Liam Payne honored at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony four days after tragic death

CLEVELAND, OHIO: Just days after Liam Payne's unexpected death at the age of 31, the former One Direction singer was honored in the In Memoriam segment of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, as per Us Weekly.

The event, which took place on Saturday, October 19, in Cleveland, Ohio, brought together music legends such as Cher, Mary J Blige, Ozzy Osbourne, and Peter Frampton, and also paid tribute to artists who passed away in the last year.

Liam Pyane honored in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony

As the ceremony unfolded at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Liam Payne’s image appeared on the screen—a still from the 'What Makes You Beautiful' music video, one of One Direction's most iconic songs.

Accompanied by his name and the One Direction moniker, the touching moment prompted cheers from the audience, a poignant reminder of Payne's impact on the music world.

The ceremony was broadcast live on Disney+, allowing fans from around the globe to witness the tribute. Payne’s inclusion in the roundup of late performers served as a solemn recognition of his legacy in the music industry.

Payne, whose career skyrocketed with the rise of One Direction in the early 2010s, died earlier in the week.

On Wednesday, October 16, Us Weekly confirmed that Payne had fallen from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The preliminary autopsy report indicated that Payne had sustained multiple injuries, including "internal and external hemorrhaging".

Authorities believe Payne may have been in a state of "semi or total unconsciousness" when he fell, though the exact circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation.

Liam Payne's One Direction bandmates issue heartfelt statement

Liam Payne’s death has left a deep void, not only among his fans but also in his family.

He is survived by his parents, Geoff and Karen Payne, his sisters, Ruth and Nicola, and his seven-year-old son, Bear.

Bear is Payne's son with his ex-partner, Cheryl Cole, with whom Payne shared a close co-parenting relationship despite their breakup.

Cole, who has been understandably heartbroken, addressed Payne’s death in a deeply emotional Instagram post.

"As I try to navigate this earth-shattering event and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I’d like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being," she wrote on Friday, October 18, alongside a photo of Payne holding baby Bear.

"Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend, and a father to our 7-year-old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again."

The reality of Payne’s death hit even harder as his father, Geoff Payne, flew to Argentina to be close to the site of the tragedy.

On Friday, October 18, Geoff was spotted at a fan-made vigil near the hotel where his son passed away. The emotional visit, which saw Geoff kissing a photograph of Liam, was made alongside Paul Higgins, One Direction’s former tour manager.

The vigil outside the hotel was a symbol of the global outpouring of love and remembrance for Payne.

The singer’s One Direction bandmates also issued a heartfelt statement, mourning the loss of their friend and "brother".

Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik—Payne’s former bandmates from the group created by Simon Cowell on 'The X Factor UK' in 2010—expressed their collective grief in a moving message shared with fans.