Watch Nirvana Play With Lorde, St. Vincent, Kim Gordon, & Joan Jett At Their Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction
So the 2014 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony happened at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, and this year, it’s relevant to your interests! As you might have heard, Nirvana were inducted by R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe (“They were singular and loud and melodic and deeply original,” he said of the band), and after much consternation and subtle hints delivered via social media, a Frankenstein version of the band did indeed perform, with Dave Grohl behind the drum kit, Krist Novoselic on bass, Pat Smear on guitar, and Joan Jett standing in for the late Kurt Cobain, playing “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Jett was followed by Kim Gordon for “Aneurysm.” Then, St. Vincent’s Annie Clark on “Lithium.” And finally, Lorde joined the band for a rendition of “All Apologies.”
Grohl and Novoselic gave speeches upon accepting their awards. Wendy O’Connor (joined onstage by Cobain’s sisters Kimberly Cobain and Breanne O’Connor) spoke too, calling her son an angel. Courtney Love buried the hatchet with her husband’s bandmates, embracing them for a hug. She said Frances Bean Cobain wanted to attend, but became sick at the last minute.
It wasn’t just Nirvana though! Also, on the night’s docket was Peter Gabriel’s induction by Chris Martin, who read funny quotes about Phil Collins from “the book of Genesis.” “He’s a curator and an inspirer and he helped John Cusack get his girlfriend back in Say Anything,” the Coldplay frontman added. Gabriel (already an inductee with Genesis) performed “Digging In The Dirt,” “Washing Of The Water” (with Martin, who said it was his favorite Gabriel song), and “In Your Eyes” with Youssou N’Dour. After an intro by Tom Morello, KISS’ Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss took the stage (sans makeup) to accept their award, and said nice words about one another, but did not perform. Art Garfunkel inducted Yusuf Islam (bka Cat Sevens), who told the crowd “I never thought I’d be on the same stage as KISS” and performed some of his hits including “Wild World.” Glenn Frey inducted Linda Ronstadt, who did not attend (her Parkinson’s disease makes travel difficult) so Carrie Underwood, Stevie Nicks, Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, and Sheryl Crow sang in her honor. Bruce Springsteen toasted the E Street Band, whose members took up a lot of time with their speeches, setting the event well behind schedule. They performed “E-Street Shuffle,” “The River,” and “Kitty’s Back.” Questlove inducted Hall & Oates, who performed “She’s Gone” (after an aborted first attempt due to difficulties with their monitors), “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do),” and “You Make My Dreams Come True.” Said Questo in his speech, “Oates cowrote most of [their best] songs. Not to mention going onto a second career producing Howard Stern. Baba Booey.”
Check out a gallery from the big night above, and some videos and notable tweets below.
Dan with @endino, @DaleCrover, and @ChadDChanning for @Nirvana's @rock_hall ceremony. pic.twitter.com/qMEJ2MuwcJ
— Mudhoney (@_Mudhoney) April 10, 2014
and man, joan, annie and kim give a healthy display of Coolest Women You Will Ever Meet Behaviour
— Lorde (@lordemusic) April 11, 2014
If I skip the party It's just coz I'm tired- love you guys in my crazy way @KristNovoselic
#hatchetburied #deepintheground
— Courtney Love Cobain (@Courtney) April 11, 2014
The most magical part of the evening. Thank you Dave, love you. I know this made him smile up there pic.twitter.com/1VPdVKAAbc
— Courtney Love Cobain (@Courtney) April 11, 2014
Bummer that Mac DeMarco won't even be eligible until 2034. #rockhall2014
— Stereogum (@stereogum) April 11, 2014
UPDATE: Nirvana and friends made their way over to Greenpoint to play a secret show at Saint Vitus: