Iconoclast TOM WAITS was inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame by Neil Young at the ceremony Monday night honoring his vast and storied musical career spanning four decades. Waits accepted this honor with humor and heart, stating:
“Thanks, everybody, this is very encouraging. Songs are really just interesting things to do with the air. I was fifteen when I snuck in to a club to see Lightning Hopkins. I wore an overcoat, put white-out in my hair, drew on a mustache and said in a deep voice, “One ticket please.” I saw Lightning walk through a door in the back room that said, ‘Keep Out!! This Room for ENTERTAINERS ONLY.’ At the moment, I realized I wanted to get into show business as soon as possible.
I am grateful to my wife and my collaborator Kathleen Brennan. She is the light that helps me find my way and to my kids who have taught me everything I know.
