[Updated] Yesterday’s rumors proved true. Late yesterday afternoon, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced that the induction Class of 2011 included Neil Diamond, Alice Cooper, Tom Waits, Darlene Love, and New Orleans’ Dr. John. This year’s recipients of the Ahmet Ertegun Award are Elektra Records’ Jac Holzman and Specialty Records’ Art Rupe. The Sideman category has been renamed the Award for Musical Excellence, and this year it goes to Leon Russell.

They will be recognized at an induction ceremony that will take place on Monday, March 14, 2011, at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. The ceremony will also be broadcast on Fuse, the music network.

Updated 10:49 a.m.

Dr. John talks to Rolling Stone about being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame:

Have you ever been to an induction ceremony?

No, but I did play at the opening party in Cleveland. I really meant something to me to represent for Ray Charles and Fats Domino. I remember seeing Johnny Cash there. I always liked him because he remembered my real name. Not many people do.

It’s been a real long time since I was in the Waldorf Astoria. The last time was a thing for Jackie Kennedy. Me and James Booker wrote something for Jackie and some general or some guy not from this country. It was all very strange…I’m also quite happy that Darlene Love made it. I did sessions with her for Phil Spector a real long time ago.

Have you thought at all about your speech yet?

I have never given a speech in my life. I can get in a certain mode and talk a lot, like I did after Katrina and the BP oil spill. This’ll be different, so I’ll have to wing it and hopefully I’ll do all right.