Rush, Deep Purple, Public Enemy and N.W.A. are among the group of first-time nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. They join returnees Heart, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Randy Newman, Donna Summer and Kraftwerk among the 15 artists vying for entry.
Nominees differ wildly in sound, origin and influence, ranging from the enduring prog rock of Canadian trio Rush and Procol Harum to German proto-electronica act Kraftwerk, the disco of Chic and Summer, to the New Orleans funk of the Meters and the blues of Albert King and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Motown also is represented by first-ballot entries the Marvelettes.
Joel Peresman, president and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, acknowledged the extreme variety of this year's nominee class. "The definition of 'rock and roll' means different things to different people, but as broad as the classifications may be, they all share a common love of the music," Peresman said in a statement Thursday.
A group of 600 artists, music historians and members of the industry will choose 2013's inductees. They will be honored April 18 in Los Angeles.
It's the sixth time on the ballot for Summer, but the first since her death in May at 63. Chic is on the ballot for the seventh time since 2003.
Ann Romney will co-host GMA Ann Romney is coming to morning television. The wife of GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney will co-host "Good Morning America" next Wednesday, subbing for anchor Robin Roberts, a spokesperson for the show confirmed. Ann Romney will be joined by co-anchor George Stephanopoulos. ABC News also is in talks with First Lady Michelle Obama as the election inches closer. Ann Romney will appear on the morning talker during the 9 o'clock CDT hour. Other guest co-hosts that have been tapped to fill in for Roberts, on medical leave, include Oprah Winfrey and the cast of "Modern Family."
JEWELS STOLEN: Approximately $127,000 worth of jewelry has been stolen from actress Julianne Moore's New York City brownstone. New York police said Thursday that a necklace, bracelets and watches, some by Cartier, were reported missing. They say the robbery occurred at the home in Manhattan's West Village sometime between June 6 and Aug. 28. Police say the brownstone was under renovation and about 15 to 25 construction workers had access to the house during that time. There have been no arrests and the jewelry has not been recovered.
