The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has recognised hip-hop for the first time, with Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five joining rock music's greatest on the prestigious list.
In a dramatic night at New York's Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Bill Berry joined his former R.E.M. bandmates for their induction, whilst Van Halen resumed their role as rock's greatest parodists, with most of the band remaining conspicuously absent amid simmering tensions and stints in rehab.But it was the recognition of hip-hop that caused the biggest buzz, with Grandmaster Flash describing his induction as a "final respect". He said he remembered when a "culture called hip hop was just a passing ship in the night", but, "I called it a flash of brilliance, excuse the pun."
In the Van Halen camp, only Sammy Hagar and ex-bassist Michael Anthony were present at the ceremony - David Lee Roth didn't go because he didn't like the band's choice of song performance, whilst Eddie Van Halen remains in rehab.
A reformed R.E.M. performed a medley of songs with Eddie Vedder on backing vocals. The Pearl Jam singer described the Athens rockers as "truly all-encompassing".
Other artists inducted into the Hall of Fame included Patti Smith, who performed a version of the Rolling Stones' classic 'Gimme Shelter', and The Ronettes, who were inducted by Stones guitarist Keith Richards.
The evening was dedicated to Atlantic Records and Hall of Fame founder Ahmet Ertegun, who died in December. The late James Brown was also honoured.
