Bon Jovi, Moody Blues among 2018 Rock Hall inductees

— -- The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced its list of 2018 inductees, and they include four enduring bands from the classic-rock world as well as an influential jazz-soul singer and pianist.

Next year's honorees in the performers category are Bon Jovi, The Moody Blues, Dire Straits, The Cars and Nina Simone. The 33rd annual ceremony is scheduled for April 14 at Public Auditorium in Cleveland, where the hall is located.

In addition, rock 'n' roll pioneer Sister Rosetta Tharpe will be inducted in conjunction with receiving the Award for Early Influence.

Bon Jovi, The Moody Blues, Dire Straits and The Cars -- in that order -- were the top four vote-getters in the Rock Hall's fan poll picking the favorite nominated artists. Notably, four of the honorees were nominated for the first time ever this year: The Moodies, Dire Straits, Simone and Tharpe.

Bon Jovi is the only new inductee that was eligible for the honor for fewer than 10 years, having first qualified for induction in 2009. Simone and Tharpe have been eligible since the Rock Hall's inception in 1986, The Moody Blues became eligible in 1989, and Dire Straits and The Cars first qualified in 2004.

Leading up to the 2018 ceremony, a week-long series of events will be held at the Hall of Fame and Museum, including an exhibit focusing on the new inductees that will open on April 7.

Information on how the general public can buy tickets for the 2018 Rock Hall ceremony will be announced in January. As usual, an HBO special featuring highlights from the big event will air in the weeks following the ceremony.