VIDEOS: From the Red Carpet at the 2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies

VIDEO: Tommy James Professes His Love for Joan Jett here.

 

 

VIDEO: Little Steven Denies Rumor He Is Joining Green Day here.

 

 

VIDEO: Alice Cooper Admits Darlene Love Is The Better Singer here.

 

 

VIDEO: Rock Hall Inductee Bill Withers Walks Right By And Doesn’t Notice Me here.

 

 

VIDEO: Jann Wenner Says Cleveland “Is Alive and Rocking!” here.

 

 

VIDEO: The “5” Royales Are Inducted Into Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame here.

 

 

VIDEO: Rock Photog Bob Gruen On The Red Carpet at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland  here.

 

 

VIDEO: Rock Hall CEO Greg Harris on The Red Carpet at 2015 Inductions  here.

 

 

VIDEO: John Gorman & Ravenna Miceli of oWow Radio on the Red Carpet here.

 

 

VIDEO: Cleveland City Councilman Matt Zone & Michelle On The Red Carpet here.

 

 

VIDEO: On The Red Carpet With Tim Mueller & Gregg Fienberg  here.

 

 

VIDEO: Fred & Laura Bidwell of Cleveland Museum of Art on the Red Carpet here.

 

 

VIDEO: Former Rock Hall Terry Stewart On The Red Carpet here.

 

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One Response to “VIDEOS: From the Red Carpet at the 2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies”

  1. Pat Blochowiak

    April, 2015.
    I have had a burning question for Paul McCartney for years…

    …..

    In that unreal, early adolescent way typical … I have always loved Paul McCartney. I watched him on the Ed Sullivan Show in a way different than I watched John or George or Ringo. I listened to him on The Ed Sullivan Show in a way different than the way I watched John or George or Ringo. Perhaps it was the choir-boy voice at a time so near the time I left my church choir. Perhaps it was the twinkle in his eye. In an imaginary way, I could see myself bringing him home to meet my mother, and even marrying him. Dr. Johanna “Hansi” Raich, my mother’s colleague and our family friend, brought me a Beatles’ album when she came back from visiting her sister in London. Then came the real thing. My friend Vera and I each spent the $5 necessary to purchase tickets to see the Beatles on September 9, 1964, when their tour came to Milwaukee. Comparing notes years later, each remembered that the other had been the instigator of the plan, probably meaning that the actuality of the plan required each of us building on the dreams of the other. On their arrival, I was waiting with a modest number of young fans at Billy Mitchell Field for my first view, but the powers-that-were had their plane taxi to the nearby military airport. George’s comments on the situation reflected the sadness we felt. The actual concert was a dream-come-true, and standing in front of the Coach Light Inn on 19th and Wisconsin to try to see Paul before he left the next day was not.. While I have friends who allegedly did more than just see Paul, I’m in the position of not really even sure whether I caught a glimpse of him peering out from behind the curtains on one of the higher floors. And I had a mini experience with police “brutality”. Instead of asking me to move a few feet, the officer kicked my leg. It wasn’t the sort of kick that left me bruised or broken, but it shocked my childish expectation that the police were there to protect me. I came out of that little episode much less naive than I had been.

    The Beatles left Milwaukee, and only their records and photos, plus the radio, was left.

    Fortunately, my brother and I were taken to their August 20, 1965 concert at Chicago’s Comiskey Park. While it was very exciting, compared to the concert in Milwaukee it was anticlimactic because it was a stadium concert, and Paul seemed miles away. Whether my brother felt the same way about George, or whether he had even decided by that time that George was his preferred Beatle, remains unknown to me.

    Life continued. The Beatles, especially Paul, wrote and performed music that was the stereotypic sound track of my life. I grew up and graduated from high school. I spent more and more time on Milwaukee’s “East Side” and listened to lots of music, including that performed by my brother’s band and the bands of other friends. Still, Paul and the Beatles were most important in many ways. Paul’s life went on, too. He dated Jane Asher, broke her heart and many other hearts, and married Linda Eastman. They had children and managed to do many of the normal things that young couples do. The Beatles broke up. Paul was depressed. They eventually started Wings, and Paul’s career, like the careers of the other former Beatles, continued.

    I essentially missed Wings. It’s not that I disliked Wings, it’s just that I went to medical school and also had my own family’s ups and downs to deal with. Going to medical school and completing my residency in Family Medicine while raising a family, including getting married and divorced, left me with little energy for my own interests.

    Fast forward to NE Ohio, which had become my home in 1992. My youngest child attended the Young Artist Program at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Paul performed in Cleveland, catalyzing my reunion with Vera, who I hadn’t seen for decades, and she came from the West Coast for the concert, staying in my home for a few days. We had a great time together and with Paul, though we were really together, and Paul was at some distance.

    While my daughter, Arvilla, was attending Juilliard, I spent a lot more time in New York City. During that time period, I attended Paul’s Buddy Holly Birthday Bash; the listening party for Run, Devil, Run; an exhibit of his paintings; the Garland For Linda concert at Riverside Church; his Charlie Rose Show appearance; and I tried unsuccessfully to attend his induction in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; fortunately succeeding in attending an after party with a very drunk and out-of-control Phil Spector, Alan Klein, and singing around the piano with Paul Shaffer. At both the Buddy Holly event and the listening party, I had first hand experience with Macca’s phenomenal ability to flirt so intensely from a distance that I felt as if the two of us were the only people in a crowded room. It was exhilarating! Later, when Linda died, Paul was devastated. Rumor had it that he was drinking heavily. He was hurting.

    I, in the meantime, had discovered Positive Psychology. I bought Paul a copy of Learned Optimism and brought it to NYC for the Garland for Linda concert at Riverside Church. Paul was to attend a small gathering before the actual concert, and I had a ticket. Unfortunately, there was bad weather over the Atlantic, and Paul’s plane was delayed. He arrived at Riverside Church during the concert. I moved towards the group gathered tightly around him. Finally, I was only a little more than arm’s length from him, but he was facing away from me. I stretched out my arm and tapped his right shoulder with the book. He didn’t see it, but tried to brush away whatever had touched his shoulder. When he realized that the sensation came from a book, he took it. That was the extent of our contact that day, but as he later left the room, he held up the book for everyone to see. A friend from the Macca listserve sent me a photo of him holding it up, which I was never able to print. 🙁 On the Charlie Rose Show, he stated that he’d always been an optimistic sort of person, and I assumed that he was telling me that he had read the book and taken it to heart.

    Now we’ve arrived in 2015. Ringo is being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Paul will induct him. I have failed to get around to becoming a member. My friend who is a member is not interested in going to the ceremony and has given his membership number to his son, so his son can purchase tickets before they go on sale to the general public. I’m at the doctor’s office when they go on sale to the general public. I’m not talking with the doctor at the precise time, but I have problems getting online, and all the tickets are gone by the time I do. Months later, an email message arrives from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. There are a limited number of VIP tickets available. After a number of email and voicemail messages, Kim sells me a VIP ticket, entitling me to attend the induction, a party at the Rock Hall the night before the induction, some rehearsals, and an after party. Caprice sends all of us instructions.

    Friday, April 17th, I arrive at the rehearsals. By chance, I sit with the owners of the Cleveland Scene. Other interesting people are there. Paul Shaffer is organizing the process. They begin by working on harmonies and timing for “A Little Help from my Friends.” John Legend sings, and I melt. Stevie Wonder will be there tomorrow. Bill Withers is there. Karen O from the Yeah, Yeah Yeahs sings “Vicious” and Beck also sings for the late Lou Reed. Paul Butterfield Blues Band! We leave for “lunch” at 4:30 p.m. We’re told that our part of the day is done, but the schedule from Caprice says that there will be more at 5:30 p.m. At my insistence, they check and confirm that we’re welcome to come back at 5:30.
    Someone must have thought that I was on the crew, because I was directed through the maze to the crew’s meal. I sit with Len, who introduces himself, asks my name, and apologizes for not recognizing me without my headset when I give my first name. It’s probably fortunate that he doesn’t see that other Pat. When I come back from looking for some of his chocolate mousse dessert without any, he very generously shares his with me. He won my heart with chocolate.

    Returning to the rehearsal, I’m told that the 7:00 p.m. ending on my schedule is not the end of the rehearsals. Green Day concludes the part of the rehearsal that I attend, and possibly the entire rehearsal. I leave for the party at the Rock Hall, but not before seeing the rehearsal schedule for the next day, which includes, among others, Stevie Wonder, Ringo, and Paul McCartney. On the way into the party, I gave an incoherent interview to Cool Cleveland. Too star struck? Too distracted? I don’t know. On the way home, I give David a ride back to his B&B. He’s researching Ahmet Ertigun at the Rock Hall archives.
    I wasn’t specifically told that I could attend the Saturday rehearsals, but since no one ever told me that I couldn’t, I arrive on Saturday morning, eager to find out what will happen. I walk in. No one says a word. The rehearsal is great fun. I’m told that John Legend has flown to DC to the White House. I’m in good company. After some time, the stage is cleared to set up for Ringo. They’ll be arriving shortly. There’s Paul. In retrospect, I probably should have waited, but I approached him and asked him whether he remembered the book, reminding him of his comments to Charlie Rose. He politely says that he doesn’t remember and moves on. I make my second mistake by approaching a seated Ringo to try to get a photo. At this point in time, a tall man approaches me and asks me about my clearance to be present. I show him my credential from the previous day, which isn’t sufficient. I search for the letter that won’t really prove that I am allowed to be present. The polite man says that we need to get me the right sort of credential. Internally, my heart sinks, but he’s still offering the possibility of staying, so I try to remain upbeat. At the table, the woman writes me a backstage pass with Paul McCartney’s name on it. I’m already separating it from its backing in preparation for putting it on when the man says, “She’s not with us.” They take it back, and I am sent to a different table, where my name is not found and other names I give have already claimed their passes – not a surprise to me. I leave.
    During a brief lunch (brussels spouts salad) at the Urban Farm, which surprises me by having very few vegetables, I learn that the Cavs game was postponed until Sunday to avoid a conflict with the induction ceremony and that a friend is babysitting for the very adorable 2 1/2 year-old niece of Joan Jett. I have my picture taken with Bill Withers and take photos for others. I hang out with the fans across the street from Public Hall who are watching celebrities. Bill Withers and John Legend, for example. Finally, Joan Jett and her ensemble walk across the street from the Westin to Public Hall, confirming that Ringo’s rehearsal time has ended or will end soon. I wait what seems like forever, but Paul doesn’t come out. Has he gone another way? The security detail is told that he’ll be out in 15 minutes, never really mentioning his name. Half an hour later I decide that I need to buy stockings and change if I’m to be back for the 5:00 p.m. dinner that precedes the induction. Paul and Ringo probably came out shortly after I left.

    At dinner I sit at a table with Sam Lay from the Paul Butterfield Blues Band; JW, who works with Jerry Lee Lewis; and others. Lots of people I know are there, including Senator Sherrod Brown and Connie Schultz and Paul Clark from PNC Bank. We go upstairs for dessert and the ceremony, and my table is not far behind the Cleveland Foundation’s table. It’s a lousy table, too close to a noisy bar, and the view of one podium is obstructed by the boom for one of the big cameras, but I’m there.

    You’ll probably get a better idea of the actual ceremony by watching it on HBO, but I will summarize by saying that I loved it. Butterfield Blues Band was terrific. John Mayer and Stevie Ray Vaughan’s brother played with Double Trouble. The extended family of the “5” Royales was present. (I had met a great-grandson of one at the Westin.) Green Day was dynamic. Patti Smith, who I last heard at the Conference For Media Reform, was emotional as she inducted Lou Reed. Bill Withers was very witty. John Legend melted my heart again. An interesting array of drummers had been recorded talking about and demonstrating Ringo’s innovations in drumming. Paul spoke of the importance of Ringo in the development of the Beatles sound. Ringo spoke of his drumming history. Paul and Ringo were mutually supportive, with Paul, appropriately, deferring to Ringo on Ringo’s special night. Green Day backed Ringo. More and more people joined them on the stage, including, of course, Paul. Ringo looked both genuinely happy and very comfortable, something not always true of Ringo. Everyone joined him onstage for the finale.

    Thanks to Rock Hall staffers Kim, Caprice, Mick, Megan, Patrick, and many others for helping to make this a special event!

    I stopped in briefly at the after party, but I finally realized that my feet were sore and that my day was really over. And that my burning question had been answered. Other than a discussion of whether Ed Sanders, with or without the Fugs, would be at the Beachland Ballroom sometime in the future and farewells to wonderful new friends Rob Bowman and his wife, Rob, Bob and Christina, who I may or may not ever see again, I left fairly quickly, something not entirely typical for me. My question was answered. Paul didn’t remember. That, of course, doesn’t necessarily mean that he didn’t read the book that I had given him, nor even that it didn’t help him to bring himself back together after the traumatic loss of his first wife, Linda, or his later traumatic marriage to and divorce from his second wife. His third marriage seems, from all reports, to be happy. One hopes that he will live the rest of his life with her. I’m not an adolescent any more. I guess I should give up on that adolescent dream of marrying him, right?

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