Alice Cooper, Neil Diamond, Tom Waits, Dr. John, Darlene Love

By Josh Sanburn Monday, Mar. 28, 2011

    • A new class of old legends was welcomed into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 14, and this year's lineup exemplified the hall's famously (and sometimes bafflingly) all-inclusive nature. There was boomer popster Neil Diamond, shock rocker Alice Cooper, who accepted his induction with a boa constrictor around his neck, and gravelly-voiced Tom Waits, who affected a lackadaisical tone ("Songs are really just interesting things to be doing with the air"). New Orleans legend Dr. John confided that piano wasn't even his original instrument, and former girl-group vocalist Darlene Love softened the boys'-night-out feel. Art Rupe, who helped launch Little Richard, Elektra Records founder Jac Holzman and keyboardist Leon Russell were also inducted. But in the end, it was Cooper (and his snake) who stole the show.