Rock and Roll Hall of Fame shows its age
New York (CBS) It wasn't a night for young people.
References to age and the passage of time were rife Monday night when the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted six new members at the annual black-tie dinner at The Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York.
Pictures: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductions
Motown's Darlene Love, one of the inductees, called it the best 70th birthday present she could ask for.
Paul Simon noted that Neil Diamond, who turned 70 in January, was first eligible for the honor in 1991 - 20 years ago. "What took so long?" he asked.
Leon Russell, the 68-year-old composer of such songs as "A Song for You"' and "Delta Lady," said he was in "a ditch beside the highway of life" when Elton John called a year ago and suggested they record an album together. The result was nominated for a Grammy.
Russell, with a shock of long white hair and beard, walked haltingly onstage with the help of a cane and met John for a warm embrace.
"Thank you very much," he said. "I appreciate it and Hallelujah."
The relatively young Alice Cooper, 62, struck an incongruous youthful note when he compared the induction to graduation day and said, "I feel like I'm getting a diploma - becoming a real person, you know?"
