Taylor Swift serenaded Carole King, former US President Barack Obama praised rapper JAY-Z, and Paul McCartney paid tribute to the Foo Fighters at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday, which also honored Tina Turner and The Go- Go’s.
What a freaking night. While we take a minute to soak in the awesomeness of the #RockHall2021 Induction Ceremony, how about you cats enjoy a rewind from last night's Red Carpet. Full length is on YouTube if you like what you see (you will). https://t.co/96Eo3vvuYO pic.twitter.com/Z1reGK1Rse
— Rock Hall (@rockhall) October 31, 2021
In a video statement, Obama referred to JAY-Z as “the embodiment of the American Dream” for his rise from a poor New York neighborhood to a billionaire songwriter, record executive, and businessman.
Barack Obama inducts JAY-Z pic.twitter.com/HREMW5FucS
— Dr. Bryan McGeary (@BMcgeary) October 31, 2021
The tributes, which included one from comedian Dave Chappelle, seemed to overwhelm JAY-Z, 51.
“That’s a lot. Trying to make me cry in front of all these white people!” he joked. “Growing up we didn’t think we could be inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. We were told that hip-hop was a fad.”
Taylor Swift opened the show with a pop version of “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” while Jennifer Hudson performed “A Natural Woman” in tribute to the singer-songwriter King, 79, who led the audience in a singalong of her hit “You’ve Got a Friend.”
“I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know Carole King’s music,” Swift referred to her 1971 album “Tapestry”, “a watershed moment for humans in the world with feelings.”
Taylor Swift starting off the show to induct Carole King. pic.twitter.com/lOGefhnIGP
— Dr. Bryan McGeary (@BMcgeary) October 31, 2021
Dr. Dre, Eminem, Jennifer Lopez, Lionel Richie, and Keith Urban were among those in attendance at the ceremony in Cleveland, Ohio.
Christina Aguilera led a medley of Turner’s best-known songs.
The “Simply the Best” singer, who now lives quietly in Switzerland, was unable to attend Saturday’s ceremony but sent his gratitude via video message.
“If they’re still giving me awards at 81, I must be doing something right,” Turner said.
Turner was first given the honor with her former husband Ike Turner in 1991, but on Saturday she was recognized for her even bigger solo career in the 1980s and 1990s.
Both King and Dave Grohl were two-time honorees. King had previously been inducted with her songwriting partner Gerry Goffin, and Foo Fighters frontman Grohl was a member of the inducted grunge band Nirvana in 2014.
McCartney described himself and Grohl as “ordinary kind of goofy” kids who had stumbled into rock and roll music.
The late Billy Preston, rapper LL Cool J, German electronic pioneers Kraftwerk, and female 1980s rock band The Go-Gos were also inducted.
Todd Rundgren, 73, an American multi-instrumentalist, did not attend his own induction ceremony. Rundgren had previously stated that he would not attend because he does not consider music to be a competition.
The awards honor musicians who have worked in the music industry for more than 25 years. They are chosen using ballots distributed by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to over 1,200 artists, historians, and music industry professionals. Votes were also cast by members of the general public.
On November 20, the HBO cable channel will broadcast the 2021 ceremony.
We applaud the artists for their efforts and eagerly await the broadcast on November 20th.
Chris Mack
