The class of 2006

Thumbs up to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame on their inspired choices for the class of 2006.

First up, Black Sabbath (pictured above). Admittedly, not everyone's cup of tea, but along with Purple, Zeppelin and the Who, responsible for so much that came after them. No Sabbath? No Metallica, Queens of the Stone Age or Pearl Jam. Low-down and dirty riffs, with thought-provoking lyrics that are the perfect remedy to the drudgery of suburban existence. Forget Neil Young ... Sabbath are the original godfathers of grunge.

Blondie. "Heart of Glass" ... a picture perfect bit of pop candy. Everyone's guilty pleasure. I also defy you to listen to the extended version of "Rapture" and admit that it doesn't bring dirty thoughts to mind.

Miles Davis. "Kind of Blue" is essential, even if most of his "fans" are pompous poseurs who don't know a thing about jazz.

Lynyrd Skynryd. "Sweet Home Alabama", their love letter to the South, is timeless. Along with their Atlanta cousins the Allmans, they brought out the more edgy side of the country/rock marriage first pioneered by the Eagles in the early 70s and are one of the entry points into the genre known as classic rock.

Sex Pistols. Brash. Ballsy. British. Green Day are a joke compared to the original anti-establishment punks that flamed out almost as soon as they lit up. You can bet that in twenty-five years, bands are still going to be covering the Pistols, like Velvet Revolver did on their spring tour this year with "Bodies".

Each of these inductees deserves a place in the Hall and it's a great group.