New York, March 10, 2008 – Was the 2008 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction somehow a lingering victim of the recent writers’ strike, we wondered as presenters and honorees made long-winded speeches, prolonging the ceremony for a full extra hour?  “I feel like I’m at the Oscars”, inductee Dave Clark said to Tom Hanks, who had just delivered a rambling introductory speech.  But alas, there was no Oscar-like musical chime reminding participants to wrap it up, and we thought Justin Timberlake’s ten-minute innuendo-and profanity-laden induction speech took the cake - until Madonna outdid him, starting off her 16-minute marathon acceptance speech by thanking her ballet teacher who encouraged her to pursue her dreams when she was 14.

We thought nothing could surprise Madonna, until she saw the shirtless Iggy Pop gyrating onstage while singing her songs.

A whole Philadelphia contingent took the stage when Patti LaBelle inducted legendary music producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, creators of the 1970s Sound of Philadelphia.  After belting out the duo’s song “If You Don’t Know Me By Now”, LaBelle told us backstage that her six-inch Versace heels were killing her. 

During rehearsals, we had a ball following the celebs around the On 3 Productions gift suite, where they checked out jewelry from D’Annunzio, Carlos Falchi bags and Caravan’s t-shirts, ethically produced in Kenya.  Everybody fiddled with Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, and even the organizers couldn’t believe it when Chevy Chase wandered in by chance, and good-naturedly chatted with purveyors, spritzed Redken products and kept us all laughing.