NEW YORK (AP) – With nimble dance steps, blistering guitar and a trio of 1980s-era hits, Prince extended his purple reign to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last Monday.
Detroit rocker Bob Seger, California singer-songwriter Jackson Browne and ex-Beatle George Harrison also joined the hall at its annual induction ceremony, along with ZZ Top, Traffic and the Dells.
Dressed in a white suit Prince brought the normally staid crowd to its feet with some vintage funk-rock. He played three of his hits: “Let’s Go Crazy,” “Sign O’ the Times” and “Kiss.”
A restless perfectionist, the Minneapolis-based singer often played every instrument on his discs. He said he was preoccupied early in his career with maintaining his freedom.
“I embarked on a journey more fascinating than I could ever imagine, but a word to the wise to the young artists – without spiritual guidance too much freedom can lead to spiritual decline,” he said.
He also warned youthful musicians, “A real friend and mentor is not on your payroll.”
Prince was inducted by outrageous rappers OutKast and soulful singer Alicia Keys, who said Prince influenced them as they grew up.
“There are many kings,” Keys said. “King Henry VIII, King Solomon, King Tut, King James, King Kong and the three kings. But there is only one Prince.”
Browne co-wrote “Take it Easy” for the Eagles, then was successful on his own with “Doctor My Eyes,” “The Pretender” and “Running on Empty.”
The “No Nukes” concert organizer has mixed the political with the personal throughout his career.
“I want to thank you for allowing me to put my personal politics in my songs,” he said. “Music is a very empowering thing. I’m thankful for having had a lifetime doing it. Thank you for this job.”
Bruce Springsteen inducted Brown, noting with some jealousy that while he and his E Street Band usually drew an audience filled with men, Browne was a magnet for women. Springsteen called Browne a “bona fide rock ‘n’ roll sex star.”
“Jackson was drawing more women than an Indigo Girls show,” Springsteen said.
Browne performed “The Pretender,” paused to thank his manager, then sang “Running on Empty.”
Seger, who still lives in the Detroit area, burst from regional to national fame with the hits “Night Moves,” “Old Time Rock ‘ Roll” and “Like a Rock,” the latter a longtime Chevy commercial theme.
Fellow Michigan singer Kid Rock inducted Seger, calling him one of music’s most overlooked performers. “In the Detroit area, Seger is God,” Rock said.
“Bob Seger’s music not only influenced me, it taught me to be proud of where I come from. I still am,” he said. “He set the bar for all of us who came from the Midwest.”
Seger brought up his Silver Bullet Band for their first public performance in nine years. They sang “Turn the Page” and the wedding staple, “Old Time Rock ‘n’ Roll.”
Michigan’s governor declared Monday “Bob Seger Day” in the state.
Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne, two fellow members of the Traveling Wilburys, were on hand to salute Harrison. The guitarist joins John Lennon and Paul McCartney as Beatles also honored by the Rock Hall as solo artists.
Harrison’s biggest hit, “My Sweet Lord,” came in a burst of pent-up creativity following the Beatles’ breakup. He recorded infrequently in the decade before his November 2001 cancer death, but a well-received posthumous disc came out in 2002.
Hirsute blues-rockers ZZ Top were an early MTV staple with the boogie hits, “Legs” and “Sharp-Dressed Man,” helped by the presence of little-dressed women in their videos.
And they were a ready-made trivia question: the one member of the trio who didn’t wear a beard down to his chest was named (Frank) Beard.
Traffic featured teen prodigy organist Steve Winwood, who later went on to solo success. The pastoral, jazzy Traffic had hits with “Glad” and “Low Spark of High Heeled Boys.”
The Dells, a vocal harmony quintet that hit with “Oh What a Night” in 1955, were the inspiration for the film “The Five Heartbeats.” With only one personnel change, a group formed in high school is still performing together more than 50 years later.
Rolling Stone magazine founder Jann Wenner was to receive a lifetime achievement award.
Highlights of the awards ceremony will be shown on VH1 on Sunday.
