N.W.A, Deep Purple, Cheap Trick Chosen for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Cheap Trick. Photo: Carl Lender (flickr)

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has officially announced next year’s inductees: Cheap Trick, Chicago, Deep Purple, N.W.A and Steve Miller will all join the class of 2016. They will be inducted April 8th during a ceremony at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, with tickets on sale to the public in February. HBO will broadcast the show in the spring.

The induction will also present Chicago with an opportunity to perform with singer/bassist Peter Cetera for the first time since he left the group in 1985. “I guess if it was ever going to happen, this would be a prime opportunity,” says Lamm. “And personally, I’d find it very moving ”¦ I talk to Peter from time to time. I know he hasn’t played bass in many, many years, as fine a bass player as he was. He’d certainly sing, at least I imagine.”

Cheap Trick fans also might get to see the group play again with original drummer Bun E. Carlos, who left the band in 2010. Does Nielsen think that might happen despite the legal issues the two camps have had in recent years? “I’m sure he’ll be invited,” he says. “Do I know if he will? I don’t know. Why not?”

N.W.A have staged numerous reunions in recent years, most notably to promote their acclaimed new movie Straight Outta Compton. “I think we can get Ren, Yella and Dr. Dre. together,” says Ice Cube. “I think Snoop might do an honorary Eazy-E. I can’t speak for him, but we’ll ask him. We’ll probably ask a few people.”

N.W.A joins an elite group of rap acts, including Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, Beastie Boys, Run-D.M.C. and Public Enemy, to enter the Hall of Fame. “That’s like the cream of the crop when it comes to groups that made an impact,” says Ice Cube. “What’s funny is that the hip-hop group basically started to fade away with Wu-Tang Clan. It went from groups groups groups to solo solo solo artists. I would be interested to see who is the next solo rapper that makes it into the Hall.”