This year's Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony might be as notable for what doesn't transpire than for what does. In their typically overblown fashion, the Sex Pistols have issued a statement that they won't be attending the March 13 ceremony. "Were (sic) not coming. Were (sic) not your monkey and so what?" The note begs the question: Who gave Steve Jones a pen? Johnny Rotten might be obstinate and contrary enough to make such a decision, but you have to think he can spell a bit better than that.

The band's objection does raise a good point: "Fame at $25,000 if we paid for a table, or $15,000 to squeak up in the gallery, goes to a nonprofit organisation selling us a load of old famous." Wow, $25K to see a rock show with intermittent speeches? Never mind the last bit, the selling of "old famous." It's an odd line to straddle; rock 'n' roll is the music of youth, so parading geezers across the stage (this year literally, thanks to Black Sabbath's induction) is contrary to what is being celebrated. But as I've written before, rock is unique to everyone. For boomers, it's past inductees like Elvis, Chuck Berry and others. For me, it's R.E.M. and the Replacements. For kids today, it's Fall Out Boy and the Killers. The genre itself encompasses all of that and much more, and savvier fans certainly find themselves appreciating acts from a wide chronologic sweep. But the Pistols are right: The Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame is more about entombment than celebration and life.

Still, it's always an interesting night, and this one won't disappoint even without Rotten and Co. creaking their way through "God Save the Queen." Black Sabbath, Blondie, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Miles Davis round out the performer inductees. Ozzy's always good for a laugh, Skynyrd is a much deserved induction (I can already hear the all-star take of "Freebird") and I'm genuinely curious to see how they choose to honor Miles Davis' contribution to rock. My prediction: An all-star band led by jazz fan Carlos Santana.

So, silly as the Pistols' posturing may seem, what else could they do? When you've painted yourself into a little punk corner, you can't exactly show up in a tux to the big show.