Rock and Roll Hall of Fame…Finale

Looking at the playbill after Jeff Beck had left the stage I noticed that we only had two more headliners to go,  Metallica and U2.

With appropriate heavy metal bluster Metallica took the stage with ear-splitting prowess.  Originally the organizers of the event wanted Led Zeppelin to carry the hard rock part of the show and were pretty much turned down flat by the remaining members of the group.  Thus it came to be that metal’s chosen heirs came to New York representing  every thing that embodies teenage angst and rebellion.

Opening with For Whom the Bell Tolls, the heavy drumbeat thumping into my chest with some force. Then into One and Turn the Page, before bringing out New York Native Lou Reed.

By their own admission Metallica does not play well with others, and did not automatically grasp the “Jam” concept for the show.  However when they learned whom they were to be teamed up with it all made sense, claimed lead singer Lars Ulrich.  It was their job to become the backing band for their Rock and Roll Elders.

Lou Reed emerged onto the stage in a Deja Vu invoking cheer of “LOOOOO”, thinking back to the “BOOOO’s” that greeted Bruce Springsteen the night before.  He appeared totally at ease with Metallica and the crowd as he lead  off with Sweet Jane.  White Heat/White Light followed in a similar rocked up fashion.

Lou Reed leads Metallica

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Night Two

Visibly worn down and physically exhausted from everything we had experienced so far in New York, Dar and I treated ourselves to a short nap before heading out to the second night of incredible music.

The walk to Madison Square Garden seemed shorter this time our tired feet almost seemed to know the way.  Perhaps tonight’s performance would be shorter than the marathon 6 hours of music we had rocked to the night before.

The event started out in familiar fashion, Tom Hanks addressing the crowd bringing out the still incredible Jerry Lee Lewis to open the show once again.  The elderly rascal belted out Great Balls of Fire in classic form.  Even going so far as to kick over his piano bench in a display of youthful enthusiasm.

Next up a red clad Aretha Franklin, took the stage with polished precision.
She rolled though a series of show tunes and a tribute to Atlantic Records co-founder Ahmet Ertegun, before bringing out her first guest of the evening.  Annie Lennox, bravely showing her support for Aids research wearing a black Tee emblazoned with the slogan “HIV Positive”.

Annie Lennox joins Aretha Franklin

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Night One..Part 2

After Simon and Garfunkel finished taking the audience on a whirlwind trip back in time another short break was required to prepare for the next act.

Stevie Wonder, was led to his electric piano to a welcoming applause, the house lights dimmed and his backing band filed in behind. Everyone was ready for a rocking ride on the soul train.  Stevie assumed his standard pose behind the keys rocking rhythmically, apparently to himself.  Something had gone terribly wrong the man had no sound!  Time Passed as techs raced around the stage checking cables.  Stevie, visibly agitated, began tapping his mike listening for any hint of sound.

After what seemed like an eternity, Stevie’s Piano came to life.  He smiled as he brought the mike to his face.  “Aw Shit, Stuff Happens” he pronounced, his backing band still without power.  So being the true showman that he is, he starts in to Blowing in the Wind with what little back up he has.

Stevie Wonder with No Sound

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Night One

Hey there, sorry it’s been a while had to thaw out my brain here. The temperature has hovered somewhere around the mid -30’s C here the last few days so it takes a little to get me motivated to write.

So without further ado, just for you Adele, the story of night one.

As luck and a good travel agent would have it, our hotel was located only about 4 blocks from Madison Square Garden.  As we walked from the hotel, the foot traffic increased exponentially.  “Looks like the show is Sold Out.”  I mentioned to Dar, as we got closer. The inevitable scalpers popping out of the crowd as if by magic, “Need a ticket, Selling a ticket?” they queried seemingly not caring if law enforcement was listening.

Clutching my ticket in my hand checking for the entrance information, I smiled as I saw our seat location Section 102, Row C, Seats 11 and 12. Price to buy $247.35 per seat… WOW.  As we fought through the crowd, the signs blazed over head announcing a sold out performance.

Sold Out Show

New York, New York

Hi there again… As you may or may not know my Significant Other and I, were fortunate enough to have won a trip to New York City and a chance to take in the concerts to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!!

I have promised to post a tale of our trip for some time now so I will begin at the beginning.

Being a long time listener to 92.1 CITI fm here in Winnipeg I am used to hearing the big concert and trip announcements that the station gives away during ratings periods. But it really floored me to find out that they were giving away a once in a lifetime trip to see the gathered members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame perform “Jam Style” at Madison Square Garden.

I immediately had to get in on this opportunity, placing a number of entries into their VIP Club system.  As the weeks went by I had a “Lucky” feeling that we were going to win, and as it turned out we were picked to go into the last round of entries on my 40th Birthday in September.  That sealed it I figured we were a lock to win the big prize.

By coincidence the day of the draw I was home for work,  I told my Girlfriend Darlene to make sure her cell phone was charged and on ready for the inevitable call. She looked at me bemused, but I was unshakable we were going to win…  As promised her phone rang at the appointed time, she was sure that I was pulling her leg.  But when she answered my dream had come true. We had actually won an all expenses trip to New York.

Unbelievable…

We were put up scant blocks away from Madison Square Garden and the Empire State Building.

Empire State Building from our Hotel Room