Hall of Fame Inductees Stress R&B;’s Rockin’ Role

Near the end of Monday’s 15th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, Paul McCartney introduced James Taylor by announcing, “I’m very honored to induct him into the Rhythm & Blues-Rock and Roll-Ballad-Jazz-Slow Fox Trot Awards.

“We all know you can’t really call it one thing, what’s going on here tonight,” McCartney explained. “ ‘Rock ‘n’ roll’ is too slim.”

Perhaps even more so than previous ceremonies, this year’s gala emphasized the diversity and the roots of contemporary pop music. In their acceptance speeches, inductees Bonnie Raitt and Eric Clapton acknowledged the debts they owe to seminal blues and R&B; musicians.

“I know how important it is for us to not only recognize their rightful place in our culture’s history, but to make certain they get what’s coming to them in the way of proper royalties and medical care,” said Raitt. “I’m proud to be a bridge between blues and rock, but I won’t be standing on the backs of those who didn’t get their due.”

In a lengthy tribute to Raitt that was alternately saucy and earnest, Melissa Etheridge described the Los Angeles-based singer as “a woman so tough, so uncompromising, so secure that she hasn’t felt the need to change her hairstyle in 30 years.” Etheridge joined Raitt for a feisty version of Raitt’s “Thing Called Love.”

Other musical highlights included Ray Charles’ elegant, plaintive reading of early-influence inductee Nat King Cole’s 1948 hit “Nature Boy,” and Clapton’s teaming with Robbie Robertson for a blistering version of the blues standard “Further on Up the Road.”

“For me, it’s about the music,” said Clapton. “I’m just the messenger. . . . I carry the message. I hope to be able to do that as long as I live.”

In a video clip shown after Paul Simon’s induction speech for the Moonglows, the R&B; group was depicted as “the sound of rhythm & blues blossoming into rock ‘n’ roll.” Simon, a notorious perfectionist, called the group’s most famous recording, “Sincerely,” a “perfect” single.

Diana Ross saluted Billie Holiday, who was inducted as an early influence, with an abridged, a cappella version of Holiday’s classic “Strange Fruit.” Lil’ Kim stressed hip-hop’s obligation to old-school soul by inducting Earth, Wind & Fire.

The original members of that ‘70s group--including leader Maurice White, who is suffering from Parkinson’s disease--reunited for a zesty performance of “Shining Star” and “That’s the Way of the World.” They also expressed gratitude to fans and industry supporters, among them Arista Records President Clive Davis, who was himself inducted as a nonperformer. Whitney Houston was supposed to sing her signature hit “I Will Always Love You” as a tribute to Davis, who was instrumental in launching her career. But she was forced to cancel because “she lost her voice,” a representative said.

Predictably, there were some lighter moments. Inducting the Lovin’ Spoonful, John Mellencamp recalled the role that the ‘60s folk-rock band’s songs played in his rebellious youth, concluding that these musicians inspired him “by writing songs so beautiful and simple that a dumb--- like me could get an acoustic guitar and play along.”

Drummer Hal Blaine, saxophonist King Curtis, bassist James Jamerson, guitarist Scotty Moore and drummer Earl Palmer were honored in the new “sidemen” category.

* Portions of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony will be broadcast on VH1 tonight at 9.