Random Thoughts While Watching The Rock 'n' Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony
by Sean Carolan

Isaac Hayes - Coolest guy in the house. Even better, he wanted to get paid.

Tom Petty - You can pogo to "American Girl", kinda. "I am not always a summer breeze" was said like a blast of smog. With his induction, he's officially a curmudgeon.

What the hell does the Overture from Tommy have to do with Clarinex?

How many completely disinterested faces is it possible to stuff into one ballroom?

The Heartbreakers - they speak!

Steve Cropper was a surprise when he wrote "Knock On Wood", when he played guitar on classic Stax records and then with the Blues Brothers. He's looking good and playing better. (Whoa, did they edit Jim Stewart's grandaughter's comments or what?)

Sam Moore - the moment he opens his mouth, the night stops being pre-fab, if only for a moment. But then they show Rob Thomas in the crowd, and the moment evaporates.

Oh, dear. I shouldn't still be infatuated with Tina Weymouth, should I? Should I?!? There she is, bopping to "Rockaway Beach"...

Eddie Vedder shaved his hair and found a sense of humor. I don't ever think I've seen that grin before...

Ramones induction: Okay, I'm now a big Dee Dee fan. Shame the mosh pit for Green Day's run through Teenage Lobotomy and Blitzkrieg Bop was kinda meager - probably because most attendees would have broken a hip...but wait, Fred Schneider! Go, Fred, go!!

No more scary Lexus commercials!!!

Why does Kiedis look like he's reporting for work at the call center?

Hilly Kristal gets mentioned twice...hm. Neat.

Talking Heads have no right to have been that good. With Bernie Worrell and Steve Scales filling out the band, they were almost up to their "Stop Making Sense" fighting weight. "Burning Down The House" was a shoo-in, but "Life During Wartime" was a canny choice. (And David can screw up as much as he likes, as long as they manage to play again in the future...)

And, um, did I mention Tina Weymouth?

Wait, wait - that's David Byrne, accepting Gene Pitney's award, isn't it? No? Um...

Tribute to Chet Atkins - A great guitar player, a great record executive...

"Here Comes The Sun": Dear sweet Lord, please make Rob Thomas stop!! I mean, Jewel's a bit too precious, though I credit her for never getting her teeth fixed, but there is no reason for Rob Thomas. Ever.

Brenda Lee - Actually, I always thought of her as "the one who isn't Peggy Lee". Probably not the first hotel ballroom she's played, either. Still, a voice that, if you stop and take the time to listen, is still capable of haunting you.

And with that, the class of 2002 is inducted. At least the Ramones got in pretty quick; it took Gene Pitney eight tries.

Where's my cane?

©2002 Sean Carolan