U2, Pretenders, O'Jays
join Rock Hall of Fame

updated 10:51 a.m. ET March 15, 2005

NEW YORK - Minutes after U2 was officially bumped up to legendary status after a raucous, sentimental induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Irish quartet headed to the media room to answer questions about their momentous honor.

But perhaps only a rock band fronted by Bono would first be asked about everything but music.

“Bono! ... What about the Nobel Peace Prize?” one reporter called out, querying as to whether Bono’s mission to eradicate third-world debt would get him the honor.

“Rock star is already having the cream of the cake,” Bono replied.

Another wondered whether Bono assume the presidency of the World Bank, as the latest Bono-leading-the-free-world rumor would suggest.

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Over U2’s 30-year journey from the streets of Dublin to becoming the world’s most important rock band, there have often been times when Bono’s charisma, his charitable efforts (and more recently a fashion line) have eclipsed his collaborators and lifelong friends: U2’s other members, guitarist The Edge, bassist Adam Clayton and drummer Larry Mullen Jr.

But on Monday evening, if not always clear to others, their rock peers recognized the collaborative achievements of perhaps the most groundbreaking rock group in the past two decades.

“Uno, dos, tres, catorce,” said Bruce Springsteen, quoting the Spanish countdown in U2’s recent hit “Vertigo,” as he inducted the band into the rock hall with a loving, humorous tribute.

“The translation is one, two, three, fourteen. That is the correct math for rock ’n’ roll. The whole had better equal a lot more than the sum of its parts — or else you’re just rubbing two sticks together.”

The star attraction
On a night when The Pretenders, The O’Jays, Percy Sledge and blues legend Buddy Guy received key to rock’s exclusive club, U2 was clearly the evening’s star attraction.

“They are the keepers of some of the most beautiful sonic orchestration in rock and roll,” Springsteen said of the band.

Though they weren’t inducted until after midnight, the ballroom was still packed. And when they performed some of their biggest hits, including “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” with an assist from Springsteen — everyone, from celebrities such as Catherine Zeta-Jones to grizzled industry folk, jumped out of their seats to cheer them on.

But they were hardly the evening’s only highlight.

The O’Jays are best know for their work with Philly soul producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, but the gospel-styled singers are actually from Canton, Ohio. “Back Stabbers” was a big hit in 1972, with “Love Train” and “For the Love of Money” other well-known songs.

After film clips showed them in wild tuxes during the 1970s, the quartet wore simple black suits to perform a medley including each of those songs. They were inducted by singer Justin Timberlake.

“Anyone who’s ever written, produced or performed something soulful stands in the shadows of these giants,” Timberlake said.

If nothing else, Sledge’s voice has been the backdrop to countless romantic encounters. The Southern soul singer is best known for “When a Man Loves a Woman.”

Rod Stewart called it “one of the best performances I’ve ever heard and I’m sure you’ve ever heard.”

The Pretenders came from the same rock generation as U2. Ohio native Chrissie Hynde was a tough but tender role model for women, singing “Brass in Pocket,” “Precious” and “Back on the Chain Gang.”

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