ABC RadioEarlier this month, stars from various musical genres, including Eric Church, Chris Stapleton, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Sheryl Crow and Steven Tyler, came together in New York City to tape a concert special commemorating what would have been John Lennon‘s 75th birthday. The show, Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert, premieres this Saturday on AMC at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
The concert, hosted by actor Kevin Bacon, includes performances of memorable songs Lennon wrote or co-wrote for The Beatles and tunes from his solo career. One of the earliest Beatles songs performed is by Sheryl Crow. “I’m playing ‘A Hard Day’s Night,'” she explained at the taping. “Mainly because …there aren’t really many Beatles songs being played… [and] I think that was one that [Yoko] felt like would be a great kind of rock tune that exemplified his early career.”
The country stars on the bill turned in some great performances, including Willie’s understated but powerful “Imagine,” Kristofferson and rock guitarist Tom Morello teaming up for “Working Class Hero,” Church’s rendition of “Mind Games” and his duet with the Aerosmith frontman on “Revolution,” and Stapleton’s version of “Don’t Let Me Down” with Crow and The Killers‘ Brandon Flowers. Chris, also joined Willie and Kris Kristofferson to sing “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away.”
Among the many other artists who took part in the show were John Fogerty, Peter Frampton, and Train’s Pat Monahan. Surviving Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr both sent videotaped messages that were played during the event, with Starr’s message also including live footage of him performing “I’m the Greatest,” a song Lennon wrote for him.
Here’s a list of the songs performed during the taping, though we’re not sure which of these made the final cut:
John Fogerty — “Give Peace a Chance,” “In My Life”
Peter Frampton — “Norwegian Wood”
Juanes — “Woman”
Aloe Blacc — “Steel and Glass,” “Watching the Wheels”
Sheryl Crow — “A Hard Day’s Night”
Kris Kristofferson, Tom Morello with harmonica player Mickey Raphael — “Working Class Hero”
The Killers’ Brandon Flowers, Chris Stapleton and Sheryl Crow — “Don’t Let Me Down”
Chris Stapleton, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson — “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away”
The Roots — “Mother”
Spoon — “Hey Bulldog,” “Cold Turkey”
Willie Nelson — “Imagine”
Brandon Flowers — “Instant Karma”
Train’s Pat Monahan — “Jealous Guy”
Eric Church — “Mind Games”
Tom Morello with the NYC Freedom Choir — “Power to the People”
Steven Tyler — “Come Together”
Steven Tyler & Eric Church — “Revolution”
Sheryl Crow, Peter Frampton & Aloe Blacc — “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”
All Star Finale — “All You Need Is Love
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