They showed the 2009 Kennedy Center Honors on television last night. It’s always an interesting show, highlighting the careers of some of the most enduring and venerable performers and entertainers. A virtual who’s who of our culture over the last half century.
For me, this years group of honorees was as good as it gets across the board. You had high culture with operatic hero Grace Bumbry, jazz culture with the ever hip piano of Dave Brubeck, rock and roll with Bruce Springsteen, the world of comedy from Mel Brooks and the ultimate in dramatic acting from Robert De Niro. What an incredible group.
One of the highlights for me was the absolute look of joy on Dave Brubeck’s face as his four sons joined in to play a medley of his compositions. The night fell on his 89th birthday and he seems to be a testament to the longevity of those who are able to follow their passion. I don’t know squat about jazz but what I feel is that Brubeck’s work has appeal across the spectrum of listeners out there. There’s enough stellar playing and complicated rhythms to satisfy real jazz fans yet it’s incredibly accessible to the less savvy, like me. Great stuff.
Of course, the other was the tribute to Bruce Springsteen. I’ve been a big fan for well over 30 years and it’s been interesting to see how he has transformed into an elder statesman of popular music. I think that Jon Stewart hit it right on the head for me when he spoke of Bruce’s willingness to empty the tank for his audience every night as being the thing that most struck him and influenced him as a young fan. I know seeing Bruce when I was younger made me hungry to find something, anything, that would make me feel that same passion and commitment in my own life. Something where, like Bruce, I could give everything I had. The medium wasn’t important. It was all about the spirit of the effort, the total dedication to your own vision. That is always in the back of mind when I see him, even today.
I remember writing a letter in the 70’s (long before e-mail) to Dave Marsh, the Rolling Stone editor who had just written an early bio of Bruce, describing how the music affected me. I was working in a factory and couldn’t see anything on the horizon but when I listened to Bruce I was no longer a loser, a factory drone. I had hope. It was very much how Jon Stewart described his own experience. Marsh responded with a lovely handwritten letter, that I still prize today, telling me how he was moved by my letter. That, too, served as inspiration to search further, to give more.
Thanks, Bruce, for the inspiration. You deserve this honor…
Here’s nice version of My City of Ruins from night’s show, performed by Eddie Vedder. Enjoy.
Redtree Times 