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The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame today announced its Class of 2018 inductees. The eclectic group includes…

• Bon Jovi, the arena rockers led by New Jersey native Jon Bon Jovi (Bongiovi), cousin of Tony Bongiovi, founder of New York City’s iconic Power Station recording studio.

• The Cars, pioneers of the late ‘70s New Wave movement.

• Dire Straits, one of the ’80s most original bands, led by Mark Knopfler, a singer/guitarist who defies categorization.

• The Moody Blues, pioneers of synthesizer-driven progressive “art” rock whose landmark 1967 album Days of Future Passed resonates 50 years later.

The late “high priestess of soul” Nina Simone (1933-2003), an activist singer named one of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe (1915-1973), gospel singer/guitarist and essential figure in the early history of rock and roll who gained instant fame for her 1938 hit “Rock Me,” will posthumously receive the Award for Early Influence.

To be eligible for induction, an individual artist or band must have released its first commercial recording at least 25 years prior to the year of induction — in this case, 1992.

Ballots were sent to an international voting body of more than 1,000 artists, including current living inductees, historians, and members of the music industry. Factors such as an artist’s musical influence on other artists, length and depth of career and the body of work, innovation and superiority in style and technique are taken into consideration.

The Class of 2018 was chosen by more than 900 voting members with the top five artists chosen by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s online Fan’s Ballot factored in. Four of the inductees — Bon Jovi, The Cars, Dire Straits, and The Moody Blues — were winners of the Fans’ Ballot, and four of the inductees were on the ballot for the first time: Dire Straits, The Moody Blues, Nina Simone, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe.

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, home of the The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame museum. Ticket on-sale dates will be announced at a later date. The Rock Hall will host a week of events leading up to the celebration including the unveiling of the 2018 Inductee exhibit.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2018 Induction Ceremony will have its television premiere on HBO and a radio broadcast on SiriusXM. Details will be announced at a later date.

For more information, visit rockhall.com.