Watching Mick Jagger face off with Bono and Bruce Springsteen backing up Billy Joel may have given fans at the two Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th anniversary concerts a thrill, but the musicians onstage got a jolt from their all-star team-ups, too. Case in point: Metallica’s Kirk Hammett, who gushed to Rolling Stone backstage in the On 3 gifting suite that his band’s performance with Ozzy Osbourne, Ray Davies and Lou Reed was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“We really like how things are sounding,” he said just hours before the big show. “You’re going to see me with the biggest shit-eating grin from here to here tonight when I’m onstage. One of my favorite moments was when Lou Reed turned around to the monitor guy and said, ‘Hey, I need more Kirk Hammett in my monitor!’ …. Lou Reed wants to hear more of me! That’s right on.”

More Rock and Roll Hall of Fame:

• Mick Jagger Joins U2, Metallica, Aretha Franklin at the Rock Hall’s Epic 25th Anniversary Bash
• Night One in Photos: Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Simon & Garfunkel, CSN and More
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Turns 25 With All-Star Sets From Springsteen, Wonder and More
• Photos: Backstage at the Rock Hall 25th Anniversary Concerts
• Morello, Raitt, Crosby Pay Tribute to Fellow Legends Backstage at First Rock Hall Concert

For complete Rock Hall coverage, visit our Rock and Roll Hall of Fame page.

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If the first night of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 25th anniversary concerts were about looking back and celebrating legacies, night number two was about looking forward. From the performances — which focused heavily on punk, post-punk and metal — to the conversations that took place backstage, Friday night at Madison Square Garden was a testament to rock’s continued relevance, and the struggles it faces weathering a decade in which tastes have gone niche, genre-hopping is de rigueur and grand, unifying bands are few and far between.

See the Rock Hall bash’s second epic night of big-name collaborations in photos.

Artist after artist spoke about their fondness for the era in which they were nurtured, and how that era seems to have given way to a newer, stranger time. “Its fun to do a revue, like an old school rock & roll show,” said Steven Van Zandt, describing his set with the E Street Band the night before. “We’re just a good band, a working class band. We’re a dance band.” When asked who he thought had been overlooked for inclusion in the Hall of Fame, he quipped, “How much time you got?” before making impassioned pitches for both Darlene Love and the Hollies. He came across not only as a rock and roll performer, but as one of its most ardent, enthusiastic fans. (more…)

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As the second night of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 25th anniversary came to its climax, after nearly four hours of jaw-dropping musical collaborations, almost anything seemed possible. By this point Metallica had played with Ozzy Osbourne, Ray Davies and Lou Reed; Jeff Beck had jammed with Sting and Billy Gibbons; and U2 brought out Patti Smith, Bruce Springsteen and the Black Eyed Peas for their closing set. Yet, few people were prepared for what happened when U2 began playing the intro to “Gimme Shelter” with Will.i.am at the keyboard and Fergie recreating Merry Clayton’s apocalyptic vocal intro. Without a word of introduction by Bono, surprise guest Mick Jagger sprinted onstage as the capacity crowd at Madison Square Garden let out one of the loudest cheers I’ve ever heard.

Relive the Rock Hall’s second giant night in live photos.

The show began, as it did on night one, with Jerry Lee Lewis alone at the piano. This time he did “Great Balls of Fire” — concluding with the 74-year-old legend violently kicking over his piano stool. A short film about gospel and soul music preceded Aretha Franklin’s entrance, who looked radiant in a bright red dress. Backed by a huge band that featured her son Teddy on guitar and a horn section, Franklin’s set featured a cover of “New York, New York” and her 1970 hit “Don’t Play That Song (You Lied),” which she dedicated to the song’s co-writer, Ahmet Ertegun. Annie Lennox, who bowed down to Franklin as she took the stage, dueted on “Chain of Fools” and Lenny Kravitz joined the Queen of Soul for “Think.” An encore of “Respect” had the entire crowd singing “R-E-S-P-E-C-T.” (more…)

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Last night, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band whipped out a version of “New York State of Mind” with Billy Joel at the first of two giant concerts marking the 25th anniversary of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Tonight, it was Aretha Franklin who showed some love for the city hosting the gigs, with a stellar “New York, New York.” For more of the night’s awe-inspiring moments as they happen, keep reading.

Check out the Rock Hall shows in killer live photos.

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Rolling Stone caught up with Graham Nash, Max Weinberg and Jackson Browne at last night’s first of two epic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th anniversary celebrations, and grilled the trio of legends on their favorite Rock Hall memories. Watch them recall their emotional induction moments, jamming with George Harrison and being honored by Bruce Springsteen in our exclusive video:

Relive the Rock Hall’s first big night in photos.

Rolling Stone will be back on the scene at MSG tonight for the second Rock Hall show: get our latest updates live on Twitter (keep an eye out for #rockhall25):

Plus, go behind the scenes in backstage photos from the Rock Hall gigs.

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If there was a single word that summed up the first Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th anniversary concert Thursday night, it was “legacy.” Backstage, artist after artist spoke of the importance of musical heritage, emphasizing the icons who influenced them as they delivered awe-struck commentary on the show’s spectacular moments.

The parade of praise wouldn’t have been so remarkable if the artists in question were up and comers, but the backstage guests included David Crosby, Smokey Robinson and James Taylor. The accolades started early, when Tom Hanks, whose company is producing the HBO version of the shows, dropped a coy reference to the contraband Rolling Stones film Cocksucker Blues and added, “We grew up listening to these songs in the front room with the Hi-Fi on. This is the music of our generation. This is the soundtrack of our lives.”

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 25th anniversary: relive the night in photos.

He wasn’t kidding. Over the course of the night, the backstage area played out like a rock history book come to life, with every generation of pop music well represented. “The hallways are happening, I tell ya,” gushed Bonnie Raitt. “Darlene Love and I are sharing a bathroom — it doesn’t get any better than this!” (more…)

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It was well past 1:00 a.m. when the first night of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 25th anniversary celebration began winding down. For six hours, a capacity crowd at New York’s Madison Square Garden had been dancing in the aisles to a superstar lineup only the Hall of Fame could produce: Bruce Springsteen, Simon & Garfunkel, Stevie Wonder, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Dion, Sting, Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, John Fogerty, Jackson Browne and many others. It seemed like Springsteen and surprise guest Billy Joel swapping verses on “Born to Run” was the finale, but then many of the night’s acts took the stage with the E Street Band and kicked into Jackie Wilson’s “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher.” Nobody seemed to want the party to end, curfews be damned.

See the Rock Hall concerts’ most epic moments and special guests.

The evening began with a speech by Tom Hanks, whose production company is turning the two concerts into a four-hour HBO special that airs November 29th. “When we were confused, rock & roll gave us purpose,” he said. “Hail, hail rock & roll.” Jerry Lee Lewis then kicked into his 1957 hit “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin On” — a track he played at the first Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 1986. After a five-minute film highlighting American bands of the 1960s, Crosby, Stills and Nash began their set with “Woodstock,” which featured incredible guitar work by Stephen Stills. Other highlights of their 10-song set were “Almost Cut My Hair,” and the Buffalo Springfield classic “Rock and Roll Woman.”

CSN’s first guest was their longtime friend Bonnie Raitt, who Crosby called “my favorite singer in the whole world.” (more…)

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The first of two massive Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th anniversary shows at Madison Square Garden isn’t even over yet, and the monumental moments just keep coming on the stage of the storied New York venue. [Update] After six hours — that’s right, six hours — Bruce Springsteen brought the show to an end with a soul throwdown on “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher.” Check back tomorrow for our full reports, but here’s a taste of the action (follow along in our Rock Hall Concerts photo gallery):

• Jerry Lee Lewis reminds the crowd of rock & roll’s ’50s roots by settling in at a white baby grand for “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.”

• Crosby, Stills and Nash add another layer of perfect harmony when James Taylor joins in on “Love the One You’re With.” The capper: one of many awe-inspiring guitar solos by Stephen Stills.

• Bonnie Raitt joins CSN for her own “Love Has No Pride,” and later tells the press, “To go back in my catalog and do something I rarely do live was angelic for me.” (more…)

Tonight a two-night celebration marking the 25th anniversary of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will kick off at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Artists who have been inducted into the Hall will be sharing the stage with guests and collaborators, honoring their influences and essentially retracing the history of rock in the process.

Photos: Look back at the Rock Hall elite from Springsteen to Stevie Wonder.

Bruce Springsteen will share the spotlight with Tom Morello and John Fogerty tonight. Stevie Wonder will be joined by B.B King and John Legend, plus Simon & Garfunkel and Crosby, Stills and Nash will perform. The next day’s lineup boasts U2, Aretha Franklin (with Lenny Kravitz and Annie Lennox) and Metallica joined by Ozzy Osbourne. Plus, Jeff Beck will be stepping in for Eric Clapton, who had to cancel his set due to minor surgery.

Check out our Essential Rock and Roll Hall of Fame coverage.

Follow the action live on Twitter (keep an eye out for #rockhall25), and come back for photos, full live reports and interviews.

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Despite canceling last night’s show in Kansas City, Missouri, due to the death of his assistant road manager/cousin, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will take the stage Thursday night at New York’s Madison Square Garden as part of the historic duo of concerts celebrating the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 25th anniversary.

Meet this year’s potential Hall of Fame inductees in classic photos.

On October 29th, Springsteen will share the spotlight with Tom Morello and John Fogerty. The bill also inclues Stevie Wonder with B.B King and John Legend, Simon & Garfunkel, and Crosby, Stills and Nash. The next day’s lineup boasts U2, Aretha Franklin (with Lenny Kravitz and Annie Lennox) and Metallica joined by Ozzy Osbourne. Plus, Jeff Beck will be stepping in for Eric Clapton, who had to cancel his set due to minor surgery.

Rolling Stone will have complete coverage from both big concerts, so check back for live reports and photos of all the shows’ highlights, plus videos and behind-the-scenes interviews.

Don’t miss our best Hall of Fame coverage: induction photos, videos and more.

The ballot for next year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class is one of the most diverse ever: the Red Hot Chili Peppers, LL Cool J, Kiss and Genesis are up for nomination alongside the Stooges, Donna Summer, ABBA, Darlene Love, Laura Nyro, the Chantels, the Hollies and Jimmy Cliff. Artists are eligible for induction 25 years after their debut release, so all the candidates released their first single no later than 1984. LL Cool J and the Red Hot Chili Peppers both made the ballot on their first year of eligibility.

Check out the potential Rock Hall Class of 2010 in classic photos.

This is Kiss’ first time on the ballot, and their wait for a nod has frustrated the band and its army of fans. “There are disco bands, rap bands, Yiddish folk song bands in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but not Kiss,” Gene Simmons said last year. “I believe we have more gold records in America
than any other group, but it’s OK.” The Stooges made an appearance at the induction ceremony just two years ago, as Iggy Pop and Co. performed a pair of Madonna songs when the Queen of Pop joined the Hall.

Rolling Stone’s Essential Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Coverage: photos, video, interviews and more. (more…)

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Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, U2, Paul Simon, Metallica, Eric Clapton, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Friends and Simon and Garfunkel are among the legendary artists confirmed for a landmark
two-night concert event celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Sprawling across October 29th and 30th at New York’s Madison Square Garden, the shows will feature Hall of Fame acts sharing the stage with guests and collaborators, honoring their influences and essentially retracing the
history of rock in the process. For example, Crosby, Stills and Nash will share the stage with California-based artists while Metallica will lead a hard rock portion of the concerts. Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin will also each front a soul revue with Paul Shaffer and the CBS Orchestra.

“These once-in-a-lifetime concerts are designed to celebrate the artists and their music,” said Jann S. Wenner, founder and editor of Rolling Stone and the event’s executive producer. (more…)

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Even if you watched all four hours of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 24th annual induction concert, you didn’t see everything that happened at Cleveland’s Public Hall last night. Backage and on the red carpet, guests of honor from Metallica to Rosanne Cash fired zingers, dropped news about upcoming projects and reflected on a night that honored rock’s family tree, from its roots to extreme branches. (more…)

Metallica, Run-DMC, Jeff Beck, Wanda Jackson, Little Anthony & The Imperials and Bobby Womack were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at a star-packed ceremony in Cleveland last night and Rolling Stone was on hand to witness all the action onstage and behind the scenes. Read our full report for details on Eminem’s speech honoring Run-DMC, Metallica’s two-bassist set and the guitar orgy that kicked off when Jimmy Page took the stage to pay tribute to his onetime Yardbirds bandmate Jeff Beck, and click above to watch footage from the red carpet and backstage interview room featuring Run-DMC, Jeff Beck, Aerosmith’s Joe Perry and more.

• Metallica, Run-DMC, Jeff Beck Join the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at Wild Induction Ceremony

Check out photos of Metallica, Jeff Beck, Eminem, Jimmy Page and more at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction

Backstage shots of Run-DMC, Flea, Ron Wood and the E Street Band from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction

Go behind the scenes at the 2009 induction with our backstage report, and don’t miss all of Rolling Stone’s essential Rock and Roll Hall of Fame coverage.

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Jason Newsted’s 15-year stint playing bass for one of heavy metal’s biggest acts came to an end nine years ago, when he exited Metallica for “private and personal reasons and the physical damage I have done to myself over the years while playing the music that I love.” On April 4th, when Metallica are inducted into Cleveland, Ohio’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Newsted will be there to accept rock’s highest honor, and he’s even agreed to reunite with drummer Lars Ulrich, frontman James Hetfield and guitarist Kirk Hammett (along with current bassist Robert Trujillo) for an impromptu set he promises will include “at least one song about Satan.” (Revisit the band’s career in Metallica: Through the Years in Photos.)

Since splitting the band to form the short-lived Echobrain, Metallica fans have wondered whether Newsted has ever regretted leaving the band. With less than a week to go before the Rock Hall, Newsted tells Rolling Stone the answer is absolutely not.

“I tell you very honestly, 1 billion percent, I have never regretted leaving Metallica,” Newsted says. “It was the right thing for everyone. It was the right thing to do for the camp, that’s it. I’ve never told anyone that I wanted to go back or anything like that, not once. (more…)