Keeping in mind this is a tribute, I think it is very respectfully done. No one tried to be like Prince, but, in contrast, honor him. Lenny Kravitz didn’t mimic the man — he summoned the essence. From the moment the organ hummed and the choir echoed “The Cross,” something sacred began to stir. This wasn’t a performance meant to impress — it was a prayer in rhythm and blues, raw and reverent. Lenny’s voice cracked not from strain, but from weight — the emotional gravity of carrying Prince’s message. And when the final note rang out, it wasn’t just a tribute that ended — it was a moment that reminded everyone that legends don’t die… they echo
In one of the most unforgettable moments of the 2017 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Lenny Kravitz stepped onto the stage not to celebrate his own accolades—but to pay tribute to one of the greatest performers of all time: Prince. The result was a deeply moving, gospel-tinged homage that turned the Barclays Center into a sanctuary of sound and memory.
A Voice of Grief, A Voice of Glory
With his band behind him and his longtime collaborator Craig Ross at his side, Kravitz opened the set with a slowed-down, emotionally raw rendition of “When Doves Cry.” Unlike Prince’s signature falsetto-driven version, Kravitz’s voice came from a deeper, more grounded place—almost mournful, yet resolute. The audience sat in silence, hanging on every note.
The atmosphere shifted as the Love Fellowship Choir, led by gospel legend Hezekiah Walker, emerged on stage. As the choir’s harmonies swelled, Kravitz’s voice soared above them, building toward a transcendent crescendo. The arrangement was stripped of theatrics and full of reverence—both spiritual and deeply personal.
“The Cross” and the Spiritual Awakening
Then came the emotional apex: Kravitz launched into “The Cross,” Prince’s spiritual anthem from the Sign o’ the Times album. As the gospel choir rejoined, the performance turned into something more than just music—it became a sermon, a message, a final prayer. The room, once filled with applause and cheers, was now enveloped in a silence that only raw, shared grief can bring.
A Bond Beyond the Stage
Kravitz had long shared a mutual respect and friendship with Prince. The two collaborated, performed together, and often spoke about their deep love of genre fusion—blending funk, rock, soul, and faith into every note. Kravitz later revealed how devastating Prince’s passing had been for him, saying:
“A part of me died with him… He was my brother, my mentor, and one of the truest artists we’ve ever had.”
This tribute wasn’t a performance—it was a farewell from one artist’s soul to another’s.
A Performance That Lived Up to the Legacy
Critics praised the tribute as one of the most powerful moments in Rock Hall history. Entertainment Weekly called it “a highlight of the night,” while fans on social media declared it a moment of catharsis that honored not just Prince’s music, but the faith and fire he brought to every stage.
Legacy Rekindled
The 2017 ceremony honored artists like Pearl Jam, Tupac Shakur, and Journey—but it was Kravitz’s tribute that lingered longest. In a night full of loud ovations and emotional speeches, it was the quiet, sacred fire of this performance that felt like a true resurrection of Prince’s spirit.
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