Hollywood Bowl concert loses Etta James, gains Michael Jackson tribute

R&B singer Etta James was a no-show for a sold-out concert at the Hollywood Bowl tonight. But the show went on and included tributes to Michael Jackson.

James canceled because of illness, according to KCRW's Jason Bentley, the show's host. Kansas City native Janelle Monae, the opener, kicked off the evening with an energetic performance of songs from her recent album, "Metropolis." "Sincerely, Jane" featured Monae doing funky, robotic dance moves, including the Moonwalk, which elicited loud cheers from the audience.

She treated the crowd to a captivating rendition of the Charlie Chaplin song "Smile" and dedicated it to the late pop star. The tribute garnered cheers from the audience.

Later, Chaka Khan took the stage, drawing applause with "Ain't Nobody."

[Updated at 10:10 p.m.: Adele took the stage at 9 p.m. After a few songs, she declared: "Michael Jackson will be missed, but everyone dance. Dance for him!" 

Her band broke into an instrumental version of "Thriller." The sold-out crowd rose and danced.]

--Davan Maharaj and Abby Maharaj at the Hollywood Bowl

Comments

[DRE DAWG]

Etta James was missed, but Chaka-Khan Chaka-Khan was incredible. Such a pro, she sang and belted her heart out and was an incredible last minute substitute.

Adele is super cute and was totally overpowered by the size of the crowd, as she kept telling us. She did warn us that she'd forget lyrics, which did happen, but the crowd totally didn't care. She could've sang names from a phone book, her voice is incredible.

Oh, and half way through her performance, she called her mom who was in England and asked us to say hello to her...totally fun. Then she put her mom on speaker so she could say hi back.

Great night. Great show. Love Hollywood Bowl and KCRW's partnership!

[Diego]

For some reason, I felt like Adele had something better to do than to spend the evening with us... Forgetting lyrics to YOUR OWN SONGS???!!!??? While the crowd certainly WANTED to like her, she seemed clearly overwhelmed. She should get a few shows under her belt before headlining anywhere else. And during Thriller, the crowd did rise, but then stood there baffled, as Adele walked to the back of the stage...

Next time, let Janelle headline. I'm sure she can handle it. Let Adele play the coffehouse circuit...

[Tracey]

OK - so Adele has a beautiful voice....and she was delightful in that she clearly hadn't seen the likes of this size audience...ever.

To say that we (myself, my friends and many around us) remotely enjoyed Janelle would be an overstatement.

However, we had tickets that showed in large letters "ETTA JAMES" who was the reason we purchased them in the first place. Adele, no matter how good she was, was not the headliner or the reason for our purchase. To replace Etta with Chaka Khan is a disgrace...are they remotely the same genre????!!??? If so, why did everyone in my group and around us have little idea who she was?

When we went to the Bowl to ask for our money back we would treated rudely, told to move-on and have some compassion for Etta. Of course we are sorry she is sick and want her better....but really?!!? How about "sorry"?

Shame on the bowl to believe this was an acceptable substitution and shame on their policy. If their policy holds that they just need to provide a show, then perhaps the next time I go with a bench seat I will instead choose a box seat - I mean after all, I just bought a seat, right?

[Arielle]

I came to see Adele, but out of all of the amazing talent there that night I definetely enjoyed Janelle Monaet more than anyone. I would have loved to see her perform more music from her album.

During one song, we learned that she can multitask extremely well when she did a painting and continued singing. She gave the canvas away to a very lucky man near the front. When she sang Charlie Chaplin's "Smile", I was deeply touched. She has an amazing gift. And did I mention the girl can dance? Her robotic moves were strange but I loved it. She looked and sounded amazing, and I can say that I'm her new biggest fan.

But I don't wan to leave out the other fantastic women that sang their hearts out that night. One things for sure, everybody was getting their groove on to Chaka Khan. Great last minute show she put on.

And of course, Adele was wonderful. She disclaimed that she would forget the lyrics, saying that the crowd was overwhelming and she had never performed outside before. I found her very charming. When she did forget the lyrics, I think it just drew everyone in more, like we got to know her on a more personal level. She was very funny and the audience seemed to be laughing along with her, I know I was. Everyone around me was singing the words, it didn't matter if she forgot them. My only complaint was that she barely began singing Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and backed out at the last second, I would've liked to hear her rendition of the classic.

Overall, considering I didn't have the best seats and I had to wait forever to exit the stacked parking lot, it was a very good night with excellent performances from three fantastic singers. Next time I see a concert at the Hollywood Bowl, I'm going to get better seats and bring a basket full of food.

[Jenn]

@ Tracey - Etta James WAS NOT the headliner, Adele was. I read an article stating that the booking people were worried whether or not Etta James would even perform while not in the "closing" position. Guess we got our answer. Meanwhile Chaka Khan put on a FABULOUS performance that the audience loved! And Adele was amazing, humble and real. Her voice sounds even better live than it does coming from her CD. I was among the many audience members, however, that sat and stared in confusion at Janelle Monae. She is talented and I'm sure she has an audience, I just don't think this was it.