On April 8th, 2016, some of the biggest names in rock and roll gathered for a night of celebration and recognition at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York for the 2016 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. This annual event honors the artists who have made an undeniable impact on the genre of rock and roll, and this year's ceremony was no exception.
The 2016 inductees included some of the most iconic and influential bands of the past several decades: Cheap Trick, Chicago, Deep Purple, Steve Miller, and N.W.A. The evening's festivities began with an all-star tribute to David Bowie, who had passed away just a few months prior. The tribute included performances by David Byrne, The Roots, and Kimbra, among others, and set the tone for a night of nostalgia, reminiscence, and celebration.
First up for induction was Cheap Trick, the Illinois-based rockers who burst onto the scene in the late 1970s with a string of hits that included "I Want You to Want Me" and "Surrender." The band was inducted by Kid Rock, who praised Cheap Trick's longevity and influence on rock and roll. The band performed a rousing set that included "Surrender," "I Want You to Want Me," and "Dream Police," and closed out their set with an emotional rendition of "Auf Wiedersehen," which featured heartfelt tributes to former band members Bun E. Carlos and Tom Petersson.
Next up was Chicago, the horn-laden rockers who have been making music since the late 1960s. The band was inducted by Rob Thomas, who spoke about Chicago's unique blend of jazz, rock, and pop, and their massive success over the course of their career. Chicago's set included hits like "Saturday in the Park," "Does Anybody Really Know What Time it Is?," and "25 or 6 to 4," and featured a stunning performance by lead vocalist Jason Scheff.
After Chicago's set, it was time for the evening's third inductee: Deep Purple. The British hard rockers, who are considered one of the pioneers of heavy metal, were inducted by Metallica's Lars Ulrich, who spoke about the band's place in rock history and their influence on countless other bands. Deep Purple's set included hits like "Hush," "Highway Star," and "Smoke on the Water," and featured blistering guitar solos by the band's two axemen, Steve Morse and Ritchie Blackmore.
The evening's final two inductees were Steve Miller and N.W.A. Steve Miller, the bluesy rocker behind hits like "The Joker" and "Take the Money and Run," was inducted by The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach, who praised Miller's ability to make "simple music that connects with people on a deep level." Miller's set included hits like "Fly Like an Eagle," "Rock'n Me," and "The Joker," and featured a guest appearance by Bonnie Raitt, who joined him on stage to perform a cover of "Love Me Like a Man."
Finally, it was time for N.W.A., the pioneering gangsta rap group from Compton, California, to take the stage. The group's induction was highly anticipated, as they had been eligible for more than 20 years before finally receiving the honor in 2016. Kendrick Lamar, who has cited N.W.A. as a major influence on his own music, inducted the group, speaking about the impact that their music had on him and on the world at large. N.W.A.'s set included hits like "Straight Outta Compton," "Express Yourself," and "F*** tha Police," and featured a reunion of the group's surviving members, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, MC Ren, and DJ Yella.
Overall, the 2016 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was a night to remember, filled with memorable performances, heartfelt speeches, and a true celebration of the genre of rock and roll. Whether you're a fan of classic rockers like Cheap Trick and Chicago or a devotee of gangsta rap pioneers N.W.A., this event truly had something for everyone.
