(Beth Schonberger)
This week is the inaugural week of the CU Independent’s “End of the Decade” series, a look back at the best of pop culture from 2000-2009. Every week from Monday to Thursday, you the viewer will have the chance to vote on four different categories of pop culture elements.
The series starts this week and will run through the end of the semester, except for the week of Thanksgiving. Each day, there will be a poll where you will select two winners from a pool of five, with a different category each day. Mondays will be a selection of movies, Tuesdays will feature live music performances, vote for the best of TV on Wednesdays and on Thursdays, pick your favorite albums. We will reveal the top 10 of all four categories on the week of Dec. 7.
Today, view clips of all of the nominees for this week’s live music performances below:
Ray Charles, Willie Nelson and Leon Russell’s performance of “A Song For You.” (2003) While it was Willie Nelson’s birthday celebration, the late Ray Charles stole the show as he used the lyrics to tell a heartfelt message to one of his oldest friends.
Bruce Springsteen’s performance of “My City of Ruins.” (2001) To open the “America: A Tribute of Heroes,” benefit concert in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, “The Boss” gave an acoustic performance with an accompanying gospel choir that left viewers with goose bumps and set the mood for the special.
Heather Headley’s performance of “Your Song.” (2004) The final performance of the 2004 Kennedy Center Honors belonged to Tony Award winner and Grammy nominee Headley. She honored her mentor Elton John, who was a 2004 Kennedy Honoree, by taking his signature anthem, “Your Song,” and making it her own.
Green Day’s performance of “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.” (2005) The punk rock band’s power ballad shows how far they have come in their two-decade career when they rocked the Australian MTV Music Awards.
Jennifer Hudson’s performance of “Will You Be There.” (2009) One of the standout performances in Michael Jackson’s memorial service came from the former American Idol contestant turned Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson. With the help of the King of Pop’s dancers and band, Hudson took “Will You Be There” to new heights.
Be sure to choose your top two favorites in the poll below.
[poll id=”3″]Check out our other “End of the Decade” entries here.
