On 10th April 2014 Peter was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame at their 29th Annual Induction Ceremony at the Barclays Centre in New York. On the night Peter performed three songs; “Digging in the Dirt”, “In Your Eyes” with Youssou N’Dour and was also was joined by Coldplay’s Chris Martin for a special performance of “Washing of the Water”. The induction ceremony will be broadcast in the USA this Saturday May 31 at 8pm ET/PT on HBO.
The evening included rousing tributes and heartfelt speeches from both presenters and inductees. Read a portion of Peter’s acceptance speech below.
“So I’m saying to all those people now at the start of that journey: that if you’re exploring making music and looking at us old-timers getting our decorations, I say two things: dream big, and let your imagination guide you, even if you end up dressing up as a flower or a sexually transmitted disease. They may think it’s a little strange. They may laugh at you, but just do it.
Secondly, surround yourself with brilliance — the brilliance of who you love being around and the brilliance of their talent. I’ve worked with so many amazing people through these years, and you can see from the musicians I have on the stage with me, I’m surrounded by great — and have always been — by great musicians, including some of the world’s greatest drummers which, as an aspiring drummer, has been a real thrill.
But, in the end, the core of what you are and where you are is where your heart is, and those who you love and those who love you.
Watch out for music. It should come with a health warning. It can be dangerous. It can make you feel so alive, so connected to the people around you, and connected to what you really are inside. And it can make you think that the world should, and could, be a much better place. And just occasionally, it can make you very, very happy. Thank you so much. It means a great deal.”