According to sources from Juggling Lucy in the Sky to Free As A Bird it wasn’t perhaps the usual stuff of a John Lennon tribute concert. But looking at the wry, smiles on Lennon’s face as classic photos of the Beatle great alternated all evening long on screen at the Beacon Theater, one couldn’t help but think he would have thoroughly enjoyed himself.
Lennon, would have turned seventy last month and so even though Friday’s tribute was the 30th in a series, this one had a special feel. Produced by the Theater within, a nonprofit group, the evening was a benefit for the Playing for Change Foundation, which builds music schools in poor areas of the world.
Among those big names in attendance this year were Cyndi Lauper, and she talked about how her and her sister would sing his songs as they were growing up. There were a lot of singers and musical superstars on hand for the event and everyone had a great time paying tribute to John Lennon. Many who performed his songs on stage and others that told past stories about him. In other highlights, music was done by blues singer Keb’ Mo; who did soulful and soft music such as My Life and the rousing Come Together.
And the playing for change band, musicians from across the globe who earned fame with a viral video of Stand By Me, performed in snippets that were woven into a single performance, was there. First with a new video of Lennon’s iconic imagine and then with a live performance that included all you need is love.
At the end of the Theater Within’s 30th annual John Lennon tribute, the band was back, along with all the artists and the house band, for a rollicking finale. It ended, with perhaps Lennon’s most famous words, all we are saying is give peace a chance.
