Salt-N-Pepa threw on the multicolored leather jackets from their iconic “Push It” video and brought the crowd at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony to its feet with a romping rendition of their 1987 breakthrough hit.
“This is for every woman who picked up a mic when they told her she couldn’t,” Cheryl “Salt” James said Saturday while accepting the musical influence award that made her, Sandra “Pepa” Denton, and DJ Spinderella members of the Hall.
In a rousing speech at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, James addressed their ongoing fight to reclaim their master recordings from Universal Music Group. “The industry still doesn’t want to play fair, Salt-N-Pepa have never been afraid of a fight,” she said.
The trio took the stage for a medley of their hits, opening with “Shoop” before sliding into “Let’s Talk About Sex.” En Vogue then joined them for their joint hit “What a Man.” The energy surged even higher when they performed “Push It,” electrifying the crowd.
Spinderella made history as the first female DJ to enter the Hall of Fame. “The female rappers had to step to the mic and show that they could go toe to toe with the guys. And Salt, Pepa, and Spinderella did it,” said Missy Elliott while inducting the trio.
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**Outkast and Cyndi Lauper Inductions**
Donald Glover took the stage to induct Outkast, while Chappell Roan was set to induct Cyndi Lauper.
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**Meg White Absent for The White Stripes Induction**
The White Stripes’ much-anticipated reunion did not happen at the ceremony. However, their induction remained one of the highlights of the night.
Detroit rock legend Iggy Pop began his induction speech by leading the crowd in a chorus of “Seven Nation Army” and reminisced about meeting the band. “Cute kids, they’re gonna go places,” Pop said. “And they did.”
Drummer Meg White, who has maintained an almost entirely private life since the band broke up in 2011, did not attend the ceremony. Jack White, her ex-husband, delivered the induction speech while wearing the band’s signature red and white colors. He revealed that Meg helped him write the speech.
Jack White gave tribute to great duos across culture and described the kind of one-on-one collaboration featured in their music as “the most beautiful thing you can have as an artist and musician.” He grew emotional several times while telling a story of “the boy and the girl” who made magic together, “knowing that they have shared and made another person feel something.”
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**Stevie Wonder Pays Tribute to Sly Stone**
Stevie Wonder opened the show with a funky and flashy tribute to the late Sly Stone. The ceremony, which was streaming live on Disney+, will be available on Hulu Sunday and will air in an edited version on ABC on January 1.
Wonder was joined by Questlove, Leon Thomas, Maxwell, Beck, and Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers for spirited renditions of Sly and the Family Stone hits “Dance to the Music,” “Everyday People,” and “Thank You.” Jennifer Hudson also joined the group to deliver a powerful performance of “Higher.”
Sly Stone, who was inducted into the Hall in 1993, passed away in June. Brian Wilson, who died two days later, will also be honored in a tribute by Elton John.
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**Mick Fleetwood Opens Ceremony, Inducts Bad Company**
Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac officially kicked off the ceremony by inducting Bad Company. He called the British group, founded by Paul Rodgers and Mick Ralphs in 1973, “classic rock legends” and “one of the first supergroups,” but emphasized that, above all, “they were four great musicians who came together for the love of music.”
Due to health issues, Rodgers was unable to attend the ceremony, and Ralphs passed away earlier this year, leaving drummer Simon Kirke as the only member on stage.
Kirke was joined by a special supergroup that rocked through several of Bad Company’s biggest hits. Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes took lead vocals on “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” alongside Nancy Wilson of Heart and Joe Perry of Aerosmith on guitars. Bryan Adams also joined the stage to sing “Can’t Get Enough.”
“I’ve never played in a tuxedo before,” Kirke joked as he accepted the honor. He became emotional while thanking Ralphs’ wife, Susie, for taking care of him.
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**David Letterman Inducts the Late Warren Zevon**
David Letterman, a friend and longtime superfan, inducted the late singer-songwriter Warren Zevon. Zevon was a frequent guest on Letterman’s NBC late-night show.
“Warren Zevon is in my Rock & Roll Hall of Fame,” Letterman said, “Actually his own wing.”
A clip from Zevon’s final appearance on the show in 2002 was shown, where, despite battling cancer, he imparted his famous advice: “Enjoy every sandwich.”
Tearfully, Letterman showed the crowd a guitar Zevon had gifted him that night. Bruce Springsteen also recorded a tribute, saying, “He’s never going away. He’s got a body of work that’s as good as anybody’s.”
Letterman humorously categorized Zevon’s clever and emotional songs, ending with “songs about werewolves,” much to the crowd’s delight. Zevon’s 1978 hit “Werewolves of London” remains his biggest and most unlikely success.
The Killers then performed Zevon’s second-biggest hit, “Lawyers, Guns and Money,” closing the tribute with energy and reverence.
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The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony once again celebrated musical legends, unforgettable performances, and enduring legacies that continue to inspire generations.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/salt-n-pepa-outkast-cyndi-lauper-bad-company-white-stripes-warren-zevon-rock-roll-hall-of-fame-induction/
