Pete's Big TVs Plays Role in R&R Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies

rrhofmorestageweb.jpgOnce a year New York's Waldorf Astoria Hotel ballroom turns into a reunion of rock royalty with the The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies.

For more than 20 years, Pete's Big TVs/Performance Video has played a role in the annual ceremony. This year's event on March 14 inducted performers Neil Diamond, Leon Russell, Dr. John, Alice Cooper, Tom Waits and Darlene Love. Presenters were Bette Midler, Elton John, Neil Young, Paul Simon, Rob Zombie, John Legend. Paul Shaffer's band provided backup.

Production Designer Anne Brahic, LD Allen Branton and Line Producer Gayle DiPoli were some of the key professionals on the team. “The performers were fabulous and the show looked gorgeous,” says PBTV/PV's Peter Daniel.

This year, PBTV/PV provided a 24' x 13.5' roll down screen with projectors for the reveal/introductory pieces and smaller projectors and screens for audience viewing. A plethora of plasma screens were positioned around the set for the attendees and more screens for backstage viewing for the artists awaiting to be introduced onstage.

The mid-stage screen rolled down as a visual backdrop when presenters inducted each performer. A small speech from the presenter and a 5-minute tribute displayed on the screen, highlighting the honoree's career.

PBTV/PV crew under Peter Daniel included Dave Hulings, Erin Lynch, Brent Jones and Steve Edwards.

While the stars celebrated their years in the industry, Pete's Big TVs/Performance Video has had this steady gig since 1989, back when Michael Ahern was production manager. Back then, Daniel recalls, the performers were not taped so there was lots more spontaneity amongst the performances. Daniel also reflects on how everything from load-in procedures to equipment technology has evolved since then. Daniel tells the story of how he and his former business partner Lee Griffin and all the stagehands had to hand-carry a 15' x 20' roller screen through the hotel's revolving front door, up the steps, turning around on each landing, up more steps, until they got up to the ballroom on the third floor. “That was a time. We're no longer carrying a 350-pound plywood box upstairs,” Daniel says.

This year's 2011 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies aired after editing a week later on the Fuse channel and is available for viewing on the fuse tv website.

Photos by David Hulings.

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Pete's Big TVs/Performance Video provides LED video screens, projection and full video production for concert, entertainment and corporate events since 1987. For current news, photos and updates on projects in action, visit the company on Facebook at www.facebook.com/videoequipmentrental or call 1-800-999-0010.