On Friday night, Sheryl Crow, Olivia Rodrigo, and Missy Elliott gave a bang performance in the 2023 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame event. Everyone in the audience enjoyed and gave appreciation to Sheryl Crow and Olivia Rodrigo, and Missy Elliott’s performances. They all did very well. The audience also appreciated the representation of black and female performers. They ended the event with a powerful performance.
In addition to DJ Kool Herc, The Spinners, Chaka Khan, Kate Bush, and Don Cornelius, the man behind “Soul Train,” were admitted into the 50th anniversary celebration of funk, art-rock, R&B, and hip-hop. Willie Nelson represents country music, Rage Against the Machine represented punk, George Michael highlighted pure pop, and Link Wray embodied guitar heroes.
The concert this year had strong black and female artist representation, which coincided with the removal of Rolling Stone co-founder Jann Wenner from the hall’s board of governors. Wenner, who also founded the hall, claimed that white musicians featured in his new book of interviews “didn’t communicate at the level” of black and female musicians. He apologized afterwards.
Wenner’s earlier stance was wrong, as seen by the ability of the incoming entrants. Cheers broke up as Bernie Taupin, Elton John’s songwriting partner, subtly expressed his admiration for being included in the 2023 class among express Black artists and significantly articulate women.
The four and a half-hour production, which is jam-packed with talks and performances, broadcast live on Disney+ for the first time in its 38-year history and it’s now available on request. A condensed three-hour version will premiere in January.
Sheryl Crow’s Powerful Addition:
In addition to Sheryl Crow, Elliott, and Rage Against the Machine, Willie Nelson, The Spinners, Kate Bush, and George Michael—who received more than one million votes—were among the diverse group of performers honored this year.
The nominees for the Musical Influence Awards included DJ Kool Herc, whom LL Cool J hailed as “one of the founding fathers of hip-hop,” and Link Wray, whose legacy was celebrated with a surprise performance of “Rumble” by famous Led Zeppelin member Jimmy Page.
The Musical Excellence Award was presented to veteran musician/producer/songwriter Al Kooper, Elton John’s lyrical consigliere Bernie Taupin, and Chaka Khan (who shone through a medley containing “I Experience For You” with Normal and “Sweet Thing” with H.E.R.), while the Ahmet Ertegun Award was given to “Soul Train” legend Don Cornelius.
Elliott then made a showing on stage at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, looking as though he was beaming from space. He performed “Get Ur Freak On,” “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly),” “Collaborate It,” “Pass That Dutch,” and “Lose Control” while a kinetic light show, smoke machines, and an enormous digital screen were all in full motion.
Call it an homage to generations past. Sheryl Crow began the wedding with the groovy shuffle of “If It Gets You Glad,” her guitar buzzing forcefully accompanying the song. However, the rising star Rodrigo stood next to her, charming and coltish as she mimicked Sheryl Crow’s delivery of the line “then why the hell are you so disappointed?”
But then other Sheryl Crow favorite, Peter Frampton, performed while sitting on stage and scorched a guitar solo throughout the performance. Stevie Nicks, one of Sheryl Crow’s favorites, unexpectedly materialized in shimmering black to duet on a twangy rendition of “Strong Enough.” It’s a Long Road Every Day.
Feeling dapper in a plum suit, Ridgeley reminisced about his and Michael’s tremendous success with Wham! (“the achievement of everything that I’ve desired to”), as well as their persistent friendship and Michael’s wide range of collaborators, which consisted of Paul McCartney, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, and Tony Bennett.
Although there was no all-star finale like in the past, the first female rapper to be admitted into the Rock Hall delivered the most explosive performance of the evening and a fitting conclusion.
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