This is one of those rare instances where I have absolutely no memory of this happening. Even after discussing with Larry, it is not jogging any memories. Larry rattled off the list of artists and it's still not registering. Mom brain during / after pregnancy must be a real thing.
First, based on the setlist below, how do you even pick a song for tonight's main memory? As I'm sitting here typing this, I'm honestly filled with gratitude. Gratitude that someone who loves music so much was fortunate enough to live in Ohio and secured tickets to attend this concert of absolute legends with his best friend, Aaron. I mean look at the artists! This was truly a once in a life time experience. And it was presented by Radio Shack!
Sure, I gave the RNR HOF the smackdown in our Let's Go Crazy entry and I stand by those opinions.
Since so far we haven't featured them in this project and since they have ties to Ohio, I had to go with My City Was Gone by The Pretenders. If you didn't know, the lead singer Chrissie Hynde is from Akron, Ohio and this song is autobiographical in nature. She spent a lot of time in London (England, not Ohio) and when she went back to visit her hometown she penned this song. I'll put the lyrics at the bottom because it's pretty depressing. I've been in Kansas about five years now and have been back to Ohio a few times - and the rate of change even in that short window is frightening.
I'd also be remiss if I didn't mention that on this same day in 2007, we were attending the Columbus stop of the Rush Snakes & Arrows tour.
I have to once again thank Shannon - who while being a mom to a ONE YEAR OLD WAS ALSO PREGNANT at this time - and was only twenty days away from giving birth to Connor. So Shannon was pregnant with Gabriel when I took off to see Pink Floyd and Connor when I went to this concert.
SET LIST FOR 1995 'CONCERT FOR THE HALL OF FAME'
Set List - Part 1: Chuck Berry (With Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band) – Johnny B. Goode John Mellencamp – R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A. John Mellencamp and Martha Reeves - Wild Night Bon Jovi - With A Little Help From My Friends Eric Burdon & Bon Jovi – It's My Life, We Gotta Get Out Of This Place Dr. John - Blueberry Hill, What'd I Say Melissa Etheridge – Be My Baby, Love Child, Leader Of The Pack Al Green – Tired Of Being Alone, A Change Is Gonna Come The Pretenders – My City Was Gone, The Needle And The Damage Done Johnny Cash – Folsom Prison Blues Johnny Cash & John Mellencamp - Ring of Fire Aretha Franklin – I Can't Turn You Loose, (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman Aretha Franklin & Al Green – Freeway Of Love
Set List - Part 2: John Fogerty (With Booker T. & The M.G.'S) – Born On The Bayou, Fortunate Son Iggy Pop & Soul Asylum – Back Door Man, I Wanna Be Your Dog Lou Reed & Soul Asylum – Sweet Jane Sheryl Crow – Let It Bleed, Get Off Of My Cloud George Clinton & The P-Funk (With Larry Graham) – Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin), I Want To Take You Higher Ann & Nancy Wilson (Of Heart) – The Battle Of Evermore, Love Hurts Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band – Shake, Rattle And Roll, Bo Diddly / She's The One Jerry Lee Lewis (With Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band) – Great Balls of Fire, Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band – Darkness On The Edge Of Town
Set List - Part 3: Bob Dylan – All Along The Watchtower, Just Like A Woman, Highway 61 Revisited, The Real You At Last Bob Dylan & Bruce Springsteen – Forever Young The Allman Brothers Band & Sheryl Crow – Midnight Rider The Allman Brothers Band – Blue Sky, One Way Out Jackson Browne – Redemption Song, Tracks Of My Tears Jackson Browne & Melissa Etheridge – Wake Up Little Susie The Kinks – All Day And All Of The Night, Lola James Brown – Cold Sweat, It's a Man's Man's Man's World, I Got You (I Feel Good) Little Richard – Good Golly Miss Molly, Tutti Frutti Booker T. & The M.G.'S – Green Onions
Set List - Part 4: Gin Blossoms - Wait, I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better Natalie Merchant - I Know How To Do It Robbie Robertson - The Weight Bruce Hornsby - I Know You Rider, Scarlet Begonias Sam Moore - When Something Is Wrong With My Baby, Hold On, I'm Comin Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora - Imagine, Give Peace A Chance Slash and Boz Scaggs - Red House Martha and the Vandellas - Dancing In The Street John Fogerty and Sam Moore - In the Midnight Hour Chuch Berry with Bruce Springsteen and Melissa Etheridge - Rock and Roll Music
My City Was Gone The Pretenders
I went back to Ohio But my city was gone There was no train station There was no downtown
South Howard had disappeared All my favorite places My city had been pulled down Reduced to parking spaces Ay, oh, way to go, Ohio
Well, I went back to Ohio But my family was gone I stood on the back porch There was nobody home
I was stunned and amazed My childhood memories Slowly swirled past Like the wind through the trees Ay, oh, way to go, Ohio
I went back to Ohio But my pretty countryside Had been paved down the middle By a government that had no pride
The farms of Ohio Had been replaced by shopping malls And Muzak filled the air From Seneca to Cuyahoga Falls Said, ay, oh, way to go, Ohio
Ghost of a Chance 