“Let’s face it. Nobody’s selling records anymore. The record industry died before you did. Congratulations, John.”

Billy Joel inducting John Mellencamp
into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Iggy and the Stooges will be performing for Madonna at this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. Before you say huh? too quickly, remember that they both have a Detroit connection. Maybe she can return the favor when The Stooges finally get inducted.

Okay the Grammys are over and no one was surprised that Amy Winehouse and Kanye West walked away with a fistful of gold statues. But I’m still elated that for some reason Herbie Hancock scored best album of the year for “River: The Joni Letters.” Not that it wasn’t worthy. It’s just that my favorites and the Grammy judges typically seem to be at odds. So often it seems that one artist has momentum in any given year and repeatedly wins  in multiple categories. And to some extent that happened this year with Winehouse and West. Maybe Hancock squeaked in because it was a draw between these two megastars. Whatever. These two artists at this point in their careers have transcended any popularity contests and aremoving into music legend status.

I’ve always been a fan of Joni Mitchell’s music and felt that her immense songwriting ability never quite got the recoginition it deserved and if this draws attention to both Mitchell and Hancock then everyone benefits.