The thirty eighth Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony/live performance was held at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center tonight. The 2023 class contains Sheryl Crow, the Spinners, Kate Bush, George Michael, Willie Nelson, Rage Against The Machine, and Missy Elliott. DJ Kool Herc and Link Wray enter within the Influence class whereas Chaka Khan, Al Kooper, and Bernie Taupin be a part of within the Musical Excellence class. Don Cornelius obtained the Ahmet Ertegun Award.
Hours earlier than the occasion, Bush introduced she wouldn’t be attending (the English art-pop icon has not appeared in America in many years), however thanked those that voted for her. Also Tom Morello was the one member of Rage Against The Machine who confirmed up whereas Al Kooper despatched in a pre-recorded video as an alternative of attending. But all the opposite dwelling inductees have been available.
Sheryl Crow was the primary to be honored and he or she carried out “If It Makes You Happy” with Olivia Rodrigo (which the pair previewed in Nashville just a few weeks in the past), “Strong Enough” with Stevie Nicks, and “Everyday Is A Winding Road” with Nicks and Peter Frampton. Crow was inducted by Laura Dern, filling in for Brandi Carlile who needed to drop out because of sickness.
LL Cool J paid tribute to hip-hop pioneer DJ Kool Herc (Clive Campbell). Herc accepted his trophy alongside sister Cindy Campbell, whose social gathering within the South Bronx 50 years in the past this previous August is commonly cited because the birthplace of hip-hop.
Chaka Khan sang “I Feel For You” with Common, the Rufus classics “Ain’t Nobody” and “Sweet Thing” with H.E.R., and “I’m Every Woman” with Sia. And Rufus’ Tony Maiden joined Jazmine Sullivan for the induction speech. The Queen Of Funk was first eligible to affix the Rock Hall with Rufus in 1998 and as a solo artist in 2003.
George Michael was inducted by Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley after three of his #1 hits have been coated by Miguel with Jake Clemons (“Careless Whisper”), Adam Levine (“Faith”), and Carrie Underwood (“One More Try”).
New Edition inducted the Spinners, singing “I’ll Be Around,” “Could It Be I’m Falling In Love” and “Rubber Band Man” in a efficiency that additionally paid tribute to Don Cornelius’ Soul Train.
Kate Bush was inducted by rapper Big Boi, who has been a longtime vocal fan and as soon as teased the opportunity of a collaboration between the 2. Elton John, Peter Gabriel, Lauren Mayberry, and others appeared in a video tribute. “I know what some of you are thinking, ‘What does Kate Bush have to do with hip-hop?’” requested Big Boi in his speech. “She is such a unique artist, you might as well also ask: What does Kate Bush have to do with rock & roll?” Then St. Vincent coated “Running Up That Hill,” final yr’s Song Of The Summer.
Al Kooper — the songwriter, studio musician, and producer who labored with the Blues Project, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Bob Dylan, and lots of others — accepted his induction for Musical Excellence in a pre-recorded video.
Willie Nelson was inducted by Dave Matthews, who carried out “Funny How Time Slips Away,” the early Nelson music he coated on the nation legend’s ninetieth birthday tribute live performance earlier this yr. Nelson carried out too: “Whiskey River” with Chris Stapleton; “Crazy” with Sheryl Crow; and “On The Road Again” with Matthews, Crow, and Stapleton.
In a shock look, Jimmy Page took the stage to cowl “Rumble,” the traditional instrumental from influential guitarist Fred Lincoln “Link” Wray Jr. Link Wray was eligible to be inducted within the Rock Hall’s top quality again in 1986.
Elton John, who not too long ago wrapped up a farewell tour, inducted his writing companion of 56 years, Bernie Taupin. In his acceptance speech, the lyricist referenced the racist and sexist feedback that not too long ago acquired Rock Hall co-founder Jann Wenner kicked off its board. “I’m honored to be in the class of 2023 alongside a group of such profoundly ‘articulate’ women and outstanding ‘articulate’ Black artists along with all of the other music ‘masters” right here tonight,” Taupin stated. John then carried out “Tiny Dancer” and was joined by Crow, Stapleton, and Brittany Howard to cowl the Band’s “The Weight” for an In Memoriam phase.
Rage Against The Machine minimize brief a reunion tour final summer time after frontman Zack De La Rocha tore his Achilles tendon onstage. However, he did carry out (on his ft) with Run The Jewels in LA final month. So De La Rocha’s absence, and the dearth of a Rage efficiency tonight, wasn’t a foregone conclusion. But Brad Wilk and Tim Commerford didn’t attend both, and whereas Ice-T gave a speech, no band stepped as much as cowl their music. Guitarist Tom Morello (who helped induct the Clash and KISS in earlier years) accepted on Rage’s behalf. In an announcement shared earlier this yr, RATM acknowledged how bizarre it was for them to affix the rock and roll institution.
“You can’t impress me with normal stuff, you gotta impress me with stuff like suing the US State Department for using their music in Guantanamo Bay for torturing,” Ice-T stated. Morello later posed together with his trophy backstage whereas holding a bit of paper that stated “CEASE FIRE!”
Then Missy Elliott grew to become the primary feminine rapper to enter the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. She did a medley of “Get Ur Freak On,” “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly),” Work It,” “Pass That Dutch,” and “Lose Control,” and was inducted by Queen Latifah. It was Elliott’s first yr of eligibility.