Rock & Roll Hall of Fame opens with Sly Stone tribute

Stevie Wonder led a funky and flashy tribute to Sly Stone to open the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Wonder was joined on Saturday night by Questlove, Leon Thomas, Maxwell, Beck, Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers for rousing renditions of Sly and the Family Stone hits Dance to the Music, Everyday People and Thank You. Jennifer Hudson joined them to wail through Higher.

Stone, who was inducted into the hall in 1993, died in June. Brian Wilson, who died two days later, will also get a tribute from Elton John at the show at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac began the ceremony proper by inducting Bad Company. He called the British group founded by Paul Rodgers and Mick Ralphs in 1973 "classic rock legends" and "one of the first super groups," but said that, more importantly, "they were four great musicians who came together for the love of music".

Rodgers had to skip the ceremony because of health issues and Ralphs died earlier this year, so drummer Simon Kirke was the only member who took the stage.

He was joined by an ad hoc super group that blasted through a few of the super group's biggest hits.

Black Crowes singer took lead vocals on their hit Feel Like Makin' Love, with Nancy Wilson of Heart and Joe Perry of Aerosmith on guitars. Bryan Adams took the stage to sing Can't Get Enough.

"I've never played in a tuxedo before" said Kirke as he accepted the honour for the group.

He got emotional as he thanked Ralphs' wife Susie for taking care of him.

Outkast, Cyndi Lauper, Salt-N-Pepa and Soundgarden will also be among the newly minted members at the ceremony.

Missy Elliott inducted Salt-N-Pepa, reminding the audience that the group paved for women in hip-hop.

"The female rappers had to step to the mic and show that they could go toe to toe with the guys. And Salt, Pepa and Spinderella did it."

From Chubby Checker to the White Stripes, artists representing every decade from the 1950s to the 2000s will be inducted as part of the hall's class of 2025.

Chappell Roan is set to induct Lauper, and Avril Lavigne is set to take the stage with her. Donald Glover has been tapped to induct Outkast.