Publication: New York Daily News [US]
Date: May 6, 1997
Section:
Page Number(s):
Length:
Title: "Stars Shine in Cleveland Fete at Rock' N' Roll Hall Induction Site"
Written By: David Hinckley

Cleveland -- Two of pop's most peculiar icon, The Artist Formerly Known As Prince and Michael Jackson, were in the house last night as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's annual induction ceremony played it's first home date.

Ten of the last 11 induction ceremonies were held in New York. and the presence of Prince and Jackson generated a fan frenzy in star-starved Cleveland.

Last night marked the first time either had attended a Hall of Fame ceremony--and neither deigned to perform.

Jackson nixed any speculation that he might earlier in the day--even alongside fellow members of the Jackson 5, with whom he was being inducted.

Prince's sole contribution to the festivities was the induction speech for George Clinton's Parliament Funkadelic, whose music and attitude he cited as major influences on his own work.

Cleveland, which lobbied hard for the Hall of Fame in 1985 and then took 10 years to build it, proved itself a worthy host. But it took some doing.

Because the Hall of Fame has no facility that seats 1,400 for dinner, the event was held at the venerable Renaissance Hotel, which yesterday became a rock'n'roll fortress.

Some of Jackson's fans had been waiting outside for more than 24 hours before the celebrity-studded $1,500-a-plate dinner began, and they mobbed each arriving limo hoping for a glimpse of the Gloved One.

Jackson and Prince more than compensated for the last-minute withdrawal of the Canadian connection, inductees Joni Mitchell and Neil Young.

Mitchell was said to be reluctant to make a public appearance in the wake of an emotional reunion with a daughter who gave up for adoption 30 years ago.

Graham Nash said Young was upset that inductees were given only one complimentary guest ticket.

Young, who was inducted yesterday as a member of Buffalo Springfield, has appeared at several of the 11 past dinners, including his induction as a solo artist in 1995.

Included in the Class of 1997 were '70s superstars the Bee Gees and the Rascals, who played together for the first time since 1970.

Also inducted were "early influences" Mahalia Jackson and Bill Munroe and "nonpreformer" Syd Nathan, whose King Records label introduced James Brown.

Presenters included Tom Petty for Buffalo Springfield and Diana Ross for the Jackson 5, whom she was credited with calling to Motown Records' attention.

James Taylor was on hands to induct Crosby, Stills and Nash. Shawn Colvin did the honors for Mitchell.

For only the second time, the ceremony was taped for television. VH1 will show an edited two-hour version on Friday and Saturday.