Neil Young, Rush to Induct Pearl Jam + Yes Into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame festivities for 2017 are becoming a bit clearer. Though the 2017 class was recently revealed, the Rock Hall is beginning to attach presenters to induct each of the soon-to-be-enshrined acts, with Pearl Jam set to be inducted by Neil Young and Yes receiving their induction by way of a speech from Rush's Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee.
The third known presenter is Jackson Browne, who will be on hand to induct Joan Baez. The ceremony itself will take place Friday, April 7 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Presenters have yet to be revealed for Electric Light Orchestra, Journey, Tupac Shakur and Nile Rodgers.
"There's a creative committee that looks for these types of connections to find people who are the right fit," explained Todd Mesek, the Rock Hall's vice president of marketing and communications, about how the presenters are chosen for each act. "They look for those connections and a deep appreciation, so that the presenters can speak from the heart on the inductee's impact -- both on themselves as well as the fans at large."
"Rush was definitely influenced by Yes, and the two groups are both seminal prog-rock bands, so it's a natural fit to have Rush welcome in Yes as fellow inductees," continued Mesek. "Pearl Jam continues to play Young's 'Rockin' in the Free World' as part of their sets today, so the relationship -- personally, professionally and musically - is deep. Jackson Browne and Joan Baez are both important singer/songwriters. Baez recorded Browne's song 'Fountain of Sorrow' on Diamonds and Rust, and they've both admired each other's work for some time."
Not only does Pearl Jam continue to play Young's "Rockin' in the Free World," but they also recorded the Mirror Ball album with Young and have been part of Young's Bridge School Benefit over the years. Meanwhile, during their 2012 induction, Rush spoke out about their disappointment that they had been chosen ahead of their progressive heroes Yes and King Crimson and helped to champion Yes' induction, which makes them a solid choice.
The Rock Hall also revealed that a special exhibit honoring the class of 2017 inductees will open on March 31. Tickets for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony will go on sale to the general public at 10AM ET on Friday, Feb. 3 via Ticketmaster and the Barclays Center website. However, Citi cardholders can get tickets to the 32nd annual induction ceremony at a special online presale at citiprivatepass.com from 10AM ET Monday, Jan. 30, to 10PM ET Thursday, Feb. 2.
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