Alpert, Pickett, Toussaint feted at Rock Hall of Fame Ceremony

By now, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has moved past the early years of rock and into its new wave/punk period. But early pioneers will always be a part of the proceedings, as proven by the 21st Annual induction ceremony, held March 13 in New York.

Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss were inducted into the hall, not as musicians (trumpeter Alpert is famous for his Tijuana Brass work and solo hits) but for founding A&M Records, for decades the most successful independant label in the world and home to oldies artists such as Alpert, Burt Bacharach, George Benson, Captain & Tennille, The Carpenters, Joe Cocker, Richie Havens, Billy Preston and Cat Stevens. Soul legend Wilson Pickett, who died recently at the age of 64, was honored for his work with a medley of "634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.)," "Mustang Sally," and "Land of 1000 Dances" featuring Solomon Burke and Clarence Clemons, among others. In another salute to the still-struggling New Orleans community, Allen Toussaint and Elvis Costello joined Robbie Robertson and Buckwheat Zydeco in a tribute to that city's famous soul, R&B, and funk output.

Highlights of the evening's festivities are scheduled to be broadcast by VH1 on March 21 at 8 PM ET/PT.