Pete's Big TVs Rocks R&R Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies

Pete's Big TVs provided the video production package to make the musicians larger than life during their induction into the 27th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Held April 14 at Cleveland's Public Hall, the event premiered May 5 on HBO.

Inducted in the gala ceremonies were Guns N' Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Donovan, the late Laura Nyro, The Small Faces/Faces, Beastie Boys, the late Freddie King and the late music impresario Don Kirshner, among others.

The visuals interspersed live action with content from the performers' past. Pete's Big TVs provided a video production package that included high resolution LED panels, projectors, teleprompters, and crew.

Guy Benjamin, Pete's Big TVs project manager, said, "We used our new digiLED MC7 panels on the show. The Imag screen above the stage, called the 'hero screen,' was 9 panels high by 16 panels wide for a screen size of 15' x 27'. The screen was a truly native HD resolution screen."

The big upstage wall was 9 panels by 42 panels, measuring 15' x 69', also using the digiLED MC7 panels. "This screen was actually higher than HD as it reached 2,688 pixels wide," Benjamin added.

The digiLED MC7 panels provided the high resolution needed for broadcast quality, plus they emit no radio frequency interference. Pete's Big TVs has the two-year exclusive distribution on the screens in North America.

Continuing the equipment description, Benjamin said, "Stage left and stage right used Lighthouse R4, 4mm LED panels as background behind the podiums. To fill the room we projected onto the walls of the auditorium left and right of the stage with 4 Barco FLM 20, which are 20k projectors."

Two 80" displays for teleprompters were also set up for performers and presenters.

Benjamin supervised his crew of LED techs Matt Ellar and Brent Jones and projectionist Dave Hulings.

The event team included LD Allen Branton, set designer Bruce Rodgers of Tribe Inc., and production manager Gary Lanvy.

The induction ceremonies switch from New York's Waldorf Astoria to Cleveland every third year.

"The Cleveland ceremony takes on a more festive atmosphere because 6,000 fans were allowed in to the upper balcony, whereas in New York it's exclusively for invited guests of the inductees. Plus, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum is just two blocks away. Cleveland rocks! And we rocked Cleveland."

Pete's Big TVs has enjoyed working with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 1989. Benjamin adds, "It's great to be a part of an event that celebrates musical legends."