Rock Hall 2018 class: Nina Simone, Bon Jovi, the Moody Blues

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Guitarist Justin Hayward, left, and bassist John Lodge of The Moody Blues are shown performing in this Aug. 20, 2009, file photo. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
Guitarist Justin Hayward, left, and bassist John Lodge of The Moody Blues are shown performing in this Aug. 20, 2009, file photo. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)

New York (AP) — Iconic singer Nina Simone and New Jersey rockers Bon Jovi lead the 2018 class of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, which includes four first-time nominees.

The Cars, as well as first-time contenders Dire Straits, The Moody Blues and Sister Rosetta Tharpe, are also part of the 2018 class announced last week.  They will be inducted on April 14, in Cleveland, Ohio.

The six inductees were chosen from a group of 19 nominees, including Radiohead, who were expected to enter in the Rock Hall in their first year of eligibility, but didn’t make it.

Tharpe, a pioneering guitarist who performed gospel music and was known to some as “the godmother of rock ‘n’ roll,” will be inducted with the “Award for Early Influence.”  She died in 1973.  The other five acts will be inducted as performers.