Top RRHOF Performances: Toronto Sun

[michelej1]

[Um, I loved the performance of SYLM, but I wouldn't describe it as "blistering"]

By John Williams ,QMI Agency Thursday, April 10, 2014 Toronto Sun

http://www.torontosun.com/2014/04/09...s-and-no-shows


Top Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction performances and no-shows

Nirvana's Krist Novoselic recently dropped a hint that there may be a special performance tonight when the grunge rockers are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

We know Dave Grohl will be there, but who will take frontman Kurt Cobain's spot? Will Grohl sing or will it be former R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe - who is inducting the trio - at the helm? Our guess is Stipe, since he championed the band early on, and was a close friend of Cobain's up until his death in 1994.

Whatever the case may be, it will be one to remember.

With that in mind, here are five other showings that rocked the house on induction night:

Tom Petty, Prince, Jeff Lynne, Steve Winwood & Dhani Harrison (2004)

The all-star band ushered in George Harrison with a sizzling rendition of his classic While My Guitar Gently Weeps. Of course, Prince, decked out in a red top hat, fancy red short and blazer, stole the show with a mesmerizing guitar solo, with George's son Dhani looking on in amazement.

Kid Rock & Aerosmith (2001)

This match made in heaven took the stage for Aerosmith's induction in 2001, growling through a rockin' and energetic Sweet Emotion, complete with Detroit’s finest scratching away at a turntable.

Eddie Vedder & the Doors (1993)

A young Eddie Vedder subbed in for the late Jim Morrison when the Doors performed at their induction ceremony in 1993. They joined forces for a rousing rendition of Light My Fire, with Ray Manzarek showing he was still a magician at the keyboards.

Bruce Springsteen & U2 (2005)

Bruce showed who was boss as he joined forces with U2 for their crowning achievement in 1995. He supplied vocals as they ripped through a stripped down version of the band's 1987 hit, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For.

Fleetwood Mac (1998)

Christine McVie helped induct her band into the Hall in '98 with a blistering Say You Love Me, although it turned out to be one of the last times she'd perform with the band - she quit that year. She's now back in the saddle.


NOTABLE ROCK HALL NO-SHOWS

The Rock Hall induction may be an honour to most, but not everyone is feelin' the love for the music shrine.

Here's a few of the more notable artists who passed on the big night:

The Sex Pistols refused to show up for their induction in 2006, instead sending a hand-written note to the Hall brass: “Next to the SEX-PISTOLS rock and roll and that Hall of Fame is a piss stain,” wrote Lydon. “Your museum. Urine in wine. We're not coming. We're not your monkeys.”

Other no-shows over the years have included Axl Rose, Diana Ross, Paul McCartney, Van Morrison, Jerry Garcia, David Bowie, Roger Waters, Grace Slick, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, John Deacon, Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth, and ABBA's Bjorn Ulvaeus. To be fair, not all of them were missing in action due to bitterness towards the Rock Hall -- some just couldn't stand the thought of being around former bandmates - even for one night.