Bono, Barsalona Join Hall

U2, The Pretenders, The O’Jays, Percy Sledge, and Buddy Guy were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame March 14th. Legendary agent Frank Barsalona and Sire Records founder Seymour Stein were inducted in the nonperformer category.

U2 was voted into the hall its first time on the ballot; artists become eligible 25 years after their first recording.

During the ceremony at New York City’s Waldorf Astoria hotel, B.B. King and Eric Clapton joined Guy onstage for a rendition of the bluesman’s “Let Me Love You Baby.” The O’Jays did a medley of their hits after being introduced by a video montage.

Rod Stewart introduced Sledge by saying his signature tune, “When A Man Loves A Woman,” was “one of the best performances I’ve heard and I’m sure you’ve ever heard.”

Because it was the 50th anniversary of rock ‘n’ roll, the hall brought Jerry Lee Lewis and Bo Diddley in to perform.

U2’s Bono got to induct Bruce Springsteen in 1999. The Boss got a chance to return the favor.

Springsteen poked fun at the U2 frontman, saying he has “one of the best and most endearingly naked messianic complexes in rock ‘n’ roll. … It takes one to know one.”

Bono said it was amazing to be inducted into the Hall of Fame at the same time “you’re feeling like you’re putting out your first album.”

U2 is about to embark on the hottest tour of the summer, too.