For 37 years, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has set aside time to gather and immortalize selected acts and central figures that have made a mark on the rock and roll scene by defying industry standards and bringing renewed meaning to what it means to be a rockstar. True to form, the annual Induction Ceremony brought top talent to the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse stage in Cleveland on Saturday, Oct. 19, for a four-hour celebration steeped in gratitude.

The annual occasion feted the genre’s very best and started at a high point with Cher’s arrival.  The Goddess of Pop strode on stage halfway through her mega-hit “Believe,” which Dua Lipa and the Roots house band started. Hollywood elite Zendeya went on to deliver the induction speech, noting, “Her voice is so singular that any song she sings becomes a Cher song.” She continued, “She’s navigated a multitude of musical genres, defined new ones, and reinvented others.”

Cher, an innovator and leading lady in a male-dominated industry, quickly noted, “It was easier getting divorced from two men than it was getting in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.” Adding, “I want to thank my guardian, David Geffen, because he wrote a letter and sent it to the directors, and so here I am.” Less than a year ago, the iconic performer told Kelly Clarkson it would take a lot or a large sum of money to show up; nonetheless, she vetted and accepted the honor. 

The songstress’s stage time was succeeded by Chuck D’s commentary on Kool & the Gang’s massive impact on pop and hip-hop, giving way to a mélange of favorites: “Ladies Night,” “Jungle Boogie,” “Hollywood Swinging,” “Get Down,” and the aptly positioned “Celebration.” 

Next, Jennifer Hudson paid tribute to Dianne Warwick’s career accolades, performing “I’ll Never Love This Way Again” before the 83-year-old turned heads and offered a solo rendition of “Walk on By.” The induction of Michigan-bred rockers MC5 was a solemn affair, as drummer Dennis Thompson and guitarist Wayne Kramer had died earlier this year. 

Sammy Hagger made a passionate case for Foreigner appreciation while being tasked with the uncomfortable mention that no member from the band’s 1970-80s lineup was present for the night’s musical performance, despite the fact the group’s original singer Lou Gramm, bassist Rick Willis and keyboardist Al Greenwood were all in attendance–watching during “Feels Like the First Time” and “Hot Blooded.” Oddly, the members above took the stage during the final minutes of “I Want to Know What Love Is,” but not to the effect that they deserved. 

Next, The Who’s Roger Daltrey spoke of Peter Frampton’s career accomplishments, which gave way to the recipient’s seated delivery of “Baby (Somethin’s Happening).” Keith Urban assisted on Frampton’s follow-up, a stretched “Do You Feel Like We Do.” The event saved space to honor Jimmy Buffett, with Dave Matthews performing the King of Island Escapism’s famed “A Pirate Looks at 40.” James Taylor took the stage to offer words in honor of Buffett before joining the late musician’s Coral Reefer Band and Kenny Chesney for “Come Monday.” 

Unannounced presenter Dave Chappelle inducted A Tribe Called Quest, delineating their effective pull in the hip-hop relm, “On their way up during their ascension, they helped form or found what hip-hop calls the Native Tongues, which included De La Soul and the Jungle Brothers and Queen Latifah and Monie Love and Black Sheep. And all these bands, in their own way, changed our music and our culture really forever. I know this is the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but this movement in hip-hop was the birth of so many great artists, and it started with these men sitting at this table.”

The night flowed and inevitably yielded an appearance by The Godfather of Heavy Metal, Ozzy Osborne, beckoned via a speech from Jack Black, who used his own experience in School of Rock to reference the musician’s cultural impact and gave way to seasoned picks: “Crazy Train,” performed by members of Watt & Smith Steakhouse, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, venerable producer Andrew Watt, in addition to harder leaning rockers Wolfgang Van Halen, Maynard James Keenan and Robert Trujillo. 

Judging by the crowd’s reception, it appeared Dave Matthews Band fans were revved up for the group’s stage time, introduced by actor Julia Roberts, who spoke of her fandom involving the band: “And I’ve been lucky enough to attend many a Dave Matthews Band concert, and I don’t think I’ve ever heard any of their songs played the same way twice. Right? The songs, the stories of love and loss, of humanity and deep connections, and resonating responsibilities, it’s all there and more. The joyous, spontaneous abandon with which they play is part of how they have become one of the most enduring and beloved bands of the last 30-plus years.”

Drawing on their jam history and ability to connect with fans, the speech gave way to DMB’s performance of fan favorites: a tight sequence of “Ants Marching” >“Crash into Me,” “So Much to Say,” and “Too Much.” Speaking on behalf of the band, Matthews said, “First of all, the class of 2024 does feel like we’re swimming in very deep water there.” He continued, “We’re very grateful to be inducted with this incredible group of people.”

Notably, former member Boyd Tinsley was absent, likely due to recent legal strife. Despite this, Matthews acknowledged the violinist’s absence with a direct call out: “Boyd Tinsley.” He continued, “Wherever you are, we hope you are finding the happiness you seek.” In turn, the band’s namesake announced the group was going to leave the crowd with some “going away music,” cutting into Talking Heads’ “Burning Down the House” for the first time since 2018.