The televised broadcast of the 32nd Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony aired on HBO this past weekend. If you missed it, fire up the TiVo and make sure you don't miss these memorable moments.
Undoubtedly, the biggest story leading up to the actual induction ceremony, filmed for broadcast on April 7 at Barclay's Center in New York City, was that Snoop Dogg had been tapped to present the posthumous induction for his friend, musical peer, and former label mate Tupac Shakur. Snoop's heartfelt speech was poignant and humanizing, giving an intimate look into the experience of knowing, on a personal level, an artist who exists largely as a symbolic, mythic figure for fans.
"'Pac embraced those contradictions that proved we ain't just a character out of someone else's storybook," said Snoop Dogg. "To be human is to be many things at once; strong and vulnerable; hard-headed and intellectual; courageous and afraid; loving, and vengeful; revolutionary and — oh yeah, don't get it f***ed up — gangsta."
Other must-see highlights from the broadcast included a touching tribute to Chuck Berry by ELO, a gospel-heavy homage to the music of Prince by Lenny Kravitz, Pearl Jam reuniting with original drummer Dave Krusen for an inspired performance of "Alive," David Letterman roasting almost everyone in the building, and Musical Excellence Award recipient Nile Rodgers getting a tip of the cap from friend and collaborator Pharrell Williams.
From Abbey Road to "Zip-A-Dee-Doo Dah," view the full list of GRAMMY Hall Of Fame recordings