Moody Blues in rock’s hall of fame

After a long wait, the Moody Blues have moved into rock’s rarest room.

The influential progressive rock group was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, ushered in by Heart’s Ann Wilson, who said the band “took me from childhood to adulthood as a disciple.” The Moody Blues were ahead of their time, cutting edge. Their concept album Days of Future Passed is considered a classic and includes the hit “Nights In White Satin.” Grounded in blues, they blended orchestral sounds into standard songs without missing a beat. Wilson reminded the sellout crowd at the Public Au- ditorium that the band never strayed far from its roots, saying, “the Moody Blues have always been a kick-ass rock band.”

Their diehard fans pushed for years for them to be nominated, citing their influence on bands like Yes, Genesis and Rush — all Hall of Famers.

Others inducted included jazz singer Nina Simone, rock bands The Cars, Dire Straits and Bon Jovi and blues singer Sister Rosetta Tharpe.