January 16th's place in rock history:

• 1957 - Future home of The Quarry Men (who would become The Beatles) The Cavern Club opens in Liverpool
• 1965 - The Guess Who (formerly Chad Allen & The Expressions) release Shakin' All Over, their first album using their new name
• 1970 - John Lennon's art exhibit is raided, and busted for violating obscenity laws
• 1980 - Paul McCartney is busted as he arrives in Tokyo with marijuana in his suitcase, spends 10 days in jail

Behold the Birthdays:
Bob Bogle - The Ventures - 1934
Ray Phillips - Nashville Teens - 1939
William Francis - Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show - 1942

Considering that Barack Obama's campaign rallies featured performances by the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, James Taylor, and The Dead, it isn't surprising that the list of artists who will take the stage at various inaugural events has a distinct classic rock flavor.

Springsteen, Taylor, John Mellencamp, U2, The Dead, and Sheryl Crow are among those who will be rocking D.C. between now and Inauguration Day. One of the larger events, Sunday (1/18) afternoon at the Lincoln Memorial, will be televised on HBO later (7:00 PM Eastern) that evening.

Dare I say it? It'll be a week of Barack 'n Roll in Washington!

^{Photo by Joe Raedle / Getty Images}

From the pages of classic rock history, the 15th of January:

• 1965 - The first single by The Who, "I Can't Explain" is released
• 1976 - Joe Walsh replaces Bernie Leadon on guitar for Eagles
• 1976 - Peter Frampton's Frampton Comes Alive is released
• 1992 - Dee Murray, bass player in Elton John's band, dies of skin cancer at age 45
• 1994 - Singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson ("Everybody's Talkin'") dies of heart failure at age 52

Today's Birthdays:
Captain Beefheart - Magic Band - 1941
Ronnie Van Zant - Lynyrd Skynyrd - 1948
Melvyn Gale - Electric Light Orchestra - 1952

Here's something you don't see every day. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which regularly stocks itself with rap, jazz, r&b; and country artists, has actually included a couple of rock artists among the group of 2009 inductees.

Jeff Beck, who was inducted in 1992 as a member of The Yardbirds (an actual rock band) is now being similarly recognized for his work as a solo artist. Longtime headbangers Metallica have also managed to defy the Rock Hall voters' indecipherable definition of rock to win inclusion.

As usual, the majority of this year's inductees are artists from genres other than rock: Run-DMC, Bobby Womack, and Little Anthony & The Imperials -- outstanding artists all, but rockers? Not so much.

For the first time in 12 years, the April 4 induction ceremony won't be in New York City, but in Cleveland, where the Rock Hall Museum is located. Another first: tickets will be available to the public, in case the public wish to pay $35 or $75 to see more non-rock artists inducted into the Rock Hall.

As always, your comments are welcome.

^{Jeff Beck photo by Tasos Katapodis / Getty Images}