8/13/2012
A three-song medley by the Who closed out the 2012 Summer Olympics in London on Sunday (August 12), part of a ceremony that was filled with highlights for the classic rock fans. The Who's set, which frontman Roger Daltrey previously acknowledged was pre-recorded, fused together "Baby O' Riley," the "See Me, Feel Me"/"Listeing to You" closing of the rock opera "Tommy" and "My Generation," the latter marked by lavish pyrotechnics that surrounded the stadium and a final bow by all of the acts that had performed during the ceremony. The show also included Pink Floyd's Nick Mason and Genesis' Mike Rutherford joining Ed Sheeran on Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here," Ray Davies delivering the Kinks' "Waterloo Sunset," tributes to David Bowie and John Lennon, Monty Python's Flying Circus alumnus Eric Idle singing "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" from the film "Life of Brian," the Kaiser Chief's playing the Who's "Pinball Wizard," and a video of the late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury riling the crowd up before bandmates Brian May and Roger Taylor were joined by singer Jessie J for "We Will Rock You." The only glitch in the night for U.S. fans was that NBC did not air the Who's performance until after midnight, choosing instead to break up its coverage of the closing ceremony to preview its new fall sitcom "Animal Practice" and local newscasts...Meanwhile, word comes that the Danny Boyle-directed opening ceremonies from July 27 will be turned into a feature-length documentary, with behind-the-scenes footage and interviews in addition to Queen Elizabeth II's James Bond-themed segment and performances by Paul McCartney and others. No release date has been set yet.
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