The Case For Al Kooper & Wayne Kramer For The R&R HOF

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But then, what choice does it have? Rock'n'roll has spent its first half-century acting out the implications of Walt Whitman's "Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself." It's the home of rejection, refusal, rebellion and from time to time, riot itself. At the same time, rock'n'roll as conceived by the Hall of Fame voters may start with Elvis and Little Richard but soon enough fans out to incorporate James Brown, George Clinton, and the giants of punk, girl groups, and (this better happen sooner than later or there really will be a riot goin' on) hip-hop. It's a term that represents not one thing but a set of them, and that set actually did conquer the world of music. There's not a place left on the planet where you can be safe from it.

It's wise to remember Whitman's sanguine response to self-contradiction: "I am large, I contain multitudes." Words that might, better than any song lyrics that come to mind, be carved above the entrance to the Hall of Fame building in Cleveland.

For my part, I promise as a writer and broadcaster to continue to agitate for my friends Al and Wayne to be in the Hall. Whether they like it or not. After all, part of the fun of writing about rock'n'roll is that you get to contradict yourself, too. For instance, even though I play the role of Nemesis among Deadheads, I think the Grateful Dead very much belong in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. After all, dopey as their music mostly is, they are very famous.