Energetic and memorable are the words to describe the inductions of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 38th class.

Dua Lipa opened the star-studded ceremony to sing Cher’s hit, “Believe,” with the icon joining her halfway through to make for an unforgettable performance.

Zendaya took to the podium to induct the woman she called “so iconic she only needs one name.” She spoke of the immeasurable influence Cher has had on the world of music and praised her repertoire and record as the only solo artist to have a no.1 hit in each of the last seven decades. Following Zendaya’s speech and a video montage was Cher’s performance of her 1989 hit “If I Could Turn Back Time.” Afterward, she humbly stumbled through her speech, claiming she did not mean to change music in the way people credit her for.

Between acceptance speeches were videos of recognition for inductees who have passed on. The videos included musicians Alexis Korner, John Mayall and Big Mama Thornton for Musical Influence and prolific producer Norman Whitfield for Musical Excellence.

Rapper Chuck D inducted R&B pioneers Kool and the Gang– one of the most sampled groups in music history. The rapper praised the group’s contributions to defining funk. Surviving members, founder/bassist Robert “Kool” Bell and lead singer James “JT” Taylor played a dance-inducing medley of hits, ending with “Celebration.” The group was praised as “something so pure, it has to live forever.”

In their acceptance speech, Kool recognized the original band members, who have since passed, including his brother Ronald. When it was Taylor’s turn to speak, he thanked his lawyers, his mother, as well as his bandmates. He left the audience with this final message: “Let’s stand in reverence so tomorrow we can climb even higher. Make sure you use your voice and vote!”

Teyana Taylor inducted Dionne Warwick. “She is a rule breaker, name-taker and hit-maker.” Warwick was praised for her strength and her ability to connect with audiences at every point in her career. Brought to pay tribute was Jennifer Hudson with “I’ll Never Love This Way Again.” before being joined by Warwick in shimmering elegance.

For her acceptance speech, Warwick gracefully reveled in the moment, this being her third time nominated for the award, excitedly saying “This time they finally got it right!” The rest of the 83-year-old’s speech was short and sweet, thanking all those who have supported her.

Rage Against The Machine’s Tom Morello arrived with passion to honor the fathers of punk rock, MC5 with a speech – contrary to their fellow deceased inductees. In Morello’s words, the band “crystallized ‘60s counterculture movements at its most volatile and threatening,” their sound and attitude “inventing the template of raw power and irreverent attitude that became punk.” Morello concluded with “Whenever we have the courage to get up on that stage and kick out that motherf***ing jams, the spirit of the MC5 will be there with us. MC5, welcome home to where you belong.”

Next up was Hall-of-Famer Sammy Hagar to induct Foreigner. Hagar opened by congratulating the band’s fans, citing them as the reason “it was more of an abduction than induction.”

Absent from the ceremony was founder Mick Jones, who is battling Parkinson’s Disease, as well as drummer Dennis Elliot. Foreigner’s touring band was joined by Demi Lovato and Hagar for two hits, leading up to an appearance of the band’s retired lead singer Lou Gramm and Kelly Clarkson with “I Wanna Know What Love Is,” which also featured guitar legend, Slash.

Gramm was joined onstage for speeches by original keyboardist Al Greenwood, bassist Rick Wills and Annabelle Dexter-Jones, daughter of Mick Jones.

Former heart-throb Peter Frampton was inducted by Roger Daltry, who described him as a “restless soul.” Frampton welcomed Keith Urban to play the dueling guitar part in his 1973 hit “Do You Feel Like We Do” after a solo performance of “Baby (Somethin’s Happening).” Frampton concluded by calling out to fans for recognition of his band Humble Pie, which he was a part of from 1969 to 1971, to be inducted as well.

Jimmy Buffet was honored by Hall of Fame classmate Dave Matthews, who made brief comments before performing “A Pirate Looks At Forty.” Matthews then welcomed James Taylor, to officially induct the musical icon.

Taylor called his friend a “musical genius” for his writing style and fun mood explored by his music that related to a variety of audiences. Taylor finished by performing “Come Monday” with Kenny Chesney and Mac McAnally.

The only non-performer to make a stage appearance was recipient of the Ahmet Ertegun Award, Motown producer Suzanne De Passe. De Passe brought many acts to fame, including the Jackson 5. Berry Gordy Jr. inducted her via video, commending her strength and determination in what had been a man’s world. Said De Passe: “I take my inspiration from the past, but I am excited for the future. There used to be a song that said ‘use me till you use me up;’ and that’s what I intend to do!”

Comedian Dave Chapelle followed, inducting A Tribe Called Quest. “The best meal you can cook is made with ingredients that you already have.’ [T]his proverb particularly reminds me of Tribe because Tribe was born out of friendship.” Formed in 1985 by Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammed and Jarobi White their use of soul and jazz in hip-hop with social commentary was revolutionary. Phife Dawg, who passed away in 2016, was remembered by Chapelle and his bandmates for his impact and creative contributions. To honor the group, hip-hop legends came together to perform “Can I Kick It?”

Tribe’s induction was tailed by the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige. Blige was inducted by Dr. Dre and Method Man, who both capitalized on the power of her writing, voice and confidence.

Blige sang a medley of “Love No Limit,” “Be Happy” and “Family Affair.” She left the audience with the following: “I’d like to be remembered as someone who gave her life to her music.”

Entertainment anomaly Jack Black enthusiastically inducted the Prince of Darkness himself, Ozzy Osbourne. Black stressed Osbourne’s impact on the metal genre in both Black Sabbath and his solo career, calling him “the Jack Nicholson of rock.” Osbourne was brought out in a fitting throne of black, adorned with bats and met with a nearly two-minute standing ovation before thanking his fans and family.

Music icons of hard rock and Jelly Roll performed riveting renditions of “Crazy Train,” “Mama I’m Coming Home” and “No More Tears.”

The night’s final inductees were the Dave Matthews Band, welcomed by Julia Roberts. The group performed fan-favorite hits “Ants Go Marching,” “Crash Into Me,” “So Much To Say” and “Too Much,” before Matthews gave a rambling acceptance speech, thanking his band members, as well as the fans. Instead of continuing his speech, Matthews opted for an encore performance he called “going away music” for the event’s attendees, playing a cover of ‘ Talking Heads’ “Burning Down the House,” leaving the hit as the audience’s parting bit of wisdom after five and a half hours.

Image by Erik Drost via Wikimedia Commons