Missy Elliott, Kate Bush, and Willie Nelson were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Friday night in New York
Missy Elliott, Kate Bush, and Willie Nelson were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Friday night in New York City at a ceremony attended by some of America's musical elite, some of whom spoke out against the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.
The late George Michael, rocker Sheryl Crow, and R&B group The Spinners were also inducted in the 2023 class of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, which has since its first induction in 1986 expanded to include other genres beyond rock, such as soul, blues, R&B, folk, country, and rap.
Tom Morello of the California-based band Rage Against the Machine posed for photographers with a sign that said "CEASEFIRE" on the sidelines of the gala concert at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
He did not openly address however the situation in the Gaza Strip, which has been bombarded and besieged by Israel since the Hamas's deadly attack on its territory on October 7.
"The world is changed by ordinary people who want to commit to a country and to a planet that is more humane, peaceful, and just," the musician pleaded, as he accepted the award on behalf of his band, which is known for its music and its political activism.
His fiery speech was followed by a performance by Missy Elliott, the first female hip-hop star to be inducted (by Queen Latifah) into the Hall of Fame.
Wearing a sparkling gold cap and matching tracksuit, Missy Elliott, in tears, said she was "honored" and recalled that hip-hop celebrated its 50th anniversary in New York this summer.
Inducting the Texas country icon, Willie Nelson, 90, artist Dave Matthews also referred to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
"We live in a world where bombs are dropped on children and we talk about collateral damage." But "it's people like Willie Nelson who give me hope," he said, referring to the long-haired anti-war activist.
The late George Michael was inducted by the other member of the Wham! group, Andrew Ridgeley, and a medley was performed on stage by Miguel, Adam Levine, and Carrie Underwood, including "One More Try."
George Michael, who died in 2016, "would have been thrilled and honored to be inducted into these hallowed halls," according to Andrew Ridgeley. "George was one of the greatest singers of our time. His pain healed ours and his grace gave hope," he added.
Rocker Sheryl Crow, for her part, sang her biggest hits, including "If It Makes You Happy" with Olivia Rodrigo, who were later joined by Stevie Nicks and Peter Frampton.
"All my energy has been devoted to expressing my experiences through music and words, and now I have received back what I have given," said Sheryl Crow.
Rapper Big Boi inducted the famous British singer-songwriter and musician Kate Bush, 65, who announced that she "would not be able to attend" the ceremony, but said she was "honored" to be honored by "the beating heart of the American music industry," according to a statement.
The prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame surveyed more than 1,000 musicians, music historians, and music industry executives to make its selections. To be inducted, you must have at least 25 years of career after your first commercial success.
Based in Cleveland, Ohio, in the northern United States, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is one of the pillars of this industry, as is the Recording Academy, which oversees the Grammy Awards, the Oscars of music.
This pantheon, like many cultural and entertainment institutions in the United States, has had to make efforts to diversify its policies: to be less male and less white.
Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, and Madonna have all been inducted, but women represent just 10% of the thousand members of the Hall of Fame since 1986.
The institution was rocked by a controversy in September. Jann Wenner, a 77-year-old American businessman and founder of the respected cultural magazine Rolling Stone in 1967, was expelled from the Hall of Fame's board of directors for remarks deemed racist and sexist in the New York Times.
