George Michael Inducted into the Rock Hall by Andrew Ridgeley

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."

The 2019 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony is this Friday (March 29), and in the ceremony's history, the all-star jam session has provided for one of the night's biggest highlights.

While there wasn't an all-star jam at the end of the 2018 ceremony, here's hoping the tradition will pick up again this year, especially when looking back on some of the incredible performances that have occurred.

In honor of the 2019 induction ceremony this Friday, here are seven stellar jam sessions from year's past.

The last all-star jam at the Rock Hall induction ceremony 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 presenter 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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Erica Banas is rock/classic rock news blogger that loves the smell of old vinyl in the morning.