December 15, 2000 – In regards to his upcoming Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, Paul Simon said, "I am both pleased and flattered to be honored in this way. It has been an unbelievably rich and satisfying year for me, a rare year in which I've seen my past and present work merge in a variety of moving ways." Simon was referring to his new album and sold-out tour in U.S. and Europe, among other things. For one, he was also recently named the Musicares (the charity event of NARAS and the Grammies) 2001 Person of the Year and will be honored at a special tribute dinner and concert in Los Angeles during Grammy week. Furthermore, Rolling Stone's "People of the Year" issue included Simon with the heading "the return of the great songwriter."

Aerosmith released the following statement in regard to their Hall of Fame induction: "We thought we weren't ready to be put in a museum because we are too busy with our career. But since we're in, can we have the room next to Elvis?"

The 16th annual induction ceremonies for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will take place March 19th at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.

More on all of this year's inductees... including words from Michael Jackson and Johnnie "B. Goode" Johnson.