Departed legends, legendary performers all part of 2017's culturescape

Saturday
Jan 6, 2018 at 10:00 PM

Craig S. Semon Telegram & Gazette Staff @CraigSemon

Gotta light?

For baby boomers, 2017 was the year we lost Batman, James Bond and the brains behind Playboy magazine.

For rock ‘n’ roll lovers, 2017 was the year we lost three great voices way before their time: Tom Petty, 66, Chris Cornell, 52, and Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington, 41. We lost others, including the great Gregg Allman and rock ‘n’ roll pioneer Chuck Berry, but these three were the most shocking and saddest, especially because of the circumstances we lost them by.

Everyone who went to see either of Tom Petty’s sold-out concerts back in July at the TD Garden expected a great show and that’s exactly what they got. No one expected it to be the last chance to see this beloved rock ‘n’ roll legend play in Boston, a city that embraced him not only first but also for the longest and the tightest. For 40 years, Petty’s mini-anthems carried us through our day and made us daydream past the bad times.

Hands down, Chris Cornell had the best singing voice to come out of the Seattle grunge scene. And in recent years, Cornell became one of those guys who you always had to make an effort to see if he came around, whether he was playing solo, fronting Soundgarden or the super-merger Audioslave. One of the coolest things I’ve ever seen a rocker ever do took place in June 2016 at The Hanover Theatre. Cornell tenderly sang the lyrics to Metallica’s “One” (one of the most depressing songs ever released on a major label) while delicately strumming Edge’s acoustic guitar part from U2’s more radio-friendly “One.” Talk about being a master in the art of juxtaposition and a master performer.

While I was never a big fan of Linkin Park, I was a big fan of Linkin Park’s singer, Chester Bennington. Man, could this guy sing. I remember when Bennington sang with Paul McCartney and Jay-Z on an inspired mash-up of the Beatles’ “Yesterday” and Linkin Park’s “Numb/Encore” at the Grammys and he outshined both Sir Paul and Hova.

Thirty-five years ago, one of the coolest things to ever happen in Worcester took place: The J. Geils Band played a sold-out New Year's Eve show Dec. 31, 1982, at was then the Centrum. Formed in 1967 by John Warren Geils Jr. (aka J. Geils) while he was a mechanical engineering major at WPI, the J. Geils Band was an FM staple in the ‘70s and ‘80s, especially on radio station WBCN 104.1 FM (where the band’s singer, Peter Wolf, once deejayed). It attained national stardom in the early 1980s with such hits as “Love Stinks” and “Centerfold.” After the J. Geils Band’s greatest commercial success, 1981’s “Freeze-Frame,” and the tour behind that record, Wolf split (or was fired, depending on whom you believe) from the band. After a 17-year hiatus, the J. Geils Band kicked off its “Never Say Never” tour in the summer of 1999 in Mansfield, but it was never to regain the arena rock status that members had abandoned at the height of their career. And with Geils' death in April came the end of an era.

For television lovers, 2017 was a stellar year, with “Twin Peaks: The Return” and the seventh season of “Game of Thrones” leading the charge in the breathtaking chills and unexpected thrills department.

“Twin Peaks: The Return” was not only classic David Lynch, it was also arguably the most adventurous feat done on television since the premiere of the original “Twin Peaks” in April 1990. In 1984’s “Dune,” Kyle MacLachlan was outshined by Sting’s codpiece. In 2017, MacLachlan’s acting on "Twin Peaks: The Return" was the year’s best. We’ve always liked Kyle. Until this year, we had no idea he was such a great actor. How great? MacLachlan plays three distinctly different and fully realized characters (FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper, dimwitted Dougie Jones and sinister Mr. C) and all of them were captivating. In addition to seeing beloved “Twin Peaks” characters from the past intermingle with new favorites (including Laura Dern’s Diane, Amy Shiels’ Candie and Jim Belushi and Robert Knepper’s Mitchum brothers), “Twin Peaks: The Return” delivered the most mind-bending hour ever filmed for the small screen, the instant, atomic blast classic “Episode Eight.”

Even if you don’t know the difference between a Snow and a Stark and unaware of all the bad blood, broken treaties, beheadings, blood-letting, dragon breath kills, incestuous beddings or backstabbing that have taken place on “Game of Thrones,” you would easily be blown away by the latest season, which is the most breathtaking epic to hit the large or small screen since Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy (and, I would argue, is even better). If you’re totally new to “Thrones,” just watch this season with a blank slate and marvel. There are enough people out there who are eager enough to fill in any plot holes or answer any questions you might have. And, believe me, you don’t want to be left out in the bitter cold when the final season of winter blows people’s mortal souls apart.

For concert lovers, 2017 will be remembered for some great shows in Worcester.

Green Day gave “Grant from Rutland, Mass.” the time of his life March 17 at the DCU Center. And it’s a safe bet that most in the sold-out crowd had a night that they will not soon forget. During the requisite cover of Operation Ivy’s "Knowledge,” Armstrong brought out “Grant” (aka 11-year-old Grant Mahoney) to play three chords on the guitar. Grant strutted down the catwalk with gusto, strumming away at the guitar and pumping his fist in the air. And, in the end of the punk-pop ditty, Grant got to keep the guitar. Talk about the ultimate concert souvenir. Also, Panic! At the Disco and Journey played in 2017 at the DCU Center.

In April, The Hanover ruled, with performances from Tony Bennett, Jackson Browne, Brian Wilson and Melissa Etheridge.

In a stellar 24-song performance, Tony Bennett had the sold-out crowd mesmerized from beginning to end with his sophisticated cool, impeccable phrasing, rich romantic interpretations and the smooth jazz stylings that have become his signature.

At a time in his life where his age has finally caught up to his wisdom, Jackson Browne’s introspective lyrics seem to resonate more than ever. Accompanied by Sara Watkins’ somber fiddle playing and Sean Watkins’ delicate acoustic guitar strums, Browne warmly serenaded the crowd about the ups and downs of a romantic relationship and, in many ways, the rise and fall of the singer-songwriter.

Brian Wilson was led by the hand to his white grand piano, which was used more as a prop than a musical instrument. Rarely did he play it. And, for most of he night, Wilson looked restless and bored and never cracked a smile. Wilson playing the Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds" in its entirety could have easily been called Al Jardine and Son’s Musical Review with Al Jardine singing the original Mike Love parts, while his son, Matt Jardine, sang what used to be the Brian Wilson parts. It could have also been called "Weekend at Brian's." On “You Still Believe in Me,” Matt Jardine graciously relinquished the lead, so a stone-faced Wilson could mumble the lyrics and show he has become a shell of the singer that he used to be, before Matt took over the lead once again and passed it over to his dad.

With powerhouse vocalist Gary Cherone and stringy, long-haired guitar god Nuno Bettencourt (both with strong family ties in Hudson), Extreme took it to the extreme Sept. 23 at the Palladium.

How does The Hanover Theatre top Jerry Seinfeld performing there in June? With riotous, back-to-back shows with Jay Leno and Lewis Black in mid-October.

A liar, a cheater and a murderer walk into a bar. The bartender says, “Hey, the Patriots are in town.” Ba dum tish. While it has been three years (but feels so much longer) since he relinquished his reign on the late-night airwaves, Leno could still teach the Colberts, Fallons and Kimmels of the world a thing or two about how to deliver a monologue and punch lines that are topical, clever and make you laugh rather than make you feel uneasy or wince in discomfort.

Before he went into his 90-minute act, Lewis Black sternly advised Trump supporters in The Hanover Theatre audience who can’t handle criticism of their president to leave and ask for their money back. He wasn't joking. Black, who used to be a regular at the former Aku-Aku restaurant, also revealed what he truly thought about Worcester: “No ifs, ands or buts, Worcester was always a (expletive) hole.”

Worcester’s own Alicia Witt had an intense year, to say the least. In February, Witt played Lily Sunders, an old adversary to resident fallen angel Castiel on a solid, stand-alone episode of the ever-popular CW franchise “Supernatural.” On "Twin Peaks: The Return," Witt reprised her role of Gersten Hayward, who’s all grown up now (and somewhat of a floozy). And Witt scared the bejesus out of her fans in a six-episode story arc on Fox’s “The Exorcist," while warming the cockles of our heart with “The Mistletoe Inn,” her latest holiday foray for the Hallmark Channel.

Just when you thought WXLO couldn’t possibly outdo its successful scores in the past, the radio station gets the Goo Goo Dolls for its annual “XLO’s Acoustic Xmas" at Mechanics Hall, which turned out to be the most sought-after ticket in Worcester all year. I don’t know if Goo Goo Dolls' potty-mouthed babe magnet John Rzeznik surpassed comedian Denis Leary's record (set in April 29, 1993) for being the person who swore the most in Mechanics Hall but he certainly came close. And, Rzeznik certainly swore the most at something booked at a Christmas show, although Niki Luparelli is certainly first runner-up with her performance of a soon-to-be holiday classic at the recent Women of Worcester’s Winter Wonderland Gala, also held at Mechanics Hall.

Saturday
Jan 6, 2018 at 10:00 PM

Craig S. Semon Telegram & Gazette Staff @CraigSemon

Gotta light?

For baby boomers, 2017 was the year we lost Batman, James Bond and the brains behind Playboy magazine.

For rock ‘n’ roll lovers, 2017 was the year we lost three great voices way before their time: Tom Petty, 66, Chris Cornell, 52, and Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington, 41. We lost others, including the great Gregg Allman and rock ‘n’ roll pioneer Chuck Berry, but these three were the most shocking and saddest, especially because of the circumstances we lost them by.

Everyone who went to see either of Tom Petty’s sold-out concerts back in July at the TD Garden expected a great show and that’s exactly what they got. No one expected it to be the last chance to see this beloved rock ‘n’ roll legend play in Boston, a city that embraced him not only first but also for the longest and the tightest. For 40 years, Petty’s mini-anthems carried us through our day and made us daydream past the bad times.

Hands down, Chris Cornell had the best singing voice to come out of the Seattle grunge scene. And in recent years, Cornell became one of those guys who you always had to make an effort to see if he came around, whether he was playing solo, fronting Soundgarden or the super-merger Audioslave. One of the coolest things I’ve ever seen a rocker ever do took place in June 2016 at The Hanover Theatre. Cornell tenderly sang the lyrics to Metallica’s “One” (one of the most depressing songs ever released on a major label) while delicately strumming Edge’s acoustic guitar part from U2’s more radio-friendly “One.” Talk about being a master in the art of juxtaposition and a master performer.

While I was never a big fan of Linkin Park, I was a big fan of Linkin Park’s singer, Chester Bennington. Man, could this guy sing. I remember when Bennington sang with Paul McCartney and Jay-Z on an inspired mash-up of the Beatles’ “Yesterday” and Linkin Park’s “Numb/Encore” at the Grammys and he outshined both Sir Paul and Hova.

Thirty-five years ago, one of the coolest things to ever happen in Worcester took place: The J. Geils Band played a sold-out New Year's Eve show Dec. 31, 1982, at was then the Centrum. Formed in 1967 by John Warren Geils Jr. (aka J. Geils) while he was a mechanical engineering major at WPI, the J. Geils Band was an FM staple in the ‘70s and ‘80s, especially on radio station WBCN 104.1 FM (where the band’s singer, Peter Wolf, once deejayed). It attained national stardom in the early 1980s with such hits as “Love Stinks” and “Centerfold.” After the J. Geils Band’s greatest commercial success, 1981’s “Freeze-Frame,” and the tour behind that record, Wolf split (or was fired, depending on whom you believe) from the band. After a 17-year hiatus, the J. Geils Band kicked off its “Never Say Never” tour in the summer of 1999 in Mansfield, but it was never to regain the arena rock status that members had abandoned at the height of their career. And with Geils' death in April came the end of an era.

For television lovers, 2017 was a stellar year, with “Twin Peaks: The Return” and the seventh season of “Game of Thrones” leading the charge in the breathtaking chills and unexpected thrills department.

“Twin Peaks: The Return” was not only classic David Lynch, it was also arguably the most adventurous feat done on television since the premiere of the original “Twin Peaks” in April 1990. In 1984’s “Dune,” Kyle MacLachlan was outshined by Sting’s codpiece. In 2017, MacLachlan’s acting on "Twin Peaks: The Return" was the year’s best. We’ve always liked Kyle. Until this year, we had no idea he was such a great actor. How great? MacLachlan plays three distinctly different and fully realized characters (FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper, dimwitted Dougie Jones and sinister Mr. C) and all of them were captivating. In addition to seeing beloved “Twin Peaks” characters from the past intermingle with new favorites (including Laura Dern’s Diane, Amy Shiels’ Candie and Jim Belushi and Robert Knepper’s Mitchum brothers), “Twin Peaks: The Return” delivered the most mind-bending hour ever filmed for the small screen, the instant, atomic blast classic “Episode Eight.”

Even if you don’t know the difference between a Snow and a Stark and unaware of all the bad blood, broken treaties, beheadings, blood-letting, dragon breath kills, incestuous beddings or backstabbing that have taken place on “Game of Thrones,” you would easily be blown away by the latest season, which is the most breathtaking epic to hit the large or small screen since Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy (and, I would argue, is even better). If you’re totally new to “Thrones,” just watch this season with a blank slate and marvel. There are enough people out there who are eager enough to fill in any plot holes or answer any questions you might have. And, believe me, you don’t want to be left out in the bitter cold when the final season of winter blows people’s mortal souls apart.

For concert lovers, 2017 will be remembered for some great shows in Worcester.

Green Day gave “Grant from Rutland, Mass.” the time of his life March 17 at the DCU Center. And it’s a safe bet that most in the sold-out crowd had a night that they will not soon forget. During the requisite cover of Operation Ivy’s "Knowledge,” Armstrong brought out “Grant” (aka 11-year-old Grant Mahoney) to play three chords on the guitar. Grant strutted down the catwalk with gusto, strumming away at the guitar and pumping his fist in the air. And, in the end of the punk-pop ditty, Grant got to keep the guitar. Talk about the ultimate concert souvenir. Also, Panic! At the Disco and Journey played in 2017 at the DCU Center.

In April, The Hanover ruled, with performances from Tony Bennett, Jackson Browne, Brian Wilson and Melissa Etheridge.

In a stellar 24-song performance, Tony Bennett had the sold-out crowd mesmerized from beginning to end with his sophisticated cool, impeccable phrasing, rich romantic interpretations and the smooth jazz stylings that have become his signature.

At a time in his life where his age has finally caught up to his wisdom, Jackson Browne’s introspective lyrics seem to resonate more than ever. Accompanied by Sara Watkins’ somber fiddle playing and Sean Watkins’ delicate acoustic guitar strums, Browne warmly serenaded the crowd about the ups and downs of a romantic relationship and, in many ways, the rise and fall of the singer-songwriter.

Brian Wilson was led by the hand to his white grand piano, which was used more as a prop than a musical instrument. Rarely did he play it. And, for most of he night, Wilson looked restless and bored and never cracked a smile. Wilson playing the Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds" in its entirety could have easily been called Al Jardine and Son’s Musical Review with Al Jardine singing the original Mike Love parts, while his son, Matt Jardine, sang what used to be the Brian Wilson parts. It could have also been called "Weekend at Brian's." On “You Still Believe in Me,” Matt Jardine graciously relinquished the lead, so a stone-faced Wilson could mumble the lyrics and show he has become a shell of the singer that he used to be, before Matt took over the lead once again and passed it over to his dad.

With powerhouse vocalist Gary Cherone and stringy, long-haired guitar god Nuno Bettencourt (both with strong family ties in Hudson), Extreme took it to the extreme Sept. 23 at the Palladium.

How does The Hanover Theatre top Jerry Seinfeld performing there in June? With riotous, back-to-back shows with Jay Leno and Lewis Black in mid-October.

A liar, a cheater and a murderer walk into a bar. The bartender says, “Hey, the Patriots are in town.” Ba dum tish. While it has been three years (but feels so much longer) since he relinquished his reign on the late-night airwaves, Leno could still teach the Colberts, Fallons and Kimmels of the world a thing or two about how to deliver a monologue and punch lines that are topical, clever and make you laugh rather than make you feel uneasy or wince in discomfort.

Before he went into his 90-minute act, Lewis Black sternly advised Trump supporters in The Hanover Theatre audience who can’t handle criticism of their president to leave and ask for their money back. He wasn't joking. Black, who used to be a regular at the former Aku-Aku restaurant, also revealed what he truly thought about Worcester: “No ifs, ands or buts, Worcester was always a (expletive) hole.”

Worcester’s own Alicia Witt had an intense year, to say the least. In February, Witt played Lily Sunders, an old adversary to resident fallen angel Castiel on a solid, stand-alone episode of the ever-popular CW franchise “Supernatural.” On "Twin Peaks: The Return," Witt reprised her role of Gersten Hayward, who’s all grown up now (and somewhat of a floozy). And Witt scared the bejesus out of her fans in a six-episode story arc on Fox’s “The Exorcist," while warming the cockles of our heart with “The Mistletoe Inn,” her latest holiday foray for the Hallmark Channel.

Just when you thought WXLO couldn’t possibly outdo its successful scores in the past, the radio station gets the Goo Goo Dolls for its annual “XLO’s Acoustic Xmas" at Mechanics Hall, which turned out to be the most sought-after ticket in Worcester all year. I don’t know if Goo Goo Dolls' potty-mouthed babe magnet John Rzeznik surpassed comedian Denis Leary's record (set in April 29, 1993) for being the person who swore the most in Mechanics Hall but he certainly came close. And, Rzeznik certainly swore the most at something booked at a Christmas show, although Niki Luparelli is certainly first runner-up with her performance of a soon-to-be holiday classic at the recent Women of Worcester’s Winter Wonderland Gala, also held at Mechanics Hall.

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