Courtesy of Rock & Roll Hall of FameThe Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s class of 2016 inductees included four popular classic rock acts that many felt had long been overlooked for the honor — Deep Purple, Chicago, Steve Miller and Cheap Trick — along with the influential rap group N.W.A. As often happens with Rock Hall inductions involving veteran bands with some original members that have left their groups, things did not go smoothly for at least some of this year’s honorees.
— Deep Purple’s founding guitarist Ritchie Blackmore decided not to attend the ceremony after he was informed that his former band mates who were still in the group had insisted on performing with the current lineup at the ceremony.
— Original Chicago singer/bassist Peter Cetera initially said he was open to reuniting with his old band mates at the event, but conflicts arose regarding the reunion performance and he decided not to take part in the event at all. On the other hand, founding and former Chicago drummer Danny Seraphine did attend the ceremony and performed with his ex-band mates.
— In the months leading up to the induction, Steve Miller gave a number of interviews in which he complained about the Rock Hall’s lack of inclusiveness, among other issues. During the ceremony, Miller delivered a gracious acceptance speech and rocked out with his band. However, while being interviewed backstage afterward, he launched into a tirade against the Rock Hall’s powers-that-be, griping about how the artists are treated at the event, among other grievances.
— One inductee that did reunite peacefully at the ceremony was Cheap Trick. The group’s original and now-estranged drummer, Bun E. Carlos, rejoined his old band mates to celebrate the honor and play a few of their classic songs.
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