The 2009 Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Anoints Metallica, Run-D.M.C.
Posted April 9, 2009
This past Saturday night the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame inducted several musical acts and musicians into its iconic club, instantly bestowing rock god status, and securing their spot in music history. Heavy metal band Metallica and one of the pioneers of hip-hop; Run-DMC, were among the chosen few. The ceremony was held in Cleveland for the first time since 1997 in the historic public hall, a change from its previous location in New York City at the tony Astoria Hotel. If you couldn’t stay for the entire four hour show, this is what you missed.
“We are Not Your Monkeys”
The Hall of Fame honors have been notorious in the past as the stage for drama and controversy for its inductees; 
There was the failed Blondie reunion in 2006 and the Van Halen no-show in 2007, and an exceptionally bizarre refusal by the Sex Pistols to receive the honor in 2006 via a profane, incomprehensible, nearly illiterate tirade of a letter read aloud by their inductee that at one point exclaimed “we are not your monkeys.” Metallica, -no stranger to drama themselves, as is documented in their 2004 film documentary which included therapy for band members- promised a night of unity and celebration, even inviting ousted bassist Jason Newsted to perform with them.
This year though, controversy was limited to Jeff Beck giving the finger to those who did not support him throughout his career and Flea’s expletive laced induction speech for Metallica which actually was quite brilliant despite the F bombs and the tight camera shots on the small kids of the Metallica members in reaction. In addition, there was a slight p.r. scare for music mogul and notorious behind the scenes businessman Russell Simmons, who sat in the audience and had to endure RUN’s acceptance speech which painfully detailed Simmons’ weed smoking habits and penchant for screwdrivers, which they say accounted for his limitless creativity and the idea to do a rap version of Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way.”
Rock n Roll Beginnings
Behind the glitz and intrigue of the annual induction ceremony lay the solid foundation of the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame’s indelible footprint in music history. More than a repository of popular culture, it is the keeper of the arcane tidbits of the rock n roll music story, those building blocks of legend that help it bear witness to rock history. The Hall of Fame’s Landmark series project is an example of this and shows that the museum is not just a keeper of “things,” but also of places; the places that were pivotal to that most unique sound we call “rock n roll”.
The Hall’s Landmark series designates places around the country that have created, nurtured and kept alive this chaotic, rebellious, and disobedient music form through the decades, an underground railroad of sorts- through rock n roll history. But this is no traipse down memory lane, it is a treasure of answers to questions that have floated into our heads at some point in our lives but never long enough for us to think about googling them; like who came up with the term “rock n roll” anyway, and where did Go-Go girls come from? In the spirit of rock n' roll beginnings, KaraokeTraveler will feature a place on the Hall of Fame’s Landmark Series each week to bring to the fore those long forgotten places and people who made a fad a into a way of life. Performer Category Jeff Beck Best known as the guitarist for the Yardbirds. Noted rock, heavy metal, and jazz-fusion soloist. Little Anthony & the Imperials 1950 Doo Wop group best known for “Tears on My Pillow.” Metallica Pioneers of heavy “thrash’ metal, Best known for rock anthems such as “Unforgiven” and “Nothing Else Matters.” Run-D.M.C. Hip hop music pioneers largely responsible for taking the genre mainstream. Best known for its hit “Ist Like That,” and “Walk This Way.” Bobby Womack Prolific songwriter and singer, Womack is best known for his hit “Across 110th Street.” Sidemen Category Bill Black Best known as the bassist for Elvis Presley and his innovations playing the Fender Precision Bass guitar on early rock n’ roll albums in the 50’s. DJ Fontana Best known as the drummer for Elvis Presley. Fontana recorded “Heartbreak Hotel” and “Hound Dog” with Presley and influenced future drummers such as Ringo Starr. Spooner Oldham Oldham is a keyboard player, songwriter, and session musician that has worked with many artists including Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Jackson Browne. Best known as one of the musicians that recorded “Mustang Sally” and “When a Man Loves a Woman.”
Rock n' Roll Beginnings Series; First Installment, "The King of Race Music"
Metallica Run-D.M.C. Rock n Roll Hall of Fame induction 2009 ceremony Metallica induction, Jeff Beck, Flea, landmark series
