Peter Garbriel's Acceptance Speech - Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Peter Gabriel was the first inductee at this years Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and his acceptance speech was not boring, was not senseless, did not drag.  He was sincere, clear spoken and lovely.  He said one of the best things I had heard all night and possibly ever. 

"...Watch out for music. It should come with a health warning. It can be dangerous. It can make you feel so alive, so connected to the people around you, and connected to what you really are inside. And it can make you think that the world should, and could, be a much better place. And just occasionally, it can make you very, very happy..."  

Read More: The Full Text of Peter Gabriel's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Speech | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/peter-gabriel-hall-of-fame-speech/?trackback=tsmclip

Don't you agree? 


FULL SPEECH...

Chris has been working as a stand-up comic…Well, thank you so much for those kind words. It means a great deal that you’re doing this. Thank you. He’s a great songwriter.

I also wanted to acknowledge a much-appreciated, many-times nominated, but not-yet inducted musician that I had up onstage with me, Leo Nocentelli from the Meters. So I saved up all my pocket money to buy my first beaten-up old tom-tom — I think it was about £7, it cost me. And to hold this thing in my hands was the key to another world, and I had no idea then that it might lead me here. I never actually made it as a drummer. I was full of enthusiasm, but not a whole lot of talent. But I snuck in here anyway.

So I’m saying to all those people now at the start of that journey, that if you’re exploring making music and looking at us old-timers getting our decorations, I say two things: Dream big and let your imagination guide you, even if you end up dressing up as a flower or a sexually transmitted disease. They may think it’s a little strange. They may laugh at you, but just do it.

Secondly, surround yourself with brilliance — the brilliance of who you love being around and the brilliance of their talent. I’ve worked with so many amazing people through these years, and you can see from the musicians I have on the stage with me, I’m surrounded by great — and have always been — by great musicians, including some of the world’s greatest drummers which, as an aspiring drummer, has been a real thrill.

But particularly from the beginning of my solo work, a man who sadly couldn’t be here tonight but has been deputized by the legendary Pino Palladino, but Tony Levin. I wanted to mention. David Rhodes, who’s been with me in the album process for so long, too, on guitar. You’ve got the amazing Manu Katche and David Sancious here tonight…and we have a wonderful vocalist, Jennie Abrahamson, who’s been touring with me.

I also have had had the great fortune to work with extraordinary engineers and producers, because they can make you sound good, and they give you a good up-the-backside when you need it, and make sure they squeeze as much juice out of you as you can get. I’ve got an extraordinary, dedicated and loyal group of people who represent me and have worked with me for many years in the management team: agents and record company folk and all the many talented folk that it takes to put a tour together. We have had for years and years and extraordinary crew who will do anything to get our show up and running, and whatever it takes. So, to all those people, I definitely wouldn’t be here without all of you working hard, and I really appreciate it.

But, in the end, the core of what you are and where you are is where your heart is, and those who you love and those who love you. So I want to thank especially my dad for teaching me about the power of ideas, imagination and science; my mum, who taught me about music and compassion; my amazing kids, two of whom are here tonight — the other two are in the business of having a baby, it’s grandchildren for me — but they inspire me to make me very proud. And now I have two grandchildren, and most of all, the person who has to suffer most for the life that I’ve chosen, my incredible wife, Meabh, who’s given me an extraordinary life. I love you so much.

Watch out for music. It should come with a health warning. It can be dangerous. It can make you feel so alive, so connected to the people around you, and connected to what you really are inside. And it can make you think that the world should, and could, be a much better place. And just occasionally, it can make you very, very happy. Thank you so much. It means a great deal. Thank you.

Read More: The Full Text of Peter Gabriel's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Speech | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/peter-gabriel-hall-of-fame-speech/?trackback=tsmclip

(When Peter references Chris, it is Chris Martin of Coldplay - he presented the honor to Peter)

HBO 'The Normal Heart'

I finally got to watch the film, The Normal Heart, last night, which premiered on HBO over the weekend. Let me start by saying that when I read about this film being made last summer and saw the list of the cast, I was excited - being fans of majority of the cast.  The film was based on the play (same name, The Normal Heart), written by Larry Kramer, which he had written in the mid-80s due to his frustration with the lack of help from the community, the city, the state, the country, etc., on this disease.

The cast was truly amazing... but for me, the standout, the true heroes of this film, were Mark Ruffalo and Taylor Kitsch. Wow, wow, wow!   I was fans before, but amazing job on their performance.  The scenes with Ruffalo and Alfred Molina, portraying his older brother, both intense, real conversations.   The scenes with Kitsch and Ruffalo's characters were one of my favorite points in the film.   Towards the end, I was waiting to see the update of these two, and then realized, what I already knew - these characters weren't real, the situations could possibly be based on friends of Larry Kramer in reality, but the individuals themselves weren't real.  There was no follow-up on what happened, did they survive and live long healthy lives?  They could still be alive today?  Did they also get this disease, HIV/AIDS?  But unfortunately, we will never know.  I know I have my hopes and thoughts on where they are today.

Julia Roberts did a wonderful job in portraying a caring doctor, wheelchair bound from having polio as a child.  As her character said, 'she wasn't supposed to be alive' or 'no one gets polio anymore'.  Reminding us all that there can be a cure for this disease one day.  One Day.  There is a scene towards the end of the film - I don't want to spoil it for anyone, and second scene from earlier in the film, that really stood out and if she does get any nominations, those two scenes would be it.  Also, there was a scene, where I wish I could ask the director, Ryan Murphy, did Roberts character have feelings, maybe a possible crush on one of the other characters??

I also enjoyed the way the film, felt, looked like it was done in the 70s/80s... very gray, the colors were not bright, very dim.  Even scenes, where Ruffalo's character was on TV, I would notice the little subtle yellow as old film does look.  It was well done for sure.

I hope you all get a chance to watch this film - definitely a powerful film and performance.  I hope the entire cast gets recognized for their class act.