George Michael Inducted into the Rock Hall by Andrew Ridgeley

Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

November 3rd, 2023 11:21 PM

George Michael started his career with his childhood best friend, Andrew Ridgeley, in Wham! It was incredibly poetic for the late pop icon to be inducted into the 2023 class of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame by Ridgeley himself.

Ridgeley praised Michael’s “sublime” voice. He said it ” … expressed both strength and vulnerability, qualities that resonate throughout his outstanding songwriting.” He added, “It was the expression of his soul that made harmony with raw, unfettered emotion. It had the power to send one soaring with its joy and to make one weak with its pain.”

Ridgeley noted, “George considered his talents in descending order as those of songwriter, producer and singer. However, whilst his songs and recordings brilliantly convey his visceral sense of the ecstasy and pain that life occasions, it was the breathtaking beauty in the way he delivered that sense that, in my opinion, was his greatest gift: His voice.”

Ridgeley further noted, “We achieved as Wham! our burning boyhood ambition…Wham! was the realization of everything I had ever aspired to, and the realization for George that stretching before him along a gilded and infinite path lay his destiny.”

Michael’s family issued a statement saying, “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.” They added, “It is a huge honor for one of the world’s great artists, songwriters, and producers.”

Michael was honored with a three-song set by three different artists. Miguel took on “Careless Whisper” and had E Street Band saxophonist Jake Clemons in tow for the song’s iconic sax hook.

Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine then followed and performed “Faith.”

Closing out the set was country superstar Carrie Underwood singing the ballad “One More Try.”

Rock Hall Induction Ceremony: 7 Incredible All-Star Jams

• 'Rockin' In The Free World' (2017)

  This all-star jam featured members of Pearl Jam, Yes, Journey and Rush together performing Neil Young’s “Rockin’ In the Free World.” Young was slated to be the inductor for Pearl Jam that evening, but he had to back out at the last minute. David Letterman took his place, which as far as replacements go is pretty incredible. One of the best parts about the Rock Hall all-star jam is that it brings together some of the biggest and often most unlikely collections of artists. Even if you don’t like every act being inducted into the Rock Hall on a given year, the all-star jam almost always delivers.

• 'Roll Over Beethoven' (1986)

  The all-star jam at the very first Rock Hall induction ceremony was something to behold. Joining Chuck Berry for a performance of “Roll Over Beethoven” was Keith Richards, Neil Young and Steve Winwood.  For good measure, they were accompanied by Billy Joel and Jerry Lee Lewis. The all-star jam bar was set awfully high with the first Rock Hall induction ceremony, but clearly, the following years have strived to meet or beat this performance, which again, was something to behold.

• 'Green Onions' (1992)

  Just look at that packed stage!  From Johnny Cash to Steve Cropper to The Edge, the amount of talent gathered during the 1992 all-star jam is simply unreal! Plus, “Green Onions” remains one of the coolest instrumental tracks of all time. It’s a groove that was “a vibe” generations before Gen Z was even born and coined that slang.

• '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction' (1989)

  The All-Star Jam at the 1989 induction ceremony also featured an incredible array of icons. Performing The Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” is Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, Little Richard, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Townshend, Tina Turner and Stevie Wonder. Just nothing but absolute, one-of-a-kind legends on that stage. It’s a prime example of what make the Rock Hall induction ceremonies so magical.

• 'Crossroads' (2013)

  Wow! There’s literally something for everyone during this performance of “Crossroads” at the 2013 induction ceremony. Included on stage are Chuck D., Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, Ann and Nancy Wilson, Rush, John Fogerty, Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello and Gary Clark Jr. It’s a bittersweet rewatch since the rock world has lost Hawkins and Cornell in the years since this performance.

• 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' (2004)

  This performance is so good it hurts!  Watch in awe as Prince, Tom Petty, Steve Winwood, Jeff Lynne and Dhani Harrison play the hell out of this Beatles classic. In the years since Prince and Tom Petty’s passing, the magic of this performance has only grown.

  Fun fact: The New York Times Magazine recently published a lengthy feature about a nine-hour documentary about Prince directed by Ezra Edelman that may not get released. In the doc, this 2004 Rock Hall performance is explored. Apparently, Prince made a point to really tackle his epic three-minute solo in response to being omitted from a 2003 list published by Rolling Stone about the greatest guitarists of all time. (The Rock Hall was co-founded by Rolling Stone co-founder Jann Wenner, who happened to be inducted into the Rock Hall in 2004.)
  
  The New York Times Magazine notes, “Prince nursed these kinds of slights, and his commandeering of the stage — at an event associated with Jann Wenner and Rolling Stone — was, in part, an act of revenge. There’s spite and aggression in the performance. But there’s also pain — in his wincing face, his apartness: a small, soigné Black man onstage with these rumpled white rockers.”

• 'With A Little Help From My Friends' (2015)

  Ringo Starr got more than just a little help with the performance of this Beatles classic. The absolutely packed stage included Paul McCartney, Green Day, Joan Jett, Patti Smith, Joe Walsh, Karen O, Miley Cyrus, Gary Clark Jr., Zac Brown, Tom Morello, Dave Grohl and so much more that it’s almost too overwhelming to list. Now, if only Joe Cocker could get inducted posthumously into the Rock Hall, then there could be another killer “With A Little Help From My Friends” all-star jam.

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Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

Category:

• 95.7 BEN FM
• Music

Tags:

George Michael,Rock and Roll Hall of Fame