Tool's Maynard James Keenan and Chris Cornell Rock Activision Video Game Party

Posted on Jun 15th 2010 12:55AM by Steve Baltin
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If there's any doubt that video games are a force in the music industry, all one had to do was look at the star-powered lineup that took over L.A.'s Staples Center for Activision's kickoff party for the E3 video game conference. DJs Deadmau5 and David Guetta opened a night that included Usher, Tool's Maynard James Keenan, Jane's Addiction, Chris Cornell, N.E.R.D and Eminem backed by Travis Barker on drums. Will.I.Am and Rihanna also made surprise appearances with Usher and Eminem, respectively.

"It's a new means of expression for us. We get to do what we want in all of our splendor," N.E.R.D.'s Pharrell Williams told Spinner before the show about why bands are so eager to work with Activision. "We have no boundaries -- it's just fun across the board. In their minds we're providing the music, in our minds they're providing the visuals, so it's like a perfect marriage."

That was showcased during the night as a giant video screen showcased images from the company's upcoming releases to introduce the different performers, all of whom were musically associated with the games. That union was never more innovatively displayed than during a video game/live music duet -- after a trailer showcasing the company's next 'Guitar Hero' game, 'Warriors of Rock,' an animated punk band in New York's legendary CBGB's began their rendition of Queen's classic 'Bohemian Rhapsody,' only to be joined after the intro by Tool's Maynard James Keenan and a 100-person choir performing the song live.

The rock portion of the night was most represented during the 'Guitar Hero' segment, with Jane's Addiction, who will also be in the game, rocking 'Been Caught Stealing' and 'Mountain Song.' Cornell, whose reunited Soundgarden announced yesterday they will release a new single, 'Black Rain,' in the 'Guitar Hero' game as well, made a grand entrance, walking through the standing-room-only floor as he sang a beautiful orchestral version of 'Black Hole Sun.' It was a rock star moment for a very rock star party, the kind that's happening more and more in the video game world.