So many legends in the building!

Nas, Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey—we’re talking legends, baby. All three were in Los Angeles over the course of a 24-hr period, and I was lucky enough to experience them in settings far more intimate than usual.

First came an invitation to the MTV/Harmonix party for their mega-popular Rock Band video game at the cozy Orpheum downtown. The promised “surprise special guests” were none less than the Who. With general admission free-for-all seating, I landed about 12 rows back from the stage, dead center. It was a casual set that occasionally revealed the band’s raw power between good natured-bantering, insider videogame industry humor and old-fashioned flubs. A moment when Townshend (above) launched into another chorus of “5:15” as the song was ending to the bemused smiles of the band was priceless. I could go on (and on), but I’ll leave it at something any Who fan would’ve truly appreciated.  And I did.

I awoke to a text message the next morning from my man KC. “I got Nas at the Zune gallery tonight. Be there.” Since Nas is among the greatest rappers of all-time, and that day being only two after the release of his highly incendiary Untitled album, I was so there. Wifey Kelis watched from the wings as Nas stopped opening song “Hero” after only a few bars. Handing the controls to DJ Green Lantern, he tore through new songs (“Breathe”) and classics (“One Love”) like a prizefighter warming up for a title bout. With an adoring crowd up close and personal in the stark space, Nas seemed to genuinely enjoy getting the hip-hop industry amped with his undeniable skills. Ironically, it was when he dropped an a capella of a certain song from his new album that the show came to an abrupt end. Let’s just say it rhymes with a word that made Elizabeth Hasselbeck cry. With Nas set to take the stage at the Roxy tonight for an exclusive Myspace gig, this could very well have been just such a warm-up. Stay tuned—details at 11... 

—Scott T. Sterling