TALLAWAH FOLKS: Jimmy Cliff among Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2010

I AM LEGEND: Jimmy Cliff performs his hits at the 25th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in New York.

It’s official. Jimmy Cliff has become the second Jamaican (Bob was the first, naturally) to become a member of the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It’s about darn time. The reggae legend took part in the induction ceremony at the swanky Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City on Monday.

Haitian-American music star Wyclef Jean, who referred to himself as “a young Jimmy,” was given the royal honour of inducting Cliff, born James Chambers. Cliff is also a member of the national Order of Merit (OM), Jamaica's third highest honour.

Ever grateful for the accolades, Cliff, 61, expressed gratitude to the Hall of Fame for the monumental recognition, describing it as a step to “higher heights.” Cliff also performed a handful of his hits for the industry crowd, including the timeless classics “Many Rivers to Cross” and “The Harder They Come.”

Among the other inductees at the 25^th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony were Swedish pop super-group Abba, British rock band Genesis, musician Iggy Pop of The Stooges, record exec David Geffen and singer-songwriter Phil Collins.