Ringo Starr and Joan Jett among rock stars inducted into Hall of Fame today

Green Day, soul singer-songwriter Bill Withers, underground-rock icon Lou Reed, bluesy guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band and The “5” Royales join former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr in today’s Rock n Roll Hall of Fame induction. Joan Jett, who helped found The Runaways, a band that broke down barriers for women in rock by delivering an unapologetic, loud style that empowered girls and boys, is the only female inductee.

If I’m going to be inducted, Cleveland is where it should be. I don’t find Cleveland to be a kind of place that puts on any airs, and I don’t either.

Joan Jett to the Cleveland Plain-Dealer

Ringo Starr, already a Hall of Fame inductee for his time with The Beatles, will re-enter the Hall as a solo act, joining former bandmates John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison. Starr will be inducted by McCartney, who pushed for the drummer’s enshrinement after learning Starr was the lone Beatle not to be honoured for his individual music. McCartney told Rolling Stone magazine he and Lennon began writing songs for Starr because fans were so fond of him.

When you think about it, how many people in rock and roll can sing? But Ringo can deliver a song.

Paul McCartney

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