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Neil Diamond, Alice Cooper, Dr. John, Darlene Love, Tom Waits and Leon Russell were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, New York City last night.

Neil Diamond – inducted by Paul Simon

Neil Diamond has been on tour in Australia and flew in especially for the ceremony. The jet lag might have contributed to a rambling but comical speech, during which he asked the audience “Where the hell am I?”

Diamond performed a three-song set, including “Cherry, Cherry, “I Am… I Said” and concluding with two run throughs of “Sweet Caroline” during which he ran into the crowd to get Robbie Robertson and Bruce Springsteen on mic for the chorus.

Diamond speaks backstage after the ceremony:

Alice Cooper – inducted by Rob Zombie (White Zombie)

Following Rob Zombie’s introduction, in which he likened Alice Cooper to “a murderous gang of drag queens,” the original Alice Cooper band performed “I’m Eighteen,” “Under My Wheels” and “School’s Out.” Rob Zombie guested on the latter.

Alice Cooper backstage interview:

Dr. John – inducted by John Legend

John Legend introduced Dr. John as a “leading local ambassador to New Orleans and its incomparably funky musical gumbo.”

Accepting the honour, Dr. John said “I feel like I’m blessed to be singing. To be breathing. Music is something and there ain’t nothing like it.”

Dr. John was joined by John Legend in a performance of “Right Place, Wrong Time.”

Dr. John backstage interview:

Darlene Love – inducted by Bette Midler

Darlene Love accepted the Award from Bette Midler and said:

“This year, in July, I will turn 70 years old. This is the best gift that I could ever have. I have given over 50 years of my life and talent to the music industry. I am so thankful for the genius of Phil Spector for his recognition of my talent to be the main voice of his Wall of Sound.”

Darlene Love sang “He’s a Rebel” with Bette Midler and was also joined on stage by her friend Bruce Springsteen. Her friendship with Bruce was among the topics covered in her backstage interview:

Tom Waits – inducted by Neil Young

Neil Young introduced Waits as “a great performer, singer, actor, songwriter, magician, changeling and spiritual guy.” Waits then delivered a self deprecating and light hearted acceptance speech, joking “They say that I have no hits and that I’m difficult to work with, and they say that like it’s a bad thing.”

Waits performed “Make It Rain,” “Rain Dogs,” a piano version of “House Where Nobody Lives” and a duet with Neil Young on “Get Behind The Mule.”

Award for Musical Excellence – Leon Russell

Leon Russell received the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Award for Musical Excellence and was inducted by Elton John. This was previously the Sidemen category.

Russell’s career has recently had a shot in the arm with the release of his collaboration with Elton John, “The Union.” He made reference to this in his short acceptance speech, noting “About a year ago, Elton came and found me in a ditch at the side of the highway and he took me up to the hospital and treated me like a king.”

Guitarist John Mayer joined Russell in a performance of “A Song for You.”

In his backstage interview, Russell suggested that another collaboration with Elton John might be on the way in the form of an album of rock ‘n’ roll standards:

Ahmet Ertegun Award

The annual Ahmet Ertegun Award for non-performers went to the record executives Jac Holzman of Elektra and Art Rupe of Speciality Records. They were inducted by Doors drummer John Densmore and Lloyd Price, respectively. Ninety-three year old Rupe couldn’t make the ceremony, but Holzman was in attendance to accept the award.

The evening concluded with Leon Russell, Neil Diamond, Alice Cooper, Bette Midler, Elton John and Darlene Love taking to the stage for a fun rendition of Love’s classic “Da Doo Ron Ron.” The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2011 ceremony will be aired on Sunday, March 20 exclusively on Fuse.