(L-R). Rock and Roll 2024 Inductees JT Taylor and Robert “Kool’Bell from Kool and the Gang, Dionne Warwick, and Mary J, Blige backstage at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse (Photos by Shana Black)
Written by Terricha Phillips
When it comes to rock & roll, there’s a place for every artist, and Cleveland is at the center of the history. The 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony returned to downtown Cleveland with a jam-packed week of concerts, media interviews and unveiling the exhibit on the museum’s third level.
The genre of Rock & Roll is a combination of Rhythm and Blues, Country and Gospel music (the name is attributed to WJW disc jockey Alan Freed from the upbeat rhythm and blues records he played in the 1950s). The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame celebrates the sound of youth culture and honors the artists whose music connects all generations. The 2024 class is a diverse slate of legends recognized for their lifetime achievements, cultural impact and global influence, including Cher, Kool & The Gang, Dave Matthews Band, Mary J. Blige, A Tribe Called Quest, Ozzy Osbourne, Dionne Warwick, Suzanne de Passe, Big Mama Thornton, Peter Frampton and Norman Whitfield.
“I am so moved, honored, and appreciative to be part of not just the Motown people but the incredible people who are honorary inductees,” said de Passe, who served as Motown’s creative executive and president. “(The Hall of Fame) is a magical place and I think music has been so much a big part of my life that I can’t single out any one person or event or thing, it’s just the cocktail of all of it.”
Susanne DePass answering questions from reporters after being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Photo by Shana Black)
Downtown Cleveland streets rocked on Saturday night, from the sold-out induction concert at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse to the Guardians baseball game at nearby Progressive Field happening at the same time. The Rock Hall Foundation spent the week celebrating the inductees with various musical events culminating with the inductees’ performances live streamed by Disney+, sure to bring significant economic impact for the city moving forward.
“The museum is vibrant, the museum is thriving; the people that come in for the induction ceremony fill our hotel rooms, they fill our restaurants, the airport is abuzz,” said Greg Harris, president and CEO of the Hall of Fame and Museum, “all of the jobs it creates for the economic impact for Cleveland is over $50 million for just this one induction ceremony,”
Cher may have been the most anticipated in-person inductee due to past “love-hate” comments about any Hall of Fame accolades. Prior to Cher’s performance with pop singer-songwriter Dua Lipa, both women dressed in striking black leather outfits smiled for photos and took questions. What softened Cher’s stance at this year’s recognition ceremony?
Cher and singer Dua Lipa with reporters after Cher’s induction into the Rock Hall of Fame in Cleveland (Photo by Shana Black)
“When I heard the people that were going to be in (the Hall of Fame), the people that I admire and I just thought I’ll get to be with this group of people and I don’t care where I am with them, they are great and I’m happy to just be with them,” Cher said. “I feel good, and I can say that I am happy that I am in.”
Several inductees including members of the Dave Matthews Band, Kool & the Gang and Foreigner were present for the dedication of plaques at the Rock Hall Museum. Each year, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation’s nominating committee selects the group of artists nominated in the Performer category. Ballots are then sent to more than 900 historians, members of the music industry and artists (including every living Rock Hall inductee) and the five performers receiving the most votes become that year’s induction class. Fans also have the chance to vote for the nominees they would like to see inducted into the Rock Hall. Artists become eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first commercial recording, and will have made a significant impact on the development, evolution, and preservation of rock & roll. The four categories for induction are performers, Ahmet Ertegun non-performer award, early influences, and musical excellence. Cleveland is one of the few cities that host the induction festivities every three years.
Method Man backstage with reporters after inducting Mary J. Blige (Photo by Shana Black)
Music producer and member of Wu-Tang Clan Method Man addressed the media on behalf of Mary J. Blige, who sang the hook for “All I Need” on 1995 debut album Tical. “You watch someone go through trials and tribulations most of their career, being misunderstood and being put in spaces that she does not belong in or she’s too big for; the humility to stand in those spaces and still thrive means a lot,” he said. “To see her up there receiving her blessings is big, I love her and I’m always rooting for her.” When asked about the landscape of Hip Hop, Method Man replied, “The music is what it is. It goes in different directions and it is forever changing. Would I change some things about it? Of course I would. But, you have to let it be free to evolve and do what it does; that’s Hip Hop.”
Clevelanders Mariel Rice and wife Rhonda Rice stopped by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum for photos during a nighttime stroll on the evening of Sweetest Day. After selfies in front of the ‘Long Live Rock’ sign, the Rices reminisced about memorable Rock artists being celebrated over the weekend.
“I love Ozzy Osbourne’s music, it led me through a lot of good times in life and his music is still good,” said Mariel Rice, a fan of classic rock music. “A lot of good artists came up here, like The Raspberries. You can find out the whole history of rock by coming here (to the museum).”
“Mary J. Blige is an old favorite as the Queen of R&B Soul and she’s not my favorite artist, but her music is good and she deserves her props,” said Rhonda Rice, holding a multicolored bouquet of roses. “Michael Jackson is my favorite artist in the Hall of Fame. When they had a special exhibit with all his music and paraphernalia over the years, I came down here for any souvenirs I could get my hands on. It’s a wonderful place and draws people from all over who want to learn more about their favorite musicians and see what they can find out.”
In 2025 the museum will celebrate 30 years of music education, archival collections and community programs. Since opening in 1995, the facility has attracted 15 million visitors from around the world. During the press conference, Greg Harris mentioned the Foundation’s 50,000-square-foot expansion happening now at the museum, and its overall economic investment of $240 million for the greater Cleveland community.
Another couple, Robert and Kelsey Rutherford, traveled from East Tennessee to spend the weekend in Cleveland and attend the Browns football game on Sunday, but first took photos in front of the museum the night before.
“I like (Cleveland) because there is so much to do, you can spend weeks here and not do everything there is to do,” Robert Rutherford said, “I like the glamuor rock of Mötley Crüe, Bon Jovi, Metallica, those were big bands when I was growing up.”
“Cleveland is the perfect spot to have this (Hall of Fame museum),” added Kelsey Rutherford. “I love The Doors, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin and others from that era.”
