The ceremony opens dramatically with the strains of the majestic Genesis classic "Watcher of the Skies" being played onstage by...Phish. You see, Peter Gabriel was too busy rehearsing for a tour in Europe to show up and Phil Collins had back surgery last year and so is unable to play drums. Collins, Mike Rutherford, Tony Banks and Steve Hackett all sit in the audience smiling and drinking their booze while watching Trey Anastasio and Phish play their music. To Phish's credit, they do the song justice, although Anastasio's rather pedestrian singing made me really miss Gabriel's one of a kind vocal delivery. (They later do a by-the-numbers "No Reply At All" to acknowledge the Collins-led era as well). But, Anastasio really gave a wonderful, heartfelt induction speech that made up for the lackluster performance. He is definitely steeped in Genesis lore, and I liked how he gushed about his love for Selling England By the Pound, saying that "none of you in this room has probably ever even listened to that record. You won't hear it if you go out and buy the Greatest Hits." Genesis themselves were rather relaxed about the whole thing, with Collins quipping to Anastasio after his speech that "you make a good argument."
ABOVE: Phil Collins accepts Genesis's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Notice Peter Gabriel's absence.
I wish I had kept track of how many times the camera cut away to Springsteen sitting in the audience. 30 times? 50 times?
After many years of being nominated and not making it, The Stooges are finally in. Iggy Pop delivered as expected. As in, the guy is still a nutjob, thank God. After an enthusiastic induction speech from Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, Iggy gave a wonderful speech of nonsequiters, one second unleasing a string of expletives and giving the audience at the Waldorf the finger and the next quoting F. Scott Fitzgerald. The remaining Stooges joined Iggy onstage for brutal run throughs of "Search and Destroy" and "I Wanna Be Your Dog." He constantly taunted the "rich people" in the audience and their "$2400 plates" (although I doubt Iggy is hurting financially), and then amiably invited anyone who wanted to to join him onstage for the finale of "I Wanna Be Your Dog." Here is where we definitely have the generational divide. The Boss, Robbie Robertson and Jann Wenner kept their asses firmly planted in their seats, while Eddie Vedder, Armstrong and others ran up to the stage and danced around with the forever shirtless Iggy.
ABOVE: Iggy undresses himself as the rest of the Stooges give their speeches
ABOVE: Iggy sings uncomfortably close to the high rollers. "I wanna be your dawwwwg!!"
About that generational divide. Recall I discussed the RRHoF's politics at length in this post here. The problems with the Hall's cabal and way of doing business was on dramatic display during Steve Van Zandt's alleged induction of The Hollies. I say "alleged" because very little of his lengthy rant was about The Hollies. Van Zandt, our resident music crumugeon, is a very vocal and influential member of the nefarious Nominating Committee, and his firm belief is that no good music was made after about 1971. He said as much (I wonder if he then disregards his Boss's music as well?) Little Stevie declared that today's music industry is "artistically, financially and spiritually bankrupt." Then he quickly added "there are some good bands out there now, sure." Contrast SVZ's attitude to the speech Iggy Pop had just given where he proudly declared "we destroyed the 1960's."
Van Zandt then explained how the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is the most important institution in rock music. More important than the Grammys (but what isn't?), more important than anything. He then chastized people for not showing up to the party. Previously I had been annoyed that Peter Gabriel couldn't make it, but at that moment I was actually glad Peter skipped the self-congratulatory party. Van Zandt then acknowledged the all-powerful Rolling Stone magazine (or maybe it was Jackson Browne when he was inducting David Geffen), camera cuts to King Jann Wenner enthusiastically applauding himself. Until they get some new blood on that Nominating Committee who understand the musical landscape of the 80's (and appreciate non-Rolling Stone approved genres of music such as prog rock and heavy metal), the Hall will continue to have these issues. It does not bode well considering earlier this year Wenner "suggested" that they move the 25 year eligibility requirement to 20 years in a clear attempt to bypass the 80's. So far, not even Sonic Youth, The Smiths, The Cure, Joy Division, New Order, The Cars, Devo or Depeche Mode have been nominated, although all are eligible.
Anyway, As for the Hollies themselves, they played fun but ragged renditions of "Bus Stop," "Carrie-Anne" and "Long Cool Woman" (which is one of the all time great rock songs). Graham Nash was happy to earn his second induction to match the two inductions each for cohorts Crosby, Stills and Young. Nash is one of the good guys of rock music (if a tad self-righteous), so I was happy for him. I've come to really appreciate The Hollies this last year, so it was all good. Great 60's pop band.
I liked David Geffen's induction, especially the montage of the artists who recorded for his labels that prominently included shots of Neil Young. Geffen sued Neil in the 1980's for making non-commerical (read: bad) albums on purpose and therefore costing Geffen money. In Geffen's defense, Neil's 80's output is one of the most willfully baffling musical stretches of any major rock artist. I probably would have been pissed too if I had just signed Neil after the amazing decade he just had (the 70's) thinking more of the same was on the horizon. I love Neil's 80's work, by the way. Anyway, Geffen's speech was very witty and fun. Enjoyed it.
You know who's performance blew everyone else away, though? Jimmy Cliff. He was awesome, and gave a wonderful acceptance speech. He managed to sound humble and down to earth while at the same time claiming to have invented reggae music. His performances were by far the highlights of the night, as he ripped through passionate versions of "You Can Get It If You Really Want," "Many Rivers To Cross" and "The Harder They Come."
ABOVE: Jimmy Cliff blew everyone else away
Only AB (or was it BA?) of ABBA showed up for their induction (the blondes, not the brunettes). Benny Andersson gave a fascinating speech about how growing up in Sweden in the 50's meant that he completely missed the rock and roll revolution and instead listened to Italian arias, Swedish folk songs and German beer hall music, and that is why ABBA sounded the way they did. It was a great speech. (He was recently quoted as saying that he was baffled as to why they were even in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as they were a straight pop band.) Faith Hill then performed one of ABBA's tunes with him (don't know which one) that was quite beautiful and moving.
Speaking of moving, a group of long overdue inductions for some important songwriters was great to see. Otis Blackwell, Ellie Greenwich, Jeff Barry, Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Mort Shuman and Jesse Stone all were inducted. A fun series of performances featuring Eric Burden, Peter Wolf, Chris Isaak, Ronnie Spector and others showcased these great songwriters' tunes.
Alright, ready for next year.
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