Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony 

By Emily Eade 

The date was October 30th, and I was at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. There were thousands of people around me; it was a sold-out show. I was here for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity like everyone around me. It was the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. 

After skipping a year when it comes to the induction due to the pandemic, this 2021 class was a beautifully wild, surprise guest-filled party in the home of rock and roll, Cleveland, Ohio. Having so many eventful moments throughout the night from LL Cool J’s performance taking down the stage to Drew Barrymore making her dream a reality and becoming the sixth member of The Go-Go’s.

The Performer Category: 

The show opened up to Taylor Swift and her souped-up rendition of inductee Carole King’s song “Will You Love Me Tomorrow.” Swift’s speech honoring the wonderful, influential goddess Carole King brought the 79-year-old to tears. King was technically inducted for the second time, this year being for her solo career. King was first inducted in 1990 as a songwriter alongside her ex-husband. During King’s speech, she not only thanked Swift, but she called Swift her musical granddaughter. King then took the rest of her time to thank the first woman to be inducted, Aretha Franklin. Yelling out to the heavens, “We can feel you, baby!” 

In honor of King's wishes, Jennifer Hudson performed a heart-warming performance of “A Natural Woman,” the song the King wrote for Franklin. Hudson, the heir of both King’s and Aretha’s musical worlds crossing paths yet again, said it the best: “Aretha Franklin told me that I should always use my voice. Carole King told me to use my words.” King then performed a delicate version of “You’ve Got A Friend,” on the piano, with session players that she performed with to record that exact album over 50 years ago. 

Tina Turner was inducted in 1991 as part of the songwriting duo alongside her ex-husband, Ike. Turner was inducted this year as a performer for her influence on music, being inducted by Angela Bassett who truly perfectly described the wonderful Ms. Turner. Sadly, due to Turner not being able to attend the induction, there was a video montage and performances in honor of the influential musician. Having H.E.R and Keith Urban performing the infamous Bryan Adams and Tina Turner duet “It’s Only Love,” Mickey Guyton performing “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” and Christina Aguilera performing, “River Deep, Mountain High.” 

Todd Rundgren had a concert that very night, so he couldn't make it to the induction. Although, he did say he would never go to the induction even if he was an inductee. Therefore, the wonderful Patti Smith inducted Rundgren through a video tribute. Rundgren's video montage showed his impact on music and how we Clevelanders were the reason he is standing where he is today. 

The Go-Gos were inducted by Drew Barrymore, a huge fan of the band since she was a little girl. Barrymore showed her love for the band by wrapping her hair and her body up in a towel and wiping a facemask all over her face just like the band did on the back of their ‘Beauty and the Beat’ album. The band played three of their hits “Vacation”, “Our Lips Are Sealed”, and “We Got the Beat”. The band members made sure women know they are loved and they are supported to follow their dreams. As stated by the bassist Kathy Valentine, “By recognizing our achievement, the Rock Hall celebrates possibility, the kind of possibility that creates hopeful dreamers. By honoring our historical contribution, the doors to this establishment have opened wider, and the Go-Go’s will be advocating for the inclusion of more women. Women who have paved the way for us and others. Women who started bands, who sing and write songs, who excel on their instruments, who make and produce records. Because here is the thing: There would not be less of us if more of us were visible.” 

Jay-Z was inducted by Dave Chappelle, a friend of Jay-Z who made sure to make his comedic jokes and drag in his Netflix drama (knowing that the CEO of Netflix was at the induction). Jay-Z had the best video montage, involving people like Beyonce, Barack Obama, David Letterman and many, many more. Sadly, we didn’t get a performance from the rapper, but we got a long speech that had many loopholes that showed his many thanks for the people in his life and who influenced him. 

Foo Fighters was inducted by one of the most influential musicians of all time, Paul McCartney. The famous Beatle showed his influence on Dave Grohl’s life by stating things McCartney did and Grohl followed. Foo Fighters performed three hits, “Best of You”, “My Hero”, and “Everlong”. While performing “My Hero”, the crowd sang along to the lyrics overpowering the band. The band's speeches showed how dearly thankful they were to have met each other. Ending the show by singing “Get Back” with Paul McCartney. 

Musical Excellence Award: 

LL Cool J was inducted for his musical excellence, and Dr. Dre was there to honor the inductee. Dr. Dre referenced multiple things throughout the hip-hop artist's career from his first record label to his diverse musical career, stating that LL Cool J coined the term G.O.A.T. as he is the greatest of all time. 

Going onto LL Cool J’s electrifying performance that took the stage down, the new inductee started his performance with “Go Cut Creator Go” which smoothly transitioned into “Going Back to Cali.” then “Rock the Bells”, where there was a surprise guest star who came on stage to join LL Cool J, Eminem. The surprise shocked everyone in the audience, all you could hear was a roar of screams. LL Cool J then performed “All I Have” with special guest Jennifer Lopez. Lastly, performing the song “Mama Said Knock You Out”. 

Sadly, for inductees Randy Rhodes and Billy Preston, there were only video montages for the musicians as they sadly passed away. Randy Rhodes, who sadly lost his life at 25 years old in 1982, was inducted by Tom Morello for his impact on the Rock genre due to his amazing guitar riffs, which you can hear in the background of many amazing Quiet Riot and Ozzy Osbourne songs. Billy Preston was inducted by Ringo Starr, for his impact on music and also being considered “a Beatle and even a Rolling Stone.” 

The Early Influence Award: 

Gil Scott-Heron and Kraftwerk were both inducted through video montages. Gil Scott-Heron was inducted by Common through a video tribute, and Kraftwerk was inducted by Pharrell Williams through video tribute. Charley Patton was inducted by Gary Clark Jr who performed “High Water Everywhere.” 

The Ahmet Ertegun Award: 

Clarence Avant was presented the Ahmet Ertegun Award by his buddy Lionel Richie. Avant was presented this award because of his impact on Black music. As Lionel Richie said, “He’s a teacher, a master communicator. He’s the perfect marriage between street sense and common sense. What he did for us, the sons and daughters of the Afro-American community, he was the one that brought us to some understanding of what the music business was all about. What we learned was that there are two parts to this industry: the music business and the business of music. One, you sweat your ass off. Two, you bank the money. He taught us how to bank the money.” The 90-year old Clarence Avant had tears running down his face as the crowd cheered for him for his influence. 

Overall, the night had many beautifully powerful moments, showing how rock n’ roll has many influences and influencers. This showed that rock n’ roll is not a genre, but it is a lifestyle. Musicians get inducted not only for their influence, but for their music, their lyrics, and their passion.