Pink Floyd, The Who, Eurythmics, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, The Kinks, Joy Division/ New Order and the late John Peel were all added to the UK's Music Hall Of Fame at an event in London last night, though Ozzy Osbourne stole the show as he accepted Black Sabbath's place on the music roll of honour by mooning at the audience.
There was less showmanship from Pink Floyd as they accepted their induction, though some of the famous tension between band members Roger Waters and Dave Gilmour was on show. Gilmour and drummer Nick Mason were at the London ceremony, but Waters spoke via a satellite link up to Rome, where his opera 'Ca Ira' is being staged. Waters thanked "all the passengers on this fabulous ride we've been on", to which Gilmour responded: "I confess I've never felt like a passenger". The band confirmed that, despite their brief reunion for Live 8 earlier this year, they have no plans to reform. Gilmour said: "The Live 8 moment was a wonderful moment. But we've all moved on and [there are] lots of other things to be thrilled about these days."
Damon Albarn led the tributes to the late great John Peel, whose wife Sheila accepted his induction in the Hall Of Fame. Albarn told the audience: "I feel John Peel was somebody that we could all trust. Throughout his life, he gave people a sense of a bigger world out there."
It is only the second year of the UK Hall Of Fame, of course, but the programme is proving popular with many in the industry. After stealing the show, Ozzy Osbourne gave his support to the concept, telling reporters: "Considering the amount of talent that comes out of this country, it should have been done twenty years ago". Organisers of the event confirmed they are currently looking into opening a museum type attraction to pay tribute to the artists inducted into the Hall Of Fame, with the possibility of using part of London's Millennium Dome. A spokesman for the programme said: "Meetings are happening at the top level and we hope to make an announcement shortly".