Kool & The Gang (Jersey City), Dionne Warwick (East Orange) and Mary J. Blige (Saddle River) will be feted at the 2024 Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony October 19 at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland: Kool and Blige in the Performer Category, Warwick winning the “Musical Excellence” Award.

It’s amazing to think that Kool & The Gang started in Jersey City 59 years ago as The Jazziacs. The two co-founding members—bassist Robert “Kool” Bell and drummer/keyboardist George “Funky” Brown—are still at it with some new young lions in the band.