For the award presenters, it was an opportunity to pay homage to their influences. Alicia Keys presented Isaac Hayes’ award telling the crowd "He taught me so much".

Pearl Jam front man, Eddie Vedder, took a whopping 20 minutes of mic time to express how much the Ramones have influenced his musical career. No word yet if the full speech will be aired in it’s entirety. Let’s hope he takes it better than Russell Crowe if his words are edited down to save time.

As a special note to Talking Heads fans, the band played their first live gig in 18 years performing "Psycho Killer," "Burning Down the House" and "Life During Wartime."

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation was founded in 1983 and the first induction ceremony was held in 1986. All inductees are represented in a permanent exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio. Artists become eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first record.

Source: CNNOnline.com, RollingStone.com