Subject: Watched Rock Hall webcast last night
Posted Date: Mar 13, 2007 3:47 PM
Last night I watched the 22nd Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions through a live feed courtesy of my new friend Spinner.com. It was my first time watching an entire inductions show, and it made for quite an entertaining evening. The show was held at New York's Waldorf Astoria, a venue that screams rock 'n' roll!
I won't get into a diatribe about the politics of the selection committee or Jann Wenner (Rolling Stone mag founder). I'll just focus on what the highlights were for me.
The first act inducted was The Ronettes. They helped personify the girl group sound of the 1960s. All three members were there, and they looked and sounded wonderful, including lead singer Veronica Bennett, aka Ronnie Spector. She thanked every person who has influenced her life, except for ex-husband/ex-producer Phil Spector. She was very stunning as she performed their three biggest hits. Paul Shaffer, the orchestra's bandleader for the evening, read a statement from Phil Spector after they left the stage.
The next inductee was punk rocker Patti Smith. I was very impressed by the way she conducted herself, as she dedicated her set and induction to her late husband, who once led a punk-precursor band called the MC5. She also acknowledged her mom, Gandhi and Jesus Christ as her heroes. That was cool.
Next was Van Halen, or half-Halen at least. Eddie and Alex Van Halen and David Lee Roth were no-shows; only estranged members Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony were present. If they were bitter going into the ceremony, they didn't show it. Hagar and Anthony later performed an impromptu rendition of "Why Can't This Be Love," and they pulled it off well with the Memphis Horns backing them up. I also liked Hagar acknowledging former lead Gary Cherone, even though he only did one album with them.
Then came Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five. Those of you who know me know that I'm on the fence when it comes to rap music. But these guys were 'da bomb'! They expressed dissatisfaction with the gangsta image rap has taken on, and the related images that are glorified by videos and record companies. Grandmaster Flash's brand of rap carries a social conscience, as exemplified by their anti-drug anthem "The Message." I've gained a new respect and appreciation for these guys. Incidentally, they are the first rap and hip-hop act to be inducted.
R.E.M. concluded the evening. Say what you will about lead singer Michael Stipe, but he presented himself well. During his speech he said that his grandmother once told him that the group's acronym means "Remember Every Moment." It was also good to see former drummer Bill Berry come out of retirement to perform a three-song set, despite not saying anything. (He retired 10 years ago after recovering from a life-threatening brain aneurysm.) The only downside was the overlong intro speech from Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder. He's a good singer, but a boring orator!
The evening began with dedications to Ahmet Ertegun and James Brown. Inducted in 1987, Ertegun was the founder of Atlantic Records and co-founder of the Rock Hall. He died last December 14 at age 83. Aretha Franklin sang her early hit "I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You" as part of the tribute. (This was the first record he produced for her.) Ertegun probably looked down from heaven and smiled.
At the middle of the show, Rev. Al Sharpton paid homage to James Brown, the 'Godfather of Soul,' who died last Christmas at age 73. Brown was amongst the first class of inductees back in 1986.
Other inductees who passed on during 2006-07 were also remembered, including Ruth Brown (inducted 1993), Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd (inducted 1996), and Denny Doherty of The Mamas & The Papas (inducted 1998).
By the time R.E.M. appeared, I was baked. I was so tired I fell asleep before the show ended. It began at 8:30 PM and didn't end until around 12:30 AM (ET). When I woke up this morning I got to see the all-star finale led by Patti Smith, and it rocked.
Watching the show from my computer was a fun experience overall. I'll be doing it again next year!
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