Musicians Featured In Olympics Closing Ceremony

A while ago, I reported on the suspected opening ceremony playlist for the 2012 Olympics. While the opening ceremonies were more of an abstract fever dream rather then the pageantry and pure unbridled extravagance that was Beijing, they had their own quirky (34 million dollar) charm to it. The closing ceremony, on the other hand, was more focused on the musical aspect, with nonstop bands and bizarre covers (Russel Brand singing “I Am the Walrus”?). It seemed weird to have such a historic and eternal event such as the Olympics focus so heavily on pop music (I personally think One Direction is going to have faded out by the time The Olympics come to Rio). Nevertheless, it still remembers its true eternal stars. Freddy Mercury and John Lennon with a fitting video tribute with accompaniment from the remaining members of their respective bands.

I was disappointed that some acts, like David Bowie, couldn’t make it in person and their music was wasted on relatively mundane acts like “A Tribute to Fashion”. The Who was also outrageously cut from the NBC broadcast of the event, as well as many other acts and segments. Disappointment also fell when Adele – who was rumored to be the big closing act - didn’t even show up (or the queen, for that matter). My favorite part was Eric Idle, The currently most ostracized member of the legendary comedy troupe Monty Python’s Flying Circus, leading the audience in Monty Python’s classic song “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”. On a pop side, you probably couldn’t have asked for more, but for me it didn’t quite match the amazing legacy of British music that should have been the highlight of one of the most watched music events in the world.

By Luke Palmer

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