Rock Royalty Hails U2, Pretenders
March 14, 2005 — -- U2 and other music legends get the royal treatment tonight as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame makes its annual inductions.
The Irish rockers, '70s Philly-soul gods The O'Jays, classic balladeer Percy Sledge, legendary bluesman Buddy Guy and New Wave pioneers The Pretenders will be honored at a ceremony at New York City's Waldorf-Astoria, although the Hall of Fame itself is located in Cleveland.
Artists become eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first record, and in its inimitable way, the rock hall will mix an eclectic group of presenters to toast the guests of honor.
The ceremony's 20th edition will feature Bruce Springsteen paying tribute to Ireland's favorite sons. He's returning a favor for Bono, who did the honors when the Boss was inducted in 1999.
Pop heartthrob Justin Timberlake, whose *NSYNC clearly was influenced by the male soul singers of the 1970s, will do the honors when he inducts the O'Jays. Rod Stewart will be saluting Sledge, another incomparable vocalist.
B.B. King and Eric Clapton are scheduled to honor guitar god Guy, while the original punk rocker, Neil Young will be paying dues to the Pretenders' musical prowess.
Twenty-five years after its groundbreaking debut, "Boy," U2 is on top of the world. Its latest critically acclaimed release, "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb," tops the charts in 20 countries and the band is undertaking a sold-out, yearlong world tour
Universally hailed as one of the best rock bands of all time, U2 has managed to maintain musical and social relevance in its long career. Bono's nomination for the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize, thanks to his extensive work with African debt and AIDS relief efforts, speaks volumes of U2's philosophy of using music as a platform to make the world a better place for everyone, especially the disadvantaged.
Ohio-based, Philly-sound soulsters the O'Jays are responsible for some of the biggest hits of the '70s. Songs like "Love Train," "Backstabbers" and "For the Love of Money" helped define the boogie-fever decade and have become classics.
