Las Vegas Weekly

April 12, 2009 · 3:23 PM

Photo Gallery: Perry Farrell’s Big 5-0 at Bare features historic jams

By Robin Leach

Deborah Harry, Juliette Lewis, Etty Farrell and Perry Farrell at Perry's 50th birthday bash at Bare Pool Lounge in The Mirage.

Photo: Denise Truscello/The Light Group

It was an extraordinary night of reigning rock royalty. In fact, history was made at legendary musician Perry Farrell’s 50th birthday celebration at the tops-optional Bare pool lounge at The Mirage. His wife, Etty, threw the “Perrypalooza” bash, and a galaxy of stars turned up to party and play.

Perry is the founder of Jane’s Addiction and Lollapalooza. The nighttime concert included incredible collaborations and covers by Billy Idol, Deborah Harry, Juliette Lewis, Dave Navarro, Mark McGrath, Mickey Avalon, Donovan Leitch and Perry himself.

The rock fest also featured performances by Eric Avery and Stephen Perkins (Jane’s Addiction), Martyn Lenoble and Peter Distefano (Porno for Pyros), guitarist Wayne Kramer, Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine), Matt Sorum (Guns ’n’ Roses), Billy Morrison (The Cult), Sen Dog and Bobo (Cypress Hill) and Shepard Fairey.

Our contributing photographer Denise Truscello was on hand to capture these exclusive shots for our photo gallery.

It was the first time since rock ’n’ roll was born that the original musicians from Porno for Pyros and Jane’s Addiction performed together on the same stage. Perry hasn’t worked with Porno for Pyros in 12 years! Now he’s reunited with the original Addiction members, and their upcoming tour includes a stop at The Pearl Concert Theater at the Palms on May 18.

Musical highlights included Dave Navarro accompanying Billy Idol on “Rebel Yell,” and the concert’s finale, “Jane Says,” performed by Perry and the all-star cast of rockers. The concert was interrupted as Etty and everyone on stage toasted Perry with Dom Perignon before he was presented with a 6-foot-long lollipop-shaped cake created by Jean-Philippe Patisserie. Every rocker in the house jammed as the entire concert lineup sang along to an acoustic rock ’n’ roll version of “Happy Birthday.”

The Venetian comedy headliner David Spade had a cabana at the pool after his show so he and his friends could catch this one, too! Rosanna Arquette also was in attendance, and VegasHD recorded the unique concert for a possible future release via iPod and iPhone.

Our contributing photographer Erik Kabik took the night off after the Mandalay Bay boxing event so he could sit back and enjoy the concert. Here’s his report for Vegas DeLuxe:

“I’m such a rock concert fan, I even shelled out the $115 for a ticket for what was probably the concert event of the year in Vegas: a modern-day Rat Pack event of sorts. It had everything you could want in a good show: celebrity guests, a classic set list, band reunions and, at the center of it all, birthday boy and the master of ceremonies himself Mr. Perry Farrell, big smile and glass of champagne in hand for the duration. Mark McGrath performed the Sex Pistols “EMI” and just blew up the party. Very unexpected from Mark, but kudos to him for a great cover of a classic punk rock tune. McGrath set the bar high for the rest of the night.

“Juliette Lewis then came out onto the stage in a red satin dress and matching gloves and performed the AC/DC song “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap.” This had to be one of the coolest things I have seen at a show in a long time. She sounded great, and she reminded us of a female version of Mick Jagger. Sexy, dirty and all rock ’n’ roll. I just saw and heard Mallory Knox, that sweet mix of evil and sexiness that she embodied so well in her role in Oliver Stone’s Natural Born Killers.

“Donovan Leitch Jr., son of legendary folk singer Donovan, came out on stage with former Pussycat Doll Carmit Bach and performed David Bowie’s “Suffragette City.” The entire place went up in a roar with the level of music so high and well played. How would the Porno for Pyros and Jane’s Addiction set be?

“Next up, Cypress Hill’s Sen Dog and Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine burst out with Cypress Hill’s “Superstar” and “Ain’t Goin’ Out Like That.” They turned up the notch on the night and added some hard-hitting hip-hop flavors to the classic and punk rock mix.

“Perry then brought out an unannounced guest that he described as a birthday gift to himself: It was none other than Deborah Harry. Her version of “Rapture” and “Call Me” had Juliette Lewis, Dave Navarro, Mark McGrath and Rosanna Arquette on the side of the stage dancing, with Perry and his wife Etty throwing in some nice background vocals. Rosanna’s full-body lace outfit was very distracting and hot, and she was really looking great. At this point, the night was sealed in my personal concert history books (and I’ve seen thousands of shows) as one of the all-time greatest.

“There was an epic reunion of Porno for Pyros, and they nailed the song “Tahitian Moon.” Soon after, Billy Idol joined and performed a scorching “Rebel Yell,” and Dave Navarro joined on guitar. Perry requested that Billy do the song “Eyes Without a Face,” and Tom Morello’s solo was outstanding with his signature-screeching guitar. They all started in on The Beatles great party tune “Twist and Shout.”

“Then Jane’s Addiction was up, and the anticipated reunion was no letdown. They sounded fresh and well rehearsed. I look forward to the tour. To close out the night, everyone was onstage for The Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil.” Perry was stage front and center with a bottle of champagne in hand. After signing off, the party moved to The Beatles Revolution lounge. All of the performers showed up at the party rotating in and out. I told Juliette she was a highlight of the night, with her “Dirty Deeds,” even getting to dance with her to top off the night.

“It was one of those shows for the books, and I had a great time and saw a great show and rarely do I ever just watch and listen. I really learned a lot watching the other photogs doing their thing. I’ll have to check out Robert Knight’s shots, as the legendary rock photographer was front and center for the entire event. I am sure he captured many iconic and classic images. He is one of the greatest. Keep an eye out for his shots, as this was one of those Vegas parties that will be talked about for years to come.”

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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