Rock & Roll Hall of Fame HBO concert

[Awesoman]

Not sure if anyone saw this or not, but it was a great concert.  And during the opening credits of this concert, guess what song is playing?  None other than the Beach Boys' "Our Prayer".  Very nice touch. 

[Chris Brown]

I've seen bits and pieces, and it was indeed a nice way to open the show.  I'm surprised Brian wasn't invited to take part though...maybe because he was inducted as a Beach Boy and can't appear unless it's with them?  Given his importance to rock history, I was disappointed that he wasn't there. 

[Roger Ryan]

I've seen bits and pieces, and it was indeed a nice way to open the show.  I'm surprised Brian wasn't invited to take part though...maybe because he was inducted as a Beach Boy and can't appear unless it's with them?  Given his importance to rock history, I was disappointed that he wasn't there. 

In fairness to the producers, there were only a select number of bands from different genres of rock who appeared as headliners; within these sets were "special guests" who would collaborate or take a lead or two with the main bands to give the concerts a little more scope. I don't really see Brian and his band fitting in too well with this approach. He could have appeared (John Fogerty did without Creedence Clearwater Revival), but I think the producers considered the California sound to be covered by Crosby, Stills & Nash. Obviously, Cameron Crowe felt there needed to be some kind of acknowledgement which is why "Our Prayer" was included.

Personally, I thought this was one of the most spectacular, emotional concerts I have ever seen. So many incredible highlights: Simon & Garfunkel (how come these 60-something guys sound absolutely brilliant, but every hot young artist needs to be auto-tuned to survive?), Little Anthony & The Imperials, Jeff Beck performing "A Day In The Life" as a guitar instrumental, Darlene Love backed by Springsteen, Fogerty & Springsteen performing "Oh, Pretty Woman", U2's fantastically re-arranged "Gimme Shelter" with Jagger guesting, Tom Morello's amazing guitar solo on "The Ghost of Tom Joad" and on-and-on.

[Awesoman]

I've seen bits and pieces, and it was indeed a nice way to open the show.  I'm surprised Brian wasn't invited to take part though...maybe because he was inducted as a Beach Boy and can't appear unless it's with them?  Given his importance to rock history, I was disappointed that he wasn't there. 

Honestly, Brian Wilson as a performer could very well have been a disaster.  You need top-notch performers to be on that stage, and Brian Wilson is anything but. 

[Alex]

They could've got Al!!!

[KokoMoses]

Damm straight they should've gotten Al. But thanks for 40+ years of Brian Brian Brian, too many viewers would be scratching their heads and asking "who"

They should've used the occasion to break out The Beatle-Boys"

Mike, Paul, Al, Ringo, Brian, and Bruce!!

They could open with Back In The USSR and Mike could tell his tale of helping write it! Paul could take the lead on God Only Knows.... Then they could all crash through a 10 minute Helter Skelter where Mike would bust a few tamborines!

Then they'd do a full tour!!!!!!!

[Jay]

Damm straight they should've gotten Al. But thanks for 40+ years of Brian Brian Brian, too many viewers would be scratching their heads and asking "who"

They should've used the occasion to break out The Beatle-Boys"

Mike, Paul, Al, Ringo, Brian, and Bruce!!

They could open with Back In The USSR and Mike could tell his tale of helping write it! Paul could take the lead on God Only Knows.... Then they could all crash through a 10 minute Helter Skelter where Mike would bust a few tamborines!

Then they'd do a full tour!!!!!!!

As corny and tongue in cheek as this post is, that actually sounds like a half decent show.  Paul doing God Only Knows would probably work. I'd like to hear him sing You Still Believe In Me. Even at his age, he could still probably hit that high note at the end.

[Awesoman]

Damm straight they should've gotten Al. But thanks for 40+ years of Brian Brian Brian, too many viewers would be scratching their heads and asking "who"

They should've used the occasion to break out The Beatle-Boys"

Mike, Paul, Al, Ringo, Brian, and Bruce!!

They could open with Back In The USSR and Mike could tell his tale of helping write it! Paul could take the lead on God Only Knows.... Then they could all crash through a 10 minute Helter Skelter where Mike would bust a few tamborines!

Then they'd do a full tour!!!!!!!

As corny and tongue in cheek as this post is, that actually sounds like a half decent show.  Paul doing God Only Knows would probably work. I'd like to hear him sing You Still Believe In Me. Even at his age, he could still probably hit that high note at the end.

Paul actually HAS sung "God Only Knows"; dueted with Brian Wilson at one of those Landmine benefit concerts a few years back.  Brian flubbed some of the lines during this performance...too bad.

And on the theme of "Beatle Boys", I recall a post awhile back on some message board where someone came up with the concept of Ringo and Paul of the Beatles starting a band with Roger Daltry and Pete Townshend of the Who and callin' them "The Whotles".  :-)

[donald]

I have enjoyed the HBO special more than once over the past week.  As an avid fan of Darlene Love, I was very very pleased with her performance and Bruce's support of her HOF induction.  At least she was nominated.  For My money, I wouldn't take 10 Aretha's for a single Darlene.  Never cared for Aretha.  Her vocals and style leave me cold.  Darlene  has to be the greatest of the R&B females of rock with a gospel background.  From any decade.

For those who care to catch it....she will be doing her annual appearance on Letterman on the 23rd of December.

In general, I was knocked out by all of the performances.  What a treat!  I also felt a little sad realizing that many of the performers are approaching their 7th decade on the planet.  We may never see the likes of such an assemblage performing so superbly ever again.

[TdHabib]

David Crosby's voice just knocked me out...he really still has the pipes.

[KokoMoses]

How about "Crosby Stills & Love?"

[TdHabib]

Nah, Nash has a great voice, aged well...and does the high part on the songs.

[donald]

Gotta keep nash.   I felt Art Garfunkel put it on the line. His voice mellowed but not silenced ( ) by age And Paul Simon looked and sounded better than in years...glad to see he shed that ball cap finally.  Are those guys still a little competitive (after all these years?) 

Has Fogerty had work done or is he just holding up well?

[Awesoman]

David Crosby's voice just knocked me out...he really still has the pipes.

Yes.  David Crosby has a voice that can blow most other singers off the stage.  Quite under-rated as a vocalist.  There is a great solo acoustic version of "Almost Cut My Hair" that really shows off his vocal chops.  In fact, here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSOxQsqwem8

[KokoMoses]

Ok, so how about "Crosby, Stills, Nash, and sometimes Love?

[Jay]

David Crosby's voice just knocked me out...he really still has the pipes.

Yes.  David Crosby has a voice that can blow most other singers off the stage.  Quite under-rated as a vocalist.  There is a great solo acoustic version of "Almost Cut My Hair" that really shows off his vocal chops.  In fact, here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSOxQsqwem8

I think Crosby is BETTER now then at his "peak" in 1968-74-ish. In the two times I saw CSN, he was literally louder than the microphone, if that makes any sense.

[Jay]

*pinches nose*

"So your brother's bound and gagged, and they've chained him to a chair...."

Nope, doesn't work. 

[KokoMoses]

Ok, fine! We all know Crosby's "too chickenshit to jam with the Beach Boys" anyway!!!! 

[Awesoman]

David Crosby's voice just knocked me out...he really still has the pipes.

Yes.  David Crosby has a voice that can blow most other singers off the stage.  Quite under-rated as a vocalist.  There is a great solo acoustic version of "Almost Cut My Hair" that really shows off his vocal chops.  In fact, here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSOxQsqwem8

I think Crosby is BETTER now then at his "peak" in 1968-74-ish. In the two times I saw CSN, he was literally louder than the microphone, if that makes any sense.

I would concur.  Considering he was a spaced out zombie during much of the 80's, his voice came back full throttle once he "got his s__t together..."

[Pretty Funky]

Brian Wilson 1988 to roars of laughter....'27 years from now I'd like to come back and get re-inducted all over again.'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCOomdm24hU&feature=related

That would be 2015!  The odds?

OT. Any comments on this years batch?

[Roger Ryan]

I thrilled that the Stooges finally made it in...and saddened that Ron Asheton couldn't live to see it.

Darlene Love is quite cool as well. I agree she blew away Aretha Franklin in R&B pipes during the recent concert. In fact, I would rate Franklin's performance as one of the few low-points. According to Rolling Stone, Franklin was the only performer to make things tough for the promoters, demanding air vents be blocked and special food be provided backstage. I found it distressing how she did her best to completely ignore Annie Lennox who was supposed to be doing a duet with her.

Back to the Hall of Fame itself: how long is it going to take to induct Roxy Music, Cheap Trick, Joy Division and Husker Du? I'm sure there's plenty of others who are deserving, but these are personal favorites I would consider worthy of admission by now.

[Pretty Funky]

Great for Iggy and the Stooges. How about a shirtless Iggy leading the end of show free-for-all with a rendition of 'Shortnin Bread'?

Like most here, I have a soft spot for the vocal groups. I would put The Hollies in the same league as The Ronnettes with a distinctive lead singer, great tunes but hardly ground breakers. Looking like they may reunite for the show.

Genesis. ok, ABBA...not my choice, Jimmy Cliff for durability.     

[Jay]

 Any comments on this years batch?

LL Cool J, and Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Need I say more?  The Hall Of Fame has become a joke. Inducting rappers, and people like Metallica. Why hasn't Steppenwolf or Three Dog Night been inducted yet??? They did more for music than RHCP and Metallica combined.

[Rocker]

Why hasn't Steppenwolf or Three Dog Night been inducted yet??? They did more for music than RHCP and Metallica combined.

Before any other act, Jan&Dean should be the next ones that get inducted....and Tony Joe White

[Quincy]

 Mitch Ryder