http://theedge.bostonhera...icleid=760

The 19th Hall: A Prince and a Beatle among those making rock 'n' roll history tonight
By Sarah Rodman/Music
Monday, March 15, 2004

The 19th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony takes place tonight at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York. And it turns out that 19 is a key number for much of the 2004 incoming class.

Confessional singer-songwriter Jackson Browne was 19 when he recorded his first album, which is still unreleased, in 1967. Browne enjoyed a string of hit albums and singles throughout the '70s and '80s including ``Running on Empty,'' ``The Pretender'' and ``Somebody's Baby.'' He released his latest album, ``Naked Ride Home'' and toured with Tom Petty in 2002. Browne, 55, is being inducted by friend Bruce Springsteen.

Chicago doo-wop and soul quintet the Dells formed in 1953, when member Chuck Barksdale was just 19, and managed to keep the group together with just one lineup change well into the 1990s. The group racked up a number of hits, the best known of which is ``Oh What a Night.'' At press time it was not known who would induct the group.

Former Beatle George Harrison, who passed away in November 2001, is being honored for his solo work. Harrison, who was 19 when the Beatles solidified their famous lineup in 1962, enjoyed a healthy post-Fab career beginning with the masterful ``All Things Must Pass'' album in 1970 through the posthumously released ``Brainwashed'' in 2002. Fellow Traveling Wilburys Petty and Jeff Lynne will perform his induction.

In 1978, a 19-year-old wunderkind from Minneapolis named Prince released his first album, ``For You,'' establishing his twin obsessions with sex and God, and revealing his one-man-band prowess at writing, performing and producing. 1984's film and soundtrack ``Purple Rain'' exploded his popularity. Through the years, the deeply funky one was also deeply idiosyncratic, famously changed his name to an unutterable symbol. He decided to rejoin the real world this year with a white-hot performance with Beyonce at the Grammy awards. Prince, 45,plans to tour next month, no Boston date yet, behind his new album, ``Musicology.'' OutKast and Alicia Keys will try to find the words tonight to induct the quirky virtuoso.

No 19 references, but Kid Rock will likely give a highly entertaining speech to induct Michigan homeboy and musical forebear Bob Seger into the Hall. Seger released his first album in 1968 but didn't truly break throughuntil 1976 with the dual release of ``Night Moves'' and ``Live Bullet.'' The raspy-throated singer's hit parade continued into the '90s and encompasses classic rock radio staples such as ``Turn the Page'' and ``Against the Wind.''

Already an early bloomer in the Spencer Davis Group, Steve Winwood was 19 when he formed Traffic in 1967 with the late flutist Chris Reed, guitarist Dave Mason and drummer Jim Capaldi. A hit on both sides of the Atlantic, the hybrid folk-jazz rockers scored with songs such as ``Dear Mr. Fantasy'' and ``Feelin' Alright.'' Dave Matthews handles the induction duties.

Some latecomers to the ZZ Top party might only know guitarist Billy Gibbons, bassist Dusty Hill and drummer Frank Beard from popular videos for such deeply silly but still rocking songs as ``Legs'' and ``Sharp Dressed Man,'' MTV staples in the '80s.But the Texas trio formed in 1970 and were, and are, well-respected purveyors of lowdown boogie and blues with early hits such as ``La Grange'' and ``Tush.'' They recently released the well-received ``Mescalero.'' Credibility? Keith Richards is ushering the band into the Hall.

In the non-performer category Rolling Stone founder and publisher Jann Wenner - also a Hall board member - is receiving a lifetime achievment award.

Artists are eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first album.

Most of the inductees are expected to perform during the ceremony. VH1 will broadcast an edited, two-hour version of the festivities Sunday at 8 and 10 p.m