LOS ANGELES ― For the first time in its 25-year history, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will allow an audience into rehearsals for its star-studded induction ceremony and dinner, which take place this year on March 14 at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in N.Y.

Through a new partnership between the Rock Hall and the Gilt City website, which specializes in luxury services and experiences, fans can buy tickets that will include admission to the March 13 rehearsal for this year’s event, at which the Alice Cooper Band, Neil Diamond, Tom Waits, Dr. John and Darlene Love are being inducted.

The privilege comes at a price, however. A VIP ticket that opens the door to otherwise closed rehearsals costs $3,500, and also includes entrance to the pre-ceremony cocktail party and the awards dinner itself. For $2,000, members of the public can get into the cocktail party and awards dinner.

This year’s honorees are being inducted by Neil Young (Waits), Paul Simon (Diamond), Bette Midler (Love), Rob Zombie (Cooper) and John Legend (Dr. John). Elton John will present Leon Russell with the hall’s new musical excellence award, which replaces the former Sideman category; Doors’ drummer John Densmore will usher in Elektra Records founder Jac Holzman as a non-performer; and Lloyd Price will do the same for Specialty Records founder Art Rupe.

By Randy Lewis 

(Los Angeles Times)

(McClatchy-Tribune Information Services)