As reported earlier, ALICE COOPER is among the 15 artists nominated for induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2011. Cooper reacts to the news:

"On behalf of Dennis (Dunaway), Neal (Smith), Michael (Bruce) and the late great Glen (Buxton), we are honored to be nominated for induction in to the hall. Anytime you are nominated in your chosen profession, it's definitely a compliment to be recognized.

It's hard to fathom possibly being in the same club as artists who inspired us originally, like THE BEATLES, THE STONES, THE BEACH BOYS, THE WHO, THE YARDBIRDS and CHUCK BERRY, and to be nominated the same year as legendary artists like my personal favorite songwriter of all time, LAURA NYRO, as well as DONOVAN, who sang on our Billion Dollar Babies record, and our good friends in Bon Jovi, is a great feeling.

Five guys starting a band, just hoping to meet girls and drink free beer, rehearsing and playing local bars five hours a night for the first few years -- that was us. We came up with the theatrics and made every effort not to sacrifice the music one bit; we thought it was like our job to bring theatrics to rock 'n' roll. And then, amazingly enough, we were having a bunch of massive hit records which was proof that theatricality and rock 'n' roll could, in fact, be joined successfully. We've been told that we revolutionized the live concert experience and if that's truly the case and it's led to this nomination for induction into the Hall of Fame, the only thing to say is, of course, 'there's no business like show business!"

Other acts on the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame nominee list include: THE BEASTIE BOYS, BON JOVI, NEIL DIAMOND, DONOVAN, TOM WAITS, LL COOL J, CHIC, DR. JOHN, J. GEILS BAND, DARLENE LOVE, LAURO NYRO, DONNA SUMMER, JOE TEX and CHUCK WILLIS

The inductees will be announced in December, and the 26th annual induction ceremony will be held on March 14 at the Waldorf-Astoria in Manhattan. Artists become eligible for nomination 25 years after the release of their first single or album, and the awards are voted on by more than 500 music professionals.