Women who totally rocked the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In case you missed it, the 30th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony went down last Saturday night, and there was no shortage of ladies rocking throughout the night.
For starters, rock legend Joan Jett solidified her title as the Godmother of Punk after being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with The Blackhearts. “I was really going to try not to cry and be tough,” Jett said during her heartfelt acceptance speech. “I come from a place where rock and roll means something. It’s more than music, more than fashion, more than a pose. It’s a subculture of rebellion, frustration, alienation and the groove.”
Miley Cryus, a longtime Joan Jett super-fan, had the honor of inducting Jett into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. “She was also the first major female artist to start her own record label, and that’s only because all the other labels said that there wasn’t a market for that kind of music,” Cryus said during the induction speech. She even likened Jett to a “what Superwoman really should be.” For the record, we agree.
Cyrus later joined Jett onstage with Dave Grohl to perform hit classics like “Bad Reputation,” “Crimson and Clover” and the Runaways hit, “Cherry Bomb”. But Joan Jett and Miley Cyrus weren’t the only women holding it down on Saturday night. Patti Smith had the great honor of posthumously inducting Lou Reed into the Hall of Fame.
Patti, who had met Reed during his Velvet Underground days, reminisced on a poignant conversation they had in his hotel room when they were both touring. “It seemed like he talked for hours, and he talked about, well, all kinds of things,” she said during the induction speech. She especially noted his compassion for others and his love for poetry.
Reed’s wife, Laurie Anderson, accepted the honor on his behalf.
Like Joan Jett, an honorary performance ensued thereafter with Karen O and Nick Zinner’s rendition of “Vicious,” and Beck’s rendition of “Satellite of Love” from Reed’s 1972 album, Transformer.
On a night honoring music legends like Lou Reed, Bill Withers and Green Day, it’s certainly empowering to know that two of the most influential women in rock history were not only being honored, but also responsible for honoring other artists. Congratulations to all of the newly inducted Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members!