Paul McCartney will induct his former Beatles bandmate, Ringo Starr, into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next month.
Stevie Wonder, Patti Smith and John Mayer will also usher in new members during the 30th annual induction ceremony at Cleveland’s Public Hall on April 18. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is also in Cleveland.
As a group, the Beatles are in the Hall of Fame already, and so are McCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison as solo artists. Drummer Starr is the last of the band to be honoured individually, and Eagle Joe Walsh will perform some of his friend’s music.
Wonder will induct Bill Withers, a songwriter who had his greatest success in the 1970s. John Legend, who headlined the Dubai Jazz Festival last month, will perform Withers’ songs. It is not known whether Withers, who quit the music business more than 30 years ago, will sing. Rock hall spokeswoman Shauna Wilson said it had yet to be determined which inductees would perform.
Smith will induct an artist who, like her, is indelibly linked to New York, the late Lou Reed, and Beck will perform his music.
Mayer will speak in honour of another blues guitarist, the late Stevie Ray Vaughan. Vaughan’s brother Jimmie will perform with members of his brother’s old band, Double Trouble.
Dave Grohl will perform music by inductee Joan Jett, although the hall has yet to announce who will give the induction speech for the I Love Rock and Roll singer.
Peter Wolf will induct the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, with Tom Morello performing the band’s music. Fall Out Boy will induct Green Day and guitarist Steve Cropper is will honour the 1950s and 60s R&B group the “5” Royales.
HBO is filming the ceremony and concert, which will be broadcast in the US on May 30.
The rock hall will open an exhibit on April 11 honouring the 2015 new class.
artslife@thenational.ae
