Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Jay-Z, Taylor Swift, Foo Fighters, The Go-Go's, more icons inducted
USA TODAY
![This year ’ s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held for the first time at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the 20,000-seat home of the NBA ’ s Cleveland Cavaliers and a venue familiar to Jay-Z and Foo Fighters, who have played shows in the arena. It was a return to normalcy for the event, which was forced to go virtual in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On Saturday night, Jay-Z added another title to a resume that includes rapper, songwriter, Grammy winner, billionaire business mogul, and global icon — Hall of Famer. The self-proclaimed “ greatest rapper alive ” was inducted as part of an eclectic 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class that included Foo Fighters , Carole King , Tina Turner , The Go-Gos and Todd Rundgren . Scroll through for some of the best moments of the night.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/10/31/USAT/eef28eb9-a2cd-43e5-967c-909ddbdfa098-AP_Music_Rock_Hall_copy.jpg?width=440&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
This year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held for the first time at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the 20,000-seat home of the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers and a venue familiar to Jay-Z and Foo Fighters, who have played shows in the arena. It was a return to normalcy for the event, which was forced to go virtual in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Saturday night, Jay-Z added another title to a resume that includes rapper, songwriter, Grammy winner, billionaire business mogul, and global icon — Hall of Famer. The self-proclaimed “greatest rapper alive” was inducted as part of an eclectic 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class that included Foo Fighters, Carole King, Tina Turner, The Go-Gos and Todd Rundgren.
Scroll through for some of the best moments of the night.
David Richard, APOn Saturday night, Jay-Z added another title to a resume that includes rapper, songwriter, Grammy winner, billionaire business mogul, and global icon — Hall of Famer. The self-proclaimed “greatest rapper alive” was inducted as part of an eclectic 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class that included Foo Fighters, Carole King, Tina Turner, The Go-Gos and Todd Rundgren.
Scroll through for some of the best moments of the night.
![Following a video introduction that included former President Barack Obama, LeBron James and David Letterman, Jay-Z was inducted by comedian Dave Chappelle , who praised him for being an inspiration. “ He rhymed a recipe for survival, ” Chappelle said. “ He embodies what the potential of our lives can be and what success can be.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/10/31/USAT/ca2ee77d-8939-4e6b-afb8-1e834d14dab1-GTY_1350351797.jpg?width=440&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Following a video introduction that included former President Barack Obama, LeBron James and David Letterman, Jay-Z was inducted by comedian Dave Chappelle, who praised him for being an inspiration.
“He rhymed a recipe for survival,” Chappelle said. “He embodies what the potential of our lives can be and what success can be.
Dimitrios Kambouris, Getty Images For The Rock And Ro“He rhymed a recipe for survival,” Chappelle said. “He embodies what the potential of our lives can be and what success can be.
![LL Cool J was joined on stage by Eminem and Jennifer Lopez for a powerful career-spanning performance.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/11/01/USAT/32fe704f-fc93-4956-a41b-32380d32c79a-AP_Music_Rock_Hall.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
LL Cool J was joined on stage by Eminem and Jennifer Lopez for a powerful career-spanning performance.
David Richard, AP![The two performed " All I Have. "](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/11/01/USAT/bf2694d5-9fb0-4943-b6e7-1aa32db1a4e1-AP_Music_Rock_Hall_1.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
The two performed "All I Have."
David Richard, AP![Swift opened the show with one of Carole King ’ s best-known songs, “ Will You Love Me Tomorrow, ” which appeared on “ Tapestry ” her seminal 1971 album — a soundtrack for a generation.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/11/01/USAT/b8e20082-565f-4448-8356-2d1622702651-GTY_1350327539.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Swift opened the show with one of Carole King’s best-known songs, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” which appeared on “Tapestry” her seminal 1971 album — a soundtrack for a generation.
Dimitrios Kambouris, Getty Images For The Rock And Ro![Swift gave a moving, heartfelt induction speech for one of her musical idols. “ I can ’ t remember a time when I didn ’ t know Carole King ’ s music, ” Swift said, saying her parents taught her several important lessons as a child, with one of the most important being “ that Carole King is the greatest songwriter of all time.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/11/01/USAT/2ef1e552-b83a-4fc0-bfbd-d6917749173d-GTY_1350322684.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Swift gave a moving, heartfelt induction speech for one of her musical idols. “I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know Carole King’s music,” Swift said, saying her parents taught her several important lessons as a child, with one of the most important being “that Carole King is the greatest songwriter of all time.
Michael Loccisano, Getty Images For The Rock And Ro![King thanked Swift “ for carrying the torch forward. ”](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/11/01/USAT/3f081dbe-e898-4f8e-a57c-668573d253b4-GTY_1350342657.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
King thanked Swift “for carrying the torch forward.”
Arturo Holmes, Getty Images For The Rock And Ro![Christina Aguilera performed during the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremony.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/11/01/USAT/9aa0caef-72eb-49ed-adef-702dd5acf006-AP_Music_Rock_Hall_copy_4.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Christina Aguilera performed during the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremony.
David Richard, AP![(L-R) Lionel Ritchie inducted Clarence Avant for the Ahmet Ertegun Award during the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/10/31/USAT/b9254d95-ea52-466e-9caf-6a30a62b99d8-AP_APTOPIX_Music_Rock_Hall.jpg?width=660&height=372&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
(L-R) Lionel Ritchieinducted Clarence Avant for the Ahmet Ertegun Award during the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
David Richard, AP![Paul McCartney , presenter for the Foo Fighters , spoke during the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/10/31/USAT/291c4c8f-a639-4a77-a524-a63683cf3f5a-AP_Music_Rock_Hall_1.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Paul McCartney, presenter for the Foo Fighters, spoke during the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
David Richard, AP![McCartney and Dave Grohl performed The Beatles ' " Get Back " during the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/10/31/USAT/b1c9d181-161b-4f52-97f5-56ab1bddd1d6-AP_Music_Rock_Hall.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
McCartney and Dave Grohl performed The Beatles' "Get Back" during the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
David Richard, AP![(L-R) Nate Mendel, Pat Smear, Chris Shiflett, Grohl, Rami Jaffee and Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters were inducted onstage by McCartney during the 36th Annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/10/31/USAT/8b26e140-3fe8-4bf5-80f9-340bab29d720-GTY_1350354024.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
(L-R) Nate Mendel, Pat Smear, Chris Shiflett, Grohl, Rami Jaffee and Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters were inducted onstage by McCartney during the 36th Annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Michael Loccisano, Getty Images For The Rock And Ro![Chappelle and Grohl shared a hug onstage.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/10/31/USAT/306773c1-82b2-41bb-8160-5aa921edd2e6-GTY_1350354600.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Chappelle and Grohl shared a hug onstage.
Michael Loccisano, Getty Images For The Rock And Ro![The Go-Go ' s hugged their presenter, actress Drew Barrymore , after she inducted them into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/10/31/USAT/00d40f97-280d-4f2d-9476-4a01c5f79395-AP_APTOPIX_Music_Rock_Hall_copy.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
The Go-Go's hugged their presenter, actress Drew Barrymore, after she inducted them into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
David Richard, AP![The Go-Go ' s performed.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/10/31/USAT/c5351c04-c2fd-4e3b-8087-4a11784a4b35-AP_Music_Rock_Hall_copy_2.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
The Go-Go's performed.
David Richard, AP![Brandi Carlile performed onstage during the 36th Annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction ceremony at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Oct. 30.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/10/31/USAT/7e8bec97-f6bf-47ef-97d3-475d62c1b559-GTY_1350346758.jpg?width=440&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Brandi Carlileperformed onstage during the 36th Annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction ceremony at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Oct. 30.
Dimitrios Kambouris, Getty Images For The Rock And Ro![(L-R) Phil Hanseroth, Carlile, center, and Tim Hanseroth performed onstage.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/10/31/USAT/371088b6-bc4e-4e7e-861f-50fcc6c389d4-GTY_1350348500.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
(L-R) Phil Hanseroth, Carlile, center, and Tim Hanseroth performed onstage.
Michael Loccisano, Getty Images For The Rock And Ro![Mickey Guyton performed.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/11/01/USAT/6265cb38-5379-4795-884d-58d44f0a6811-GTY_1350335547.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Mickey Guyton performed.
Michael Loccisano, Getty Images For The Rock And Ro![Keith Urban performed.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/10/31/USAT/7cff1e4b-4bc8-4caf-9df9-ca62a847a64b-AP_Music_Rock_Hall_copy_3.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Keith Urban performed.
David Richard, AP![Angela Bassett answered a question in the press room during the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremony.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/10/31/USAT/7e3325e3-9757-4ac2-95d7-f2f90daa3f2a-AP_Music_Rock_Hall_Press_Room_copy.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Angela Bassett answered a question in the press room during the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremony.
Ron Schwane, AP![Gary Clark Jr. performed.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/10/31/USAT/f1e194fa-cf7b-4957-a5cc-63c5e641c08a-GTY_1350345125.jpg?width=440&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Gary Clark Jr. performed.
Dimitrios Kambouris, Getty Images For The Rock And Ro![H.E.R. attended the 36th annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremony.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/11/01/USAT/70a732a4-61f4-4ed0-b498-866190d0a9d7-GTY_1350342664.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
H.E.R. attended the 36th annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremony.
Arturo Holmes, Getty Images For The Rock And Ro![LL Cool J and Jay-Z.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/11/01/USAT/239d32d1-5ac8-4db6-b9ac-2b0682d7ec07-GTY_1350346087.jpg?width=660&height=506&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
LL Cool J and Jay-Z.
Dimitrios Kambouris, Getty Images For The Rock And Ro![Questlove speaks in the press room during the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/11/01/USAT/8658202a-f652-476f-9ab6-a536ac4e3c42-GTY_1350325208.jpg?width=441&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Questlove speaks in the press room during the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony.
Arturo Holmes, Getty Images For The Rock And Ro![LL Cool J poses in the press room following his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/10/31/USAT/91737b9b-badf-4ba8-9681-b507b7d86fff-AFP_AFP_9QQ3TR.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
LL Cool J poses in the press room following his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
DUSTIN FRANZ, AFP Via Getty Images![LL Cool J answers a question in the press room.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/10/31/USAT/744b3f4d-68a0-4173-b714-e02935a62b8a-AP_Music_Rock_Hall_Press_Room.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
LL Cool J answers a question in the press room.
Ron Schwane, APFeatured Weekly Ad