Dolly Parton and Judas Priest. Dave Grohl and Lionel Ritchie. Steven Tyler, Ed Sheeran and Eminem. The 37th annual inductees were probably the most diverse yet, as all these artists performed alongside each other. Once again, thanks to HBO for condensing the 5½ hour ceremony into the three-hour telecast (now streaming on HBO Max). The Rock Hall forsook its Cleveland home again by holding the ceremony at the Microsoft Theater in L.A. Live. If you missed my post a year ago, please check it out (2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony). You’ll learn more about the background and history of the Hall, along with my personal experience visiting there in 2007. With that, let’s jump right into this year’s show.
Robert Downey Jr. (yes, sometimes there are odd choices) inducted Duran Duran, the first band of the night. I never disliked these guys but could never quite get into them (proven by the fact that I have none of their albums). They’ve kept the same line-up for 42 years! Often these proceedings bring bittersweet moments. Simon Le Bon read a written statement from guitarist Andy Taylor about his stage 4 cancer diagnosis and how he wished he could be there celebrating with them. Their medley of hits – “Girls on Film,” “Hungry Like the Wolf,” and my favorite, “Ordinary World” – showed without a doubt that these guys still got it. They won the fan vote and now I’m tempted to buy a best-of album.
Producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis were inducted into the Musical Excellence category by Janet Jackson. In addition to Janet, the duo has worked with an endless list of successful artists, Mary J. Blige, New Edition, George Michael, Mariah Carey, Gwen Stefani, Rod Stewart, and the Human League to name a few.
Sheryl Crow welcomed in Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo. First, can we name another pair who has not only survived, but thrived, as a musical duo and loving couple for 43 years? Remarkable! They just played locally over the summer in my area. They too proved that they still rock with their medley of “All Fired Up,” “Love is a Battlefield,” and “Heartbreaker.”
Jimmy Iovine, Allen Grubman, and Sylvia Robinson were inducted under the Ahmet Ertegun Award given to influential non-performing industry professionals. Bruce Springsteen inducted Iovine who founded Interscope Records and Beats Electronics with Dr. Dre and has worked with an array of artists including U2, Tom Petty, Meatloaf, Stevie Nicks, Dire Straits, and The Pretenders. John Mellencamp welcomed in Grubman, an entertainment lawyer who represented Madonna, Elton John, Springsteen, U2, and many more. Robinson, often dubbed the “Mother of Hip-Hop,” was the founder and CEO of Sugar Hill records and the driving force behind the success of the Sugarhill Gang and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.
Elizabeth Cotten and Harry Belafonte were inducted as Early Influencers. Cotten was a folk and blues musician who played music for much of her 94 years. She was self-taught as a left-handed guitarist who played a guitar strung for a right-hander but played it upside down. Her fascinating alternating bass style became known as “Cotten picking.” Harry Belafonte popularized Caribbean music for an international audience in the 1950s with “The Banana Boat Song,” and its signature “Day-O” lyric, “Jump in the Line,” and “Jamaica Farewell.” His lifetime of music, acting, and social activism has been celebrated with numerous awards and now at 95 years old he just added another one.
Alice Cooper called Judas Priest, “the definitive metal band.” Lead singer Rob Halford started his acceptance speech with, “I’m the gay guy in the band,” affirming the all-inclusiveness of the metal community, “we’re all about the love of heavy metal.” The two-guitar attack was on full display during their performance of “Breaking the Law” “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’,” and “Living After Midnight.”
Sarah Bareilles inducted Carly Simon who was unable to attend having recently lost both her sisters to cancer one day apart. Bareilles sang “Nobody Does it Better” and Olivia Rodrigo belted out “You’re So Vain,” two songs that never get old.
Lenny Kravitz inducted Lionel Ritchie. Ritchie sang “Easy,” accompanied by Dave Grohl…on guitar(!) and the calypso feel-good number “All Night Long.”
The Edge came on stage to do the honors for Eurythmics. Along with Duran Duran and Pat Benatar, Eurythmics owe a great deal of their success to MTV. The Edge referred to them as Kraftwerk meets Motown. It’s also remarkable that Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart who started out as short-lived lovers in the late 70s were able to continue a dynamic musical relationship for their entire career. They sounded great with “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This),” “Would I Lie to You,” and “Missionary Man.”
Eminem was inducted by Dr. Dre, “I knew his gifts were undeniable.” Eminem addressed his drug use, love for daughter, and paid homage to his rapper influences by reading an alphabetized five-page list of their names. “I’m not supposed to be here. I’m a high school dropout with a hip-hop education.” Tyler and Sheeran joined him for his set of “My Name Is,” “Forever,” “Not Afraid,” and more.
Dolly Parton asked for her name to be withdrawn upon hearing of her nomination. “I never considered myself a rock and roller.” When the Hall voted her in, she accepted the honor and had some fun with the extravaganza. Pink did the honors. Parton strolled out strumming a bling-y Telecaster and performed her new song, “Rockin’,” a fun statement to raise her rock and roll bona fides. The new Rock Hall members joined her on stage for an all-star jam of “Jolene.” Rob Halford with his arm around Dolly Parton says it all. Rock and roll has evolved with the times. It’s not just old white guys anymore. I’ll probably always have reservations about hip-hop, rap, and now country, gracing the halls in Cleveland, but the historical common thread is on full display throughout this ceremony. That’s why I make a point to watch it every year. It makes me appreciate the big tent we all share in loving music.
(Nominated acts that didn’t make it this year: Beck, A Tribe Called Quest, Kate Bush, Devo, Fela Kuti, the MC5, the New York Dolls, Rage Against the Machine, and Dionne Warwick.)
Trivia: Who co-founded the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with Ahmet Ertegun?
Answer: Jann Wenner, founder of Rolling Stone magazine and subject of an upcoming post about his just published book, Like a Rolling Stone.