There was a bit of drama as the inductees arrived and rehearsals began on Thursday (October 17) in Cleveland for this year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, when word spread that two original members of Foreigner – including founder Mick Jones – will not be present this weekend.

Jones, who founded Foreigner in New York in 1976, is battling Parkinson’s disease, which keeps him away from the festivities.

Drummer Dennis Elliott posted on Facebook saying he would also not be attending the event, where the band will be inducted after receiving its first nomination this year. Elliott – who was with the band from 1976 to 1993 – wrote: “Dear overseas fans and friends. Don’t look too hard, we won’t be there. Last night we finally got the schedule, and it’s not to our satisfaction. So we stay at home. We’ve been asking for it for weeks, and they waited until the last minute to send it, knowing we were all packed up and going to bed. Totally unacceptable for us. I hope you have a nice time.’

That’s what sources in Cleveland say Billboard that a specific point of contention was that only band members were allowed to walk the red carpet before the show, without their spouses.

The group released a statement on social media saying: “FOREINER is very much looking forward to Saturday’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The band is joined by Demi Lovato, Sammy Hagar and Kelly Clarkson in a set celebrating the introduction of the boys who started it all almost fifty years ago. Original members Lou Gramm, Al Greenwood and Rick Wills will be on hand to accept the awards on behalf of the band’s leader and founder Mick Jones, drummer Dennis Elliot, and Ian McDonald and Ed Gagliardi, who are no longer with us .

Members of the current Foreigner lineup are expected to perform at Saturday’s ceremony at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, which will be streamed live on Disney+.

Fans responding to Elliott offered support, with one writing “this is very sad news” and another calling it a “travesty.”

Foreigner, who had been eligible since 2002, was long considered one of the Rock Hall’s biggest negatives over the years. The group has sold more than 80 million records worldwide, with hits including “Feels Like the First Time,” “Cold as Ice,” “Hot Blooded,” “Juke Box Hero” and “I Want to Know What Love Is.” Foreigner finished third in the fan votes, with 528,000.

Foreigner will be part of a class of 2024 that also includes Mary J. Blige, Cher, the Dave Matthews Band, Peter Frampton, Kool & the Gang, Ozzy Osbourne and A Tribe Called Quest in the artist category.