As if Tom Waits getting inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next month wasn’t a cool enough news story already, it just got an epic injection via the addition of another NorCal-based icon to the ceremony: Neil Young will do the honors of providing the speech for Waits’ induction, Rolling Stone reports. The event’s other notable induction speakers will include Elton John for Leon Russell, Paul Simon for Neil Diamond, Rob Zombie for Alice Cooper, John Legend for Dr. John, and Bette Midler for legendary singer/Phil Spector collaborator Darlene Love.
Waits and the Godfather of Grunge have crossed paths in public on numerous occasions over the years, more recently at Young’s annual Bridge School Benefit, which featured multiple performances by Waits. I can’t wait to hear what Neil has to say come March 17, but until then, let’s enjoy 2 excellent clips of Waits performing at the aforementioned charity concert back in 1999: