Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Celebrates Icons

On Saturday night, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame hosted a remarkable induction ceremony, featuring Hollywood stars Julia Roberts and Zendaya, who added a touch of starpower to the event. The lineup celebrated legendary performers including pop diva Cher, heavy metal icon Ozzy Osbourne, hip-hop soul star Mary J. Blige, soft rock band Foreigner, and 83-year-old soul legend Dionne Warwick.

This five-hour extravaganza also honored influential music pioneers like the hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest, punk innovators MC5, vibrant artists Kool & the Gang, beach music legend Jimmy Buffett, and the fusion band Dave Matthews Band.

The ceremony opened with Dua Lipa performing Believe by Cher, after which the 78-year-old star joined her on stage. Zendaya pointed out that Cher is the only woman to chart a No. 1 hit on Billboard each decade for seven decades, exclaiming, “Cher has got the goods.” Cher then dazzled the audience with her performance of If I Could Turn Back Time.

During her induction speech, Cher expressed gratitude to her mother for teaching her resilience after setbacks. "I never give up," Cher declared, emphasizing her message to women, stating, “down and out, we keep going.”

Julia Roberts, a superfan of the Dave Matthews Band, helped introduce them. Wearing a band T-shirt, she mentioned that their music embodies a sense of “spontaneous abandon.” The band performed several of their hits, including Ants Marching and Crash, captivating the audience even past midnight.

Dr. Dre spoke passionately while introducing Mary J. Blige, highlighting her role in creating hip-hop soul. Blige, adorned in a sparkling outfit, delivered a powerful medley including Family Affair, leaving the crowd inspired. At the end of her performance, she resonated on personal strength, advising, “You are worthy.”

Another notable induction was Kool & the Gang, introduced by Chuck D. This celebrated band, known for their chart-topping hits, brought the crowd to life with a lively medley, assisted by The Roots.

Dionne Warwick made a heartfelt appearance just days after mourning a friend. She expressed her joy to be there, saying, “I am so pleased to be here. Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Jennifer Hudson sang some of Warwick's classics, creating a moving moment on stage.

The ceremony also featured the induction of A Tribe Called Quest by Dave Chappelle, who praised their groundbreaking contributions to music. A medley celebrating their biggest hits was performed, celebrating their legacy in hip-hop.

Foreigner was introduced by Sammy Hagar, who thanked their devoted fans for their persistence in seeking recognition. Despite the absence of original members, the band performed their classic hits like Cold as Ice and I Want to Know What Love Is, much to the audience's delight.

The night proceeded with a tribute to Jimmy Buffett, featuring performers like James Taylor and Kenny Chesney, who honored Buffett’s legacy, known for his laid-back songs.

Budding rock star Jack Black celebrated Ozzy Osbourne, calling him the “Jack Nicholson of rock.” Osbourne, acknowledging his wife Sharon and late guitarist Randy Rhoads during his induction, stated, "This is my life today, and I owe it to my family and friends." A tribute band performed memorable Osbourne classics.

The ceremony concluded with a touching In Memoriam section, paying respects to recently passed music legends. The audience left buzzing about the remarkable night celebrating music's vibrant history.

This year’s ceremony took place at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, promising to return for future events. A television special featuring highlights will air in January.

Cher, Induction, Music, Legends