Getty Images/ Matt Cardy

[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Neil Diamond[/lastfm] we’ll be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2011. The inductees have been announced and include [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Tom Waits[/lastfm] and [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Alice Cooper[/lastfm] among others.

Neil Diamond told Rolling Stone “I think it’s great. I’m happy that they recognized me and my work. Any club that has [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Chuck Berry[/lastfm] and [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Little Richard[/lastfm] and [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]The Everly Brothers[/lastfm] is a club that I want to be a part of.”

Diamond is clearly excited for the induction.

“My grandson sent me an e-mail yesterday congratulating me. He’s looking forward to coming. Having some kids and some grandkids there makes it even more fun and meaningful. It’s like the cherry on top of the hot fudge sundae.”

“I’ve always looked at it like rock & roll was a circus. We’re just clowns in that circus. We’re doing our bid to entertain and make people smile. In the scheme of things, I don’t know how important any of us are. I think we’re much more important than was assumed when rock first started. It was kind of like a joke and it was looked down on. I think rock has stood the test of time and really matured and become something valuable and important.”

The induction event is planned for March 14, 2011 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. Diamond will be busy in 2011.  He’s also been promoting his world tour on twitter which will take him to New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.