perryleann1

Lollapalooza Day 1 - Perry Farrell played with... LeAnn Rimes

Perry Farrell, Leann Rimes & School of Rock @ Lollapalooza 2009 (fresita)
Leann Rimes

“This year, I’m sitting in a moderate but persistent rain at the Kidzapalooza Stage, surrounded by adults and maybe a dozen kids total, waiting for the first surprise musical pairing of the festival: founder turned corporate figurehead Perry Farrell with country-pop singer LeAnn Rimes.

Yeah, it’s weird, alright. But not in the good way like that experience 15 years ago.

Backed by members of the Paul Green School of Rock who’ve traveled here from around the country, Farrell and Rimes stumble through a stilted but spirited version of “Stop Dragging My Heart Around,” the old Tom Petty/Stevie Nicks duet, followed by a lumpy rendition of “Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles, which is wishful thinking.

“I’m Perry Farrell, the founder of Lollapalooza, and I say the rain will stop!” Farrell shouts. “Tomorrow.” And then he and Rimes are gone.

Yeah, that was one to remember.

Farrell and Rimes were preceded on the kids’ stage by Zack Gill, a member of ALO, who covered “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” on accordion, reworking it as “The Devil Went Down to Bavaria.” Hard to say how that went over with the toddlers; the handful in attendance mostly seemed to be cranky about being out in the rain.” [Jim DeRogatis]

More coverage coming soon. Day two streaming. A few videos below…