The 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony brought out the best and brightest in the music industry for a night of electrifying performances at the Barclays Center in New York City on Friday.
One of the biggest surprises of the evening came when Stevie Nicks joined inductee Sheryl Crow on stage to perform Crow’s hit ‘Strong Enough’ off her 1993 Grammy-winning album Tuesday Night Music Club.
The 75-year-old Fleetwood Mac icon looked every inch the bohemian chic goddess in a billowy black ensemble as she belted out the upbeat single next to Crow, 61, who rocked out on a guitar.
The ‘Edge of Seventeen’ songstress wasn’t finished whipping the crowd into a frenzy when the song ended, however, as she kept up her signature vocals for a round of Crow’s ‘Everyday Is a Winding Road’.
And the stunning female vocalists got a little help from none other than singer/songwriter/guitarist Peter Frampton.
Brightest: The 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony brought out the best and brightest in the music industry for a night of electrifying performances at the Barclays Center in New York City on Friday; Stevie Nicks pictured
Surprise: One of the biggest surprises of the evening came when Stevie Nicks joined inductee Sheryl Crow on stage to perform Crow’s hit ‘Strong Enough’ off her 1993 Grammy-winning album Tuesday Night Music Club
Rocking out: The 75-year-old Fleetwood Mac icon looked every inch the bohemian chic goddess in a billowy black ensemble as she belted out the upbeat single next to Crow, 61, who rocked out on a guitar
Besties: The ‘Edge of Seventeen’ songstress wasn’t finished whipping the crowd into a frenzy when the song ended, however, as she kept up her signature vocals for a round of Crow’s ‘Everyday Is a Winding Road’
Powerhouses: Next up for a duet with Sheryl Crow was ‘Driver’s License’ hitmaker Olivia Rodrigo
At the end of the trio’s performance, Stevie leaned over and gave Peter a huge hug and kiss before exiting the stage.
Next up for a duet with Crow was ‘Driver’s License’ hitmaker Olivia Rodrigo.
The famous pop star showed off her talents by rocking out to an electric version of Crow’s ‘If It Makes You Happy,’ which won Best Female Rock Vocal Performance at the 1997 Grammy Awards.
‘This is a little bit like getting an Oscar for a screenplay you have not finished writing,’ Crow said.
She thanked her parents for unconditional love ‘and piano lessons’ and called music a ‘universal gift.’
Laura Dern inducted Crow and affectionately described her as a “badass goddess.”
The Jurassic Park actress Dern highlighted that the music industry was initially unsure about how to handle a Southern female singer-songwriter who played the guitar, but it quickly adapted.
‘She mapped out the chapters of our lives,’ Dern said.
Iconic songstress: Chaka Khan was an inductee for the 2023 class
Star-studded: Inductee Chaka Khan also performed a medley of her hits, including ‘Ain’t Nobody’.
H.E.R., Sia and Common accompanied Khan for the medley that also included ‘I Feel For You,’ ‘Sweet Thing’ and ‘I’m Every Woman’
Girl power: While standing at the podium, Khan invited guitarist Tony Maiden, a member of the Rufus band, in which Khan had launched her early career. H.E.R. also performed
Power hug: Chaka and SIA ended the performance with a big hug
Getting the band together: The trio performed ‘On the Road Again’
Elton John emerged from his retirement to deliver a crowd-pleasing performance and raise a toast in honor of his songwriting collaborator, Bernie Taupin.
‘He became my best friend and my lyricist,’ John said.
‘He is without doubt one the finest lyric writers of all time.’
John playfully quipped that in their 56-year partnership, they had never had a single argument, adding, ‘He was disgusted by my behavior, but that’s a given’.
Additionally, John unveiled the exciting news that the duo had recently completed a new album.
Legend: Jimmy Page was a surprise guest for the evening
Icon: Elton John emerged from his retirement to deliver a crowd-pleasing performance and raise a toast in honor of his songwriting collaborator, Bernie Taupin
Best of the best: John playfully quipped that in their 56-year partnership, they had never had a single argument, adding, ‘He was disgusted by my behavior, but that’s a given’.
Country heaven: Willie Nelson was an inductee for the class of 2023
Help from friends: Willie also had some help from his peers, as he was joined onstage by Dave Matthews to perform an acoustic ‘Funny How Time Slips Away’.
Big props: Matthews mentioned that the 90-year-old Nelson composed his first song at the tender age of 7 back in 1940 and has subsequently released more than 70 albums
Honored: He recounted Nelson’s illustrious musical journey, encompassing events such as Farm Aid, challenges with the IRS, and Nelson’s well-documented affinity for cannabis
Crossing over: Willie made a name for himself in the country genre before crossing over into the mainstream
The two friends shared an affectionate embrace at the podium, and Taupin expressed how, when they first crossed paths in 1967, he found someone ‘to inspire with their imagination and ignite your dreams.’
John then performed a beautiful rendition of ‘Tiny Dancer’.
Inductee Chaka Khan also performed a medley of her hits, including ‘Ain’t Nobody’.
H.E.R., Sia and Common accompanied Khan for the medley that also included ‘I Feel For You,’ ‘Sweet Thing’ and ‘I’m Every Woman’.
While standing at the podium, Khan invited guitarist Tony Maiden, a member of the Rufus band, in which Khan had launched her early career.
Giving it her all: St. Vincent look radiant on stage
Country crooner: Carrie Underwood helped pay tribute to George Michael
Serious chops: Carrie sang George Michael’s hit
Tribute Andrew Ridgeley honored his partner in Wham!, the late George Michaelas Miguel sang a song
Miguel, Carrie Underwood and Adam Levine each performed one of Michael’s hits — ‘Careless Whisper,’ ‘Faith’ and ‘One More Try.’
‘Without him and the band, I would not be here today,’ Khan said.
Willie Nelson, another 2023 inductee, also had some help from his peers, as he was joined onstage by Dave Matthews to perform an acoustic ‘Funny How Time Slips Away’.
Chris Stapleton and Sheryl Crow joined Willie for an entertaining version of ‘On the Road Again’.
Matthews mentioned that the 90-year-old Nelson composed his first song at the tender age of 7 back in 1940 and has subsequently released more than 70 albums.
He recounted Nelson’s illustrious musical journey, encompassing events such as Farm Aid, challenges with the IRS, and Nelson’s well-documented affinity for cannabis.
Remembering an icon: Goerge Michael’s visage appeared on stage
‘It’s people like Willie Nelson who give me hope for the world,’ Matthews said.
Andrew Ridgeley honored his partner in Wham!, the late George Michael.
‘His music was key to his compassion,’ Ridgeley said. ‘George is one of the greatest singers of our time.’
Miguel, Carrie Underwood and Adam Levine each performed one of Michael’s hits — ‘Careless Whisper,’ ‘Faith’ and ‘One More Try.’
Big Boi had the honor of inducting Kate Bush and shared with the audience that her music always kept him guessing, likening her commitment to self-production to a distinctly hip-hop approach.
‘Who sounds like Kate Bush?’ he asked. ‘If you were hearing Kate’s music for the first time, why wouldn’t you believe this was a current artist?’
St. Vincent took the stage to perform Bush’s ‘Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)’.
LL Cool J presented inductee DJ Kool Herc, called the Father of Hip-Hop.
Father of hip hop: LL Cool J presented inductee DJ Kool Herc, called the Father of Hip-Hop
Big contribution: ‘Arguably, no one made a bigger contribution to hip-hop culture than DJ Kool Herc,’ LL Cool J said.
‘Arguably, no one made a bigger contribution to hip-hop culture than DJ Kool Herc,’ LL Cool J said.
Missy Elliot, who became the first female hip-hop artist in the rock hall, also performed.
Joining the Hall of Fame’s 2023 class are Rage Against the Machine and the posthumous recognition of the guitarist Link Wray.
