- Robert ‘Kool’ Bell expressed his excitement about Kool & the Gang’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, highlighting the band’s extensive career and contributions to the music industry.
- Suzanne De Passe received the Ahmet Ertegun Award for Lifetime Achievement, becoming the fifth woman to receive this prestigious honor and the second to do so solo.
Newsypeople – Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Surprises Robert ‘Kool’ Bell and Suzanne De Passe, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 2024 induction ceremony, which took place on October 19 in Cleveland, brought a wave of surprises and emotional moments for Robert ‘Kool’ Bell and Suzanne de Passe. The ceremony, which was broadcast live on “American Idol,” saw a larger induction class than in recent years, including Kool & the Gang, Mary J. Blige, Cher, Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Ozzy Osbourne, and A Tribe Called Quest in the performer category. Inductees under the Musical Excellence Award were Jimmy Buffett, MC5, Dionne Warwick, and Norman Whitfield, with Alexis Korner, John Mayall, and Big Mama Thornton being inducted as musical influences.
Robert ‘Kool’ Bell, a founding member of Kool & the Gang, expressed his excitement about the band’s induction, highlighting the band’s extensive collaborations and performances with notable artists such as Van Halen, Kid Rock, Elton John, Rod Stewart, and the Dave Matthews Band. Bell’s career spans multiple genres, and he sees his induction as a recognition of his contributions to rock and roll.
Suzanne de Passe, a longtime Motown executive and producer, received the Ahmet Ertegun Award for Lifetime Achievement, one of the most prestigious honors in the music industry. This award is given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the music business. De Passe’s career at Motown began in 1967, and she went on to become president of Motown Productions, overseeing the careers of Michael Jackson, the Jackson 5, Lionel Richie, and the Commodores, among others.
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Robert ‘Kool’ Bell, Suzanne de Passe & More React to Rock Hall of Fame Induction News https://t.co/LRDZVuP0Rx
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Her work also extended into film and television, with acclaimed projects such as “Lonesome Dove,” “Motown 25,” and “The Temptations” miniseries. De Passe’s induction was a moment of profound emotion for her, as she broke into tears upon learning of the honor. Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown, expressed his pride in de Passe’s achievements, highlighting her contributions to the music industry and her role in launching the careers of many iconic artists.
The induction of Kool & the Gang into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is particularly significant, as the band, founded by Youngstown natives Robert “Kool” Bell and his younger brother Ronald Bell, has had a lasting impact on the music industry. The group’s career began in New Jersey, where they honed their musical skills and built a reputation for their unique sound.
Kool & the Gang’s music has been sampled nearly 2,000 times by other artists, making it one of the most sampled acts in music history. Their contributions to the music industry, including two Grammy Awards and seven American Music Awards, along with 25 top 10 R&B hits, have solidified their place in the annals of rock and roll.
The 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony brought both joy and recognition to Robert ‘Kool’ Bell and Suzanne de Passe. Their contributions to the music industry, spanning multiple genres and decades, were celebrated, with Bell’s induction into the Hall of Fame and de Passe’s receipt of the Ahmet Ertegun Award for Lifetime Achievement marking significant milestones in their careers.
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