Barkleys Center in Brooklyn was the site Thursday night for the induction of the class of 2014 into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Overall, the night was strange with numerous ups and downs as the evening went on. After the inductions of Brian Epstein and Andrew Loog Oldham, Peter Gabriel took the stage but barely got beyond medium tempo with his three performances.
One of the most anticipated inductions of the night came next with Tom Morello inducting KISS. While their enshrinement has been demanded for years by their fans, the band refused to play over old wounds and the Hall’s refusal to induct more than just the original four members.
When the band accepted, it started out cordial but both Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley finally began to criticize the Hall and the industry. Even an expected segment of others performing KISS music didn’t materialize and the ceremony moved right into the induction of Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam).
Stevens’ was inducted by Art Garfunkel who, after listing off his songs, said he was a better writer than Paul Simon (although it’s not clear if he was really serious). Stevens followed with a rambling acceptance speech and a performance of three of his tunes including a heartfelt Father and Son and Peace Train with a surprise choir.
According to many at the show, one of the great highlights was the induction of Linda Ronstadt. Although the singer could not travel to New York for the event, a quintet of singers, made up of Stevie Nicks, Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris and Carrie Underwood, performed a long six song set showing what a powerhouse Ronstadt was during the 70’s.
Bruce Springsteen took the stage next for a long induction speech calling out and remembering every musician who has ever been part of the E-Street Band. Almost 1-1/2 hours passed between his speech, the acceptances by the members and a three song set by Bruce and the band. Even fans started getting restless during the extended segment with one woman tweeting “Just made 72nd trip to bathroom (due to fear of missing Nirvana induction) 71 of those were made during E Street induction.”
After an In Memoriam segment, Questlove took the stage to induct Daryl Hall and John Oates. The duo advocated for the induction of other Philadelphia artists (Chubby Checker, Todd Rundgren, The Stylistics) and kidded the crowd after the long E-Street Band segment saying “lucky for you there are only two of us.”
When the duo took the stage to start their set, they immediately ran into trouble with the monitors with Hall quipping “I have no monitors! Did Bruce blow them all out?” After a second try at performing She’s Gone, they got the crowd on their feet with three Philly soul classics.
The last induction of the night was for Nirvana with Michael Stipe doing the honors. The acceptance speeches went along well until Courtney Love took the stage which elicited a round of boos from the crowd.
It was then time for the surviving members of Nirvana to take the stage for a four song set with each being fronted by a different female vocalist, Joan Jett, Kim Gordon, Annie Clark (St. Vincent) and Lorde.
The set list for the night:
Introductions – Jann Wenner
Induction of Brian Epstein and Andrew Loog Oldham by Peter Asher
Induction of Peter Gabriel
Digging in the Dirt – Peter Gabriel
Induction by Chris Martin
Washing of the Water – Peter Gabriel and Chris Martin
In Your Eyes – Peter Gabriel with Youssou n’Dour
Induction of Kiss
Induction by Tom Morello
Induction of Cat Stevens
Induction by Art Garfunkel
Father and Son – Cat Stevens
Wild World – Cat Stevens
Peace Train – Cat Stevens
Induction of Linda Ronstadt
Induction by Glenn Frey
Different Drum – Carrie Underwood
Blue Bayou – Emmylou Harris and Bonnie Raitt with Carrie Underwood
You’re No Good – Sheryl Crow with Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt and Carrie Underwood
It’s So Easy – Stevie Nicks, Sheryl Crow, Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Carrie Underwood
When Will I Be Loved – Stevie Nicks, Sheryl Crow, Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Carrie Underwood
Induction of the E-Street Band
Induction by Bruce Springsteen
E-Street Shuffle
The River
Kitty’s Back
In Memorium
Induction of Daryl Hall and John Oates
Induction by Questlove
She’s Gone
I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)
You Make My Dreams Come True
Induction of Nirvana
Induction by Michael Stipe
Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana with Joan Jett
Aneurysm – Nirvana with Kim Gordon
Lithium – Nirvana with St. Vincent (Annie Clark)
All Apologies – Nirvana with Lorde
Read more at VVNmusic.com
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