British musician and humanitarian activist Peter Gabriel (left) performing with Senegalese singer Youssou N’Dour before being inducted. Photos: Lucas Jackson/Reuters

Flamboyant rockers Kiss and British singer-songwriters Peter Gabriel and Cat Stevens were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Thursday, but, as they had vowed, the four original members of Kiss did not perform.

The 1970s shock-rockers known for their outrageous costumes and make-up and hits such as Rock and Roll All Nite, did not directly comment on the Hall of Fame’s decision to honour only the band’s original members, leaving out current band members Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer.

“We are humbled to stand up on this stage,” said founding member Gene Simmons, accepting the band’s induction made by guitarist Tom Morello. But Simmons did mention by name other band members, some current, who were not included in the Hall of Fame honours.

Paul Stanley, who has also been critical of the Hall’s induction process, focused on the band’s fans, saying “for our fans, this is vindication”.

Kiss was never a critics’ band, Kiss was a people’s band

In his induction, Morello echoed that sentiment, noting “Kiss was never a critics’ band, Kiss was a people’s band”. He also observed that the over-the-top theatrical band was note-worthy for, among other things, influencing acts ranging from Lady Gaga to Garth Brooks to Slipknot.

Stevens performed at the concert and ceremony in Brooklyn, as did Gabriel, lead vocalist for the progressive rock band Genesis who went on to a solo career that included hits such as Sledgehammer. Genesis was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.

After being inducted by Chris Martin, Gabriel sang Digging in the Dirt, and his hit In Your Eyes, from the 1980s youth romance, Say Anything.

After singling out by name musicians, as well as engineers, producers and even agents he has worked with, Gabriel paid tribute to the power of music, which he said “can make you feel so alive... and think that the world would, could and should be a much better place, and occasionally make you very, very happy”.

Stevens, who has converted to Islam and goes by the name Yusuf Islam, had trouble securing a US visa to travel from London and his attendance was confirmed just days ago.

His induction could signal a return to the spotlight after decades of not performing for the Wild World and Peace Train singer, both of which he sang live on Thursday night.

Grunge band Nirvana, country-rock singer Linda Ronstadt and chart-toppers Hall and Oates were among other artistes being inducted. Ronstadt, who revealed last year that she is battling Parkinson’s disease, did not attend, while the surviving members of Nirvana were not expected to perform.

Stevie Nicks, Bonnie Raitt, Carrie Underwood, Emmylou Harris and Sheryl Crow appeared in a musical tribute to Ronstadt, who was inducted by Glenn Frey at the 29th annual ceremony.

The inductees, who will join the Hall of Fame’s 719 other musicians and executives as members, were chosen by more than 700 voters from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation.

Fans were allowed to cast votes online for the artistes they believe were the most deserving of induction, with three of their top five choices making the cut this year.