Joel’s speech was both those things mentioned below, but much more. He took on the music industry head-to-head, saying Mellencamp had outlived it, and that it (the music industry) was dead. (By suicide, I would add, as any of a number of steps including early monetization of napster-like services, the fair and marketing rather than money focused licensing of internet radio and use for podcasts, etc. could have let it limp along before the middle-men were jettisoned and the new media model of Artist -> (online) -> Customer takes hold).

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame show lacks luster of past - The Boston Globe

The nights undisputed highlight was the Mellencamp induction, which combined surprising presenter Billy Joel - whose speech was both funny and heartfelt