R.E.M., Van Halen among Rock Hall inductees

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Musi....ap/index.html

CLEVELAND, Ohio (AP) -- Van Halen made a "jump" into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Monday along with Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, R.E.M., the Ronettes and Patti Smith.

Oh, Christ-a-mighty! The Ronettes? They were really just puppets used by Phil Spector, and he's already been inducted on his own. They didn't write, didn't produce, didn't play, etc. Okay, so they had a string of hit singles 40 years ago, but when they were over, they were over. Meanwhile Carly Simon, Linda Ronstadt and, um Stevie, who have had enduring, enriching careers, continue to get ignored.

It will be very interesting to see if all of the Van Halens will show up, especially since there are now three warring factions: Alex and Eddie, Michael and Sammy, and David. And what about Gary Cherrone?