Kid Rock was on hand to induct the Rockford, IL band, declaring "When disco and soft rock had taken over our radio - thank God I wasn't alive then - they were exactly what we needed, a garage band in sheep's clothing. They had a punk soul, a pop heartbeat and Beatles ambitions."

Cheap Trick reunited with estranged drummer Bun E. Carlos for the evening; he left the touring lineup in 2010 and was replaced by guitarist Rick Nielsen's son Daxx.

Carlos took his turn at the microphone during acceptance speeches by the four original members, including frontman Robin Zander, who said "Our fans really deserve this honor more than anyone for sticking up for us as long as they have. I know that's been rough over the years, but most of all, thanks to this band, Cheap Trick, for giving me the life I've always dreamed of and our families for putting up with this for over 40 years."