Advertisement

Rock Hall responds to Axl Rose, confirms Chili Peppers to play

Share

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

This post has been corrected. Plase see note at bottom for details.

Guns N’ Roses founding member Axl Rose had a message Wednesday for the the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which will hold its induction ceremony in Cleveland on Saturday without him.

Advertisement

‘I strongly request that I not be inducted in absentia and please know that no one is authorized nor may anyone be permitted to accept any induction for me,’ Rose wrote in a letter unveiled on Pop & Hiss. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has heard Rose’s declaration and now responded.

“We are sorry Axl will not be able to accept his Induction in person,’ read a statement from a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame spokeswoman.

So ... that settles that? Probably not, as the spokeswoman noted that ‘other members’ of the band are still on the guest list. As of Thursday afternoon, Guns N’ Roses slinger Slash was still planning to attend, and longtime bassist Duff McKagan will be in Cleveland promoting a book.

PHOTOS: Axl Rose’s famous feuds

Despite the drama surrounding Guns N’ Roses, plans for Saturday’s induction ceremony continue, and today the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame unveiled additional performers and presenters. The announcement confirms that L.A.’s Red Hot Chili Peppers, who will be inducted into the hall by comedian Chris Rock, will be performing at the ceremony.

Other members of this year’s hall of fame class, including Donovan and pieces of English rock band the Small Faces, will also perform. The latter will appear as the Faces, with Kenney Jones and Ian McLagan joined by Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood. ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill, already on hand as presenters, have been added to a performance tribute to late blues inductee Freddie King, and LL Cool J will join Chuck D in inducting the Beastie Boys.

Advertisement

As previously reported, John Mellencamp, Steve Van Zandt and Bette Midler are among the presenters who have been tapped to handle inductions for the 2012 class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Mellencamp will welcome in Donovan; E Street Band guitarist Van Zandt will bring in the Small Faces/Faces; and Midler will salute singer-songwriter Laura Nyro.

Additionally, Carole King will give the remarks for her former Brill Building boss, publisher and TV impresario Don Kirshner. Darlene Love will perform a tribute to Kirshner.

The Rock Hall ceremony began in 1986, and the 2012 class will bring the total number of performers inducted to 302. This year’s ceremony will be held at the hall in Cleveland rather than its usual spot at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. A highlights special will premiere May 5 on HBO.

Hall of Fame inductees

Guns N’ Roses
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Beastie Boys
Donovan
Laura Nyro
Small Faces

Also, bluesman Freddie King, TV producer Don Kirshner, producers Tom Dowd and Glyn Johns, and engineer Cosimo Matassa.

[For the Record: 11:50 a.m. April 12: A previous version of this post implied that the Red Hot Chili Peppers were only recently added as performers. The Peppers were planning to perform, but the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame only recently announced the confirmed lineup.]

Advertisement

ALSO:

Axl Rose rejects Rock Hall; fans take offense

Green Day to unleash a trilogy: ‘¡Uno!,’ ‘¡Dos!’ and ‘¡Tre!’

Axl Rose pens letter to Rock Hall: won’t attend, declines induction

-- Todd Martens

Advertisement