I had purchased my Carnegie Hall ducats when they first went on sale in January just after David Bowie had passed. The show sold out immediately and a second “Tribute to David Bowie” concert was scheduled for the next night at Radio City Music Hall which also sold out in minutes.
To be honest, I initially felt that adding the second night diminished the yearly artist “tribute” event held for charity as there was less chance of a big unexpected guest appearing the first night and not the second. I was shut out of the Radio City Music Hall tickets and while listening to my Sirius satellite radio at work one of the DJs said that the rumor was Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger were going to appear (this did not happen). Figuring that this was going to be the biggest show on the planet, I impulse bought a pair up top for way over face value on the Ticketmaster rip off site TicketsNow where they pull seats to sell in the secondary market themselves. I then found a single seat in the orchestra at face value and I was set for some magical rock and roll moments.
As it turned out, on Friday, the day of the Radio City show, there were orchestra tickets available on Ticketmaster and there were empty seats sprinkled throughout including two entirely empty rows in the orchestra across the aisle from me. I can only hope the ticket brokers and scalpers took a bath that night.
Fortunately the two concerts were not identical line ups or performances so I will provide you with some random observations of both nights.
Before the first show began, Michael Dorf of City Winery announced that Patti Smith and the Roots had pulled out of the show. Ms . Smith reportedly had a vocal issue but there was no reason for The Roots not appearing. The New York Post later reported that there was a dispute regarding the use of a drum kit and the band bailed on the charity concert in the eleventh hour.
Cyndi Lauper opened the two night stand with Tony Visconti and Holy Holy acting as the house band. Lauper, in a flaming pink wig was a trooper while battling technical difficulties during “Suffregette City” (she did not perform the second night).
Holy Holy, fronted by the Heaven 17 singer Glenn Gregory, performed “Width of a Circle” both nights with rock star swagger. Visconti, Bowie’s long time producer, had been touring with this lineup, that includes an original Spider from Mars on drums, before David Bowie’s passing.
Deborah Harry hit the stage on night one wearing a silver hooded jacket and performed a killer “Starman”. On the second night Harry performed “Heroes” with Blondie; Jakob Dylan performed his remake of “Heroes” at Carnegie Hall and did an excellent version of “Sorrow” the second night.
Ann Wilson opened the second night with the classic “Space Oddity” which seemed a little lackluster after she brought down the house while getting her groove on during “Let’s Dance” at Carnegie Hall.
Michal Stipe of R.E.M. fame hauntingly reinterpreted Bowie’s classic “Ashes to Ashes” accompanied by piano and female singer. Mr. Stipe’s performance art was a highlight of both nights as the audience remained silent during a special performance that David Bowie surely would have approved of.
Approximately twenty artists performed each night and there were plenty of highlights to be had at both shows.
The first night had a little more “Low” and Laurie Anderson, while the second night highlighted Bowie’s last album “Blackstar” with the Kronos Quartet playing the title song to perfection.
The Pixies were clearly a crowd favorite both nights and Mumford and Sons seemingly enjoyed performing “It Ain’t Easy” on the second.
J. Mascis performed with Sean Lennon both nights. At Radio City during a quiet moment before they began, someone up front I the orchestra yelled “Yoko broke up the Beatles” but Mr. Lennon chose to ignore the dig and play on without comment.
It was an eclectic couple of nights of music most fitting for the artist being honored that included Bowie aficionado Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction singing ” Rebel Rebel” and the Flaming Lips performing a jaw dropping “Life on Mars” complete with special effects and Chewbacca.
Both nights ended with a children’s choir and audience sing along to “Space Oddity” which turned out to be a perfect finale to the festivities.
It was two very special evenings in New York City celebrating the life and music of an iconic performer.
The Next Day
Rock on!
GQ
