Watch Dave Grohl join Lionel Richie and assume solo duties for a blinding performance of Easy at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
On Saturday (November 5), the 2022 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place, playing host to an evening of long-awaited reunions, surprising team-ups and all-round stellar six-string action.
One performance that comfortably fitted into that second category came courtesy of Motown legend and new inductee Lionel Richie, who tapped Dave Grohl for a rendition of the Commodores' timeless 1977 single, Easy.
Following the structure of the original track – which was written by Commodores member Richie – the performance remained mostly guitar-less for the opening exchanges, before the vocalist called upon Grohl “to play the ukulele” in the lead-up to the solo.
Once again proving himself to be one of the music world’s most flexible, prolific and energetic multi-instrumentalists, Grohl nails a like-for-like cover of the Easy solo, using his Gibson Trini Lopez electric guitar to channel those pinpoint post-phrase fretboard slides and razor-like bends.
The crowd, of course, went nuts, and continued their enthusiastic cheering by the time the grand finale came around, which saw Richie egg on a slightly bemused Grohl with some finger-pointing and air guitar.
Once he understood the assignment, Grohl duly delivered, trading off with Richie for some vocal riffs and a flurry of low-end bends.
On Instagram after the show, Richie wrote, “My brother Dave Grohl you brought the heat.”
Get The Pick Newsletter
All the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!
It’s not the first time the two legends of their respective genres have teamed up. Earlier this year, Richie featured in Foo Fighters’ comedy horror film, Studio 666.
Of the cameo, Grohl told ET, “"He was written into the script. [The] screenwriters didn't know that I actually know him, so when I read the script I was like, 'Oh my god, let’s just text him!' So I texted him and I'm like, 'Dude we're making a horror film. You want to be in it?' And he was like, 'Absolutely.' And that was it.”
The 2022 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony played host to a handful of standout six-string-fueled performances. Judas Priest were responsible for arguably the most notable, with the band reuniting with former guitarist K.K. Downing to perform a three-song medley.
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month**
Join now for unlimited access
US pricing $3.99 per month or $39.00 per year
UK pricing £2.99 per month or £29.00 per year
Europe pricing €3.49 per month or €34.00 per year
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Matt is a Senior Staff Writer, writing for Guitar World, Guitarist and Total Guitar. He has a Masters in the guitar, a degree in history, and has spent the last 16 years playing everything from blues and jazz to indie and pop. When he’s not combining his passion for writing and music during his day job, Matt records for a number of UK-based bands and songwriters as a session musician.
“You can only imagine the effect this had on the young Keith Richards and Eric Clapton”: 9 must-hear albums that fueled the British blues guitar boom
“We’ve made something really unique and special”: Thin Lizzy to release first new record in over 40 years – featuring brand new guitar parts from founding member Eric Bell and unheard Phil Lynott vocals