The next inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2011 is singer-songwriter Neil Diamond.

Diamond was first eligible for the Hall in 1989 but went unnominated until the year he got in. At least he made it on his first ballot, though I’d argue it was a couple of decades late. Say what you will about Diamond — bemoan his corniness and the schlocky quality of some of his material — but the man is a beloved hitmaker whose songs have been performed by artists of all genres.

Diamond has written and recorded ten #1 hits and landed 28 others in the top ten. His ‘Sweet Caroline’ is performed regularly, with full audience participation, in sports arenas and bars all over the world.

And while some of those songs are suspect (I certainly won’t mount a defense for ‘Heartlight’ anytime soon), many others are downright cool. There’s a reason Quentin Tarantino, one of our hippest filmmakers, has used his work in more than one movie.

Diamond retired from touring in 2018 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. In 2021, a jukebox musical based on his life titled A Beautiful Noise opened on Broadway. Now 84, he is a living legend more than worthy of the Hall of Fame.