After a long wait, the Moody Blues have moved into rock's rarest room.
The influential British progressive rock group was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, on Saturday night, 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 Auditorium that the band never strayed far from its roots, saying, "the Moody Blues have always been a kick-ass rock band".
Their die-hard fans pushed for years for them to be nominated, citing their influence on bands like Yes, Genesis and Rush - all Hall of Famers.
Justin Hayward, the band's lead vocalist, guitarist and composer, said the band is honoured to be "in the home of our heroes".
Australian Associated Press
