DE LA ROCHA, VEDDER, KEITH RICHARDS, VELVET REVOLVER TO PRESENT AT ROCK HALL

The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction ceremony released their list of presenters for the March 12 Ceremony at New York City’s Waldorf Astoria. Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder will induct R.E.M., Velvet Revolver will induct Van Halen, and Rage Against The Machine frontman Zach De La Rocha will induct Patti Smith.

Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards will return as a presenter to induct the Ronettes. Richards was there just a few years ago to usher in ZZ Top, who he said were wanted by the law.

“What I’m going to say about the guys I’m about to bring on is that they’re just a solid band. This is the heartbeat of the whole country, of rock and roll. These guys know their blues, and they know how to dress it up. When I first saw them I thought, ‘I hope these guys are not on the run, because those disguises are not going to work, man…busted!'”

Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five will be the first rap/hip-hop group enshrined in the hall, and Jay-Z will present them in. There will also be a special ceremony in honor of the late Ahmet Ertegun, founder of Atlantic Records, who recently passed away.