Fans walked, and even ran, to this year’s opening night of the Hollywood Bowl as a whole host of famous musicians and singers were inducted into the Hall of Fame. The Hollywood Bowl ushered in the beginning of summer and its 92nd season with the 14th Annual Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame and Opening Night Concert.
This year’s star-studded lineup included four Hall of Fame inductees: Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of the iconic rock band Aerosmith, multitalented vocalist and entertainer Patti Austin, and nine-time Grammy-winning singer John Legend. The prestigious presenters included talk show host and funnyman Arsenio Hall; actor and musician Darren Criss; actor, writer and producer Peter Fonda; the one and only Stevie Wonder and acclaimed actress Angela Bassett, who hosted the evening.
Video montages of the inductees were shown on the bowl’s new LED screens prior to each of their performances, paying tribute to their careers. The annual kick off to the bowl season also featured the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, led by Principal Guest Conductor Thomas Wilkins, as well as a performance featuring 65 students from Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA), who performed the conclusion of Stravinsky’s “Firebird.”
The Opening Night at the Hollywood Bowl benefit concert raised more than $1 million for the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s many music education programs, which serve more than 120,000 children, families and teachers every year.
The special evening got underway with Wilkins and the HBO performing James Stephenson’s “American Fanfare,” followed by the “Sacrificial Dance” from Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring.” In honor of the 100th anniversary of this seminal work, Opening Night Hall of Fame producers Wayne Baruch and Charles F. Gayton commissioned Los Angeles-based Visual Artist Jon DeGooyer to create a visual accompaniment for the music. The video was developed using audio reactive-generative video programs and also incorporated archival Hollywood Bowl footage and shots of Stravinsky.
The Hall of Fame induction ceremonies began with host Angela Bassett welcoming the audience before introducing Arsenio Hall, who inducted Patti Austin. Hall’s friendship with Austin dates back to the early ’80s, when they met through Hall’s mentor, and Austin’s godfather, Quincy Jones. They shared precious memories before introducing a video tribute featuring some of the highlights of Austin’s career. Then Austin and her band, along with a choir, the HBO and Wilkins launched into her set, which included a medley of her major hits, including, “Baby Come to Me/How Do You Keep the Music Playing/Razzmattazz,” followed by “Lean On Me,” “You Gotta Be” and “How High the Moon.”
Next, musical icon Stevie Wonder took the stage to induct John Legend. Following his video tribute, Legend, at the piano, played and sang some of his well-known hits, “Where Did My Baby Go,” “Again,” “All of Me” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” with the HBO led by Wilkins. And, in the surprise of the evening, Wonder returned to the stage to join Legend in “Ordinary People.”
After a spectacular performance by YOLA, it was time to start rocking with Steven Tyler and Joe Perry. The music legends were presented by film icon Peter Fonda. He introduced a video showcasing Tyler and Perry’s musical backgrounds and achievements, before they and their band, along with the HBO and Wilkins, launched into an energetic performance of “Love in an Elevator,” “Dream On,” “Cryin’” and “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.” The pair completed their set with one of their most popular hits, “Walk This Way.” They returned to the stage, along with Austin and Legend, for the reprise of “Walk This Way,” accompanied by a spectacular fireworks display.
The magic continued a few days later with a movie tribute to Bugs Bunny and all of your favorite cartoon characters, like Elmer, Tweety, Sylvester, Daffy, Wile E. Coyote and the rest.
The music continues all summer long. So, What’s up Doc? It’s at the bowl.