All photos by G.

Lou Reed and The Edge live at Carnegie Hall

On October 4, 2009 at Gavin Friday’s AIDS benefit concert at Carnegie Hall in New York, we were treated to a special performance by The Edge of U2, Lou Reed of the Velvet Underground and performance artist Laurie Anderson!  Before the show, I was standing next to Lou Reed on the street and he completely ignored me, which was a disappointment, but old man grumpus more than made up for it when he rocked the stage.  Oddly enough, the Velvet Underground classic “Sweet Jane” was performed, but Mr. Reed didn’t sing a note.

See more photos of Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson after the jump.

Read more of this article »

All photos by G.

Courtney Love performing live at Carnegie Hall October 4, 2009

The hot mess Courtney Love appeared at Carnegie Hall on October 4, 2009 to be a part of Gavin Friday’s AIDS benefit to help raise money for the disease.  She introduced the reunion of Gavin Friday’s old band and former U2 opening act, The Virgin Prunes (who haven’t played together in over 15 years), plus she also performed, both with Friday and actress/singer Scarlett Johansson.

See pictures of all that after the jump.

Read more of this article »

All photos by G.

Lydia Lunch at Carnegie Hall

On October 4, 2009, punk goddess Lydia Lunch performed at Carnegie Hall as part of an AIDS benefit hosted by Gavin Friday.

Lydia Lunch has been named one of the most influential performers of the 1990s.

All photos by G.

U2 Live at Carnegie Hall - October 4, 2009

At Gavin Friday’s AIDS benefit on October 4, 2009 at Carnegie Hall in New York, the star-studded event featured some knock-out performances by U2!

Taking a slight break from their 360 Tour, U2 performed covers of T. Rex’s classics “Children of the Revolution” and “20th Century Boy,” and the sold-out crowd absolutely lost their minds to hear these rare performances.

See more pix of Bono, the boys, Courtney Love and Maria McKee after the jump.

Read more of this article »

All photos by G.

Rufus Wainwright, Scarlett Johansson and Fred Armisen as Prince.

In one of the most unusual pairings ever, Rufus Wainwright, Scarlett Johansson and Fred Armisen (from Saturday Night Live) dressed as Prince performed a song called “Mister Pussy” at Carnegie Hall on October 4, 2009 as part of Gavin Friday’s AIDS benefit concert.  As the comedian-currently-dressed-as-Prince made his way to the stage, Rufus kept whispering “Pussy” into the microphone.  It was definitely the funniest moment of the star-studded evening.  Was this an homage to Prince’s classic Pussy Control?  Only Jehovah knows for sure, but the audience sure seemed to love it.

More pictures of Rufus, Scarlett and Gavin Friday after the jump.

Read more of this article »

All photos by G.

Lady Gaga live at Carnegie Hall

Here’s a sentence I thought I’d never say:  I saw Lady Gaga perform a piano version of “Pokerface” at Carnegie Hall.

Hot off canceling her world tour with Kayne West and announcing a solo tour instead and then performing on Saturday Night Live with Madonna, Lady Gaga turned up at Carnegie Hall for Gavin Friday’s AIDS benefit to perform “Pokerface.”  She joked that Bono had called her up and asked if she would perform in “Downtown New York for an AIDS benefit.”  She agreed, but said “this is not downtown, but when you are used to performing for 90,000 people every night, he might have been confused.” (Carnegie Hall is located in New York’s Mid-Town area).

Don’t let her stage costumes fool you.  This woman can sing!

See some more pictures that will make you go Gaga after the jump.

Read more of this article »

All photos by G.

Shane MacGowan of The Pogues - Live at Carnegie Hall

You know you’re in for a special treat when you see the hell-raising, whiskey-chugging Shane MacGowan of the Pogues performing at Carnegie Hall.  As part of singer Gavin Friday’s AIDS benefit at Carnegie Hall on October 4, 2009, Shane MacGowan took to the stage and rocked out for us.

See more pictures of Shane, including a rare performance with U2′s Bono, after the jump.

Read more of this article »