Kate Bush and George Michael among stars inducted in Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame

Naomi Clarke, PA Entertainment Reporter

Kate Bush, Missy Elliott and the late George Michael were among the global stars who were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame during a star-studded ceremony.

Famous faces including Sir Elton John, Jimmy Page and Olivia Rodrigo performed at the ceremony, which took place at Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, New York on Friday.

Other honourees in the performer category included folk-pop singer Sheryl Crow, country music star Willie Nelson, rhythm and blues group The Spinners and rock band Rage Against the Machine.

Crow and Rodrigo kicked off the 2023 induction ceremony, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, with a performance of If It Makes You Happy.

Sir Elton performed a poignant rendition of his track Tiny Dancer in honour of his writing partner Bernie Taupin, who received the musical excellence award on the night.

He was recognised alongside singer Chaka Khan and songwriter and record producer Al Kooper in the category while DJ Kool Herc and late US guitarist Link Wray were given the musical influence award. The Ahmet Ertegun Award went to the late US TV star Don Cornelius.

The show also paid tribute to the late British singer Michael, who died on Christmas Day in 2016 at the age of 53, as country singer Carrie Underwood delivered a powerful performance of his song One More Try, Maroon 5’s Adam Levine sang his hit Faith and US singer Miguel performed a cover of Careless Whisper.

Andrew Ridgeley had the honour of inducting his former Wham! bandmate into the Hall Of Fame, remembering how the singer could convey the “ecstasy and pain that life occasions” with his songwriting and voice.

In a statement ahead of the ceremony, Michael’s representatives said: “George Michael Entertainment, the estate and George’s family are deeply grateful to The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame and to everybody who voted to induct George Michael this year.

“It is huge honour for one of the world’s great artists, songwriters and producers.”

Sir Elton, Crow, Chris Stapleton and Brittany Howard also delivered a special cover of The Weight by The Band for the in memoriam section of the show.

Page of Led Zeppelin also honoured Wray with a performance of the late guitar player’s track Rumble.

Missy Elliott made history at the show as she became the first female rapper inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

As she presented the award, Queen Latifah said: “Trust me, nothing sounded the same after Missy Elliott came on the scene… everything changed.

“The bass lines changed, the pockets changed, the cadence, the writing.

“And that’s because Missy has always been a futurist, someone who is always looking ahead.”

The US rapper and singer Elliott closed the show with a selection of her hits including Get Ur Freak On, The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly), Work It, Pass That Dutch and Lose Control.

Bush did not attend the ceremony but shared a statement ahead of the event in which she thanked those who had voted for her to receive the “wonderful accolade”.

“I am completely blown away by this huge honour – an award that sits in the big beating heart of the American music industry”, she wrote in a post to her website.

“Thank you so much to everyone who voted for me. I never imagined I would be given this wonderful accolade.”