Cleveland Ohio hosted the annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday April 14, at the Public Auditorium.
This years class included many acts which were long overdue for inclusion.
Bon Jovi, The Cars, Dire Straits, Moody Blues, Nina Simone and Sister Rosetta Tharpe were all inducted this year, which helped make for a great concert, but not great as it could have been.
The show started with a great performance by The Killers of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers American Girl. After that high energy opener, Howard Stern came out to induct Bon Jovi. His speech was what you would expect; hilarious, touching, raunchy and pretty accurate. The members of Bon Jovi gave touching speeches and seemed genuinely honored to be inducted, as did all the artists this night. After their speeches, all past and present members of the band performed a 4 song set.
The night never quite lived up to the first hour plus of the show.
The Cars were wonderful and once again gave very touching acceptance speeches. The tributes to Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Nina Simone were also great with an amazing performance by Lauryn Hill.
The Moody Blues were long overdue for their place in the Rock Hall, made all the more sad by the passing of Ray Thomas this past January.
But the saddest moment of the evening was the fact that Dire Straits were not even given the respect of having someone induct them. Instead, members, John Illsley, Alan Clark and Guy Fletcher came up and gave their speeches. They were not even given the honor of a tribute performance. The other members, Mark and David Knopfler and Pick Withers did not show up, and I read that John Illsley felt that without Mark there, they would not perform, but they couldn't find someone to give a speech for their induction?
The other down side of the evening, was that there was no final performance were many of the artists performed together, and there weren't any collaborations the whole night. I thought Brandon Flowers may join The Cars since he inducted them, or Mary J. Blige would sing with Lauryn Hill, or Ann Wilson with the Moodies, but no such luck.
I felt that despite it being a great event, there were many missed opportunities.
Maybe next year.
Here is the rundown for the show.
American Girl(Tom Petty Cover)-The Killers
Howard Stern Inducts Bon Jovi
You Give Love A Bad Name-Bon Jovi w/Richie Sambora
It's My Life-Bon Jovi w/Richie Sambora
When We Were Us-Bon Jovi w/Richie Sambora
Livin' On A Prayer-Bon Jovi w/Richie Sambora & Alec John Such
Dire Straits Induction
Sister Rosetta Tharpe induction
That's All- Brittany Howard w/Paul Shaffer and Quest Love
Strange Things Are Happening Every Day- Felicia Collins w/Paul Shaffer & Quest Love
Brandon Flowers Inducts The Cars
My Best Friends Girl-The Cars
You Might Think-The Cars
Moving In Stereo-The Cars
Just What I Needed-
The Cars
In Memoriam film
Black Hole Sun(Soundgarden cover)-Ann Wilson & Jerry Cantrell
Little Steven Van Zandt Speech about new singles exhibit at the Rock Hall
Mary J. Blige Inducts Nina Simone
I Wish I knew How It Would Feel To Be Free-Andra Day & The Roots
I Put a Spell On You-Andra Day & The Roots
Ne Me Quitte Pas-Lauryn Hill
Black Is The Color Of My True Loves Hair-Lauryn Hill
Feeling Good-Lauryn Hill
Ann Wilson inducts Moody Blues
I'm Just a Singer(In a Rock & Roll Band)-Moody Blues
Your Wildest Dreams-Moody Blues
Nights In White Satin-Moody Blues
Ride My See-Saw-Moody Blues
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| The Killers |
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| Howard Stern |
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| Bon Jovi |
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| John Illsley of Dire Straits |
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| Brittany Howard |
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| Felicia Collins |
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| Brandon Flowers |
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| The Cars |
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| Ann Wilson |
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| Andra Day |
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| Lauryn Hill |
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| Moody Blues |
Ex Doobie Brother Michael McDonald performed at the Count Basie Theatre on Mother's Day, yet surprisingly made no mention of the holiday. However, surprising that was, his performance, and band, were first rate. 
