This is old news, I know.

It took me nearly as long to write about the Moody Blues being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as it took the Moody Blues to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

I have been a fan of the Moody Blues nearly as long as I have been a fan of the Beatles. The Fab Four were inducted in the Hall’s third year – it was never a snub considering that the inductees of the prior two years were inspirations even to THEM!), but it has taken many years for the Moody Blues – who in 2018 were first-time nominees despite qualifying for membership since the RRHoF’s inception.

From http://www.moodybluestoday.com/moody-blues-inducted-rock-roll-hall-fame-2018/

Dec. 13, 2017—The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced this morning that rock legends The Moody Blues will be inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.  Current members Justin Hayward (lead guitar, vocals), John Lodge (bass guitar, vocals) and Graeme Edge (drums); will receive the honor alongside former members Ray Thomas (flute/vocals) and Mike Pinder (keyboard/mellotron/vocals).  …

The 33rd Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by Klipsch Audio, will take place on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at Public Auditorium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2018 Induction Ceremony will be televised on HBO, and a radio broadcast on SiriusXM.

Says Justin Hayward: “I’m extremely grateful to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, first for creating the supreme temple to all that has brought endless joy into my life since I was a small boy, and now, after all these years, for including us.  It’s a privilege to be celebrated in the same building, on the same street even, as my own heroes – Buddy Holly and the Everly Brothers – and now, at last, with us, my heroine Nina Simone.  But all the thanks must go to The Moody Blues fans for giving us a wonderful, wonderful life in music – our induction has now validated the music they so love, and I’m so, so pleased, for us all. Yippee!”

Says John Lodge: “The fans are the heart of the Moody Blues — their faith, support and love have moved mountains. Their voices have been heard, and I am proud to say, “we have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.”  Thank you to American Radio for keeping the faith in the Moody Blues, and to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame for our induction.”

Says Graeme Edge: “I want to thank all of my peers who bestowed the honor of voting us in.  Most of all, I’d like to thank all of our fans who have supported us over the years, and have steadfastly stood by us.  I would also like to thank the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame foundation for putting a cap on my career; one that continues to astonish me with its gifts.

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Sadly, Ray Thomas died on January 4, 2018 and had retired from the band many years before.

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The RRHoF faces is usual, albeit justified, criticism when the Moodies were nominated: why it routinely ignores certain genres of rock music, particularly progressive rock. Here’s a great article:

https://www.loudersound.com/features/yes-nomination-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-hates-prog

“You could ask whether it really matters. After all, musicians regularly try to convince us that awards aren’t important to them – usually right up until the moment they’re given one. Well, it matters to us as fans, because it seems to reflect the fact that prog as a genre still seems to be unjustly overlooked in the eyes of the mainstream.

A few more nods of respect towards this neglected wing of the art form from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame might go some way towards rectifying that.”

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And it’s not just the Prog Rock problem: I make my annual joke on Facebook and Twitter when the nominees are announced: “I am once again snubbed by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Why haven’t I been nominated? I’ve made as many rock and roll records as (Madonna, Abba, Public Enemy, Tupac Shakur, you pick…).

But let’s enjoy the honor for our beloved Moodies – and if you are a fan of the Cars and Bon Jovi you should be just as proud and congratulations to your favorite band!

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About the blogger:

Michael Curry is the author of “The Day John F Kennedy Met the Beatles; a story of alternate history” as well as other fiction and non-fiction books.

What if the Beatles played at the White House before John and Jackie Kennedy in 1965? How would it have happened? And why? Written for an historical (fictitious) magazine in 2016, “The Day John F Kennedy Met the Beatles” examines the political and diplomatic reasons for the concert and postulates why both sides agreed to this historic meeting of two icons from the 1960s. John F Kennedy never met the Beatles, but this story asks … what if they did? This short story tells us what might have been.

You can view the book for purchase here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HQQ7F8K