joined Bon Jovi full-time after original bassist Alec John Such left in 1994:
“I have a great case for why Hugh should be inducted…Nothing would give me greater joy than to hand him that for Christmas…My hope for him at Christmas is to hand him that confirmation letter. He f***in’ deserves it, and I have a great case to make for it.”
Laine, meanwhile, played on just one Moody Blues album and sang lead on the hit “Go Now;” he left in 1966, along with original bassist Clint Warwick, who passed away during 2004 and has not been added to the list. They were replaced by Justin Hayward and John Lodge, and Laine went on to work with Paul McCartney in Wings.
The Rock Hall has had many lineup controversies over the years, most recently including bands such as KISS, Yes, Chicago and others. The induction ceremony takes place on April 14 in Cleveland.
Gary Graff is an award-winning music journalist who not only covers music but has written books on Bob Seger, Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen.
