It’s been over half a century since Woodstock, and the image of the historic concert remains etched into the collective imaginations of music fans. Although festivals like Burning Man may have the same sort of drug-fueled energy in terms of an audience, it doesn’t always seem easy to find a musically coherent lineup of superstars all gathered together.
The Taylor Hawkins Tribute in Los Angeles seemed to be an exception. Although anyone who spent time doing some research could largely guess the lineup, given a similar show performed weeks before at Wembley Stadium, it was mindblowing for anyone without prior expectations.
A few of the guests who showed up at the Los Angeles tribute but not the London tribute include Krist Novelic, the bassist of Nirvana alongside now frontman Dave Grohl, who drummed for the band in the ’90s.
The appearance of Dave Chappelle was an interesting choice, as the renowned comedian didn’t perform a comedy set but instead an almost parodic version of Radiohead’s “Creep.” Chappelle almost seemed to talk through the song, emphasizing the expletives in each prechorus.
His appearance seemed out of place if the tribute was intended to be a more sober, meaningful reflection of Taylor Hawkins’ life, but perhaps fit in well if, as Queen’s Brian May says later in the show, the Los Angeles tribute in particular was meant to be a “party.”
There were large cameras operating and filming the show, although even some of the staffers at the event didn’t know what the recording would be used for. Some speculation included that it might be used as part of a DVD release, or that it would be part of an online streaming service.
Two highlights of the show came as part of Queen’s set. First, Queen was joined by Pink in a performance of “Somebody To Love,” which Taylor Hawkins himself routinely performed onstage singing lead on. Instead of leaping across the stage with reckless abandon like Hawkins often did, Pink moved relatively little other than occasional eye contact with Brian May and the audience. Footage from the audience revealed, perhaps unsurprisingly, that a “confidence monitor” with lyrics was placed on stage facing up towards the performers. Although Pink missed one key line after the guitar intro, the sheer energy behind her voice and the context of a more sympathetic and forgiving audience here for a tribute meant the error was largely unnoticed or forgiven.
The second was the apparently spontaneous performance of “Love of My Life,” which Brian May performed as a solo on acoustic guitar. Beforehand, May told the audience that he had not expected to perform the song, even though they had at Wembley weeks before, because he felt that the Los Angeles Tribute was to be a “celebration,” and so implied he wanted to keep the mood up. However, at the request of Hawkins’ widow, who mentioned the song as one that both she and Taylor loved, May performed the song as a gift to the two.
Given the complaints artists often have about what smartphones have done to the concert experience, it was ironic that the most visually beautiful moment of the show was when May instructed the audience to use their smartphone lights to wave along with the song.
The Foo Fighters, of course, headlined, and revealed a couple of tricks from up their sleeves that they had been saving for the end of the show. One difference was the extent of the lighting and production, with a much greater deal of colors and laser lights shot above the audience. Another was the subtle boost in the volume, in which the bass could be felt through the bodies of the crowd.
The final highlights came when, just as in London, a younger generation took the stage on drums. First, Roger Taylor’s son performed and burst into tears multiple times, marking an especially emotional part of the night. Taylor Hawkins’ son took the stage to perform later on, and perhaps due to his younger age, seemed more energetic and less emotional. Nonetheless, the audience saw the passing of the torch symbolized by the two drummer sons following in their father’s footsteps.
Overall, the night was as star-studded as any event could be. More surprising than just the sheer star power was the variety of musicians who attended. One might assume that a tribute to the death of a rock drummer like Taylor Hawkins would feature mainly rock musicians, and that was the case. However, giant names like Miley Cyrus, Alanis Morrisette and Pink showing up seemed unlikely. Moreover, they performed not with their own bands, but as lead singers alongside other established bands, such as Pink singing songs with Brian May of Queen standing to her left.
Brian May had mentioned that the show was meant to be more of a party than a somber occasion, and it largely was. Nonetheless, it was a respectful celebration, with most of the crowd relatively sober throughout the performances. Part of this element was surely due to the presence of the Hawkins family in the back, watching the entire performance.
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