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I was the lucky winner to attend a Boomer’s Rock ‘n Roll Heaven, a two night music celebration of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th anniversary concerts sponsored from WXRT & Hawthorne Race Course. This legacy event was held at Madison Square Garden, New York City, October 29th & 30, 2009.

Day 1 & 2 kicked off with Tom Hanks welcoming a capacity crowd of pumped party fans to witness this historical music extravaganza, he was head on when he said that “this is the music of our generation and the soundtrack of our lives”. Mr. Hank’s production company is turning the two concerts into a four-hour HBO special that airs Sunday November 29th.

There were so many monumental moments; much dancing in the aisles, weird and wonderful collaborations (Sting & Stevie Wonder, Bruce & Billy Joel, Crosby & Nash & Paul Simon) with the artists playing both their own songs and the music that inspired them. A revolving stage kept the show flowing remarkable smoothly. At 74, Jerry Lee Lewis, who many consider him to be rock and roll’s true king was the opening act for both days, pounding the keys on a baby white grand (Whole Lotta Shaking Going On) & (Great Balls of Fire). He was a bit subdued but his voice was still strong, on the 2nd day he showed he’s still a hellfire menace by kicking over his piano stool.

Next up Graham Nash, David Crosby, Stephen Stills, (they are Stardust), who brought the crowd to their feet reminiscing of their Woodstock 40th anniversary days. Nash showed off his gorgeous tenor on (Marrakech Express) while Crosby silky long white hair flew on a 5 minute rendition of (Almost Cut My Hair) and the Buffalo Springfield classic (Rock and Roll Woman). Their 10 song set was of clear perfect harmony was pure magic. Bonnie Raitt & guitar, 1st of the night’s guests got strong vocal support from the men to swoon out the sweet melody of an acoustic version of (Love Has No Pride) 2nd guest Jackson Browne (The Pretender) and James Taylor (Mexico & Love the One You’re With) continued the dream-team theme with pleasant renditions and the awe-inspiring guitar solos by Stills. The entire folkie California crew ended the set with (Rock & Roll Woman) and a sing-along on (Teach Your Children).

Enter Paul Simon, first by himself with his band of 10, then with Nash & Crosby on a magical (Here Comes the Sun), was just a sweet tease for the outpouring of love that greeted Art Garfunkel’s appearance. The dynamic duo was finally reunited! The perfectly harmonizing duo ran off a huge number string of hits (too many to list here), Paul shouts out a pair of NYC neighborhoods when he invites to the stage Dion DiMucci (The Wanderer) and Little Anthony and the Imperials, who delivered a stunning a cappella rendition of (Two People In The World). Rapturous standing ovations only got louder when Simon began playing the opening notes to the mesmerizing (the Sounds of Silence). The set ended with a jubilant (Cecelia) that had everybody in the Garden singing along.

A video montage of Motown greats kicked right into Stevie Wonder & his band, who celebrated the 20th year of his induction, encountered early microphone problems but made up for the problems with flawless hits getting people up and singing along to many classic hits opening with (Blowin In The Wind). Wonder delivered stunning renditions of his biggest hits: (Signed, Sealed Delivered I’m Yours), (Living for the City), (Boogie on Reggae Woman) which climaxed with Wonder dropping to his knees as he played a sick harmonica solo. Disciple John Legend arrives on stage for the sensuous (Mercy Mercy Me) and sat with Wonder, who broke down at the piano while paying homage to Michael Jackson’s (The Way You Make Me Feel). Up next, B.B. King and still the King of Blues for every city in the world, at 84 strolled out slowly in a vivid smoking jacket then spun a spell with (The Thrill Is Gone).

Wonder welcomed his mentor Smokey Robinson for a smoldering (Tracks of My Tears) moments later, a bearded Sting strides on popping the bass line to (Higher Ground), then traded helium-voiced lead vocals with Stevie on (Roxanne), both sounding surprisingly alike. Guitar legend, Jeff Beck joins Wonder for (Superstition) and breaks into a solo, flinging his bare right hand at the strings and tapping away.

By the time the stage was set for Springsteen and his E Street Band it was 11:45, well over two hours behind schedule. The one and only Boss, Bruce Springsteen took over the stage, ignoring the curfew and asking the crowd “Is there anybody alive out there?” He brought the exhausted audience to their feet with (Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out) and brings out Sam Moore from Sam & Dave to jam on (Hold On I’m Comin) and (Soul Man). They welcome John Fogerty for (Fortunate Son), (Proud Mary) and a memorable, soulful (Pretty Woman). Darlene Love joins the gang for (A Fine, Fine Boy) & (Da Doo Ron Ron). Tom Morello set the place on fire, delivering one of his finest guitar solos on (The Ghost of Tom Load) and dueting with Springsteen on the Clash’s (London Calling) “We’re in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame now,” Springsteen exclaims. Springsteen delivers a brief and hilarious speech about New Jersey & Long Island how they are connected to introduce the night’s final very special guest: Billy Joel. After (Badlands) much of the drained audience began leaving and then rushed back to their seats when Billy Joel sat down at the piano and launded into (You May Be Right), (Only the Good Die Young) and Joel’s hometown anthem (New York State of Mind) Six hours after Tom Hanks took the stage to open the show, Springsteen brings the house down with (Born to Run) and reluctantly leaves after wringing the last possible “higher” out of (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher & Higher). “That’s rock & roll!” he exclaims. Still after 6 hours, no one leaving, Bruce & Company brought the party to an end with a soul throw down on (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher & Higher).

Day 2 – Still exhilarated from the 1st night’s performance, I was sure it couldn’t be topped. Also, a huge disappointment for me was that my man, headliner: Eric Clapton had to cancel due to gallstone surgery. All my doubts faded away when the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin strolled out in a red glamorous evening gown who showed some love for the city with (New York, New York), and (Don’t Play That Song – You Lied). Annie Lennox joins Aretha for (Chain of Fools) followed by Lenny Kravitz, who blows the crowd away with an amazingly soulful take (Think). Aretha comes back for an encore to finish her set with a sizzling and popular (Respect).

Jeff Beck opens with homage to Ray Charles (Drown In My Own Tears). He wraps with a tribute to the Beatles in (A Day in the Life) that stuns the crowd. Beck brings out Sting with (People Get Ready), ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons lends his gravely pipes to (Foxy Lady). Buddy Guy joins for (Rock Me Baby) and (Let Me Love You Baby).

A montage of guitar rock from Chuck Berry through Deep Purple to the White Strips introduced Metallica’s set. Metallica’s James Hetfield (for Whom the Bell Tolls) and (One) gets the crowd head-banging, inserting earplugs and laughing when he introduces Bob Seger’s (Turn the Page). Lou Reed joins the band for the loudest and fastest searing versions of (Sweet Jane) and (White Light/White Heat). Ozzy Osbourne’s asking for louder music and Metallica bringing up the noise level for (Iron Man) and (Paranoid), injecting the Black Sabbath songs with serious adrenaline. Ray Davies of the Kinks enters with (You Really Got Me) and (All Day and All of the Night). Metallica cap the set with (Enter Sandman). They were thankful to be invited to this awesome party and walked offstage.

The anticipation grew as U2 took the stage with (Vertigo) and (Magnificent)The crowd explodes when Bono of U2 asks for Springsteen and Patti Smith to come out to join him in singing (Because the Night) and (I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For). The night’s second biggest surprise arrives when (Mysterious Ways) suddenly takes a left turn into the Black Eyed Peas (Where Is the Love). The absolutely biggest surprise arrives when Mick Jagger strolls unannounced onstage to the haunting beginning of (Gimme Shelter). His voice is still in excellent shape. Dressed in a navy blazer and tight black pants, the Rolling Stones front man busted out all of his signature dance moves as he slithered around the stage singing the 1969 classic with Bono and Fergie. The once again capacity crowd let out screams to match my own, that I was witnessing this jaw dropping moment. Fergie nails the high parts at the end and she and Mick sing face to face, hopping up and down with pure energy. At the track’s end, all Bono can is “Oh my God.” Jagger stays for (Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of), trading versus with Bono in a moment of mutual respect. Watching the two most famous front men in rock history sing literally face to face was an absolutely incredible, and their voices blended perfectly together on the song. U2 bring it home with (Beautiful Day) that seemed to perfectly sum up the magic of the past two inspiring days.

Good Night and “Hail, Hail Rock & Roll”

Julie Bittke