Minutes after Run-DMC were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tonight, we got an e-mail from Eric "Shake" James, one of the late Jam Master Jay's closest friends, who was at the ceremony in Cleveland:

To me this is the greatest night in hip-hop!!! Run-DMC in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, wow! Remember the "King of Rock" video? "You don't belong here; this is for rock stars only." Now we're here, and we do belong!!!

Even though my best friend in the world, Jason Mizell, couldn't be here, I look up in the sky and feel him smiling and watchin' down!!! 1st to go gold, 1st on MTV and still making moves!! I see his boys, and I know he'd be (and is) so proud of them and his wife, Terri!!!! What an honor this is!!! We love and miss you, Jason!!!

If you thought Rickey Henderson's Hall of Fame induction a few days ago was a no-brainer, Run-DMC's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nod was even more of foregone conclusion.

Rickey — an MLB human highlight reel who patrolled left field with the flare of a cocky boxing champ — was a first-ballot inductee. If Run-DMC were equated to MLB heroes, the trio from Hollis, Queens, would be the Yankees — all 26 championships. They are undeniably the Greatest Hip-Hop Group of All Time, and their accolades — all 25 years' worth — are well-deserved.
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The Stooges buzz-sawed through a pair of Madonna songs at her induction last year, but maybe, hopefully, possibly, 2009 will be their turn to take the stage at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The legendary Detroit punk band, which reunited in 2003, is among the nominees for the 2009 Hall of Fame, along with Metallica, Run-DMC, guitarist Jeff Beck, disco-funk band Chic and "Low Rider" rockers War. Other nominees include 1950s doo-wop group Little Anthony and the Imperials, early rock singer Wanda Jackson (often referred to as "The First Lady of Rock and Roll") and 1970s soul singer Bobby Womack.
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