Funky and rocking, prolific and quirky, Minneapolis-born musician Prince is being inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the first year he's eligible -- 25 years after his 1978 recording debut "For You." He's seen here performing during the 46th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, Feb. 8, 2004.
Prince performs before a sold-out audience in Houston, Jan. 11, 1985. He'd already had a sizeable hit with "1999" in 1982, but the semi-autobiographical film "Purple Rain" and accompanying soundtrack made the singer a worldwide superstar in 1984.
Prince announces an upcoming tour, July 22, 1997. In 1993, the eccentric singer changed his name to a symbol, partially pictured in the background, and was referred to as "The Artist Formerly Known as Prince." He switched back in 1999. An adventurous recording career also saw the singer write "slave" on his face during a dispute with his label, Warner. He has released his own music, often using the Internet, since 1996.
Prince performs at the 19th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony March 15, 2004, at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York.
The Dells
Formed in Chicago in 1953, and having released their last original album in 2000, The Dells is one of pop music's longest-running male vocal groups. Starting in doo-wop, successfully moving to soul, and dabbling in disco, the lineup remained virtually unchanged through the years. Best-known hits are "Oh What A Nite" and "Stay In My Corner."
The Dells arrive at the 19th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony March 15, 2004, at New York's Waldorf Astoria.
Jackson Browne
His introspective folk songs were a highlight of the easygoing Southern California sound of the '70s. His earliest success came when artists such as Nico, Linda Ronstadt and the Byrds sang his songs, and his first solo album was released in 1972. Here, he joins others onstage during a tribute to late musician Warren Zevon during the 46th Annual Grammy Awards, Feb. 8, 2004.
Browne's albums "The Pretender" and "Running on Empty" scored big in 1976 and '77. His biggest single was 1982's "Somebody's Baby." After his first successes in the '70s, his work grew more political. He is pictured here at left attending a news conference against the Hydro-Quebec power project, Oct. 8, 1991, in New York City.
Jackson Browne accepts his induction award during the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction dinner March 15, 2004.
George Harrison
"The quiet Beatle" began his solo career when the Fab Four broke up in 1970, producing what many consider his masterpiece, "All Things Must Pass." Seen here in 1972, he was also the first Beatle to embark on a solo world tour. He died of cancer in 2001.
Harrison was first inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Beatles in 1988. Critics say many of his songs with the group ranked among the best pop tunes ever. "Taxman," "Something," "Here Comes The Sun" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" were some of his best-known contributions to the Beatles legacy. Here, he reacts to questions about a possible reunion during a news conference in Los Angeles, March 8, 1979.
Harrison, seen here onstage in 1995, had a 1987 solo hit with the album "Cloud Nine." The next year, he formed the rock supergroup the Traveling Wilburys, with Jeff Lynne, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and Roy Orbison. His final album, "Brainwashed," was released after his death, in 2002.
ZZ Top
ZZ Top brings a "don't mess with Texas" hard rocking approach to the blues. Here, members Dusty Hill, bass, Billy Gibbons, guitar and Frank Beard, drums, accept their "Diamond Award" from the Recording Industry Association of America, March 16, 1999. The award was given for selling more than 10 million units of 1983's "Eliminator" album.
The Texas trio may be as well-known for their goofy beards and over-the-top concerts as for their mastery of American roots rock. Billy F. Gibbons, right, and Dusty Hill perform in Montreux, Switzerland, July 20, 2003. Their long-awaited new album "Mescalero" was released later in the year.
ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons, left, and Dusty Hill perform during the 19th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony March 15, 2004.
Traffic
Formed in 1967 with an experimental, keyboard-driven sound, Traffic was one of the most respected and cutting-edge groups of the psychedelic era. Their lineup was as fluid as their sound, with several changes before the band called it quits in 1974. Songs include "Dear Mr. Fantasy" and the 11-minute "Low Spark of High Heeled Boys."
Jim Capaldi, left and Steve Winwood, both of Traffic, pose for a photo after being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame March 15, 2004.
Bob Seger
Bob Seger, one of rock's most notoriously powerful vocalists, worked to gain attention outside his hometown of Detroit for more than 10 years before bursting onto the national stage with 1977's "Night Moves." He has sold nearly 50 million albums. Among his hits are "Against the Wind" and "Old Time Rock & Roll." He performs with the Silver Bullet Band in 1996.
Seger is also well-known for "Like a Rock," a longtime Chevy commercial theme. Here he holds up a rose that was handed to him from the crowd as he performed with his Silver Bullet Band at the Palace of Auburn Hills, Mich., March 10, 1996. Seger sold over 100,000 tickets in under an hour for six shows at the Palace.
Bob Seger performs during the 19th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony March 15, 2004 in New York.