Our apologies as we should have put this up five days ago....but considering that it took the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame decades to right some of these wrongs, we don't feel so bad.

One of the major (of the many) criticisms of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is that it ignored many of the great backing bands of the early stars of Rock and Roll.  The Hall may have liustened to this as they have done something progressive (for them) and have inducted six backing bands who helped shape the Rock and Roll landscape that we know.

The new inductees are The Famous Flames, who backed up James Brown.  As the pioneers of modern funk, many musical critics have lobbying for this induction for years.   It also includes the Crickets, who along with Buddy Holly were responsible for the some of the best Rock and Roll from the 1950's.  Gene Vincent's Blue Caps, Hank Ballard's Moonlighters and Bill Haley's Comets are also going to be inducted this spring.

For us though, we are very happy to see the Miracles inducted into the Hall of Fame.  Many musical critics were not happy when Smokey Robinson was inducted without them, and although it took well over twenty years to right this wrong, we are happy that it did occur.

Congratulations to all these wonderful musicians who are receiving this well deserved accolade.

I wish I could say that this was a surprise but I don't that there is anyone who has watched the downfall of Whitney Houston over the last ten years that is shocked but the news of her passing.

Whitney Houston seemed meant for stardom.  With the look of a star, the voice of an angel and the poise of a seasoned celebrity, she dominated the Pop charts for years n the late 80's and early 90's.  Everything she touched, turned to gold and as an artist who was not known for edgy material, there was really no reason to think that she wouldn't age gracefully and have hits for decades to come.  We all know, it didn't happen that way.

Houston would meet Bobby Brown, and the princess unravelled before our eyes.  Her drug use became apparent, and her public appearances were ravaged with incoherent ramblings.  Her looks faded, her album sales dropped, and the woman who had it all turned into a punchline.

Tonight we will forget that, and honor one of the greatest voices we have ever heard. 

So how are we to remember Ricky Williams?  Is it as the man who was part of the dumbest draft day trade when Mike Ditka convinced the New Orleans Saints to give up their ENTIRE draft to get him?  Is it as the guy who foolishly cost himself millions by signing Master P as an agent and signed one of the dumbest deals in history.  Is it as the eccentric introvert who likely never really loved football and would rather smoke weed?  Or maybe as the man who led the NFL in rushing yards in 2002?

Maybe it is a combonation of everything.  Here is what we do know: Ricky Williams finishes his professional career with 10,000 yards and a Pro Bowl appearance.  These are good numbers and we would put him in a Hall of Good or even a Hall of What If?  He may not be a Hall of Fame Running Back, but he always entertained us.  Good luck on your next stage of life.

Ten years ago when Nipplegate happened, I missed it completely.  I was at a friend's house with six other guys and we played poker through most of the Halftime Show.  The women, came downstairs to watch the Halftime Show, but long story short, through twelve sets of unfocused eyes, Janet Jackson's left nipple was not seen by my pizza guzzling bunch.

Yesterday, it happened again.  This time I watched the game at home with my wife, who only wanted to watch the Halftime show.  This time while watching, we again missed it, this time it was the extended middle finger of M.I.A..  It may have only been on screen for half a second, yet it has set the internet a buzz with opinions.  So.....want to hear mine?

First off, let me say I thought Madonna killed it.  Many have criticized what appeared to be lip synced, but after the abuse Fergie took last year for her out of tune performance, a perfectionist like Madonna likely thought she would take the safe route.

This leads to the next statement about Madonna: since when did she start playing it safe?  Since she got old, that's when.  Look, everyone can agree that Madonna was the ultimate Pop Chameleon, and she still is.  She has now transformed herself from the Pop's Queen, to the "Queen of Pop"; a Diva that is to be looked up to and respected.  She knows she is 53, and for her to prance around in bare mid riffs would look silly (even though she has a better body than 90 percent of women half her age).  She is acting her age, and not trying to look desperatley cool; basically what i am saying is that she is entering the icon to legend stage and doing it with far more grace than we would have thought she was capable of based on her 80's persona.

Now, M.I.A. did something controversial and Madonna is no stranger to this.  Here is the difference though: when Madonna pushed the sexual bundaries, it was well crafted and considered and you could make a statement that everything had an artistic base to it.   So what does M.I.A. do on the largest stage imaginable?  A finger.  A lousy finger that has everyone offering an opinion.  Here is mine:  I am not offended by it, and I belive that goes for many of the people I associate with, but I understand why some people are.  I also like televised controversy as it makes things interesting.  

However.....this is just plain lazy.  This was the best she could do?  Is there a statement she is trying to make, because i don't see it....especially after a hologram for "World Peace" flashed shortly after the performance.  It didn't fit, it had no artistic message, nor was it interesting.  It was nothing more than an immature gesture from am acclaimed artist capable of way more than that. 

The only controversy here is that we care so much.