Taylor Swift inducted Carole King into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame for the second time during the annual Induction Ceremony in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday.
After taking to the stage to present her the honor, the 31-year-old singer tenderly wrapped her arms around the 79-year-old songwriter as they mingled backstage.
Along with her presenting gig, Swift performed her own rendition of King’s co-written hit Will You Love Me Tomorrow – a performance that reportedly brought King to tears.
Carole delivered a lengthy acceptance speech where she thanked all of the attendees and sent a shout-out to one of her inspirational figures, Aretha Franklin.
Sweet display: Taylor Swift inducted Carole King into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame for the second time during the annual Induction Ceremony in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday
For the event, Swift sported a black jacket worn on top of a form-fitting bodysuit while she spent time at the function.
She added a bit of shine to her outfit with several rings that sparkled in the spotlight.
The Grammy-winning artist added height to her 5foot11inch fram in a pair of leather booties with silver hardware.
Taylor’s gorgeous blonde locks cascaded onto her shoulders and backside at the event.
Grateful: Carole delivered a lengthy acceptance speech where she thanked all of the attendees and sent a shout-out to one of her inspirational figures, Aretha Franklin
Fashionable: To induct King, Swift sported a black jacket worn on top of a form-fitting bodysuit
King wore a sparkling black coat on top of a black t-shirt while she was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
The I Feel The Earth Move singer also rocked a pair of pants that matched her top and outerwear.
The performer accessorized with several articles of jewelry and contrasted the dominant color of her outfit with a pair of slip-on checkered Vans sneakers.
Camaraderie: After taking to the stage to present her the honor, the 31-year-old singer tenderly wrapped her arms around the 79-year-old songwriter as they mingled backstage
Fresh kicks: Carole kept it cool in an all-black getup complete with a glitzy jacket and a pair of checkered Vans sneakers
Her curly blonde hair was cut short and fell onto her shoulders and the nape of her neck.
The two were later seen posing for photos with luminaries such as Keith Urban, Nicole Kidman and Mickey Guyton.
Swift notably took to the stage and performed the 1960 track Will You Love Me Tomorrow, which was originally recorded by The Shirelles and co-written by the inductee.
Famous friends: The two were later seen posing for photos with luminaries such as (L-R) Keith Urban, Nicole Kidman and Mickey Guyton
Doing her thing: Swift notably took to the stage and performed the 1960 track Will You Love Me Tomorrow, which was originally recorded by The Shirelles and co-written by the inductee
King was previously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 1990 when she was given the distinction as a non-performer alongside her former husband and collaborator, Gerry Goffin.
During her induction speech, the musician thanked the 22 singer for her contributions to music and noted via Rolling Stone that she had been ‘carrying the torch forward’ in terms of pop songwriting.
She went on to express her gratitude for all of the other performers who were added to the Hall Of Fame at the event.
Far back: King was previously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 1990 when she was given the distinction as a non-performer alongside her former husband and collaborator, Gerry Goffin
Expressing her gratitude: During her induction speech, the musician thanked the 22 singer for her contributions to music and noted via Rolling Stone that she had been ‘carrying the torch forward’ in terms of pop songwriting
‘I want to thank all of tonight’s inductees for carrying the torch, from rhythm & blues to rock & roll, to the music that inspires us today,’ she said.
King also remarked that, although she was not used to making public appearances, she was happy to be in the same room as many of her contemporaries.
‘I’m kind of a hermit, and to come out tonight and see old friends and new and just all of you here tonight to welcome all the inductees, and me as one of them, it’s unbelievable,’ she stated.
Appreciative: King stated that she wanted to ‘thank all of tonight’s inductees for carrying the torch, from rhythm & blues to rock & roll, to the music that inspires us today’
Rare appearance: King also remarked that, although she was not used to making public appearances, she was happy to be in the same room as many of her contemporaries
The singer recalled the first instance when she connected with an audience and expressed disbelief that she was being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame after decades of work.
‘At this point, I am used to performing, and when, you know, that fateful night when the audience began to sing along and I felt them with me — and here we are, 51 years later,’ she stated.
King then humbly acknowledged that she had been described as a major influence on many modern performers.
Looking back: The singer recalled the first instance when she connected with an audience and expressed disbelief that she was being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame after decades of work
Special moment: The singer specifically reminisced about ‘that fateful night when the audience began to sing along and I felt them with me’
Admitting it: King then humbly acknowledged that she had been described as a major influence on many modern performers
‘I am told…you know, I keep hearing it, so I guess I’m going to have to try to own it, that today’s female singers and songwriters stand on my shoulders,’ she said.
The singer concluded her speech by sending a shout-out to one of her major influences, who had previously passed away in 2018.
She remarked: ‘Let it not be forgotten that they also stand on the shoulders of the first woman to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. May she rest in power, Miss Aretha Franklin!’
Showing her respect: The singer concluded her speech by sending a shout-out to one of her major influences, who had previously passed away in 2018
Serious: She remarked that modern performers ‘also stand on the shoulders of the first woman to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame,’ Aretha Franklin
The 13 inductees/special award recipients at the 2021 ceremony are: Tina Turner, Carole King, The Foo Fighters, The Go-Go’s, Jay-Z, Kraftwerk, LL Cool J, Todd Rundgren, Charley Patton, Gil-Scott Heron, Billy Preston, Clarence Avant and Randy Rhoads.
LL Cool J was honored with the Award for Musical Excellence, and it was given to him by Dr. Dre.
This year marks the return of the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame’s ceremony in person as the 2020 event was virtual on account of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Amid the Coronavirus, this year all ticket holders are required to show proof of vaccination (14 days past final vaccination shot) or a negative COVID test within 48 hours before the venue opens its doors for the event, they are adhering to strict COVID-19 protocol.
Back at it: This year marks the return of the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame’s ceremony in person as the 2020 event was virtual on account of the COVID-19 pandemic