Elsewhere, Missy Elliott made history as the first female rapper to be inducted into the Hall. Queen Latifah gave the introductory speech and hailed Elliott as a trailblazer.
Elliott – who was honoured with a street named after her in her Virginia hometown last year – then gave a career-spanning performance including songs ‘Get Ur Freak On’ and ‘Work It’. “I’m still pinching myself to even be in a room with some of the inductees,” Elliott said in her acceptance speech, which you can read in full here.
Chaka Khan received the Musical Excellence Award, recognised for both her solo catalogue and as part of synth-funk pioneers Rufus. The aforementioned Taupin was also awarded that gong, as was Al Kooper, who formerly worked as a rock-focused manager, producer and songwriter.
The funk, disco and R&B queen Khan performed ‘I Feel for You’ with Common, ‘Sweet Thing’ with H.E.R., and ‘Ain’t Nobody’ and ‘I’m Every Woman’ with Sia at the ceremony.
This year’s Musical Influence Awards went to hip-hop legend DJ Kool Herc and the late Link Wray. The Ahmet Ertegun Award was posthumously awarded to Don Cornelius, the creator of Soul Train.
Willie Nelson, Rage Against The Machine, and The Spinners were some of the other acts inducted into the Hall this year.
Guest appearances at the ceremony included Elton John, Olivia Rodrigo, Chris Stapleton, Dave Matthews, and LL Cool J.
The artists who were nominated for 2023 induction but didn't make the final cut are: A Tribe Called Quest, Cyndi Lauper, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, Soundgarden, Warren Zevon, and The White Stripes.