If I’m middle-aged, why do I have a zit on my chin?

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced its new inductees for 2007: Patti Smith, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, R.E.M., Van Halen, and the Ronettes. Which makes me think (1) wait, R.E.M.’s been around for 25 years? (2) If I’m middle-aged, why do I have a zit on my chin? And (3) man, as much reason as Smith might have to feel miffed that she’s been sidelined for too many years since she became eligible, the fucking Ronettes have even more. 

Also, you’ve got to wonder what the seating chart looks like for the members of Van Halen.

Incidentally, inductee Peter Buck of R.E.M. will be a guest on Sound Opinions this Saturday–as a sideman for Robyn Hitchcock, who may never get into any “hall of fame” but definitely deserves a pedestal in the “closet of underrecognized talent.”