Hall Of Fame Inductees Perform At Ceremony
Disco from the Bee Gees, funk from George Clinton and hard rockin’ from Crosby, Stills and Nash. But no moonwalk from Michael.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions Tuesday night featured performances from the inductees (many had hits in the ‘70s) and even a few presenters like James Taylor, Brian Wilson and Tom Petty.
But perhaps the class of 1997’s most famous artist, Michael Jackson, appeared on stage only to accept his award and a hug from Bee Gee crooner Barry Gibb. There would be no “ABC” from the Jackson 5 because of recent surgery on brother Jackie’s k-n-e-e.
Instead of performing, brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael brought Motown Records mogul and mentor Berry Gordy on stage with them to remember the early days.
“Berry, you promised us four consecutive No. 1 records,” the Gloved One gushed. “You delivered them all. I’ll never forget it.”
It was the first time that the ceremony was held in Cleveland, the home of rock’s Hall of Fame and Museum. The previous 12 were held in New York and Los Angeles, cities with higher profiles in the music industry.
The list of inductees read like an 8-track tape. Besides the Jackson 5, the Bee Gees and Crosby, Stills and Nash, there was Joni Mitchell, the Young Rascals, Buffalo Springfield, and George Clinton’s band, Parliament-Funkadelic.
“We are the enigma with a stigma,” said Gibb, the lead singer on many of the Bee Gees’ disco hits. “We live with it. We’ve suffered with it. We think we’ve come out of it.”
The group played a medley of hits that featured songs from one of the top-selling soundtracks of all time, “Saturday Night Fever.”
Gospel singer Mahalia Jackson and bluegrass pioneer Bill Monroe were inducted posthumously. King Records founder Sydney Nathan also was enshrined.
xxxx 1997 inductees The Bee Gees. Hits: “I Started a Joke” (1969), “How Deep Is Your Love” (1977), “Stayin’ Alive” (1977). Buffalo Springfield. Hits: “For What It’s Worth (Stop, Hey What’s That Sound)” (1967), “Mr. Soul” (1967). Crosby, Stills and Nash. Hits: “Marrakesh Express” (1969), “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” (1969), “Woodstock” (1970), “Our House” (1970), “Just a Song Before I Go” (1977). The Jackson 5. Hits: “I Want You Back” (1969), “ABC” (1970), “Never Can Say Goodbye” (1974). Joni Mitchell. Hits: “Big Yellow Taxi” (1970), “Carey” (1971), “You Turn Me on, I’m a Radio” (1972), “Help Me” (1974). Parliament-Funkadelic. Hits: “Tear the Roof off the Sucker” (1976), “Flash Light” (1977). The Young Rascals. Hits: “Good Lovin”’ (1966), “How Can I Be Sure” (1967).