Hall & Oates credits Chester’s Bill Haley at Hall of Fame induction

In one of the most ‘realist’ induction speeches ever, John Oates set the record straight at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

“And I listened to big band music, and then they took me to an amusement park where I heard Bill Haley and the Comets in 1953. And if it wasn’t for that move to Pennsylvania, I wouldn’t be here. I owe so much to my parents and my sister Diane, and — Philadelphia, I think I was born at the right time. It was a great time to be in Philadelphia. The Uptown Theater, I saw the greatest R&B acts in the world. 

And speaking of Philadelphia, you know, I did some research, and did you know that we’re the only homegrown Philadelphia band that’s been put in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Now, I’m not saying that because I’m proud of it — I’m saying that because it’s fucked up. What happened to Todd Rundgren? The Stylistics? The Delfonics? Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes? Len Barry? Chubby Checker? How about the biggest single in the history of the world? Chubby Checker. Why isn’t he in? You guys tell me. I’m calling everybody out. That’s all I got to say.”