The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is inducting its newest members on November 3, and the performers for the ceremony were recently announced, as well as a hint at many more to be revealed soon.
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Brandi Carlile, Chris Stapleton, Elton John—who was inducted in 1994—H.E.R., St. Vincent, Dave Matthews, and New Edition are slated to perform so far. Of the 2023 inductees, Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson, Missy Elliott, and Chaka Khan will also perform, according to a release from the Hall of Fame.
The 38th annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be streamed live on Disney+ for the first time. The inductees in the Performer category are Kate Bush, Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, George Michael, Rage Against the Machine, The Spinners, and Willie Nelson. DJ Kool Herc and Link Wray are being recognized with the Musical Influence Award. For the Musical Excellence Award, Chaka Khan, Al Cooper, and Bernie Taupin are listed, with Don Cornelius receiving the Ahmet Ertegun Award.
“This year’s incredible group of Inductees reflects the diverse artists and sounds that define rock & roll,” said Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation John Sykes in a statement. “We are honored that this November’s Induction Ceremony in New York will coincide with two milestones in music culture; the 90th birthday of Willie Nelson and the 50th Anniversary of the birth of Hip Hop.”
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Sheryl Crow shared her reaction when she got the news that she would be inducted in a video posted on the Hall of Fame website. “The first person I thought of when I got the news was also the first person who called me and told me,” she shared, “and that was my manager, Scooter. This probably means as much to Scooter as it does to me, he’s been with me from the very beginning. … I’m so deep in the trenches all the time that I don’t think about accomplishments, I’m constantly just moving on. For him, this was important, so I’m as much happy for me as I am for him.”
Rage Against the Machine also shared a statement thanking the Hall of Fame and commenting on the band’s trajectory over the years. “It is a surprising trajectory to be welcomed into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,” the statement began. “In 1991 four people in Los Angeles formed a musical group to stand where sound and solidarity intersect. … Many thanks to the Hall of Fame for recognizing the music and the mission of Rage Against the Machine. We are grateful to all of the passionate fans, the many talented co-conspirators we’ve worked with, and to all the activists, organizers, rebels, and revolutionaries past, present, and future who have inspired our art.”
Willie Nelson also commented on his induction among greats like Ray Charles, Jimmie Rogers, and Hank Williams. “It’s a great honor,” he said. “I love it, and I thank everyone who voted for it.” When asked about his first reaction to the news, Nelson quipped, “I thought they had the wrong number.” He laughed, and continued, “I thought it was a great thrill.”
(Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)
