Prince was officially recognised as musical royalty on Monday, when he was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Late Beatle George Harrison was also honoured at the ceremony, along with bearded rockers ZZ Top.
The diminutive singer from Minnesota sent New York's Waldorf-Astoria into a spin with a rousing performance of his hits Sign Of The Times and Kiss. "When I first started out on this journey, I was most concerned with freedom," he said. "I wish you all the best on this fascinating journey – it ain't over."
For George, who was already inducted as a member of the Beatles, this was the second time being honoured in the Hall Of Fame. The legendary musician, who died of cancer in 2001, is the third member of the band to be enshrined as a solo artist, after Paul McCartney and John Lennon
Friends of the "quiet Beatle", as he was known, paid tribute to both his musical achievements and his humanitarian work. "He was a man who lived every minute of his life," said his Travelling Wilburys bandmate Tom Petty. "He had a very keen sense of humour and of spirit. Years before Live Aid, he invented the idea of rock and roll giving back to the people."
The event came to a fitting climax when Prince joined George's son Dhani for a rendition of the Wilburys' song While My Guitar Gently Weeps.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
