Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (2024)

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is a museum of and hall of fame located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. The museum documents the history of rock music and the artists, producers, engineers and such who have influenced its development. Michael Jackson was technically inducted twice; in 1997 through the Jacksons and in 2001 as a solo artist.

1997[]

On May 6, 1997 the Jackson 5 were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The band was going to be introduced by Diana Ross, although they made their appearance before her. Instead, she told the story of how her and the members met each other. The Jacksons then proceeded to do their speeches and such, thanking friends and family. While Michael was talking, he asked Berry Gordy to join the band on stage. Alongside Gordy joined Barry Gibb due to a misunderstanding, but shared a hug with Jackson and stayed on stage. Further into the speech, Michael said his famous quote "I don't like this angle, I like this one." stating he preferred one camera angle over another, and covering one of the cameras with his hand.^[1]

2001[]

On March 19, 2001 Michael Jackson was inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, becoming the youngest solo recording artist to do so.

The King of Pop was introduced by Justin Timberlake and *NSYNC.

"There are very few names in this business that can actuallybe considered royalty. From the King, Elvis Presley to of course, Queen, the king of Soul and R&B, Solomon Burke. And we're very lucky tonight, we get to induct the King of Pop, Mr. Michael Jackson. From that extremely cool and yet astonishing, talented little boy leading the Jackson 5, to the solo artist who knocked us out with hti after hit. Until he had not only racked up more awards than any musical artist in history, but infiltrated the sounds of our lives. While all this time we thought we knew him so well, it was he, who knew us. He knew what would move us emotionally, he knew what would make us move onto the dance floor in vain attempts to imitate his amazing and completely original dance steps. He knew the words that we wanted to say, and the sounds we wanted to hear. When the Jackson 5 was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Michael became the youngest living artist to be honored. Tonight, he has broken his own record by becoming the youngest living solo artist to be inducted. But that's far from the only record held by Michael, he's had the longest span of number-one hits in the US, he shares the record for most Grammys won in a single year, he holds the record for an album going to number one in more countries than any musician in history, he holds the record for the most number one singles from an album and he co-wrote the biggest selling of all time, "We Are the World". For more than 35 years, Michael Jackson has been the "Man in the Mirror", he thrilled us with the "Thriller", the largest selling album of all time. Beat us at our own game with "Beat It", He rocked us to our souls with "Rock with You". He’s Bad, he’s Dangerous, and if he thinks we're going to let him stop because we had enough, as they so often say in this city, "forget about it". There ain't no stopping, there ain't no enough, he’s the King of Pop, the one the only, Michael Jackson."

— *NSYNC inducting Michael Jackson into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, March 19, 2001^[2]

Michael then came on to the stage. He thanked *NSYNC, saying he's "proud to call them his friends". Additionally, he mentioned "there's not going to be any moonwalking tonight" as he had broke his foot in California. He then proceeded to thank multiple of his friends, family and personnel; Katherine Jackson, Joe Jackson, brothers and sisters, Rabbi Shmuley, Berry Gordy, Quincy Jones, Diana Ross, Tommy Mottola, Sony and fans.

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