At midnight, rock ‘n’ roll history was made.
As Thursday, Oct. 29, slipped into Friday, a full house at Madison Square Garden rose as one, swaying and clapping as Sam “The Original Soul Man” Moore and Bruce Springsteen sang “Hold On, I’m Coming.”
Art Garfunkel, in fine voice, sang “Bridge Over Troubled Water” with Paul Simon. Annie Lennox bowed to Aretha Franklin before the two belted out “Chain of Fools.” Mick Jagger and Fergie sang and danced to a steamy “Gimme Shelter.”
Even a venue as cavernous as the Garden could barely contain such talent. HBO edited those magical moments, culled from a two-night, 10-hour concert, to an expected four hours, premiering at 7 p.m. Sunday as “The 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert.”
“It is the soundtrack of our lives,” said Tom Hanks, an executive producer, before the show. “I am a fan of everybody here. Lou Reed and Ray Davies will be here. And when you mention them, you sound really hip. Laugh, you jaded SOBs!”
To become eligible for the Hall, an artist’s first album must have been released at least 25 years ago. Consequently, it was two nights of people who, for the most part, have received their AARP cards.
However, this was no oldies concert. The eclectic show featured musicians who don’t usually work together. Sting and Stevie Wonder performed a phenomenal medley of “Higher Ground” and “Roxanne.”
The concert did exactly what it should have: It reminded people how embracing rock ‘n’ roll is, including hippies and punk rockers, folkies and doo-woppers. It’s all rock ‘n’ roll, and yes, we like it.
The show opened with Jerry Lee Lewis, devoid of expression but still banging the keys to “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On.”
Crosby, Stills & Nash performed a long set, including “Woodstock” and “Marrakesh Express.” Bonnie Raitt joined in for “Love Has No Pride,” and James Taylor sang an exquisite rendition of “Mexico” with them. Jackson Browne joined all for “Teach Your Children.”
After, Raitt said, “It was an absolute honor. I’ve known these guys so long. It was angelic to me to get to play with Stephen (Stills) for the first time.”
Over the two nights, major stars were star-struck.
“There’s a thrill every time you turn around,” Browne said. “At rehearsal, I was watching the guy next to Stevie Wonder. Oh, my God! It was Smokey Robinson.”
Dion, whose voice remains as clear as when he harmonized on Belmont Avenue in the Bronx, sang “The Wanderer.” Simon sang backup.
“I am just glad to be in the chain, a piece of it,” Dion said. “Music is the naked cry of the human heart longing to be with God. Yo!”
Wonder sang “For Once in My Life” and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours).” When he got to “Tracks of My Tears,” Robinson, Wonder’s mentor since he was 11, took the stage.
At 69, Robinson looks and sounds far younger. The aquamarine eyes shone, and around his neck he wore a gold-plated center from a 45-rpm record.
Robinson answered instantly when asked who has been left out of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. “The Miracles should have been in it a long time ago,” he said of his old group.
John Legend, who bears more than a passing resemblance to Marvin Gaye, sang the late singer’s “Mercy Mercy Me.”
Wearing a blue velvet tux, Legend, 30, was probably the concert’s youngest performer. He arrived at the Garden having sung the National Anthem at Game 2 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium.
“I am humbled and honored to be here,” he said. “I haven’t paid my dues, and I got to hang out with Sting and B.B. King and Smokey — all in my dressing room. To be able to pay homage to Marvin Gaye and play with Stevie Wonder, yeah, it was pretty cool.”
As he talked, King made his way to center stage, wearing a magenta and gold jacket that might have been visible from space. He settled in and played “The Thrill Is Gone.”
Then, Springsteen and the E Street Band commanded the stage, beginning with “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out.” John Fogerty joined for “Proud Mary” and “Pretty Woman.” Billy Joel and Springsteen dueted on “You May Be Right” and “New York State of Mind.”
The second night had a different feel, though it also started with a lackluster performance by Jerry Lee Lewis, this time “Great Balls of Fire.” Aretha Franklin commanded the stage in a red-beaded gown. She sashayed to “Think” as Lenny Kravitz accompanied her.
Twenty people, including two women on tambourines, were onstage as Lennox entered. After, Lennox said, “I would call it, like, a bungee jump, to come onstage and do a song with Aretha Franklin.”
While Franklin posed for photos, Jeff Beck proved his guitar mastery, and Billy Gibbons joined him for “Rough Boy” and “Foxy Lady.”
When Metallica amped up the sound to bone-rattling levels, it was clear how many adult males love air guitar. Lou Reed joined them for “Sweet Jane,” Ozzy Osbourne for “Iron Man” and Ray Davies for “You Really Got Me.”
U2 closed the two-night affair and played as Springsteen strolled out hand in hand with Patti Smith to sing “Because the Night.” The Black Eyed Peas and U2 performed “Mysterious Ways.”
The crowd roared as Jagger strutted out. At 66, he tore up the stage, and Fergie shimmied to him. Jagger thanked U2 for “being a great house band.”
As midnight approached Friday, crews loaded equipment from the stage where rock history was made.