The Great Ganesha

So, yesterday Genentech [stock symbol: DNA] the big biotech turned 30. They had a huge concert at their campus near San Francisco. The RXGeek works there, and so I was invited for the festivities. Every year they get big artists. Last year it was Elton John. This year, it was kept a surprise until the last minute. The company was rife with rumours. Gossip was flying left, right and center. In fact, they hadn’t seen such speculating since their last FDA approval. Just kidding. It was their thirtieth anniversary, and their stock hasn’t been doing that badly over the last couple of years (to say the least). So everyone expected something big. Let me just say, they did not disappoint. The line-up was excellent. Not to mention the free food and drinks. These science-types really know how to live it up, let me tell you.

Update: Having received “strong recommendations” to correct this posting, I have to say that the real opening act was James D. Watson. You know, of Watson and Crick fame? Still have no clue? Well click on either of the links. He’s the co-discoverer of the double-helix structure of DNA. Essentially, his (and others) contribution led to the creation of the Human Genome Project which, as I’m sure you know, has revolutionized the biological sciences. Here he is, the man himself. To his left (our right) is the Genentech CEO, Art Levinson.

Then came the musical acts. The first ones were the Foo Fighters. Since I belong to another generation and have no interest in ‘Alternative Rock’, I don’t have much to say about them. But the guy who followed them more than made up for their shortcomings. Let’s see if you can recognize him.

Yeah, the picture’s a little grainy, but what can I tell you? All I had was my cell phone. Did you figure it out, though? Take another look. This time from the big screen.

You guessed it – it’s Bob Dylan, kids! Man, did he live up to his reputation. Without a word spoken through his performance, he mumbled all the songs (which included Like a Rolling Stone and Everybody Must Get Stoned), and at the end of everything, he just walked off the stage, completely ignoring the applause, and again, without saying a word. Not that I’m complaining or anything. I guess he’s earned the right to do that. And now I can say that I saw him live.

But the show wasn’t over. In fact, it was just beginning. Bob Dylan was followed by the Black Eyed Peas. Now see, if the Foo Fighters aren’t my cup of tea, then the Black Eyed Peas are not even my morning coffee. Totally ahead of my time. Nonetheless, I have to say, they had people gyrating all around me. All the young ‘uns, that is. And they were pretty impressive. Also, a little background-checking revealed that the Filipino in their crew apl.de.ap has a pretty extraordinary story, coming from slums in the Philippines to LA and then making it big. So here’s some eye candy for you. The only woman in their group: Fergie.

But the next act, in my book, stole the show. I mean, in The Long Run, you can only Take It To The Limit with a Witchy Woman for so long. That’s Life In The Fast Lane. After that, you got to Take It Easy otherwise, there’ll be a Heartache Tonight. And if you ask me, I Can’t Tell You Why. Enough with the hints. If you haven’t got it by now, then kiddo, you’ve got some listening to catch up on. About thirty years worth! Take a look.

That’s right! It’s The Eagles, dammit! And man, did they bring down the house! That was Don Henley doing Heartache Tonight. Below, we have Tim Schmit doing I Can’t Tell You Why.

And here’s Joe Walsh on the video screen. Sorry, but I couldn’t get one of him live. This is him doing the solo from Hotel California.

Well, it was certainly an evening to remember. That’s two more groups off my to-see checklist. Now if only Pink Floyd gets together for another reunion… *sigh*…

Another Update: Some nicer (well, taken with a nicer camera, at any rate) can be found here. And it was on rollingstone.com’s Rock and Roll Daily as well [link].

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