Daniel KohnDave Grohl, Foo Fighters, Stevie Nicks, Queens of the Stone Age, Rage Against the Machine, and others
1/31/13
When Dave Grohl announced late last year that the Foo Fighters were going on an indefinite hiatus, folks weren't quite sure how to interpret the news. The band had just completed a tour that had them on the road much of 2011 along with some festival dates in 2012, so it was understandable that they needed some time off. But many didn't know that he was putting the finishing touches on his directorial debut Sound City, a tribute to the famed Valley recording studio where Nirvana's Nevermind was made.
See also: *Our slideshow of the concert
*Dave Grohl On His Film Tribute to the Studio That Gave the World Nevermind
Originally intended to be a short film tracing the history of the Neve soundboard, the doc ended up speaking with many of the iconic bands that recorded at the studio. Last night was the Los Angeles premiere of Sound City, and afterwards many of the musicians who appeared in the film played at the Palladium in what turned into a three-and-a-half-hour all-star jam session.
Cheap Trick's Nielsen and Slipknot's Taylor; Credit: Timothy Norris
Paying tribute to Sound City, musicians from bands like Queens of the Stone Age, Rage Against the Machine, Fear and Masters of Reality performed, as well as supergroups formed specifically for the occasion. Slipknot's Corey Taylor (who flew in from Kansas City earlier in the day), Nirvana's Krist Novoselic and Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen joined with Grohl and Foo Fighters guitarist Pat Smear for a smashing version of “Surrender.” Despite what must have been a daunting logistical undertaking, the atmosphere was loose and relaxed.
Oh, and don't forget about Rick Springfield. He's actually quite important within the Sound City community. After studio owner Joe Gottfried became his manager, Springfield got quite famous while working there, and he still has those good looks and chiseled arms. Springfield and the Grohl-led backing band shredded through a number of his hits, culminating in a raucous version of, of course, “Jessie's Girl.”
Fogerty and the Foos; Credit: Timothy Norris
At one point John Fogerty fronted the Foos, hitting the assembled with edgy takes on Creedence Clearwater Revival classics like “Proud Mary,” “Born On Bayou,” before trading verses with Grohl on “Fortunate Son.”
But the night's biggest ovation belonged to…
Credit: Timothy Norris
…Stevie Nicks. Considering that Fleetwood Mac was the first band to put Sound City on the radar of musicians, the studio has a special place in the her heart. It's where Mick Fleetwood first discovered her and Lindsay Buckingham both.
Beginning with “Stop Draggin' My Heart Around” — where Grohl played the role of Tom Petty — and segueing into rough and tumble “Gold Dust Woman,” the set impressed.
Grohl, incredibly, didn't leave the stage all night. He and Nicks served as bookends to the studio's illustrious history.
See also: *Our slideshow of the concert
*Dave Grohl On His Film Tribute to the Studio That Gave the World Nevermind
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