March 11, 2008
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Taps Madonna, Mellencamp
AP Photo/Jason DeCrow
Oh, to be a confused, sweaty fly on the wall at the Waldorf Astoria last night, when Iggy Pop sang Madonna songs at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Pop and the Stooges covered "Burning Up" and "Ray of Light" in a tribute to the pop queen, who was inducted along with Leonard Cohen, John Mellencamp, The Ventures, and The Dave Clark Five.
Introduced by Justin Timberlake, who helped write and produce her forthcoming album Hard Candy, Madge thanked those who supported her, doubted her, and that ineffable magic that has "possessed" her throughout her career. Her lucky star perhaps? She recalled being "freaked out" when she first saw an audience full of girls dressed just like her, and confirmed JT's story about a B-12 injection she gave him in the studio.
Singer-songwriter Damien Rice paid tribute to Leonard Cohen (pictured, left) with a performance of "Hallelujah," while Lou Reed read from the master of melancholy's lyrics during his introduction. John Mellencamp, dubbed "a symbol of the hopes, struggles and passions of America's Heartland" by the Hall of Fame foundation, was introduced by fellow American icon Billy Joel, and performed "Authority Song" from his 1983 album Uh-Huh.
The "British Invasion" band The Dave Clark Five, dedicated their induction to the band's vocalist and keyboardist Mike Smith who died last month, and their saxophonist Denny Payton who died in 2006. And The Ventures, an instrumental band who recorded 250 albums in the last 50 years, were honored for their pioneering 1960s surf-rock.
The rock and roll industry loving audience, which included Tom Hanks, Chevy Chase, Michael J. Fox, and Meg Ryan, were also treated to performances by Joan Jett, John Fogerty, and Patti LaBelle.
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new writer, eh? this post is too well copy-edited. give it to chung so she can give it that special Gothamist combination of poor grammar and selling.
..welcome to the fold.
How can it be the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame if Madonna is inducted?
Oh, Nick S, what would we do without commenters like you?
And re: rock vs. pop, I think the argument was that Madonna's influence on rock (like her use of the video) was important. And there's no Pop or Dance Hall of Fame...is there?
why is jt wasting his talent writing for madonna? why didn't he just drop a new album?
Why don't they have this in Cleveland? Thats where the museum is. As a museum junkie, let me tell youse, this is one of the BEST museums of any kind I've ever been in. And, surprisingly, Cleveland ain't bad either...lots to do, and easy to get around in.
Sure, Karen, we'll all like to shirk our responsibilites and run off to The Cleve.
Not that I am doubting you are a "museum junkie," Karen, but I have always been quite disappointed with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a building. Especially with its circulation and cramped spaces. It is such a contrast to Pei's work at the Louvre, which is spacious and quite successful from a planning standpoint.
Not that I am doubting you are a "museum junkie," Karen, but I have always been quite disappointed with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a building. Especially with its circulation and cramped spaces. It is such a contrast to Pei's work at the Louvre, which is spacious and quite successful from a planning standpoint.
is there video of iggy's cover of burning up? i would love to see it. such a great song.
I apologize for the double post.
why would jt write a song for madonna, you ask?
$$$$$, duh
Yay for Leonard Cohen!