The Morning Call

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame welcomes eclectic 2021 class

- By Tom Withers

Jay-Z’s added another title to a resume that includes rapper, songwriter, Grammy winner, billionair­e business mogul, and global icon — Hall of Famer.

The self-proclaimed “greatest rapper alive” was recently inducted as part of an eclectic 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class that included Foo Fighters, Carole King, Tina Turner, The Go-Gos and Todd Rundgren.

Once a drug dealer on the streets of Brooklyn, New York, Jay-Z rose through the rap world with hard, straight-forward songs that often portrayed the struggles of Black people in America.

His catalogue includes songs like “Hard Knock Life,” “99 Problems” and “Empire State of Mind,” as well as 14 No. 1 albums.

Following a video introducti­on that featured President Barack Obama, LeBron James and David Letterman, Jay-Z was inducted by comedian Dave Chappelle, who praised him for being an inspiratio­n.

Paul McCartney welcomed

Foo Fighters, who have carried the mantle as one of rock’s top arena acts. Initially, the band was a side project for front man Dave Grohl, who was previously inducted as Nirvana’s drummer.

McCartney described the parallels between he and Grohl as both were part of popular bands who broke up. “Do you think this guy is stalking me?” McCartney joked.

Foo Fighters and McCartney closed the show with the Beatles’ “Get Back.”

Rapper LL Cool J was enshrined for musical excellence along with keyboardis­t Billy Preston and guitarist Randy Rhoads.

Electronic pioneers Kraftwerk, singer-poet Gil ScottHeron and Delta blues legend Charley Patton were inducted as early influencer­s and Sussex Records founder Clarence Avant received the Ahmet Ertegun Award.

Cool J was joined on stage by Eminem and Jennifer Lopez for a career-spanning performanc­e.

“What does LL really stand for?” asked producer Dr. Dre in his induction speech. “… I’m here because I think it stands for living legend.”

Superstar Taylor Swift opened the show with one of King’s best-known songs, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” which appeared on “Tapestry,” her seminal 1971 album.

King thanked Swift “for carrying the torch forward.”

She noted other female singers and songwriter­s have said they stand on her shoulders.

“Let it not be forgotten,” King said. “They also stand on the shoulders of the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. May she rest in power, Miss Aretha Franklin.”

Turner, 81, who found her greatest success when she left abusive husband Ike Turner, lives in Switzerlan­d and did not attend the ceremony. “If they’re still giving me awards at 81,” Turner said in a video message, “I must have done something right.”

Keith Urban and H.E.R. performed “It’s Only Love” before Mickey Guyton took on her song, “What’s Love Got To Do With It.” Then Christina Aguilera belted out “River Deep, Mountain High.”

Considered the greatest

female group in rock history, The Go-Go’s emerged from

Los Angeles’ punk scene in the 1980s. The quintet broke rules and smashed gender ceilings in a male-dominated industry with hits like “We Got The Beat,” “My Lips Are Sealed” and

“Head Over Heels.”

Best known for soft ballads like “Hello It’s Me” and “Love Is The Answer,” Rundgren also had a long path to induction. He has been outspoken about the hall’s selection process and skipped the ceremony in

protest.

Artists are not eligible for induction until 25 years after release of their first recording. There are lively debates every year over omissions.

The ceremony will be shown on HBO Nov. 20.

 ?? DAVID RICHARD/AP ?? Jay-Z speaks during the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony Oct. 30 in Cleveland.
DAVID RICHARD/AP Jay-Z speaks during the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony Oct. 30 in Cleveland.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States