April 4th, Saturday night. Cleveland’s historic Public Hall. A metal band, a guitar legend and a rockabilly queen. Oh, and a bit of booze. Mix them all together and what do you get? A wild night at the 23rd Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction of course. An unusual mix of 2009’s inductee’s ensured that this night was going to go down as one to remember.

The evening kicked off with an inspiring performance by 1950s R&B group Little Anthony and The Imperials proving that these old blokes, including long-time friend and the man who proudly inducted them, Smokey Robinson, have lost none of their sparkle. Eminem gave one of the most highly anticipated speeches of the night when he was called on to induct veteran cooler-than-cool rappers Run-DMC. The blatant and occasionally offensive rapper was unusually humbled, reminiscing when Run-DMC’s inspiration kicked in: “As soon as I heard ‘Run’s house,’ it was pretty much a wrap for me; Marshall Mathers became Eminem.” Rockabilly mistress Wanda Jackson was inducted by Johnny Cash’s daughter, thanking Elvis Presley for “the push and encouragement I needed,” when she toured with him.

And then it was time to unleash the fury; when Jimmy Page inducted former Yardbirds mate and guitar virtuoso Jeff Beck, the evening suddenly became a “guitar orgy.” Page praised the unorthodox nature of Beck’s playing, saying “he just gets better and better.” The pair then launched into a drunken guitar frenzy, cranking out “Beck Bolero”, one of Beck’s 1967 solo tracks originally recorded with Page, John Paul Jones and Keith Moon.

Next up to slide on into the Hall of Fame was heavy metal royalty Metallica, inspiring Red Hot Chilli Pepper bassist and inductor Flea to launch into a passionate and expletive-ridden speech (“Metallica is fucking rad and their music is bitching!”), acknowledging the impact that the band had on the alternative culture, a godsend at such a materialistic time, which had singer James Hetfield covering his daughter’s ears. Former bassist Jason Newstead also joined in on the festivities, sharing the spotlight and the mic with Metallica’s current bassist, Robert Trujillo, for an ear-splitting recital of ‘Enter Sandman.’

And if you think the night couldn’t get any more explosive, then think again. The stage barely contained the presence of six guitarists and three bassists for the finale when Metallica, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Flea and surprise guest Ron Wood, took on the 1965 Yardbirds tune “Train Kept A-rollin’,” making it an unbelievable and unforgettable night to the thousands of lucky Clevelanders who got to sing and shout in the presence of rock and roll gods.

- Carley Hall