UK Hall of Fame musicians inducted
Robbie Williams, Michael Jackson and the Rolling Stones were among those inducted into the UK’s first Hall of Fame for music at a star-studded ceremony last night.
The public has chosen one act to represent each decade since the Fifties as part of a new Channel 4 show.
Robbie Williams represents the 1990s, Michael Jackson the 1980s, Queen the 1970s, the Rolling Stones the 1960s and Cliff Richard has been chosen as the ambassador for the 1950s.
The UK Hall of Fame also inducted honorary members: Madonna, Bob Marley, Elvis Presley, U2 and the Beatles.
All these acts were honoured in the ceremony London’s Hackney Empire which will be broadcast on Channel 4 on Sunday.
Madonna, 46, received her honorary award from artists Tracey Emin and Radio One DJ Jo Whiley, who called her a woman with “bigger balls than any man I have every met”.
Robbie Williams, aged 30, gave a world exclusive performance of his new single Misunderstood after winning the popular vote to represent the 90s, beating the likes of Blur, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Oasis, Nirvana and the Spice Girls.
George Martin collected the honorary award on behalf of the Beatles.
He said: “After 42 years, the light of their genius still shines as bright as ever.”
Michael Jackson beat the likes of Prince, REM, George Michael and The Smiths to be crowned music ambassador from the 80s.
But there was no-one to accept the star’s award on his behalf tonight.
U2 star Bono delighted music fans by making an appearance to collect their honorary membership gongs.
Picking up his award from the filmmaker Dennis Hopper, he joked about signing the band’s record deal in a ladies toilet.
He added: “If anybody wants to know why I’m not playing at the Holiday Inn near Heathrow, the answer is simply that I’m not a solo singer, I’m in U2.”
Cliff Richard came ahead of other 50s stars like Little Richard, Frank Sinatra and Chuck Berry.
Elvis Presley’s former wife Priscilla, 59, picked up his honorary award. She said: “Elvis would be very proud… I wish that he could be here to enjoy this moment.”
She added: “His dream, that of a world tour, was never realised. His fan base was so strong here, and because of that he would have been very proud to receive this.”
Rita, widow of Bob Marley, picked up his honorary award, telling the crowds: “Let’s get together and feel alright”.
Guitarist Ronnie Wood, 57, picked up the award for the Rolling Stones to represent the 1960s. He joked about his wild days: “I wasn’t even there in the 1960s as you all know. But I’m here now.”
Queen came ahead of the likes of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and David Bowie to win the 70s title, and the award was collected by the band’s guitarist Brian May and Roger Taylor from the Darkness front man Justin Hawkins.
