It might also be worth noting that since "classic" D&D isn't being sold anymore,
Wizards of the Coast decided to rename the 3rd edition of
AD&D back to "Dungeons & Dragons".
Agreed, if you want to give introduction to roleplaying, D&D (the classic, not AD&D - or who knows, maybe AD&D too) might be cool. After you've done, ditch it and move on to GURPS or something other - or learn to DM well enough or the playing will degenerate to "XP and gold!"... and lo, new generation of Diablo cheaters and munchkins are born. =)
(Yeah, D&D was the first RPG I played and DMed - then I moved directly to GURPS. =)