NEW YORK (AP) — Sheryl Crow and Chaka Khan stole the show at the 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Friday night. The Queen of Funk delivered a captivating medley of her hits, including “Ain’t Nobody,” while the Southern singer-songwriter wowed the crowd with an electrifying rendition of “If It Makes You Happy” alongside Olivia Rodrigo.
The country came alive when Willie Nelson took the stage, and St. Vincent paid tribute to the art-rock of Kate Bush. George Michael’s former partner in Wham! honored the late pop star.
Crow and Rodrigo, both dressed in black, traded verses as they skillfully played their guitars. Later, Stevie Nicks joined Crow for a powerful performance of “Strong Enough,” and Peter Frampton joined in to sing “Everyday Is a Winding Road.”
“Receiving this honor feels like winning an Oscar for a screenplay that hasn’t been finished yet,” Crow humbly stated. She expressed gratitude to her parents for their unwavering love and credited music as a “universal gift.”
Laura Dern had the honor of inducting Crow, describing her as a “badass goddess.” Dern acknowledged that the music industry initially struggled to understand the unique talent of a Southern female guitar-playing singer-songwriter, but soon recognized her brilliance. “She shaped the soundtrack of our lives,” Dern passionately expressed.
The legendary Elton John came out of retirement to perform and pay tribute to his songwriting partner, Bernie Taupin. John lauded Taupin as one of the greatest lyric writers of all time and humorously mentioned their lack of arguments throughout their 56-year collaboration. He also revealed that they had just completed a new album.
The ceremony, held in New York City, is now streaming live for the first time on Disney+.
During a funky medley of Chaka Khan’s hits, H.E.R., Sia, and Common accompanied her, lighting up the stage with performances of “I Feel For You,” “Ain’t Nobody,” “Sweet Thing,” and “I’m Every Woman.” The latter had the audience on their feet, dancing and cheering.
Khan graciously called up guitarist Tony Maiden, a member of Rufus, the band that propelled her early career. “Without him and the band, I wouldn’t be standing here today,” Khan gratefully acknowledged.
Nelson’s segment of the ceremony was extensive, with Dave Matthews delivering a heartfelt acoustic rendition of “Funny How Time Slips Away.” Nelson then joined Chris Stapleton for a powerful performance of “Whiskey River” before teaming up with Crow for a lively rendition of “Crazy.” The three musicians concluded with a rollicking performance of “On the Road Again,” earning a standing ovation from the crowd.
Matthews praised Nelson, highlighting his incredible musical career that spans over 70 albums. He commended Nelson’s involvement in Farm Aid, his perseverance through IRS troubles, and his well-known affinity for marijuana. “It’s people like Willie Nelson who give me hope for the world,” Matthews expressed with admiration.
In his acceptance speech, Nelson expressed gratitude to his wife, Annie, for supporting him throughout his musical journey, stating, “Thanks for appreciating my music.”
Andrew Ridgeley honored his late partner in Wham!, George Michael. Ridgeley emphasized Michael’s musical prowess and described him as one of the greatest singers of all time.
Michael’s tribute featured performances by Miguel, Carrie Underwood, and Adam Levine, each showcasing one of his iconic hits such as “Careless Whisper,” “Faith,” and “One More Try.”
The late “Soul Train” creator Don Cornelius was also posthumously inducted. A sign from his former TV dance show descended, setting the stage for joyous dancing. Snoop Dogg, Questlove, and Lionel Richie appeared in a video tribute, recognizing “Soul Train” as a groundbreaking show that elevated Black music and culture.
Kate Bush was inducted by Big Boi, who expressed his admiration for her unpredictable music. He likened her insistence on producing her own work to the essence of hip-hop. “Who sounds like Kate Bush?” he asked the audience. “If you were hearing Kate’s music for the first time, why wouldn’t you believe this was a current artist?”
St. Vincent delivered a mesmerizing performance of “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God),” a Kate Bush song that gained renewed popularity after being featured on the TV show “Stranger Things.” Unfortunately, Bush was unable to attend the ceremony.
LL Cool J presented DJ Kool Herc, known as the Father of Hip-Hop. LL Cool J acknowledged Herc’s monumental contribution to hip-hop culture, declaring that he sparked a fire that still burns bright. Visibly moved, Herc took a moment to collect himself before expressing gratitude to his parents, James Brown, Marcus Garvey, and Harry Belafonte, among others.
Queen Latifah had the honor of presenting Missy Elliott, who became the first female hip-hop artist to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Elliott graced the stage for a memorable performance. Having already been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, she is a four-time Grammy Award-winner.
The Spinners, known for their string of No. 1 R&B hits, were honored by New Edition, wearing velvet jackets and fedoras, who captivated the audience with performances of “I’ll Be Around,” “The Rubberband Man,” and “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love.” John Edwards and Henry Fambrough represented the esteemed Philadelphia group.
Rage Against the Machine and the late guitarist Link Wray were also inducted into the hall as part of the class of 2023. Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin paid tribute to Wray with a virtuosic performance of his seminal song, “Rumble,” using a double-necked guitar.
This year’s ceremony showcased a strong representation of women, reflecting the rock hall’s commitment to inclusivity. It comes shortly after Rolling Stone co-founder Jann Wenner was removed from the board of directors due to controversial statements regarding Black and female musicians. Wenner, a co-founder of the hall, had made dismissive comments about the artistic abilities of these demographics in a recent book. However, Taupin garnered cheers when he acknowledged the presence of “profoundly articulate women” and “articulate Black artists” in the 2023 class.
Artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before becoming eligible for induction. The nominees were chosen through a voting process involving over 1,000 artists, historians, and industry professionals.
A special featuring performance highlights and standout moments from the ceremony will be broadcast on ABC on January 1.
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Mark Kennedy is at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits
