IMAGINE : All-Star Lineup Honors John Lennon In NYC

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All-Star Lineup Honors John Lennon In NYC
JamBase
Published on: 12/6/2015

An all-star lineup of musicians came together last night at the Theater at Madison Square Garden for the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert celebrating the life of the late great founding member of The Beatles. Legends like Willie Nelson, John Fogerty and Kris Kristofferson appeared along with other talented performers such as The Roots, Spoon, Chris Stapleton, Sheryl Crow, Steven Tyler and more.



Hosted by actor/musician Kevin Bacon, Fogerty began the night with a performance of “Give Peace A Chance” followed by appearances by JUANES and Aloe Blacc. Sheryl Crow offered a take on “A Hard Day’s Night” and was joined on stage by Stapleton and Brandon Flowers for “Don’t Let Me Down.” Other collaborations included Nelson and Kristofferson sharing the stage with Stapleton before Nelson performed solo.



Spoon launched the second half of the concert, giving a spirited take on “Hey Bulldog.” Country star Eric Church offered a take on “Mind Games” and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler lead the house band on “Come Together.” The Roots offered a stirring rendition of “Mother” and guitarists Peter Frampton and Tom Morello also contributed tributes to the late Beatle. The entire lineup of performers took the stage for the show closing “All You Need Is Love.”

Watch fan-shot footage of the tribute concert captured by Cool Hand 62:

[Sheryl Crow, Chris Stapleton & Brandon Flowers “Don’t Let Me Down”]


[Steven Tyler “Come Together”]


[Sheryl Crow, Peter Frampton & Aloe Blacc “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”]


[Eric Church “Mind Games”]


[Spoon “Hey Bulldog” captured by awni30]


[“All You Need Is Love” captured by Stephen Hurtes]






www.rollingstone.com
Yoko Ono, Willie Nelson, Tom Morello Star in Moving Lennon Birthday Tribute
Roots, Steven Tyler, Kris Kristofferson also appear at "Imagine" benefit concert in NYC
By Sarah Grant 
December 6, 2015


Tom Morello's rousing "Power to the People" was one highlight of Saturday's John Lennon tribute. Theo Wargo/Getty

"Rock & roll is here to stay!" Yoko Ono asserted on the stage of the Theater at Madison Square Garden Saturday night, telling the audience that's what her late husband would have said in response to "Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert." Steven Tyler, Eric Church, Aloe Blacc, Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow and Tom Morello were just a few of the multi-generational luminaries who came together onstage to pay homage to the revolutionary Beatle — the Liverpool songwriter, lionhearted political activist, peacemaker and musical treasure, who would have been 75 years old on October 9th and who died 35 years ago this month. Put on by Blackbird Presents and AMC, the show benefited the poverty-fighting organization Robin Hood.

Kevin Bacon hosted the tremendous, star-packed event — airing on AMC on Saturday, December 19th at 9 p.m. ET/PT — which hit every note of Lennon's songwriting personality, his interests, concerns and loves. In the first half of the show, Sheryl Crow played a rollicking serenade of "A Hard Day's Night," the Killers' Brandon Flowers conducted an effervescent sing-along to "Instant Karma," Latin pop sensation Juanes sang "Woman" wearing a variation of Lennon's famous "New York City" shirt that read "Medellín City," and Train frontman Pat Monahan impressed the crowd with an acrobatic rendition of "Jealous Guy." John Fogerty, the biggest Beatlemaniac in the room, kicked off the night with a striking one-two acoustic punch of "Give Peace a Chance" and "In My Life."


Theo Wargo/Getty

The most memorable performances were by the least-well-known artists. R&B artist Aloe Blacc held the notes of "Steel and Glass" for breathtaking stretches. The song, from Lennon's dark 1974 solo album, Walls and Bridges, is about psychological extremes. "How does it feel to be off the wall?" Blacc wondered with gravitas, standing in a zippered leather jacket with arms folded behind his back. Nashville singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton, who made a splash at this year's CMAs, gave a titillating, bluesy take on "Don't Let Me Down," flanked by Crow and Flowers. Alt-rock band Spoon offered 10 minutes of full-octane rock & roll.

Lennon's activist anthems shone especially bright. The Roots gave "Mother" a hip-hop treatment, while working-class heroes Kris Kristofferson, Tom Morello and harmonica legend Mickey Raphael performed a sobering, stripped-down set in front of a picture of Lennon towering over them with his arms crossed. Morello came back for an anthemic rendition of "Power to the People" with the New York Freedom Choir, which includes representatives of nine different activist organizations in the state. This was the peak performance for so many reasons. Morello's guitar playing was incendiary. He raised his fist to the crowd in solidarity, and, more movingly, simply pointed upward toward the sky. He played his guitar flipped over so it revealed the word "IMAGINE" in all capital letters on the back, and then, after a climactic, toe-curling solo, rested the instrument on the stage in a symbolic gesture of laying down arms.


Eric Church and Steven Tyler, Madison Square Garden, December 6th, 2015 Kevin Mazur/Getty

"John Lennon wrote music that mattered because it said something," said country star Eric Church, who called the evening a 'bucket list' night before launching into one of Lennon's moodiest songs, "Mind Games." Church rekindled the declamatory spirit with his new Nashville brother, Steven Tyler, his partner on a blazing "Revolution." Everyone went wild for Tyler's reprisal of his druggy role as frontman of Future Villain Band from the 1978 musical film Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

"Every song has a story," Ono said to the audience, sporting a whimsical bowler hat and Sgt. Pepper–style blazer with golden epaulets, after a clip played of the Plastic Ono Band singing "Attica State" on a talk show. Lennon and Ono sat on the show's red step, singing about freedom with razor-sharp intent. The archival footage seemed to foreshadow 2015, a year marked by social violence in the United States. The song, like so many others shared that night, carried a message of brotherhood, solidarity and peace: "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" brought cheer with a children's choir and a Peter Frampton–Crow-Blacc trio. Legendary storyteller Willie Nelson offered a magnificently serene "Imagine," conveying the lyrics in a such a stark, plainspoken way, it was as if the song were being sung for the first time.


Theo Wargo/Getty

"Happy birthday, beautiful boy," Paul McCartney said in a prerecorded video. It was a touching reminder of one of the last songs Lennon gave to the world, "Beautiful Boy," an ode to paternal love that ends with Lennon whispering to his young son Sean, "See you in the morning, bright and early." Hope, joy, and camaraderie filled the theater when the all-star roster joined together to deliver the simplest, truest advice Lennon offered in his lifetime: "Love is all you need."


Kevin Mazur/Getty

Set List:

John Fogerty:
"Give Peace a Chance"
"In My Life"

Peter Frampton:
"Norwegian Wood"

Juanes:
"Woman"

Aloe Blacc:
"Steel and Glass"

Sheryl Crow:
"A Hard Day's Night"

Kris Kristofferson and Tom Morello:
"Working Class Hero"

Chris Stapleton, Sheryl Crow and Brandon Flowers:
"Don't Let Me Down"

Chris Stapleton, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson:
"You've Got to Hide Your Love Away"

The Roots:
"Mother"

Spoon:
"Hey Bulldog"
"Cold Turkey"

Willie Nelson:
"Imagine"

Brandon Flowers:
"Instant Karma"

Pat Monahan:
"Jealous Guy"

Eric Church:
"Mind Games"

Tom Morello:
"Power to the People"

Steven Tyler:
"Come Together"

Steven Tyler and Eric Church:
"Revolution"

Peter Frampton, Sheryl Crow and Aloe Blacc:
"Happy Xmas (War Is Over)"

"All You Need Is Love"




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Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert - Red Carpet


Musician Peter Frampton attends the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)


Musician Brandon Flowers attends the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)


Musician Questlove attends the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)


Musician Tom Morello attends the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)


Musician Aloe Blacc attends the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)


Actor Kevin Bacon attends the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)


Singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow attends the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)


Christina Elfers and musician Peter Frampton attends the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)


Singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson attends the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)


Singer-songwriter Steven Tyler attends the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)


Musician Juanes attends the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)


Drummer Kenny Aronoff (L) and Blackbird Production Partners CEO Keith Wortman attend the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)


(L-R) Kris Kristofferson, Steven Tyler and Mia Tyler attend the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)


Juanes (L) and Karen Martinez attend the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)




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Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert


Singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow performs onstage at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)


Musician Aloe Blacc performs onstage at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)


Actor Kevin Bacon speaks onstage at Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)


Musician Juanes performs onstage at Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)


Musician Peter Frampton performs onstage at Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)


Musician Tom Morello performs on stage during the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)


Musician Kris Kristofferson performs on stage during the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)


Musician Questlove performs on stage during the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)


(L-R) Musicians Brandon Flowers, Chris Stapleton and Sheryl Crow perform on stage during the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)


Musician Willie Nelson performs on stage during the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)


Musician John Fogerty performs on stage during the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)


Tariq 'Black Thought' Trotter of The Roots performs on stage during the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)


The Roots perform on stage during the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)


(L-R) Musicians Brandon Flowers, Chris Stapleton and Sheryl Crow perform on stage during the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)










Yoko Ono speaks on stage during the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)


Bilal performs on stage during the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)


Singer Britt Daniel of Spoon performs on stage during the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)


Yoko Ono and Willie Nelson perform on stage during the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)


Musician Steven Tyler performs on stage during the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)


Singers Sheryl Crow and Steven Tyler performs on stage during the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)

Musician Tom Morello performs on stage during the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.

(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)

(L-R) Patrick Monahan, Kevin Bacon, Sheryl Crow and Steven Tyler perform on stage during the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.

(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)

Spoon performs on stage during the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.

(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)

Peter Frampton, Sheryl Crow and Aloe Blacc perform on stage during the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.

(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)

(L-R) Patrick Monahan, Tom Morello, Kris Kristofferson, Eric Church, Chris Stapleton and Willie Nelson perform on stage during the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.
(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)

Patrick Monahan, Peter Frampton, Kevin Bacon, Sheryl Crow, Steven Tyler, Tom Morello, Brandon Flowers, Aloe Blacc, Eric Church, Kris Kristofferson, Chris Stapleton and Willie Nelson perform on stage during the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.

(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)

(L-R) Kris Kristofferson, Eric Church, Chris Stapelton and Willie Nelson perform on stage during the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City.

(Dec. 4, 2015 - Source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America)