CLEVELAND — The upcoming Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony is set to take place on Saturday night, promising an event filled with renowned artists, exciting performances, and poignant remembrances. Several of the inductees have sadly passed away, adding a bittersweet atmosphere to the festivities.
Among the seven founding members of Kool & the Gang, only Robert “Kool” Bell remains, while the MC5 has lost its last two original members, drummer Dennis “Machine Gun” Thompson and guitarist Wayne Kramer. Foreigner is also feeling the impact of loss, with the deaths of original bassist Ed Gagliardi and multi-instrumentalist Ian McDonald, along with guitarist Mick Jones, who has been affected by Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, A Tribe Called Quest is mourning the loss of Phife Dawg.
“I wish George was here and the rest of the original members because they deserve this honor,” expressed Hahn Brown, the widow of Kool & the Gang’s drummer and songwriter George Brown, who passed in 2023.
This year’s class of 2024 also includes notable artists like Peter Frampton, Cher, Mary J. Blige, Ozzy Osbourne, Dave Matthews Band, the late Jimmy Buffett, Dionne Warwick, as well as the late Alexis Korner, John Mayall, and Big Mama Thornton. This induction class is seen as a way to recognize artists previously overlooked, marking a shift in the Hall’s leadership and selection process.
Tom Morello, a renowned guitarist recognized for his work with Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave, commented on the evolution of the Hall’s selections. He mentioned the distinct difference in representation, noting that bands such as Rush, Kiss, and Judas Priest are now part of the Honorees, whereas previously they may not have had the same recognition.
Reflecting on past discussions, Morello recalled his conversations with Jon Landau, Bruce Springsteen’s manager, regarding the Hall’s lack of inclusion of certain artists. He conveyed that artists of his generation often felt disconnected from the institution because many celebrated bands had yet to be recognized.
The induction ceremony will take place at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland and will be streamed live on Disney+. A compilation featuring key performances and highlights will later air on ABC on January 1.
Adding to the excitement, celebrated artists such as Cher—who holds the distinction of having a No. 1 song in every decade for the past sixty years—and Mary J. Blige, an eight-time Grammy Award winner with multiple platinum albums, are expected to enhance the representation of women within the Hall, addressing ongoing criticism regarding their underrepresentation.
To be eligible for induction, artists are required to have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years prior. The inductees were determined through voting by over 1,000 professionals from across the music industry, including artists and historians.
A passionate campaign supported by high-profile figures, including Mark Ronson, Jack Black, Slash, Dave Grohl, and Paul McCartney, has been made to induct Foreigner, known for hits like “Urgent” and “Hot Blooded.” Ronson’s connection to the band is particularly poignant, as Mick Jones, Foreigner’s founding member, is his stepfather.
Dionne Warwick will arrive at the ceremony shortly after attending a memorial for her longtime collaborator, Cissy Houston, in Newark, New Jersey. Jennifer Hudson and Teyana Taylor are set to assist in inducting her.
The event will also feature a host of rock, pop, and hip-hop legends, including Busta Rhymes, Dr. Dre, Demi Lovato, Dua Lipa, Ella Mai, James Taylor, Jelly Roll, Julia Roberts, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Lucky Daye, Mac McAnally, Method Man, Roger Daltrey, Sammy Hagar, and The Roots, all coming together to celebrate this prestigious moment in music history.