The listed headliners alone were enough to justify outrageous ticket prices for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s first 25th anniversary concert at NYC’s Madison Square Garden last night: Crosby, Stills & Nash, Simon & Garfunkel, Paul Simon solo, Stevie Wonder, and Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band can all fill arenas by themselves. Yet they weren’t even half the talent in the room. As each of those top-billed acts brought out one legendary friend or forebear after another to jam on stage, a truly epic event took form. (Check out a full set list after the jump.) By the end of the night — which was actually 1:30 this morning — the performers had succeeded at a goal that the Hall of Fame itself only sometimes reaches: They had presented a convincing rock canon, a rich history that’s still living and breathing in the present tense.
Every time I thought I couldn’t holler any louder, someone came along to prove me wrong. Paul Simon dedicating a sweet, sad “Here Comes the Sun” to George Harrison — with David Crosby and Graham Nash on harmony. Bruce Springsteen covering “Fortunate Son” — with John Fogerty growling along. Little Anthony and the Imperials singing a cappella doo-wop, their voices miraculously as heavenly as ever. Sam Moore (in a t-shirt reading “SAM/IS WHO I AM”) ripping through “Soul Man” and “Hold On, I’m Comin’” — with a top-form E Street Band plus a vintage Stax horn section behind him. Stevie Wonder paying tribute to Michael Jackson by covering “The Way You Make Me Feel.” Darlene Love building what Springsteen termed “a one-woman wall of sound” with some help from the E Street Band. Oh yeah, and some guy called Billy Joel coming out well after midnight for (Springsteen’s image again) a historic New Jersey-Long Island summit.
By calling out those particular highlights, I’ve short-changed any number of moments that would have been call-a-friend peaks at another show. That’s on top of all the headliners doing superlative tours through their own hit parades. It would have been exhausting if it wasn’t so exhilarating.
Tonight, U2, Aretha Franklin, Metallica, and who knows who else will take the Garden stage for a second Hall of Fame anniversary concert; both shows will air on HBO Nov. 29. If you’re a fan of things that are awesome, I recommend you tune in. Til then: Were you there last night? Which were your favorite performances? Weigh in below.
Set list:
Jerry Lee Lewis, “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On”
Crosby, Stills & Nash, “Woodstock”
Crosby, Stills & Nash, “Marrakesh Express”
Crosby, Stills & Nash, “Almost Cut My Hair”
Bonnie Raitt with Crosby and Nash, “Love Has No Pride”
Bonnie Raitt with Crosby, Stills & Nash, “Midnight Rider”
Jackson Browne with Crosby, Stills & Nash, “The Pretender”
James Taylor with Crosby and Nash, “Mexico”
Crosby, Stills & Nash with James Taylor, “Love the One You’re With”
Crosby, Stills & Nash, “Rock & Roll Woman”
Crosby, Stills & Nash with Jackson Browne, James Taylor, and Bonnie Raitt, “Teach Your Children”
Paul Simon, “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes”
Paul Simon, “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard”
Paul Simon, “Call Me Al”
Dion DiMucci with Paul Simon, “The Wanderer”
Paul Simon with Crosby and Nash, “Here Comes the Sun”
Paul Simon, “Late in the Evening”
Little Anthony and the Imperials, “Two Kinds of People”
Simon & Garfunkel, “The Sounds of Silence”
Simon & Garfunkel, “Mrs. Robinson”/”Not Fade Away” medley
Simon & Garfunkel, “The Boxer”
Simon & Garfunkel, “Bridge Over Troubled Water”
Simon & Garfunkel, “Cecilia”
Stevie Wonder, “Blowin’ in the Wind”
Stevie Wonder, “Uptight (Everything’s Alright)”
Stevie Wonder, “I Was Made to Love Her”
Stevie Wonder, “For Once in My Life”
Stevie Wonder, “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours”
Stevie Wonder, “Boogie On Reggae Woman”
Smokey Robinson with Stevie Wonder, “The Tracks of My Tears”
John Legend with Stevie Wonder, “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)”
Stevie Wonder with John Legend, “The Way You Make Me Feel”
B.B. King with Stevie Wonder, “The Thrill Is Gone”
Stevie Wonder, “Living for the City”
Stevie Wonder with Sting, “Higher Ground”/”Roxanne” medley
Stevie Wonder with Jeff Beck, “Superstition”
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out”
Sam Moore with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, “Hold On, I’m Comin’”
Sam Moore with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band,”Soul Man”
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band with Tom Morello, “The Ghost of Tom Joad”
John Fogerty with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, “Fortunate Son”
John Fogerty with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, “Proud Mary”
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band with John Fogerty, “Oh, Pretty Woman”
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, “Jungleland”
Darlene Love with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, “A Fine, Fine Boy”
Darlene Love with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, “Da Doo Ron Ron”
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band with Tom Morello, “London Calling”
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, “Badlands”
Billy Joel with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, “You May Be Right”
Billy Joel with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, “Only the Good Die Young”
Billy Joel with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, “New York State of Mind”
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band with Billy Joel, “Born to Run”
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band with Billy Joel, Darlene Love, Sam Moore, John Fogerty, Tom Morello, Jackson Browne, and Peter Wolf, “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher)”
(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)
More from EW’s Music Mix:
Britney Spears “3″ music video: Welcome to the steam room
Watch Jay-Z and Alicia Keys perform “Empire State of Mind” at the World Series
Adam Lambert, ‘For Your Entertainment’: Stream the brand-new single here
Weezer bugs out on ‘Yo Gabba Gabba’: A Music Mix Exclusive
Photo credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com
Comments (1-30) of 33 Add your comment
gohst of tom joad with bruce aND PAUL SIMON WERE MY FAV
I was there and it was truly EPIC! But am kicking myself because I had to leave at what I presumed was 3/4 way thru Bruce’s set (at 12:45 am) and missed Billy Joel! Damn! Too many moment to pick just one — i definitely enjoyed S&G and the Stevie/Sting Collab was great too
Should’ve been in Cleveland… what other ‘hall of fame’ has all of its events in a different city? Its such a joke!
The joke is that the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame is in freakin’ Cleveland!
maybe they should have the superbowl in ohio too. it’s a fundraiser, if they had it in cleveland they would probably raise 100 dollars.. MSG is the Best venue on earth for a concert, to think otherwise is assinine.. unless you’re from cleveland.
I am from Cleveland… the joke is all those acts listed have played in Cleveland and done well.
Actually, the Hall of Fall Foundation is in NYC. The Museum in Cleveland pays a license fee to use the name. But is a completely seperate legal entity
Holy crap. I got chills just reading that set list. I don’t know if I could have survived being there! I’m looking forward to the HBO special.
The Springsteen/Joel jam (?) on “New York State of Mind” is still running through my head. And Tom Morello’s guitar playing was out of this world. My wife kept asking ,”Who is that guy, anyway?”
I was there and today my voice is hoarse from singing and screaming my head off. It was six hours of truly magnificent performers. I could not believe I was there and I have tickets for tonight and even though I’m tired from last night and only got 4 hours of sleep…I am ready to be awed again. LOVE LIVE ROCK & ROLL!!
Does Jackson Browne have incriminating pictures of someone? How/why is he always playing this show?
You forgot Rosalita!!!!!!
It was an amazing show
Rosie was not played!! An amazing, not to be forgotten epic. Little Anthony was great, as was everyone. I am exhausted,,
Jackson Browne is fantastic – loved hearing him as much as years ago. (And why bring a bad vibe? The concert was nirvana.)
i hope someone will post this shot on youtube soon.
Seems like the last benefit concert. And the one before that. The songs may not change, but the faces stay the same. Crosby, Stills & Nash? Paul Simon? Bonnie Rait ????!!! At the Superbowl, Springsteen looked like a senile bum wildly swinging a metal detector to fend off the cops. I wish these people would retire with some semblance of their dignity intact.
I say that The female Rock Group The Bangles should be Inducted in the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame.That would be good.
This was one fantastic event – six hours of great performances. Springsteen and Morello were incredible.
For those who did not attend I would definitely get HBO and see this concert it was fabulous brought back a lot of old memories and Billy Joel and Bruce at the end was great. I have not been to a concert in a while but,I have to rate it right up there in the top 3. The variety of music and the jams was superb. Hats off to the hall what a great experience. My girlfriend says “a once in a life time experience”
I’m still dancing. But I teared up over Simon and Garfunkel holding on to each other. Great to see them genuinely happy to be together again.
Wish this wasn’t on HBO. I can’t afford to carry it anymore.
Anyone there Fri night? Who showed up as guests? Thursdays show was unbelievable!!!!
Will this be available on DVD?
25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame Concert 10/29/09 MSG
In 1964 someone threw on a Beatles album one day in Kindergarten. I was hooked immediately. Thence began a lifelong obsession with Rock and Roll, and music in general. In the years that followed many others artists were introduced to me first by my brother Ira, then followed by AM/FM Radio, TV, and host of friends and acquaintances. Today, the internet thru Pandora.com has turned me on to great new music that is being created daily.
Many months ago, I heard The Today Show mention that The Rock Hall Of Fame was having a 25th Anniversary Concert benefit in New York City at Madison Square Garden. The list of artists were stunning. I knew I had to see this show. I dutifully went online exactly at 9:00 am and purchased two seats for the show. Nosebleeds with a decent center view. Section 303, row B.
Arriving an hour before the show, I was interviewed by HBO about my feelings towards the event. They liked my soundbyte about seeing so many of the artists on my “bucket list” all at once. If you ever see it during a promo, let me know!
I took some mental notes on the show, and will try to recall them as best as possible.
A 20 minute video starts the show with montage of Rock hall artists and moments from the history of the Rock Hall Of Fame. Naming the artists was a challenge. Got about 80% of them. Cameron Crowe did a great job putting this together. It’s impact was nostalgic and emotional. Video played a big part between sets and to introduce the artists.
Tom Hanks came out to give a rousing speech about the emotional impact and importance of Rock and Roll to our American psyche and experience. As Tom is finishing, I see an older man being escorted to a Piano. This would be the first unannounced guest.
Tom introduces Jerry Lee Lewis who proceeds to pound out “Whole Lotta Shakin Going On”
Next, Crosby,Stills, and Nash take the stage and open with Joni Mitchell’s classic “Woodstock”. It was great to see them together, but Stephen Stills voice was flat. Though, his guitar playing is still very good.
Graham Nash sings “Marakesh Express”. His voice is still intact and sweet. Surprised and very happy by the song choice thinking it was bit obscure to be selected. I have always loved this great song about discovery during a rail trip in Morocco during the 60’s/early 70’s. It tells a great story, and was great to see live.
Another surprise was David Crosby singing “Almost Cut My Hair”. A rebellious song about not selling out. Crosby’s voice was quite strong, and familiar.
Bonnie Raitt joins the CSN to loud applause. She is introduced as one of the greatest female voices in Rock and Roll. I agree. Her version of “Love Has No Pride” was soulful and sweet.
Nash and Crosby provided great background vocals in this song.
CSN with Bonnie Raitt then launched into Greg Allman’s solo classic“Midnight Rider. Hoping Greg might appear, but no. Another odd song choice, but a welcome one.
Jackson Browne is then announced as one of the greatest Rock Artists of all time. He leads CSN in rousing version of “The Pretender”. His voice sweet and clear undeniably Jackson Browne.
James Taylor takes the stage and his 70’s classic “Mexico” is performed with CSN and company. Nice back up vocals by the boys.
Stephen Stills sings “Love The One Your With”. James Taylor accompanies on a acoustic guitar, and sings back up vocals along with Nash & Crosby.
CSN performs their Buffalo Springfield classic “Rock and Roll Woman”. Nice vocals and guitars. Stephen Stills voice improved drastically from the 1st song
The finale of the 1st set is “Teach Your Children”. Jackson, Bonnie, and James join CSN in a fabulous send off. Wow, this is only just the 1st set!
Paul Simon opens the 1st set quietly by himself with “Diamonds On The Soles Of His Shoes”. The band eventually joins him in a rocking finish. There are lot of people on the stage performing with Paul.
Paul performs his classic Queens centric song “Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard”. Mucho fun! Love how Paul whistles the solo during that song.
“You Can Call Me Al” is next. No Chevy Chase though. Remember, their duo from Saturday Night Live?
Paul brings out Dion Dimucci from Bronx’s own Dion and The Belmonts. He leads Paul in a rousing version of “The Wanderer”. Remember, the great movie that featured it in it’s soundtrack. The alto sax is figures prominently in this song. A big picture of Dion And The Belmonts in the day is overhead.. Dion calls out to audience “Yo” “Yo” a bunch of times.
Paul Simon dedicates the next song to the founder of big rock benefit concerts George Harrison. In this very venue George in 1971 raised money during The Concert Of Bangladesh. With Graham Nash and David Crosby on back up vocals, Paul sings “Here Comes The Sun”. Simply beautiful!
With a full horn section Paul rocks out “Late In The Evening”. Dance able!
Paul invites Doo Wop pioneers Little Anthony and the Imperials to croon “Two People in The World”. Sweet voices and harmonies.
Art Garfunkel takes the stage to “The Sounds of Silence”. The audience is pretty stoked. Some nearby woman are crying. “Mrs. Robinson” into Buddy Holly’s “Not Fade Away” back into “Mrs. Robinson” . Joe Dimaggio lyrics elicit applause. Meanwhile the Yankees are losing 1-0 in the World Series as the song is being performed.
The first notes of “The Boxer” begin. Amazing! What great songwriters, and performers these two are! Harmony’s are us. Beautiful. Art Garfunkels voice is an American treasure.
“Bridge Over Troubled Water” with it’s signature piano quietly woos the audience. The garden is euphoric. Truly remarkable performance.
“Cecilia” concludes a blow me away set. Still the second half of the show to look forward too!
Stevie Wonder takes the stage to terrible technical problems. The mic’s are not working. He sits by the keyboard wagging his head back and forth waiting. Finally, he opens with Dylan’s “Blowing In The Wind”
Next, a medley of great hits. “Everything is Alright”, “I was Made To Love Her”, “For Once In My Life”, “Signed, Sealed, Delivered”, “Boogie On Reggae Woman” (play harmonica). Stevie’s voice is great, and performances very solid.
Smokey Robinson comes out and sings a soulful “Tracks of My Tears”. An 60’s picture of Smokey and The Miracles is projected overhead.
John Legend takes the stage. Sings a tribute to Marvin Gaye “Mercy, Mercy, Me”. Marvin’s picture is projected over the stage. He does Marvin justice!
Stevie sings and John plays dueling keyboards honoring the King Of Pop Michael Jackson with “The Way She Makes Feel”. Stevie breaks down in the middle and cries. Eventually, he finishes the song. Stevie croons Walk With Michael Jackson, Jimmy Hendrix, and Bob Marley.
BB King joins Stevie and performs “Thrill is Gone” with Lucille, his guitar. Voice is great, and guitar tone and playing are wonderful.
Stevie sings “Living For The City” to a very enthusiastic crowd.
Sting performs “Higher Ground” on the bass with Stevie. Underrated bass player he is! Nice.
Sting Launches into a fast rocking version of “Roxanne”. Missed the Police reunion, but saw this. Great performance. Stevie launches back into “Higher Ground”.
Jeff Beck joins Stevie for “Superstition”. His classic rock guitar styling was an awesome fit to this funky song! Jeff looks 40! Awesome!
The crowd goes wild to the announcement of the Yankees 3-1 victory over the Phillies!
Bruce hit’s the stage with 10th Avenue Freezeout. I move really close to the stage in the $1,000 seats for the rest of the show.
Bruce performs “Hold On, I’m Coming”, and “Soul Man” with Sam Moore from Sam and Dave. Bruce tells the audience that he learned how to lead a band from Sam during the 60’s when he used to see him perform at the Saturday Night lounge in Fort Dix, New Jersey.
Tom Morello guitarist from Rage Against The Machines joins Bruce with a beat up guitar with long stringy guitar strings coming out of the top. They perform “Ghost Of Tom Joad”. Wow! Never seen anyone play like that. Mad crazy skills! A virtuoso. Simply in Awe!
John Fogerty joins Bruce on stage. They rock out to “Fortunate Son”. Great! Song still resonates and is relevant today. The two have excellent synergy.
Next “Proud Mary” with Clarence Clemens doing the Ike Turner baritone “Rolling”. The crowd is loving it!
Bruce honors who he considers one of the greatest voices in Rock and Roll, and pioneer of rock song structure Roy Orbison. Saying he would dare not do this song alone, John and Bruce sing “Pretty Woman”. Mercy!!!!! Fun. Nils playing an acoustic guitar giving that song it’s classic twangy sound.
The piano begins that familiar solo leading into “Jungleland”. Bruce runs around the stage as Clarence bangs out the sax. Great!
Darlene Love joins Bruce for a song or two.
Bruce announces he will do a song from one the best bands ever to come out of England. He smashes and slashes a punky version of “London Calling”. I’m in heaven, Not seen that song live since 1983! Little Steven sings part of the song. Cool!
Tom Morello comes back out and plays guitar on “Badlands”. I can tell you now, no one has ever strummed that song like that ever. Very cool!
Bruce announces that New Jersey and Long Island were once one before continental drift. That maybe that’s why the populations are so similar. He says their will a reunion, a summit at the Garden. A bridge and tunnel meeting summit. Out comes Billy Joel or as Bruce says the King Of Long Island.
Billy sings “Only The Good Die Young”. Bruce sings ½ the lyrics. They embrace after the song.
Billy plays the piano, and the timely “New York State Of Mind” is on its way. Bruce again sings ½ the lyrics. Wonderful. Can’t believe so many people had left and missed this, and that we we are so close now!
Bruce launches into “Born To Run” with Billy playing the piano. So cool! The crowd is loving it. I know the end is near. It’s 1:30 AM.
Finally, everyone joins together for “Higher and Higher”. A fitting end to a magical evening!
Thanks for the perfect comment.
Do you also saw the second day?
And the comment of that great day?
Rich, Awesome review of Day One! Do you have a blog that we can follow you or give proper credit for your review(s)?
No blog yet. Where should I start one? How do I do that?
The R & R Hall of Fame is a joke. Where’s Alice Cooper?
Cleveland is not a stupid place for the Hall. Read up on it. Early Rock’n'Roll fans in Cleveland showed a huge interest in this exploding phenomenon when other big cities didn’t have a clue.
WHERE ARE ALL THE GOOD BANDS?: STYX, BAD COMPANY, REO SPEEDWAGON, KANSAS, ZZTOP? ROCK-N-ROLL HALL OF FAME????? MORE LIKE ROCK-N-POP HALL OF FAME
Maybe this was a joke, but do you honestly think that REO Speedwagon is more rock and roll than Bruce Springsteen? Actually, why am I even responding to this? Sigh.
A truly phenomenal show. I was fortunate enough to attend both nights, and everyone keeps asking me which one was better… they were each excellent in their own way… Simon & Garfunkel got the biggest audience response, and it was interesting to see Bruce bring up Tom Merello.. I guess Rage will go into the Hall of Fame someday…
I forgot to mention before the similarity between the 1st nights show and the Paul Simon “Graceland” benefit concert in ‘87, which had Paul Simon, Lou Reed, Dion, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, among others… Wow… was it really 22 years ago…?