Run-DMC Says They Won't Perform At Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction

Contrary to earlier reports, Run-DMC will not perform at this Saturday's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, DMC told MTV News this week. Instead, the Rock Hall will present a video tribute to the rap trio. Run-DMC lost their DJ, Jason "Jam-Master Jay" Mizell, in a still-unsolved shooting in 2002. After the murder, both Joseph "Run" Simmons and Daryl "DMC" McDaniels swore never to perform without JMJ again, a pledge the pair will keep at this weekend's ceremony when they join Metallica, Jeff Beck, Wanda Jackson, Bobby Womack and Little Anthony & the Imperials at the induction.

According to MTV, following the announcement that Run-DMC would be the second hip-hop act inducted into the Rock Hall (following Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five), Run said he'd leave the decision regarding whether or not to perform at the ceremony to McDaniels, who declined. "For me, I tell people, 'Do you want to see me and Run running around without Jay?' " DMC told MTV News. "They tell me I could get Grandmaster Flash [to fill in]. But I can get any DJ in the world if I want. It wouldn't be right. I can't replace my drummer."

While any hope of a all-star performance of "Walk This Way" and "Rock Box" seem dashed, the rappers will still be on hand in Cleveland to accept the honor. As Rock Daily previously revealed, Eminem will help induct the rap group into the Hall.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony will air this Saturday, April 4th, on Fuse and Rolling Stone will be on the ground in Cleveland with a behind-the-scenes report, interviews and photos from the induction. Stick with our Rock Hall hub for all the latest coverage.

Related Stories:

• The Road to the Rock Hall: Run DMC Revisited
• The Definitive Run DMC Playlist
• Metallica, Run DMC, Jeff Beck, Bobby Womack and Little Anthony and the Imperials to be Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

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Song Stories

“Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Nirvana | 1991

"Smells Like Teen Spirit," named after a brand of deodorant marketed to girls, was Kurt Cobain's attempt to "write the ultimate pop song," he said, using the soft-loud dynamic of his favorite band, the Pixies. Cobain "had that dichotomy of punk rage and alienation," the song’s producer, Butch Vig, told Rolling Stone, "but also this vulnerable pop sensibility. In 'Teen Spirit,' a lot of that vulnerability is in the tone of his voice." Sadly, by the time of Nirvana's last U.S. tour, in late '93, Cobain was tortured by the obligation to play "Teen Spirit" every night. "There are many other songs that I have written that are as good, if not better," he claimed.

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