David Cook sings Foo Fighters' 'My Hero' as tribute, but Dave Grohl once mocked 'Idol' contestants
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- June
- 17
When I heard last week that “American Idol” champ David Cook sang Foo Fighters’ “My Hero” on “The Tonight Show,” although Cook said it was a tribute to the Foo Fighters and the group’s lead singer, Dave Grohl, three thoughts immediately crossed my mind:
1. No one can outdo Grohl. (I was right.)
2. I bet Cook still sounded really good. (I was right.)
3. I wonder what Grohl thinks about it. (Hmmm.)
Here’s why: Grohl—one of my favorite frontmen—made a mostly hilarious appearance with Triumph the Insult Comic Dog (the ubiquitous and hysterical Robert Smigel) at the 2003 Billboard Music Awards, emceed by “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest. At the time, Triumph encouraged Grohl to attempt the cigar-dropping puppet’s style of roasting (or, as Triumph so eloquently calls it, “pooping on”) celebrities. So, the rocker decided to pick on “Idol,” with mixed results. Check out the swipe at the 4:45 mark:
Well, you know, this gig is a big switch for Ryan, because normally on ‘American Idol,’ he has to watch singers that suck get crushing rejections; and tonight, he has to watch ‘em get awards.
The camera then cut to Season 1 “Idol” champ Kelly Clarkson, who tried to laugh but looked a bit stung.
In the same segment, Grohl and Triumph made other “Idol” jokes about Seacrest, Justin Guarini, Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken, the last of whom looked downright ticked, let alone unamused.
Some of the jokes at the ceremony were more harsh than others, but here are the reasons why Grohl these days might not object to Cook’s version of “My Hero.”
1. In the same segment with Triumph, Grohl encouraged viewers to stick around to watch Billboard honoree Sting collect Social Security. Not only did Sting seem to love the barb as it was delivered, but the Foos opened for The Police last year in Los Angeles.
2. At subsequent microphones, Grohl has thanked Clive Davis, whose label has managed many an “Idol” contestant through the years.
3. As Entertainment Weekly notes, “Cook’s full-length debut is scheduled for a November release on RCA Records, the same label that distributes the Foos’ albums.”
4. Cook does the song justice.
Still, Grohl doesn’t exactly have love for everyone in the music business (ahemCourtneyLoveahem).
Plus, Cook wasn’t as mind-blowing as, say, Prince was at last year’s Super Bowl halftime show. Although YouTube has removed all audio evidence of The Purple One’s epic performance, his cover of the Foos’ “Best of You” still gives me chills.
Then again, few musicians are better than Prince, period, so it’s unfair to critique Cook for that.
(Photo of Cook: AP/April L. Brow; Photo of Grohl: AP/Stuart Ramson; Photo of Triumph: AP/NBC)
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, June 17th, 2008 at 12:14 pm by Chris Serico.
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I have to day that David Cook's acoustic version of My Hero outdoes David Groul's acoustic version, however. I bought David Groul's acoustic version because I fell in love with the song after David Cook sang it at his homecoming. David Cook has such a beautiful voice which is most evident with his acoustic song renditions.
Michelle,
Cook better than Grohl? I don't think so. He held his own on that song, but, he was in NO WAY better than Grohl.shakes head
Have we heard whether or not David and Dave have had a chance to talk yet? Grohl is my idol and I hope that he considers working with Cook. I see some Foo-type qualities in Cook and have my fingers crossed for collaboration. Collaboration of EPIC proportions, if you will.