Every year in January, rock industry snobs (young and old) induct anywhere from 4 to 7 new acts into the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the always picturesque city of Cleveland.

Depending on the year, the ceremony every March can either be a very civil affair or can turn into a complete debacle. But as you and I both know, debacles can be a lot of fun, as long as we aren’t involved in them. One famous Hall of Fame debacle came a few years ago when Debbie Harry from Blondie told two of the founding members of her group that they couldn’t stand on the same stage as her during her induction into the Hall of Fame. it was an awkward moment on TV for everyone involved. And the letter sent by members of the Sex Pistols last year; referring to the Hall as a “piss stain”, was a stroke of pure defiant genius.

But this year could cause some of the biggest chaos the Rock Hall has ever seen. The 2007 inductions came out last week and besides longtime critic favorite Patti Smith, hip-hop grandfather Grandmaster Flash and alt-rock flagbearers R.E.M., there was one name that caused most people to ponder a thought or two. That name? Van Halen.

Everyone knows that the story of the band has been a long ugly soap opera for a while now. And if you need a history lesson, please go look it up on any music related website, because it would take too long to tell the story. But you need to know that original lead singer David Lee Roth as well as the popular second lead singer, Sammy Hagar, are no longer with the group.

But Van Halen’s induction poses many questions about what could take place at the ceremony, due to recent events. Six months ago, longtime bassist Michael Anthony was let go in favor of Eddie Van Halen’s 15 year-old son, Wolfgang. Lil’ Wolfie is being recruited to play bass on daddy’s tour this summer. But there is one big problem with this tour getting off the ground: There’s no lead singer!

No Dave, No Sammy, but both of them are being considered to sing with the band on their upcoming summer nostalgia tour. If Vegas was placing odds on this one, Motormouth David Lee Roth would have the edge; due to the fact that the 2004 summer tour had Sammy Hagar barely speaking or interacting with the rest of the band. But with the history between everyone, having Roth sing could be even more dangerous.

But getting back to the Rock Hall Ceremony, both Roth and Hagar are being inducted as part of the band (sorry Gary Cherone, you just didn’t make the cut), and very little is known. I will be curious if Roth and/or Hagar will be allowed on stage with Eddie Van Halen during the induction. I don’t foresee the band performing, because of the bad blood and the fact the Rock Hall (and most people watching) will laugh in sheer ridicule at the sight of Lil’ Wolfie taking Michael Anthony’s spot. Also, will David Lee Roth say something stupid as usual, like he did at the 1996 MTV Awards?

There are a lot of questions that have yet to be answered, but I would like to pose an amicable situation to the night of the ceremony. I think the fans of the band are owed at least as much as I am proposing to Eddie Van Halen.

Go out there, do your speech, let Roth, Hagar and Mike Anthony come out and thank the industry snobs and the fans. Do not let that 15 year-old brat say a word. Then, let Roth sing one song and Hagar sing another. That way, everyone gets equal face time, and you all can go back to hating each other.

There, I think that is a reasonable solution to what could be an ugly night. I don’t think anybody in the audience or anybody watching on TV wants to see such a legendary hard rock band fight like little girls.

So, congratulations to everyone who was inducted this year. I hope the ceremony doesn’t turn into a fistfight and name calling contest. But I am still waiting for the Kiss induction and/or the Sex Pistols’ acceptance speech.

Whichever comes first.