CLEVELAND — While the 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony is an important night for all of the inductees, it’s also a big night for fans, many getting to see their favorite performers for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

Saturday’s event showed the world why “Cleveland rocks” as thousands of music fans converged on the city to be a part of rock’s biggest night.

“We’re coming to see everybody perform, and the Hall of Fame inductees,” said Rachel Smith. 

Smith was excited to attend the induction ceremony with schoolmates Jillian Baronovic and Abby Filkins. The girls were most looking forward to Taylor Swift. 

“But also Carole King,” said Baronovic. 

“Paul McCartney, too,” added Filkins.

Swift’s participation was also the reason Michael Slagel flew into Cleveland from Orlando.

“Because it’s Taylor Swift,” he said. “How can you not?”

Swift helped induct singer-songwriter Carole King into the Rock Hall. 

Other fans attended the event more for King and the other honorees.

“Tina Turner, obviously,” said Sally Lee. “But, the Foo Fighters and the Go-Go girls, Todd Rundgren, Carole King.”

Lee traveled from St. Louis to see the ceremony.

“It’s the first time we’ve been in Cleveland and we went to the Hall of Fame museum, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and it’s just been a lot of fun,” she said.

She said for fans, music can almost act fast an escape.

“Life is life and you’re paying the bills and raising kids, and then it goes to a point where it just makes you feel good and makes you feel young,” said Lee. “You know, you throw on a concert T-shirt and there you go.”

She and others were thankful to see live music again and honor this year’s inductees.

“It was such a long time and you didn’t realize how much you missed it until you start seeing it again,” she said.