Neil Diamond Inducted Into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

FoxNews ^ | 12/15/10 | Staff

[MissTed]

He's coming to America ... today!

(Because that's where the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is.)

Yes Neil Diamond, who had been eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for several years but never got a nomination, is in.

"I thought about it occasionally, but I kind of figured they'd get around to me at some point," he said in a phone interview.

That point came on Tuesday, as the 2011 class for the Cleveland hall was revealed. Diamond, whose hits include "Sweet Caroline," made the list, along with the Alice Cooper Band, New Orleans musician Dr. John, Darlene Love and singer-songwriter Tom Waits.

slideshow

We count down the skankiest do's in rock.

Piano man Leon Russell was honored with a musical excellence award, previously the sideman category. Executives Jac Holzman and Art Rupe were given the Ahmet Ertegun Awards.

[MissTed]

So sue me, I love Neil Diamond!

[NCBraveheart]

Neil Diamond?????? R U Kidding? Where is KISS or Judas Priest? Neil Diamond is NOT rock & roll, EZ listening yes, rock NO!!!

[pieceofthepuzzle]

MIght as well induct Mitch Miller into the RHOF. The people they've passed up is just astounding. Nothing against Neil Diamond.

[puppypusher]

Its about time he was inducted into the Rock and roll hall of fame.
What took them so long?

[Vanbasten]

I love me some Neil Diamond too. One of the best concerts I’ve ever been to.

Congrats Neil!

[blackdog]

The Last Waltz finally got it's due. Neil Diamond was certainly out of place for the time, but his talent grows on you as you age.

As for Doctor John, Amen!

Is Van the man (morrisson) in?

[shibumi]

HaHaHaHaHa!!!

HoHoHoHaHaHaHaHa!

Snicker! Snort!

HaHaHa1

STOP! (You’re killin’ me!)

Rip! Snort! Guffaw! Chickle! ..... HaHaHaHaHa!!!!!

hahaha!

What? heh-heh What? - you’re serious? hem ...heh-heh

heh

no, really?

[dfwgator]

Neil Diamond before he became a parody of himself, was an excellent songwriter in the 60s, he should be in.

[shibumi]

"...but his talent grows on you as you age. "

So do nose hairs.

[kickonly88]

I like music, all kinds of music, especially R&R but I would avoid the rock&roll hall of fame like the plague.

[GoCards]

Oh my me too!! I remember my mother putting on the album Hot August Night and I was hooked. My favorite though is Sweet Caroline.

[Michael.SF.]

Van has been for about ten years or so. He did not perform, at his induction, I think it was Green Day that performed in his place as Van was a big influence on their lead singer.

[mylife]

It’s actually a pretty cool place.

[tatsinfla]

alice cooper was way overdue to be inducted....

[diverteach]

Niel Diamond + Rock & Roll???

What’s next, Run DMC into the country music hall of fame?

[blackdog]

Whenevr the awful reality of todays conditions hits me hard, I pull out my “Last Waltz” CD and chill with wine and a good meal. Every time I watch it I still cannot figure what Neil Diamond is doing there?

[Michael.SF.]

Alice Cooper Band, New Orleans musician Dr. John, Darlene Love and singer-songwriter Tom Waits.

I personally am a big fan of Tom Waits, who writes some great songs (Ol '55, Downtown Train, San Diego Serenade, Heart of Saturday Night and my favorite: Cold, Cold, Ground) But I still have a hard time thinking of him in the Pop-Rock-HOF.

[ClearCase_guy]

I think it's interesting that both Dr. John and Neil Diamond performed at The Band's last concert (The Last Waltz) in 1977. And here it is, a mere 33 years later, and they are getting into the HOF.

Is there a list of people who should be in the HOF but are not? I believe there are a lot of big names who just haven't made it.

[MissTed]

That one and “Holly Holy”. His older music is great!

[hoagy62]

And once more, the Ten Fingers of Doom, TruNorth BloodBrother #1, the Motor City Madman, TED HUGENT....was skipped over.

To blazes with the RRHOF. Bastards.

[blackdog]

Back in 93 I flew into Burke Lakefront Airport, and they were just constructing the place at the time.

Awesome airport to fly into. I could see the faces of people in office buildings from the marker inbound. I hope to get back there some day.

[shibumi]

"Whenevr the awful reality of todays conditions hits me hard, I pull out my “Last Waltz” CD and chill with wine and a good meal. Every time I watch it I still cannot figure what Neil Diamond is doing there?"

You have posed a metaphysical Gordian Knot, the untying of which is far beyond my meager analytical ability.

[Michael.SF.]

I would avoid the rock&roll hall of fame like the plague.

I went to a museum in Scottsdale, Az. called the Musical Instrument Museum, I was not too excited about going, but it was great (too much focus in some areas though), but I not only enjoyed it, I want to go back.

If the RR HOF is anything close to the MIM, I think you would be pleasantly surprised.

[hoagy62]

Ted WHAT????

I mean...TED NUGENT.....

(Aw, crap...now I gotta watch out for flying arrows....)

[Michael.SF.]

Ted who?

If his fans can't even spell his name............

;)

[Michael.SF.]

you beat me!

[blackdog]

An Alexandrian solution perhaps?

[IYAS9YAS]

I like Neil Diamond, but what of his was either rock and or roll?

[Drew68]

And once more, the Ten Fingers of Doom, TruNorth BloodBrother #1, the Motor City Madman, TED HUGENT....was skipped over.

The Nuge' will never, ever, ever be inducted into the RRHOF --a fact I'm sure even Ted himself understands.

[InvisibleChurch]

Dear R n R HoF, Since you’re too stupid to acknowledge Jethro Tull when they were first eligible then please do not offer them a spot. Ever. We Tull fans prefer this.

[SoFloFreeper]

KISS is not there yet?

[shibumi]

Being forced to listen to the subject “artist” for extended periods as I was during several years of my first marriage, did, indeed, lead to the “cutting of a knot.”

Or, at the very least, it was a major contributing factor.

[paul51]

lawrence welk snubbed again? Just kidding. I actually enjoy diamond's stuff

[Netizen]

Hot August Night is a great album.

[Carley]

Sue ME.........I love Neil Diamond 2

[MissTed]

I knew I'd get flamed for posting this. lol

[Hatteras]

I think he meant Ted Hughent. Seriesly.

[blackdog]

Ya know, the level of intellect here on FR is refreshing (despite my weight on the curve downward). There are so many people with a wonderful grasp on so many things it boggles my mind.

[hoagy62]

I’m sure you’re right. Ted probably understands and doesn’t give a flying you-know-what.

But still...just once, I want to see a “good guy” get his due. And if those fruitabegas at the RRHOF can’t see that, then they can perform a physically impossible act.

(Which is entirely likely that many have tried...)

[sox_the_cat]

I was surprised Tom Waits wasn’t inducted years ago. I’m addicted to his music. Cold, Cold Ground is one of my favorites too. Never Let Go is amazing, anytime you can work St Peter and Judas into a song, that’s a feat.

[blackdog]

The overexposure of AM radio top 40 formats did to me regarding Neil Diamond, what the guy in Clockwork Orange experienced after his therapy sessions.

One look or note of the guy made me ill. Decades gone by have helped. Time heals all wrongs.

[shibumi]

Since you are the one who posed the analogy, you should not be all that surprised that someone understood the reference.

(That, and a lot of us here are old enough to have had Baldwin’s “Famous Stories Retold” as a childhood companion.)

[shibumi]

...bugers, fries.....what kind o’ pies?

[rottndog]

I like Neil Diamond, but the RRHOF has about as much legitimacy as the Nobel Peace Prize....until Rush is in there.

[princeofdarkness]

How can you say no to the guy who did “Cherry Cherry”, “I’m A Believer”, and “Thank The Lord For The Night Time”. He deserves to be in the RRHOF.

[dfwgator]

I like Neil Diamond, but the RRHOF has about as much legitimacy as the Nobel Peace Prize....until Rush is in there.

Being a DJ in Pittsburgh doesn't seem worthy of the RRHOF.

[rottndog]

Not this Rush...



THIS RUSH:

[Vermont Lt]

I agree. His songwriting stuff should have gotten him in on its own.

I know a lot of it sounds silly, and is not “hard” rock, but if you put a play list of all of his stuff, back to back, you could listen for a long time and still hear stuff you know.

Hall of Fame’s on the other hand are a scam. They just add folks whom they think will draw a crowd to their museum.

Once in a while it would be nice for the Sports halls of fame to just say, “Nope, no one got in this year,” instead of diluting the honor.

[dfwgator]

LOL, I was just joshing with you.

[dfwgator]

A lot of bands covered his songs in the 60s as well, “Deep Purple” did ‘Kentucky Woman’ for one.