Kennedy Center Honors

[greatbear]

I always make it a point to watch the annual Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts show bestowing the Kennedy Center Honors on very deserving and diverse individuals for their contributions to the performing arts world. This time, the honorees were prima ballerina Natalia Makarova, actor Dustin Hoffman, blues man Buddy Guy, late-night host David Letterman, and rockers Led Zeppelin. Aside from the obvious presence of the honorees, the roster of greats in the respective fields of the recipients is nothing short of incredible. The performances given to each of the honorees not only highlight the peak of each artists' careers, but the mutual respect between them and their peers is obvious and beautiful. This night was no exception. In fact, it was almost magical.

I sat myself in front of the television last night and let myself become completely wrapped up in the show. I had familiarity with all of the honorees, even Natalia Marakova, getting a bit choked up as a number of familiar dances were performed reminded me of Mom and her constant immersion in opera and ballet. I became giddy and amazed at all the performers, as they followed each other during the show. The performances given in honor of Buddy Guy were outstanding, with Jeff Beck and Beth Hart, Tracy Chapman and Bonnie Raitt bringing down the house. I could not wait to see what awaited Led Zeppelin, who were being inducted as a band and with Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones as individual artists.

Lenny Kravitz performed "Whole Lotta Love." The Foo Fighters did "Rock and Roll." Then Jason Bonham, son of late Zeppelin drummer John Bonham was called to the stage, and, well, I'll let the video speak for itself:

Yeah, color me blown away. I hope these videos aren't nuked by YouTube for some silly infringement bullshit. I saved my own local copies.

One more thing. Throughout the performances President Obama and First Lady Michelle are seen thoroughly enjoying each performance, either engaged in the speeches given both seriously and comedic, and completely into the music. They get it. I cannot for the life of me imagine a Mitt Romney and his wooden wife even pretending to enjoy the songs for the scary bluesman or those drugged out rockers. Stairway to Heaven? That'll be a minimum of ten percent of your salary, please. Thankfully, tonight was all about art (of all kinds) in excellence, mutual respect, and a whole lotta love.

Comments

[fingertrouble.livejournal.com]

I really don't like Led Zep, that's one of about 3 songs I can stand of theirs - and I don't like Heart. Alone has made me want to leave places before now.

I love how Plant and a few others at the start were like 'oh no' - quite rightly so, there have been some *dreadful* covers of it in the past. No Stairway - denied for very good reasons...in fact only one, Dolly Parton's cover (yes that Dolly) has even come close to the emotion in the song - it may rock but it harks to an older time...in fact 2/3 songs of theirs I like are both from before 71.

But that surprisingly moved me, that was about Jason. And John.

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

I'm a Zep head from way back, so I was already giddy about the prospects for the tribute. The previous performances were on point. When Jason, Ann and Nancy were announced, I knew there would be something special, and I expected it, given it's their most recognizable song outside of hard rock circles. Yes, it is vastly overplayed, and a couple guitar shops I used to visit had "NO STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN" signs up. Still, I was not even prepared for this powerful performance. It kept building and building, that set piece lifted revealing that huge choir and that hoary rock standard became pure gospel. It took a while for me to realize the hat thing, so there was an "aftershock" after seeing the performance from seeing that tribute to John. I don't think anyone who isn't a fairly hardcore fan would have made the connection, but it was meant for the three old guys first. You could see their reactions how it was received.

I have the Dolly Parton album, it helped me to give the country gal, whom I already liked, a new level of respect.