The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame dinner/ceremony is always a treat because, well, it’s rock and roll!

Yes, everyone dresses up in a tux, but no one is really fooling anyone—most of us don’t belong in a tux. It’s almost funny to see, because the real rockers there always look like they’re in some sort of a costume that really doesn’t work—you don’t really buy it.

I must say that when the Rock Hall first started it was much more heady as you saw spectacles like Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Bob Dylan, Bono, Bruce Springsteen and more all on the same stage at the same time jamming away during the traditional jam session at the end of the show. Hell, I once saw Led Zep, Eddie Vedder, and Neil Young all playing together—it was un-f*cking real!!

Now it’s down to acts like Alice Cooper, but that’s OK, Alice invented the rock show after all.

When you go, the best part is, you are surrounded by so many artists (who are there as presenters as well as award winners) who are deep inside your DNA, and you continually literally, bump into them throughout the night, which makes for an unreal experience.

For instance, in the bathroom I was washing my hands, and to my right washing his hands was Elton John. I looked over and said, “Hey Elton, I’ve been promoting the hell out of your album for the past four months!” He replied, “Wow, well you’re doing a really great job, thanks so much!” I went to leave, and at the door was Neil Young.
Now this is a guy who’s music made it’s way into my soul very early on during Buffalo Springfield days—so it was quite enjoyable to be able to tell him that. He was very nice and sincerely thanked me—a very sweet human connection one to one.

What I also find fascinating is that all artists are fans of other artists. So, it’s not just us industry folks (who are also fans), who are blown away by the intensity in the room.
Elton sounded positively like a little boy in a candy shop as he inducted Leon Russell in a speech where he made mention of all the great piano players in the room that he said were so much better than he. One of those was Mac Rebennack, aka Dr. John. Mac is one of, …no, Mac IS THE trippiest guy on the planet! That’s a whole other blog in and of itself, but it was great to see Mac get inducted.

So, then comes the inevitable question—what took so f*cking long???

I’m afraid it’s gonna get a little political from here on out and I will have to hop on my rock soap box.

Tune back in soon for part 2.

Until then, I urge you to rail against age, stay forever young, and…

Keep rockin’
Rap~