Rock Embraces Its Onetime Challengers

Only rock ‘n’ roll would be so brazen.

Twenty-five years ago, the punks and the new-wavers burst on the scene, desperately setting out to destroy what rock had become and turn it into something new. On Monday night, the same rockers that were rebelled against welcomed the infidels into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with champagne toasts, warm words and, of course, lots of loud music.

“Rock ‘n’ roll’s instinctive ability to absorb helps keep it alive,” said Seymour Stein, the Sire Records executive who signed new hall members the Ramones and Talking Heads. “Tonight, we celebrate the first inductees from the punk and new wave eras.”

Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, who inducted the Ramones at the black-tie soiree at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, said he worried that the punks from Forest Hills would never get their due for spawning the musical revolution of the ‘80s.

“[The Ramones] became a beacon for anyone who wanted to be in a band,” said Vedder, sporting a Mohawk haircut and a soul patch. “Within weeks, kids were forming their own bands.... You didn’t have to be a virtuoso or be genetically gifted with Elvis’ cheekbones.... The Ramones were our Beatles.”

The group’s original drummer, Tommy Ramone, accepting the honor, thanked his bandmates who were inducted (singer Joey Ramone, who died last year of cancer, guitarist Johnny Ramone, bassist Dee Dee Ramone and drummer Marky Ramone), as well as later member C.J. Ramone, who was not inducted. “We really loved each other, even when we weren’t being civil to each other,” said Tommy. “This honor means a lot to us. But it would really have meant everything to Joey.”

The Rock Hall’s Class of 2002 also included funk master Isaac Hayes, rockabilly-country sweetheart Brenda Lee, rockers Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, emotional ‘60s heartthrob Gene Pitney, Stax Records co-founder Jim Stewart as the “non-performer” inductee and Chet Atkins as the “sideman” inductee.

The 17th annual inductions brought the Hall of Fame membership to 192. An artist becomes eligible 25 years after the release of his or her first album.

Petty, who wrote such hits as “Refugee” and “Free Fallin’,” was inducted by the Wallflowers’ Jakob Dylan, who recalled how he used to watch from the wings as his father, Bob Dylan, performed with Petty as part of the Traveling Wilburys.

Petty gave perhaps the best summary of the evening: “‘Rock ‘n’ roll star’ is probably the purest mainstream manifestation of the American dream,” said the singer, who rolled out a rocking version of “American Girl” after receiving the award. “It is a blessing beyond belief. At its best, music really is a true magic. It’s liberated so many people in this world.”

In his comments, Hayes pleaded with the music industry audience to help musicians of his generation get all that’s owed to them for past work.

“I’m just asking you to practice some business ethics and a little humanity,” he said. “Do the right thing by me and my contemporaries.”

At the end of the evening, the traditional all-star jam was missing some faces, including the Ramones, Petty, Lee and Vedder. The jam was hampered by long delays and technical difficulties.

When asked why the Ramones hadn’t participated in the closing festivities, Talking Heads’ Jerry Harrison said with a smile, “The Ramones don’t jam.”

Glenn Gamboa is a pop music writer at Newsday, a Tribune Co. newspaper. Associated Press contributed to this report.

Highlights of Monday’s ceremonies will be televised tonight at 9 on VH1.