As posted on Pollstar.com:

Thursday’s extravaganza at Madison Square Garden, the first of two concerts, ran more than five hours, and was a reunion of past inductees: Among the performers were Simon & Garfunkel (1990), Crosby, Stills and Nash (1997), Jeff Beck (2009), James Taylor (2000), Bonnie Raitt (2000) and Sting (with The Police, 2003).

“It’s been incredible being in a room with musicians … who put music in your head,” Springsteen said during his rollicking set, which ran nearly two hours and featured the Boss collaborating with the Piano Man, singing Joel hits like “New York State of Mind” and “Only the Good Die Young.”

The night’s emotional highlight came courtesy of Wonder, who sang Michael Jackson’s upbeat “The Way You Make Me Feel,” in tribute to the fallen King of Pop. During one part in the chorus, Wonder stopped singing, bent his head and started to sob, but he quickly gathered his composure to finish the song, ending it joyously by leading the crowd with chants of “We Love Michael Jackson” and “Long Live Michael Jackson.”

But Springsteen was clearly the night’s biggest draw, and even though he went on close to midnight, there weren’t many empty seats as he went through a set that included songs like “Born to Run,” the Clash’s “London Calling,” Roy Orbison’s “Pretty Woman” and “The Ghost of Tom Joad.” He used that song as a bellwether of today’s troubled times: “High times on Wall Street and hard times on Main Street,” Springsteen told the crowd.

Springsteen will return to The Garden November 7 & 8 with The E Street Band, for what promises to be legendary performances that will be talked about for decades. Get tickets today at Allshows.com

Metallica also will return to The garden in November on the 14^th & 15^th for two nights of bone crushing metal. Tickets are available.

Tonight’s concert promised to provide even more, with a lineup including U2, Aretha Franklin and Metallica.

The Rundown for tonights festivities is as follows:

7:20- Tom Hanks Intro

7:40- Jerry Lee Lewis

7:50- Aretha Franklin

8:10- Jeff Beck

9:00- Metallica

10pm-11pm- U2

Rumored special guests are Annie Lennox, Lenny Kravitz, Lou Reed, Ozzy Osbourne, Buddy Guy, Mick Jagger & anyone else who may be in town. Schedule may change, as last nights show ran late!

Don’t miss your chance to witness rock royalty at it’s best in the World’s most famous Arena!

Get Tickets Here or call 800-All-Shows!