Several big names were inducted into the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame last night, and several big names didn’t show up. Axl Rose decided not to reunite with the members of Guns N’ Roses , Rod Stewart and Adam Yauch were both too ill to attend the ceremony in honor of The Faces and The Beastie Boys, and John Frusciante opted not to come in honor of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
But despite the absences, the hall of fame rockers put in a pretty solid show at Cleveland’s Public Auditorium. Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan said :
“I don’t think it matters who’s up here tonight, because this is about the songs that band created.”
Still, Guns N’ Roses fans weren’t too pleased with Rose’s decision to skip the show. When Billy Joel Armstrong was giving an induction speech for Guns N’ Roses, fans were shouting “F*** Axl.” Armstrong responded :
“Shut up. He was the greatest frontman to ever step in front of a microphone. (“Appetite” was) the greatest debut album in rock ‘n’ roll history… But he is crazy. And I can vouch for that.”
Here’s a video of Guns N’ Roses playing at the Rock N’ Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony.
Guns N’ Roses weren’t the only band to perform without an integral member. The Faces performed without Rod Stewart (Simply Red’s Mick Hucknall took over vocal duties) and The Beastie Boys decided not to perform without Yauch. Instead, the Roots, Kid Rock and Travie McCoy of Gym Class Heroes, gave a Beatie Boys tribute.