SIMONE CONTRIBUTION IMMORTALISED
SOUL singer Nina Simone, who raised awareness with a dazzling voice during the civil rights movement, is rock and roll royalty.
Simone was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland yesterday by R&B superstar Mary J Blige, who described her as “bold, strong, feisty and fearless and so vulnerable and transparent at the same time”.
A classically trained pianist, Simone is often referred to as “The High Priestess of Soul”. She influenced countless musicians, including hip-hop artists Jay-Z, Kanye West and others who first discovered her from a 2015 Oscar-nominated documentary. Blige feels a deep connection to Simone and said the women shared an ability to ease people’s pain and “help people heal. We help people get through.”
Simone died in 2003. Her brother, Jon Wayman, accepted the enshrinement trophy on her behalf.
Also enshrined were influential progressive rock group the Moody Blues and pioneering new wave band The Cars.