Phil Collins gave a tearful acceptance speech and got an electrifying tribute from Cynthia Erivo, Oprah Winfrey inducted the late Luther Vandross, the crowd yelled along with Billy Idol, and Wu-Tang Clan crowded the stage for a rowdy celebration at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday night.
Queen Latifah, Oasis, MC Lyte, Sade, Joy Division/New Order and Iron Maiden were also inducted at the ceremony at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles along with producer Rick Rubin, who got a long-bearded tribute from the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
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A night that beforehand felt like it might fall flat with the absences of key inductees was as lively and overloaded as the induction ceremony ever is.
U2 was the night’s surprise opener, playing their new single “Silencio” while surrounded by dancers in riot squad gear. They then launched into their 1984 classic “Pride (In the Name of Love)” as singer Bono alternately raised a peace sign and fist.
Run DMC and Aerosmith were the surprise closers with a loud jam of “Walk This Way,” their 1986 classic collaboration, produced by Rubin, that brought the merger of rock and rap to a new level.
Collins gets emotional, Idol gets wild