'Ceasefire!': Tom Morello, Dave Matthews get political at Rock Hall party

NEW YORK, United States — Missy Elliott and Willie Nelson were among the superstars inducted Friday into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, whose concert gala saw several artists, including Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine, make political overtures to the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza.

The late pop icon George Michael, rock experimentalist Kate Bush, heartland rocker Sheryl Crow and R&B group The Spinners rounded out the 2023 class of inductees.

Morello, 59, did not directly comment on Israel's ongoing bombing campaign of Gaza but he did pose for photographers backstage holding a piece of paper scrawled with the words "CEASEFIRE!"

"The world is changed by average, ordinary, everyday people... who are willing to stand for a country and a planet that is more humane, peaceful and just," he said in accepting the award on behalf of Rage, which is as beloved for its music as its socialist, revolutionary political leanings. 

"If you've got a boss, join a union," he said. "If you're an anarchist, throw a brick. If you're a soldier or a cop, follow your conscience, not your orders."

"If you're bummed out you didn't get to see Rage Against The Machine, then start your own band, and let's hear what you have to say."

Morello's fiery speech preceded a showstopping closer of a performance from Elliott, the first woman rapper to enter the elite club, who was inducted by fellow rap superstar Queen Latifah.

Wearing a glittering gold bucket hat and matching sweatsuit, a tearful Elliott noted this year's 50th anniversary of hip hop, saying that "this is deeper than me just being up here."

"I'm just honored to be in the room with you all," the "Lose Control" and "Get Ur Freak On" artist said, thanking her fellow inductees.

While inducting country great Nelson, Matthews made the night's other reference to raging battles between Israel and Hamas.

In decrying the world's ills including homelessness and unfettered capitalism, the artist said that "we live in a world where bombs are dropped on children and it's called collateral damage."

"But it's people like Willie Nelson who make me hopeful," he said of the anti-war advocate with waist-length pigtails.

Elton John wore a