Sheryl Crow and Chaka Khan electrify the crowd at the 2023 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Gala

NEW YORK (AP) — Sheryl Crow and Chaka Khan have the crowd roaring at 2023 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Friday night’s induction concert, where the Queen of Funk performed a medley of her hits including “Ain’t Nobody” and the Southern singer-songwriter belted out an electric version of “If It Makes You Happy” alongside Olivia Rodrigo.

Willie Nelson Bringing country, St. Vincent’s rock tribute to Kate Bush and George Michael’s longtime partner in Wham! Honoring the late pop star.

Crowe joined Rodrigo – both dressed in black – and exchanged verses while playing guitars. Stevie Nicks later joined Crow to perform “Strong Enough” and Peter Frampton came out to help sing “Everyday Is a Winding Road.”

“It’s kind of like getting an Oscar for a screenplay you haven’t finished writing yet,” Crowe said. She thanked her parents for the unconditional love and piano lessons. She described music as a “universal gift.”

Laura Dern chimed in on Crowe and called her friend a “badass goddess.” Dern said the music industry initially had no idea what to do with a guitar-playing Southern singer-songwriter. But she quickly learned. “It charted the chapters of our lives,” Dern said.

Elton John He came out of retirement to perform and toast his songwriting Bernie Taupin Partner. “He became my best friend and lyricist,” John said. “He is without a doubt one of the best lyricists of all time.”

John joked that the two had never fought in their 56 years together. “He was disgusted by my behavior, but that’s a given.” John also revealed that the two had just finished a new album.

The two men embraced on stage, and Tobin said that when they met in 1967, he found in John someone who “inspires you with his imagination and ignites your dreams.” John then sat down at the piano to sing “Tiny Dancer.”

The ceremony in New York City is streaming live for the first time on Disney+.

She, Sia, and Kumon accompanied Khan on a medley of funky hits that included “I Feel For You,” “Ain’t Nobody,” “Sweet Thing,” and “I’m Every Woman,” the latter of which brought nearly everyone to a… this place. Their feet.

On stage, Khan graciously called out guitarist Tony Maiden, a member of the band Rufus, in which Khan appeared early in her career. “If it wasn’t for the band, I wouldn’t be here today,” Khan said.

Nelson’s portion of the concert took up a fair portion of the night, with Dave Matthews playing the acoustic “Funny How Time Slips Away,” the legend joining Chris Stapleton for “Whiskey River,” where he and Crowe performed “Crazy” and then all three of them. The musicians reunited with Nelson for “On the Road Again,” which received a standing ovation.

Matthews said Nelson, 90 years old, He wrote his first song when he was seven years old in 1940 and has released more than 70 albums. He’s navigated the musician’s legendary career, including Farm Aid, IRS troubles and Nelson’s preference for pot. “It’s people like Willie Nelson that give me hope in the world,” Matthews said.

When his turn came, Nelson thanked his wife, Annie, for “keeping me here, doing what I’m supposed to do.” “Thank you for appreciating my music,” he added.

Andrew Ridgley He honored his partner in Wham! The late George Michael. “His music was the key to his empathy,” Ridgley said. “George is one of the greatest singers of our time.”

Michael attracted three interesting artists in his tribute: Miguel, Carrie Underwood and Adam Levine, who each performed one of his songs – “Careless Whisper,” “Faith” and “One More Try.”

Another posthumous inductee was “Soul Train” creator Don Cornelius. A huge banner from his old TV dance show was lowered and the crowd danced happily. Snoop Dogg, Questlove and Lionel Richie in a video described the show as a rite of passage and a groundbreaking show that elevates black music and culture.

Big Boi introduced Kate Bush, telling the audience that they never know what to expect from her music and comparing her insistence on producing her own work to being very hip-hop. “Who looks like Kate Bush?” Asked. “If you’re hearing Kate’s music for the first time, why wouldn’t you believe this is a current artist?”

St. Vincent took the stage to perform “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God),” the Bush song that rose to popularity after it was featured on the TV show “Stranger Things.” Bush did not attend Friday’s ceremony.

LL Cool J introduced DJ Kool Herc, nicknamed the Father of Hip-Hop. “Arguably no one has made a greater contribution to hip-hop culture than DJ Kool Herc,” LL Cool J said and then turned to the older artist: “She lit the fire and it’s still burning.” A visibly affected Herc was unable to speak for a few moments before thanking his parents, James Brown, Marcus Garvey, and Harry Belafonte, among others.

Queen Latifah will induct Elliott, who will become the first female hip-hop artist to be inducted into the Rock Hall. Elliott will then take the Barclays Center stage to perform. The four-time Grammy Award winner is also the first female rapper to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

The Spinners, who became a hit-making machine with four No. 1 R&B hits in less than 18 months, were honored by a new version dressed in a velvet jacket and fedora, who sang “I’ll Be Around,” “Rubber Man” and “Could I I’m falling in love.” John Edwards and Henry Fambrough represent the five-member Philadelphia group.

Also inducted into the Hall as the Class of 2023 are Rage Against the Machine and the late guitarist Link Ray. Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page paid tribute to Wray with a virtuoso rendition of the late guitar god’s “Rumble” using a double-neck guitar.

The strong representation of women at the ceremony this year comes shortly after the hall was demolished Rolling Stone co-founder Jann Wenner from its board of directors. Weiner, who also co-founded the hall, said black musicians and women “didn’t speak as clearly as” the white musicians featured in his new book of interviews. He later apologized. Tobin drew cheers when he said he was honored to join the class of 2023 with such “deeply speaking women” and “articulate Black artists.”

Artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before they are eligible for the definition. Nominees were voted on by more than 1,000 artists, historians and music industry professionals.

ABC will air a special featuring performance highlights and iconic moments on January 1.

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Mark Kennedy is here http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits