The Police, The Clash and Elvis Costello were among the artists inducted into the UK Rock and Roll Hall of Fame yesterday at an event centred on the first performance for nearly two decades by Sting and his band, taking in the numbers 'Every Breath You Take' and 'Message in a Bottle'.
U2 guitarist The Edge presented the award to The Clash, and told the amassed audience how Strummer's group had inspired U2 when they played in Dublin. "By the end of the night Dublin was a different place. For everyone there that show was an awakening. The revolution had come to town. There's no doubt in my mind that 'Sunday, Bloody Sunday' wouldn't and couldn't have been written if it wasn't for the Clash." The widow of The Clash's singer Joe Strummer accepted his award saying he would have been "very proud and honoured" to be inducted.
Presenting Elvis Costello with his award Elton John said: "It's a very good night to be British because three of the finest acts of the last 30 years that came out of Britain are here to be honoured.”
Other acts honoured on the night include AC/DC and the Righteous Brothers. Music executive Mo Ostin received a lifetime achievement award while session musicians Benny Benjamin, Floyd Cramer and Steve Douglas received posthumous honours.