Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Show Oct. 29th, 09

Last week New York was the place every Rock 'n' Roller wished they could be. Those lucky enough to live here had a chance to see living legends on stage at the garden on Thursday and Friday nights. The 25Th anniversary of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is what brought all the music stars into the Big Apple. This was some weekend, the line up was almost unbelievable. It was so difficult to find a ticket that getting to the garden early made no difference. But sometimes when you think its all over and your not getting in, something happens and your right up front and center. Missing most of the beginning of the show was sad because of the acts that already came and went on the stage including Crosby, Stills & Nash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, Dion, and Little Anthony & the Imperials. Just barely missing Paul Simon sing some of his hits from the 70's and 80's. When Garfunkel came out it was like the 60's all over again. Their harmonies sounded sweet on songs like "The Sounds of Silence," "The Boxer," and "Bridge Over Troubled Water." Finishing their set with "Cecilia," an upbeat choice that had the whole room dancing. Then it was Stevie Wonder's turn to make the people dance. Unfortunately his set started with some tech problems. Wonder did not let that stop him, he just switched up his set a little. The kinks got worked out and Stevie played hits like "Uptight (Everything's Alright)," "For Once in My Life," and "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours." Then he brought out his guests one by one starting with Smokey Robinson doing "The Tracks of My Tears". Then John Legend came out for two songs. One being Michel Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel." Wonder got a little chocked up on this tribute to the king of pop. It went from the king of pop to the king of the blues when B.B. King came out and did "The Thrill Is Gone." Then before bring out Sting, ("Higher Ground"/"Roxanne") and Jeff Beck, ("Superstition") Wonder reminded us that in the 70's, like now most of us are "living just enough for the city." What a high spirited performance from Wonder, one of the best. Then after a small break it was Bruce Springsteen's turn. The man from Jersey came with his own guest's and of course the E Street Band. Having fun in letting everyone know that the Yankees had just won game 2 of the world series with "10Th Avenue Freeze-Out." Springsteen's first guest was non other then the "Soul Man" Sam Moore. When John Fogerty Came out for three songs it brought to mind his show coming up at the Beacon. Will Springsteen show up there for a jam? Then Bruce put in a plug for people to vote Darlene Love into the hall of fame before he brought her out on "A Fine, Fine Boy," "Da Doo Ron Ron." Tom Morello was on and off stage at least twice during the set. A Set that went long when Billy Joel came out for hits like "You May Be Right," and "Only the Good Die Young." It would not be Billy Joel in New York without hearing "New York State of Mind." And then after Bruce's "Born To Run" the band left the stage, but even though it was well passed one in the morning there was still more to come. An all star "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" with Darlene Love, John Fogerty, Tom Morello, Billy Joel, Jackson Browne, Peter Wolf with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. What a night to be at the garden...and there is one more night to go.