QUICK TAKES - Sept. 24, 2009

Will tongues be wagging at next year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony? Specifically, the prodigious one that belongs to Gene Simmons of KISS, one of a dozen acts that made the final ballot from which five 2010 honorees will be chosen.

Along with KISS, on the ballot for the first time are the Red Hot Chili Peppers, LL Cool J, Laura Nyro, Jimmy Cliff, the Hollies and Genesis. Returning for another shot at induction this year are the Stooges (whose lead guitarist, Ron Asheton, died in January), Donna Summer, ABBA, Darlene Love and the Chantels.

Noticeably absent from the list is Sting, whose first solo album, “The Dream of the Blue Turtles,” came out in 1985, making him eligible for the first time. He’s been in the hall since the 2003 induction of the Police but would appear to be a prime candidate for separate recognition of his solo career.

Others among the missing this year are critically acclaimed figures whose records have not been huge commercial hits such as Randy Newman, Tom Waits, Gram Parsons and X.

The inductees are expected to be announced in December, and the winners will be recognized at the 25th annual Rock Hall induction ceremony scheduled for March 15 in New York City.

-- Randy Lewis