~Sunday,
June 23, 2013
Yonkers, New York, 1950s — little
Steven sits under the piano as his father plays “Clair de Lune,” filling the
room and the mind of a child with Debussy’s ethereal classical piece which
translates to “moonlight” in French.
Now, fast forward five decades —
June 22, 2013, Opening Night at the Hollywood Bowl—Steven Tyler stands atop a
white grand piano pointing to the “supermoon,” and in his classic tenor-scream
sings, “dream on, dream on, dream on, dream until your dreams come true….”
As both a fan of Aerosmith, and a supporter of education in
music for today’s children—last night at the Hollywood Bowl rocked! The 2013 summer season kick off and
fundraiser, honored the venue’s Hall of Fame inductee’s, Steven Tyler, Joe
Perry, Patti Austin, and John Legend.
What do these amazing artists all have in common?: These multi-talented
singer-songwriters were influenced by music at a very young age, dedicated their
lives to perfecting their skills, and became a part of the American songbook
electrifying their fans and their communities through the power of music.
To be honest, my husband purchased tickets for the venue’s
Opening Night event not knowing what to expect, assuming we would be treated to
classical music under the stars, and short appearances by Tyler, Perry, Austin,
and Legend. Who knew it would be a
full-on jazz, pop, R&B, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll filled night?!—with new hi-definition video screens to boot!
Each of the inductees were joined on stage by the Hollywood Bowl
Orchestra, and conductor, Thomas Wilkins, and performed at least four songs
apiece. We were also entertained by the
multi-talented presenters, prominent and celebrated figures in their own right: Angela Bassett, Arsenio Hall, Stevie Wonder,
and Peter Fonda (looking as if he just
came off the set of Easy Rider!).
A personal highlight for me was learning that the evening
event was a benefit for the LA Phil and its education programs, such as Symphonies for Schools, Summer Sounds, and YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los
Angeles). YOLA provides instruments,
music training, and ensemble performance opportunities to children throughout
Los Angeles who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford them. I was fortunate to grow up in a family and
school system that supported music education, and started taking piano lessons
in the third grade—and speaking for myself—I would’ve been a miserable kid if
music and the arts had not been made available to me. (The Yamaha grand piano my parents bought me
as a teenager, now adorns my own home; and my rusty fingers do their best to
entertain my husband when I’m beckoned to sit down and play.)
Each inductee shared with the audience their own childhood
stories: Patti Austin, whose parents let her “do her thing” as long as she
helped wash the dishes, got to bed early, and went to school. (Arsenio Hall,
Austin’s presenter, shared, “My friend, Quincy Jones, asked me one day if I
would like to hear some of his goddaughter’s music?”—the rest is history!) John
Legend also grew up in a family of music, taking piano lessons at four years
old, and later in life attended college and shared a room there with another student who just happened to be Kanye West’s
cousin!—and, yes, Kanye West played a large role in launching Legend’s
career. (Legend also recently created a
nonprofit organization, the Show Me Campaign, that fights poverty using proven
solutions and fights for education reform in the United States.) Lastly, Steven Tyler, who was influenced by
his father (a classical musician and pianist), and Joe Perry, whose mom purchased
his first guitar for him, were childhood friends who decided to spend hours “jamming”
together as teens and eventually formed a band that performed at clubs in
Boston where their careers eventually were launched. Tyler, with his high screams and trademark
scarves, has electrified audiences worldwide, and Aerosmith is now considered
one of America’s greatest rock ‘n’ roll bands.
What a memorable night at the Bowl!—Patti Austin’s soulful
voice, Stevie Wonder playing the harmonica and singing along with John Legend
at the piano singing his hit, “Ordinary People,” and Steven Tyler and Joe Perry rocking out to “Walk
This Way” as the finale of the evening—the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra fervently
keeping up with them—as the firework show shot off into the sky behind
them. Honestly, I don’t know which light
show was the brightest: the “supermoon,”
the fireworks, or Steven Tyler’s star-lit sequined pants!!!
All in all, I was thrilled to be part of the 'harmony' of the
entire night, and considered it “brilliant” on every level.
