Performing during the two-hour event Tuesday night at the Playhouse Square State Theatre were gospel greats Donnie McClurkin and Fred Hammond.
Also taking the stage were the Olivet Institutional Baptist Church Ensemble, the Mount Zion Oakwood Village Praise Team, Mark T. Jackson and Final Call and Yarbrough & Company.
Franklin gave a short performance to end the celebration.
Hall of Fame President and CEO Terry Stewart tells The Plain Dealer of Cleveland that gospel is "an integral part of our music." Without gospel, he says, there'd be no rock 'n' roll.
