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30

Nov

R&R Hall of Fame Concerts Musings

Wow. What a show Jann Wenner — and Tom Hanks?! — pulled off last night on HBO. While every entertainment site is no doubt reporting the highlights, here are some of the things they might have missed:

1. MICK JAGGER GETS DOWN DURING, UM, “STUCK IN A MOMENT”

The U2 song is a sad good-bye to the late INXS frontman, MIchael Hutchence. Yet Mick turned the barely mid-tempo tune into a bluesy background for his infamous mugging and signature dance moves. We laughed from beginning to end — and we caught Larry Mullen Jr. cracking up too.

Oh yeah: Fergie was there too.

2. BRUCE’S EARRING

The guy is a hot 6-0. But the earring reeks of Harrison Ford when the actor entered his three-quarter-life crisis. Not necessary.

3. JOHN FOGERTY’S FACE

He hit all the right notes during Roy Orbison’s “Pretty Woman” with Springsteen, but he needs to get Boxtox’d at the same place as Bruce. Yikes.

4. BILLY JOEL = SCARY

Hard to believe that the Piano Man is a few months younger than Springsteen. And while his “New York State of Mind” proved he’s Hall of Fame-worthy, what was with his odd, old-man-of-soul interpretation?! FYI: With all the talk of Sinatra vs. Jay-Z, we’re wondering why no one’s thought to mash-up (or at least bring up!) Joel’s “NYSOM” with Mr. Carter’s “Empire State of Mind”?

5. OZZY OSBOURNE DOES “IRON MAN” … SORT OF

Metallica with Kelly Osbourne’s dad

Sorry, but we couldn’t watch. When he ambled out on stage looking more reality star than rock legend, we had to go pee.

6. BONO & BRUCE ON THE SAME STAGE

This is like Obama and Biden being on the same plane! Luckily, Bono made room for Bruce, even allowing him to share the spotlight during “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”. The song was perfect for today’s preacher-like Bruce who, all these years later, is still born to run.

* Sadly, we tuned in at the end of the Simon and Garfunkel set. Man, Garfunkel still has it.

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