WaterCoolerGossip

I went to the Rolling Stone 1000th Issue Party yesterday at Hammerstein Ballroom with Jason Product Shop. We met up with Ms Modern Age there. The whole thing felt more like a wedding or a Bar Mitzvah than a party for a music magazine. We walked in and there were puffy white couches on the floor because honestly who wants to stand at a rock show. Laura called the decadent set up a combination of Bed (a bar in NY with beds instead of tables) and My Super Sweet 16. There was a DJ and projections of assorted RS covers. There was also a giant blank Rolling Stone cover where you could pose for your picture. I did this twice because it was right next to the bar. Anyway, Paul Schafer opened up by bringing out random people to play cover songs. It was very boring. Paul said something about the 1000th cover and then "Don't worry, we aren't going to do a 1000 covers." Thanks Paul.

However, last night had its moments. “King” Solomon Burke sang a few soulful songs sitting on a giant throne. But the Strokes did not go on until after 11 so there was lots of time to kill. Thankfully, there was an open bar. While hanging out outside I saw Mike D, who came through the regular line instead of the red carpet entrance. Brooklyn, What?! David Carr of the New York Times was smoking outside. He is an old timer but still cool. Lee of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah was coming in and David said, "Hey have you seen that guy's band." Then David said he was also blown away by their much-improved live show as seen at Bowery. Lots of other celebs were there too. The lights were on most of the time except for The Strokes so you could easily spot people. Marilyn Manson and Dita von Teese showed up early, maybe to claim a prime spot on those couches. I also spotted Nick Zinner from the balcony. Nas was there too. But my question is: Where was David Cross?

When The Strokes finally came on, the crowd sort of paid attention but really all that happened was the music in the room got better. There were special guests and Julian tried to introduce them enthusiastically but I think he is incapable of sounding excited about anything. Eddie Vedder sang the hook on "Juicebox," which made the song ten times better. Lou Reed came out to sing "Wildside," which was definitely the highlight of the entire set. Jason has some better or at least closer pics because he snuck up front after a smoke. On the way out we got a bag with stuff in it, including the 1000th issue with the million dollar 3D cover and a RS compilation of cover songs—not featuring Paul Schafer. Sorry Paul. Laura had a set list but lost it, she has tried to reconstruct it here.