Bon Jovi are headed into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, following their second nomination, this Saturday at the Public Auditorium in Cleveland.
Jon Bon Jovi has long felt they should have been nominated in 2008, the first year they were eligible, and elected for induction when first nominated in 2011.
In an interview with Billboard he said, "There were moments when I was cranky because we felt that we met the prerequisites and we were still making number-one records and doing and being... The first time when we were nominated [2011] and ultimately didn't get in, there were a lot of conversations about were we legitimately not voted in, was there a little bit of covert action going on, and we'll never know. But afterwards they installed this public vote... That didn't exist for us the first time, and I think as a result of us not getting in there were conversations about how [the Rock Hall] is about bands of the people. So the fans have spoken." And they did, registering more than a million votes.
Jon Bon Jovi on Bon Jovi being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame:
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Though some people still lump Bon Jovi in with the hair bands of the '80s, you can't argue with their success.
- Over 100 million records sold worldwide -- more than such inductees as Rod Stewart, R.E.M., Van Halen and Tom Petty
- Slippery When Wet and New Jersey are among the biggest-selling albums of all time
- Platinum albums in three separate decades
- Still a top touring act
They will be inducted by Howard Stern and will reunite with former members Richie Sambora and Alec John Such for a performance. And, like fellow inductees The Moody Blues, who had original member Denny Laine included as an inductee after Steve Van Zandt made a stink, their longtime road bassist Hugh McDonald, who is not an official member, will also be inducted.
Rounding out the Class of 2018 are Dire Straits, The Cars, Nina Simone and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Highlights of this year's ceremony will air on HBO on May 5th.