Since its first event in 1986, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction has brought together some of the biggest names in music.
The found its permanent home in Cleveland in 1986, and its foundation began inducting music legends that same year. The musicians inducted include not only those in the rock music genre but across a wide range of music genres from country to soul, including The Beatles, James Brown, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Dolly Parton and Carole King.
In 2023, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will welcome inductees Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliot, Kate Bush, George Michael, Willie Nelson, Rage Against the Machine and the Spinners. The ceremony will take place on Nov. 3.
Here, WWD takes a look back at some of the signature style moments at the annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Bo Diddley, 1987
Bo Diddley was one of the notable inductees at the 1987 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Diddley attended the ceremony in a classic black and white tuxedo and a bowler hat. Other inductees that year included legends such as Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and B.B. King.
The Beatles, 1988
Legendary rock band The Beatles received their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 1988. George Harrison and Ringo Starr were joined by John Lennon’s wife Yoko Ono and sons Julian and Sean Lennon on stage to receive the honor. Harrison and Starr kept in classic in black and white formal wear.
Ruth Brown, 1993
R&B singer Ruth Brown was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. The singer not only received her induction, but also took to the stage to perform, wearing a magenta ball gown with black embroidery on the bodice.
Elton John, 1994
Elton John received his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 1994. The singer, who is well known for his fashion sense, took the honor as another chance to showcase his style. The Grammy-winning musician wore a textured white suit with a satin lapel and a white shirt with gold statement buttons. He accessorized with a gold lapel pin, a single gold statement earring and a gold lapel pin.
Michael Jackson, The Jackson 5 and Bee Gees, 1997
The Bee Gees and The Jackson 5 were honored with their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductions in 1997. Michael Jackson was front and center in one of his military style jackets with gold accents and black trousers. By comparison, the rest of the Jackson 5 members the Bee Gees kept it classic in black and white formal ensembles.
Eric Clapton, 2000
After years of attending the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony as a guest, Eric Clapton finally received the honor of his own induction. At the 2000 event, the singer took to the stage in a dark navy suit, pale yellow shirt and green tie to perform at the event.
Isaac Hayes, 2002
Soul music singer Isaac Hayes wore black and white for his 2002 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, sporting a black dashiki style ensemble with white trim and matching pants. He completed his look with a black hat with white trim and sunglasses.
Jackson Browne, 2004
Jackson Browne has sold more than 18 million albums across the United States. At this 2002 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, the singer wore a pinstripe suit with a black and white pattern shirt.
Debbie Harry, 2006
In 2006, Blondie was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In attendance at the ceremony was the group’s frontwoman, Debbie Harry. Harry wore an off-white dress with metallic embellishments and cutout detail on the shoulders. She completed her ensemble with off-white heels and a metallic gray evening purse.
Patti Smith, 2007
Patti Smith received her induction to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. Smith wore an androgynous ensemble, including a white dress shirt left unbuttoned at the bottom, a black tie loosely strung around her neck an oversized black jacket and black skinny pants. The singer was photographed beaming when she received her honor.
Madonna, 2008
Madonna was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2008, wearing a classic black and white dress. The cap-sleeve dress had white sequin trim at the bodice and on the sleeves.
Dr. John, 2011
Throughout Dr. John’s career, the singer and songwriter was known for his music combining New Orleans Blues, jazz, funk and R&B. In 2011 when he received his Rock & Roll Hall of fame induction, he did it in style in a bright purple suit, paisley pattern shirt, bowler hat and gator shoes. He completed his look with square-frame sunglasses.
Ronnie Wood, 2012
Ron Wood, the guitarist and singer for Faces, saw his band honored with a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction in 2012. The longtime musician donned a glittery black suit and white shirt for the occasion. Wood is also an official member of The Rolling Stones.
Ann and Nancy Wilson, 2013
Ann and Nancy Wilson are not only sisters, but also the vocalists for longtime rock band Heart. In 2013, Heart was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Ann Wilson wore a black bowler hat, black and white coat dress and black boots for the occasion. Nancy Wilson wore a printed blue long-sleeve dress belted at the waist and black lace pants.
Ace Frehley, 2014
2014 finally saw legendary rock band Kiss receive their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Ace Frehley, the group’s lead guitarist, wore a purple velvet tuxedo jacket, leather pants, white shirt and wide tie to receive the honor. He completed his ensemble with signature sunglasses.
Green Day, 2015
Tre Cool, Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt, members of the band Green Day, arrived on the red carpet in 2015 for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction. Cool wore a black satin lapel suit with a wine-colored shirt, while Armstrong wore a dark gray tuxedo jacket with black pants and a white ruffle shirt complete with a bowtie. Dirnt kept it the most understated in a black suit, white shirt and black skinny tie, but he accessorized his look with a rose lapel flower.
Bon Jovi, 2018
In one of many induction ceremonies many rock fans saw a longtime coming, Bon Jovi was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2018. The group all cordintaed in various approaches to wearing all-black. Namesake front man Jon Bon Jovi kept it understated in a black suit and black shirt he left unbuttoned at the top.
Stevie Nicks, 2019
Stevie Nicks added to her growing list of accolades with her 2019 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction. The legendary singer wore a gothic-inspired all black dress with black platform boots to receive the honor. Harry Styles presented Nicks with her award.
Carole King, 2021
Carole King, who has composed hits such as “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” and “Up on the Roof,” received her Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction in 2021. The musician kept opted for a comfortable all-black ensemble with sequin black jacket as a statement piece. She completed her ensemble with black and white checkerboard vans.
Dolly Parton, 2022
Country queen Dolly Parton was inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. On the red carpet, the singer wore a black dress with grommet and chain details allover. She completed the ensemble with black platform heels with a clear plastic upper.
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