Madonna has been inducted into the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at a star-studded ceremony in New York.
The 49-year-old thanked her detractors in an acceptance speech, including those who "said I couldn't sing, that I was a one hit wonder".
Rock star John Mellencamp, Leonard Cohen, The Ventures and The Dave Clark Five were also among the inductees.
The British band paid tribute to singer Mike Smith, who died of pneumonia at the age of 64 two weeks ago.
"Mike tried desperately to be here with us tonight," said Dave Clark.
"At least he know's he's a Hall of Famer. Mike, you're with us in spirit, my friend, and always will be."
Madonna received her honour at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel from singer Justin Timberlake.
"The world is full of Madonna wannabes. I might have even dated a couple," he said. "But there is truly only one Madonna."
The singer recalled a teacher who encouraged her to follow her dreams at the age of 14, adding that she is still lucky to have people spurring her on.
As for her critics over the years, she said: "They inspired me because they made me question myself repeatedly and pushed me to be better."
"I have gone on to do so many things in my life, from writing children's books, to designing clothes, to directing a film.
"But for me it always does, and it always will, come back to the music, so thank you," said the singer.
Madonna and Timberlake then shared an anecdote of how the pop star gave him a vitamin injection herself after asking him to remove his trousers.
Iggy Pop and The Stooges performed on Burning Up and Ray of Light on her behalf.
Fellow inductee John Mellencamp performed Authority Song, and spoke of having surgery for spina bifida when he was six weeks old, which may have left him paralysed.
The 56-year-old said: "I'm lucky to be standing here for a number of reasons," adding, "I've been an total walking contradiction my entire career and I intend to stay that way."
Singer Billy Joel, who inducted Mellencamp, said; "You scared us a couple of times when we thought we'd lost you, even though it might have been a good career move."
Gravel-voiced Canadian singer-songwriter Cohen, called the ceremony "a very unlikely occasion for me".
"It is not a distinction that I coveted or even dared dream about," he added.
Artists become eligible for the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25 years after their first recording.
The candidates are chosen by a committee and whittled down to a final list of five by more than 600 music experts.