N.W.A, Deep Purple, Cheap Trick Chosen for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Every act besides N.W.A has a current touring entity, and they all have former members that may join them on the big evening. Of particular interest to metal fans will be the status of Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, who hasn’t played with the group since his departure in 1993. Drummer Ian Paice says he doesn’t know if he will even show up, let alone play with them. “He can confuse you sometimes,” he says. “You think he’ll do one thing and he’ll do the other. I wouldn’t put money either way on that one.”
Paice says that any decision regarding the performance will be made in conjunction with all the current members. “We don’t have salaried guys with [keyboardist] Don [Airey] and [guitarist] Steve [Morse]. They are fully accredited members of the band and they share in everything, and into decisions as well. They will have to be consulted and see how they feel about anything that the three of us originals think we would or wouldn’t like to do.”
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.”