Here at Cleveland Public Auditorium, media outlets from everywhere are set up and plugged in, as the world watches what’s happening in the Rock & Roll City.
I am in one of the press areas that are set up at Public Hall, where photographers and reporters are busy pressing the shutters on their cameras and furiously typing on their laptops.
Backstage @ #RockHall2015 – by Dave Ramos
See exclusive footage of photographer minx Katie Cole!
Oh look, it's @ringostarrmusic at #RockHall2015 @Star102CLE @JenandTimShow pic.twitter.com/voGWxjEERF
— Dave Ramos (@daveramos) April 18, 2015
Who’s this? Oh, it’s just A FORMER BEATLE! Ringo Starr stopped into the press room to answer a few questions, and then his pal Joe Walsh joined him and told the press corps how happy he is that Cleveland is hosting the inductions.
Joan Jett opened the show with a hot performance of “Crimson and Clover” along with Tommy James and Dave Grohl and Miley Cyrus.
Then Miley said a whole bunch of things I can’t repeat when she inducted punk rock babe Joan Jett and her band The Blackhearts into the Hall.
Next, we all had a brief press room encounter with Yoko Ono – she didn’t take any questions from the crowd.
The Paul Butterfield Blues Band went in next, with the honors done by J. Geils Band lead Peter Wolf. The performance was done by Tom Morello, Zac Brown, and Jason Ricci.
The late Stevie Ray Vaughan and his band Double Trouble were honored next by fellow guitar great John Mayer. He joined the band afterwards for a blues-filled performance, and the show goes on.
Another contorted John Mayer face. Love. Photo by Dave Ramos
Fall Out Boy took the stage next to induct punk rockers Green Day to the Rock Hall.
Fall Out Boy inducts Green Day. Photo by Dave Ramos
Green Day then took the stage to perform a medley of their biggest hits, ending with “Basket Case” to a crowd on their feet.
Surviving members of The “5” Royales gave their acceptance speech after being inducted by Booker T. & The MGs guitarist Steve Cropper, and then soul singer Leon Bridges did a medley of the Royales’ tunes.
Lou Reed’s time in the spotlight came next. The late singer and generational icon was honored by his widow, and then Beck performed “Satellite of Love” to the packed crowd.
Stevie Wonder arrived on stage next, to induct soul legend Bill Withers.
Bill Withers KILLED in his speech with comedy gold, and then Stevie performed “Ain’t No Sunshine” while seated right next to the inductee himself.
photo by Dave Ramos