Friday, October 30, 2009

My friend Ken called and said he had an extra ticket.
I'm in. Doesn't matter what the show is, I'm in. Ken is a master at getting tickets to concerts that have long ago sold out. So it was off to NYC for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 25th anniversary concert at Madison Square Garden!
What a show. The four headliners alone were incredible - Aretha Franklin, Jeff Beck, Metallica and U2. But what really stood out to me were the amazing collaborations.
Highlights for me personally:
Aretha singing "Think" with Lenny Kravitz, then her encore of "Respect."
Jeff Beck trading licks with Buddy Guy on “Let Me Love You," then his jaw dropping last number, a instrumental rendition of the Beatles’ “A Day in the Life.”
Metallica with Ozzy Osbourne doing "Iron Man" and “Paranoid.” And also backing Lou Reed on "Sweet Jane," and Ray Davies on “You Really Got Me.” They really played the best set of the entire night.
And U2 playing with Bruce Springsteen on “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” Then finishing the night with Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas breaking into the crazy Merry Clayton vocal intro to the Rolling Stones “Gimme Shelter” and Mick Jagger running out onto the stage as the place went insane.
Four plus hours of non stop music history.
I know, it's only rock 'n roll, but I like it.

Aretha Franklin sings “Respect”

Metallica plays “One.”

U2 with Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith play “Because the Night.”