Latest news with #BenmontTench
Forbes
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Benmont Tench Shines During Poignant ‘The Melancholy Season' Solo Set
Benmont Tench performs on stage at Garcia's. Thursday, May 15, 2025 in Chicago, IL Encountering Tom Petty in Gainesville, Florida for the first time at the age of just 11, Benmont Tench would become a crucial component in the sound of one of America's great songwriters, tickling the ivories on two Mudcrutch records, all 13 Heartbreakers studio albums and two of Petty's three solo projects, a run responsible for record sales exceeding 80 million globally over 45 years (one of the best selling catalogs ever). While his work as a session musician has found him appearing on songs by artists like Stevie Nicks, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Johnny Cash and the Rolling Stones since 1981, it would take until 2014 for his first proper solo album You Should Be So Lucky. Following it up more than a decade later, Tench released The Melancholy Season this past March, a collection of 12 tracks which finds him plying his remarkable craft alongside guests like Taylor Goldsmith (Dawes), longtime collaborator Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek) and more, resuming a U.S. tour in support of the new album September 13, 2025 in Woodstock, New York. Performing solo on the piano last month at Garcia's, an intimate, sold out show in front of just 300 lucky fans at Chicago's warmest new venue, Tench ran through a stunning 19 song set which drew from both solo albums, the vaunted Petty canon and well-chosen covers from artists ranging anywhere from the Grateful Dead to Joy Division. Benmont Tench performs on stage at Garcia's. Thursday, May 15, 2025 in Chicago, IL Opening up with 'The One That Got Away,' Tench shifted to a more contemplative tone with 'Today I Took Your Picture Down,' maintaining that vibe as he slowed down Joy Division's 'Love Will Tear Us Apart,' working up an uncharacteristically sparse take on the otherwise synth-driven post-punk number while placing the focus on the moving words at the heart of the haunting track. In the studio, Tench took on the lead vocal to the piano-driven 'Welcome to Hell' on the second Mudcrutch album, delivering it with a bit of a ragtime vibe on stage in Chicago. 'What the hell, a couple of covers,' said Tench with a smile. 'I like this guy. He was a good songwriter,' he continued dryly with a wink and a nod, setting up a solo take on Petty's 'Straight Into Darkness,' from 1982's Long After Dark. 'Good song, right?' quipped Tench at the deep cut's conclusion. 'The great American songwriters… This one's from St. Louis,' he explained, referencing Chuck Berry following his take on the Dead's 'China Doll.' 'It was recorded down the street,' Tench continued, referencing 1959 and '60 sessions which took place about three miles south at Chess Records for Berry's 'Bye Bye Johnny,' a sequel of sorts to 'Johnny B. Goode.' 'I wish that's how I played the piano,' he mused, shouting out the playing of Berry sidemen like Johnnie Johnson and Lafayette Leake. 'Damn.' Benmont Tench performs on stage at Garcia's. Thursday, May 15, 2025 in Chicago, IL Continuing with the covers, Bob Dylan's 'Blind Willie McTell' stood out as a highlight on stage at Garcia's, with Tench tearing through it unabated despite kicking over a bottle of water. Midway through the tour, Tench shook up the setlist, explaining the process behind 'Wobbles,' which grew from an instrumental in 2014 to a song with lyrics on the new album, steering deftly into 'You Should Be So Lucky.' Tench, 71, has battled cancer for nearly fifteen years. On stage in Chicago, he explained to fans that he recently had part of his tongue removed, persevering despite the vocal hurdles that process has brought. 'I said I'm tongue tied and I am. A funny thing happened on the way to Chicago,' Tench began. 'I've had this since 2011 and it really hadn't gotten in my way,' he continued. 'So, I go in and they take out my jaw. And they take out a little bit more of my tongue. And they rebuild half of my jaw. Damn. Bob's your uncle!' joked Tench despite the circumstances. 'Then they hit me with radiation - and they zapped the hell out of me. But I'm here! And sometimes it hurts. But I'm here,' said the pianist. 'So, that's what happened on the way to Chicago.' Benmont Tench performs on stage at Garcia's. Thursday, May 15, 2025 in Chicago, IL Growing chattier, and seemingly more comfortable as the show continued, Tench offered up a poignant message as the Garcia's set headed toward its final moments. 'This song is about not hating people - even if they're hateful,' he said, explaining the message behind 'I Will Not Follow You Down' from The Melancholy Season. 'Save your tears. You're gonna need them,' sang Tench during the new song's anthemic chorus, one of the evening's standout moments. Cruising toward close with The Velvet Underground's 'Rock & Roll,' Tench emerged from encore to put his spin on one of Petty's most cherished recorded moments. By slowing it down, Tench shined a spotlight directly on the narrative that drives 'American Girl,' putting forth a stirring, unexpectedly beautiful rendition of arguably Petty's most recognizable songwriting. 'I love this city - you all should know that by now,' said Benmont Tench on stage in Chicago. 'Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you so much.'
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Patti Smith Honored with All-Star Tribute Concert Led by Bruce Springsteen and Michael Stipe
The post Patti Smith Honored with All-Star Tribute Concert Led by Bruce Springsteen and Michael Stipe appeared first on Consequence. Patti Smith's 50-year cross-generational musical impact was on full display Wednesday night, as artists both young and old came out to serenade the legendary artist during a tribute concert at Carnegie Hall. Bruce Springsteen, Michael Stipe, Flea, Sean Penn, Karen O, Scarlett Johansson, Maggie Rogers, Johnny Depp, Susanna Hoffs, Jim Jarmusch, Matt Berninger, Glen Hansard, Sharon Van Etten, Courtney Barnett, Angel Olsen, Alison Mosshart, Michael Shannon, and members of Smith's backing band were among the many names who turned out for 'People Have the Power: A Celebration of Patti Smith.' The concert doubled as a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Smith's landmark album, Horses, and a charity benefit for music education for underserved youth. Tony Shanahan, a frequent collaborator of Smith's, served as the event's musical director and led a house a band also featuring Flea, Steve Jordan, Charlie Sexton, and Benmont Tench. Get Patti Smith Tickets Here The setlist featured performances Smith songs including 'Redondo Beach' sung by Barnett; 'Gloria' by Karen O; 'Frederick' by Rogers; 'Easter' by Olsen; 'Dancing Barefoot' by Depp and Mosshart; and 'Pissing in a River' by Van Etten. Additionally, Penn, Johansson, and Shannon recited some of Smith's poetry. The evening concluded with Springsteen taking the stage to sing 'Because the Night,' the 1978 song he co-wrote with Smith, before giving the way to the night's honoree, who performed 'Peaceable Kingdom' 'People Have the Power.' The latter song saw her joined on stage by many of the night's performers. Watch fan-captured video and see the full setlist from the evening below. This fall, Smith will further celebrate Horses by embarking on an anniversary tour. Get tickets here. Setlist: 'Piss Factory' (Matt Berninger) 'Free Money' (Jesse Malin) 'Redondo Beach' (Courtney Barnett) 'Pissing in a River' (Sharon Van Etten) 'Cowboy Truths' (Michael Shannon) 'Elegie' (Kronos Quartet) 'My Blakean Year' (Michael Stipe with Jesse Paris Smith, Tony Shanahan and Andy LeMaster) 'The Hour of Noon' (Jim Jarmusch) 'A Songwriter's Song' (Jim Jarmusch) 'Departure' (Jim Jarmusch) 'Ghost Dance' (Ben Harper) 'Ask the Angels' (Alison Mosshart) 'Kimberly' (Susanna Hoffs) 'Mother Rose' (Paul Banks and Julia Banks) 'Wind' (Body/Head) 'Final Letter to Mapplethorpe' (Scarlett Johansson) 'Reflecting Robert' (Scarlett Johansson) 'Paths That Cross' (Music Will Academy of Lower Manhattan Public Middle School) 'Easter' (Angel Olsen) 'The Golden Cockerel' (Sean Penn) 'Beneath the Southern Cross' (Glen Hansard) 'Frederick' (Maggie Rogers) 'Dancing Barefoot' (Johnny Depp and Alison Mosshart) 'Gloria' (Karen O) 'Because the Night' (Bruce Springsteen) reading, unknown title (Patti Smith) 'Peaceable Kingdom'/'People Have the Power' (Patti Smith) 'People Have the Power' (Patti Smith and Ensemble) Patti Smith Honored with All-Star Tribute Concert Led by Bruce Springsteen and Michael Stipe Alex Young Popular Posts Members of British Punk Band UK Subs Detained and Denied Entry into US Drake's Lawyers Say "Millions of People" Believe Kendrick Lamar's Pedophile Claim Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Halftime Show Received 125 FCC Complaints Heart's Nancy Wilson: It's "Embarrassing" To Be an American Right Now A Definitive Ranking of Every Disney Live-Action Remake Tool Allow Rare Livestream of Full Lollapalooza Argentina Set ... From a Distance Subscribe to Consequence's email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox.
