Kate Bush, Missy Elliott, Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson, Rage Against the Machine, The Spinners, and the late George Michael were all inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame at the 38th annual ceremony held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The ceremony showcased performances that spanned genres and highlighted the importance of mixing generations of stars.
The evening began with an opening act that featured Sheryl Crow and Olivia Rodrigo performing “If It Makes You Happy.” This was followed by a collaboration between honoree Chaka Khan and Common, as well as performances by H.E.R. and Sia. The highlight of the night was a medley of Willie Nelson’s songs featuring the 90-year-old performer alongside Dave Matthews, Chris Stapleton, and Sheryl Crow. The surprise appearance of Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin added a special tribute to inductee Link Wray with a performance of “Rumble.”
The ceremony concluded with an electrifying performance by Missy Elliott, who became the first female rapper to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Decked out in a sequined gold jumpsuit, Elliott wowed the audience with hits like “Lose Control” and “Get Ur Freak On.” In an emotional moment, she expressed the significance of her induction, stating, “This is the 50th anniversary of hip hop, so this is deeper than me just being up here. You just feel like it’s so far to reach when you’re in the hip-hop world.”
Elliott also shared that this was the first concert her mother had attended because she didn’t want her to hear her swearing in songs. Her induction, along with the selection of other diverse inductees, underscores the commitment of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to promote inclusivity and break down barriers within the music industry.
The ceremony also addressed recent derogatory comments made by Jann Wenner, co-founder of Rolling Stone magazine and a former board member of the Rock Hall. Wenner’s comments, which suggested that women and Black artists were not “articulate enough” for his book about rock stars, sparked controversy. Bernie Taupin, Elton John’s longtime lyricist, who received an award for musical excellence, directly addressed these comments during his acceptance speech. He recognized the importance of diversity in genres and praised the “profoundly articulate” women and Black artists inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Elton John, who introduced Taupin before their performance of “Tiny Dancer,” revealed that they are still working on new music together and have recently finished recording a new album that will surprise audiences. The diversity of genres was also highlighted by Big Boi of Outkast when introducing Kate Bush, who was not in attendance. He expressed his admiration for her music and how it challenges listeners, saying, “What I love about Kate’s music is that I never know what sound I’m going to hear next. She ignores anything that seems like a formula and instead just does whatever she wants to do, like me.”
Willie Nelson, after receiving a standing ovation following his performance, spoke about his collaborations with Ray Charles and their disregard for genre. He emphasized their shared love for music and how they never questioned whether a song should be soul, rock, or country. Nelson’s introduction also highlighted his continued work with Farm Aid and his commitment to fighting corporate greed.
The speeches throughout the ceremony emphasized the political elements inherent in the inductees’ music and their impact beyond the industry. Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, the sole band member in attendance due to differing perspectives on the Rock Hall’s induction, inspired the audience to make a difference and “stir up a shitload of trouble.”
In addition to the musical inductees, Bernie Taupin, Chaka Khan, and Al Kooper were honored with awards for musical excellence, while DJ Kool Herc and Link Wray were honored for their contributions as musical influencers. The late Don Cornelius, creator of Soul Train, received the Ahmet Ertegun Award, recognizing his influence on the industry despite not being a musician.
The induction of these illustrious artists into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame celebrates their diverse contributions to music and serves as a reminder of the power of music to transcend boundaries and unify people from different generations and backgrounds. As each honoree expressed their gratitude and disbelief at receiving such esteemed recognition, it was evident that their impact on the industry and the world will continue to be felt for years to come.
