The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this morning announced the acts considered for induction for 2015.  They are:

The Paul Butterfield Blues Band
Chic
Green Day
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
Kraftwerk
The Marvelettes
N.W.A
Nine Inch Nails
Lou Reed
The Smiths
The Spinners
Sting
Stevie Ray Vaughan
War
Bill Withers

An individual artist or band must have released their first single or album at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination in order to be considered for induction. That means the 2015 nominees had to release their first recording no later than 1989.

Green Day and Nine Inch Nails are the only acts on this year’s ballot to score a nomination their first year of eligibility, while two of this year’s nominees — Sting and Lou Reed — are already Rock Hall inductees: Sting with The Police, and Reed with the Velvet Underground.

Stevie Ray Vaughan, Bill Withers, and The Smiths are also making their first appearance as nominees.

“We are pleased to present this group of nominees, as they represent the myriad places where rock and roll converges with blues, electronic, dance, Motown, R&B, funk and other genres,” Joel Peresman, president and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, said in a statement announcing the nominees.

Fans will again get a voice this year. You can vote now for your favorites for induction at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame website.  Fan votes will be tallied and submitted as one ballot, which will be considered with those submitted by the rest of the Hall of Fame’s voting body. The inductees will be announced in December.

 

Today, enjoy at least one song an hour from AC/DC on 96.9

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NEW YORK (AP) – Pink Floyd’s upcoming “Endless River” album will be mostly instrumental, with a notable exception.

Physicist Stephen Hawking’s artificial voice will appear on a track called “Talkin’ Hawkin’,” according to Rolling Stone.

Hawking previously appeared as a narrator on the song “Keep Talking” from “The Division Bell” album.

“Talkin’ Hawkin”‘ is not a sequel to that.

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Two weeks after AC/DC announced the forthcoming release of their new album, Rock or Bust, we now have a track listing.

The band’s studio follow-up to 2008’s Black Ice will feature 11 tracks, one of which we’ve already heard: “Play Ball” has been featured in Turner Sports’ coverage of postseason Major League Baseball since the end of last month.

Rock or Bust is scheduled for a December 2 release, but if you order it now, you’ll score an instant digital download of “Play Ball.”

In addition to digital, Rock or Bust will be available on CD and vinyl.  You may want to grab a copy of one or both: the album’s cover features a 3-D image that gives the illusion of the AC/DC logo exploding when you move the cover in different directions. You can see the cover now on AC/DC’s official website.

Sadly, Rock or Bust will be the first album in AC/DC’s 41-year history not to feature founding guitarist Malcolm Young, who has retired from the band after being diagnosed with dementia.

Stevie Young — Malcolm and Angus Young’s nephew — stands in for his ailing uncle on the album, and will also do so on the road. A tour’s expected sometime next year.

Here’s the Rock or Bust track listing:

“Rock or Bust”
“Play Ball”
“Rock the Blues Away”
“Miss Adventure”
“Dogs of War”
“Got Some Rock & Roll Thunder”
“Hard Times”
“Baptism by Fire”
“Rock the House”
“Sweet Candy”
“Emission Control”

Copyright 2014 ABC News Radio

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Today, enjoy at least one song an hour from John Lennon on 96.9

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Founding KISS drummer Peter Criss is best known for his years keeping the beat for the recently inducted Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band, but he’s also making a name for himself as a spokesman for breast cancer awareness.

While the disease affects far fewer men than women, the 68-year-old rock legend was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008.  Thankfully, he’s been cancer-free going on seven years.

Criss now has been chosen as one of Hard Rock International’s Artist Ambassadors for the 2014 edition of its Pinktober campaign held in conjunction with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Peter is helping to spread the word that men also can be stricken with the disease.

At a recent New York City launch party for the initiative, the drummer told ABC News Radio that he appreciates the chance to team with the Hard Rock organization to help get the message out there.

“I’m really proud that the Hard Rock is getting involved with this with me, because for a while there, you kind of feel like you’re alone,” he explained.  “You know, you’re out there and you’re trying to get the word spread that ‘guys can get it, guys can get it.’  I feel like I’m with the big guys now.”

Criss said he was lucky that his cancer was caught in the early stages, and wants guys to know how important it is for them not to wait to see a doctor if they thing something is wrong.

“Go to the doctor immediately,” he insisted.  “Early detection will save your life.  It’s just that simple…You’d only be a fool and kidding yourself if you didn’t immediately get your ass over to a doctor’s and say, ‘I’d like you to just check this out.'”

Peter pointed out that some men might have a macho attitude that would make them hesitate getting examined for breast cancer, but he says, regardless of any possible stigma, going to a doctor is the sensible thing to do.

“I grew up in Brooklyn.  There’s nobody more tough than I can be, and I find that really the tough guys are the guys that get up and do something about it,” Criss maintained.  “And to get up and save your own life is pretty obvious…You gotta be crazy to wait around [and] think it’s gonna go away.

Beyond his work with the Hard Rock, Peter shows his support for breast cancer awareness by taking part in various promotional appearances, lectures and other events.  This October 19, the rocker will head to Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, to participate in the Making Strides for Breast Cancer charity walk, an event he’s been involved with for several years.

He told ABC News Radio that the walk is a “piece of cake” to complete, adding, “It gets better and better every year.  I don’t think it’s ’cause of me.  I just think maybe, you know, I just added to the party.”

The Pinktober initiative will raise money for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and other similar charities around the world via the sales of themed merchandise and menu items at Hard Rock’s cafes, hotels and casinos.  Special Hard Rock-sponsored events also will benefit the cause.

Copyright 2014 ABC News Radio

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