Jim James, John Oates, Billy Idol, R. Kelly And More Team For Bonnaroo Superjam
By Team JamBase Jun 16, 2013 • 3:00 pm PDT


One of the sets at Bonnaroo we were most looking for to was a performance dubbed “Rock N’ Soul Dance Party Superjam,” one of three “Superjams” scheduled to take place at The Farm in Manchester, TN. Late night on Saturday, host Jim James and musical director John Oates didn’t disappoint as they filled the lengthy performance with well-known covers from a diverse group of acts featuring an impressive “house band” and plenty of guests.
James and Oates were joined by a ridiculous lineup of other musicians during the performance including JJ’s MMJ bandmate Carl Broemel, Meters drummer Zigaboo Modeliste, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band horns, vocalist Bilal, bassist Larry Graham and percussionist Cyro Baptista. Guests included none other than soul singer R. Kelly, pop- metal vocalist Billy Idol and Alabama Shakes front woman Brittany Howard.
Among the songs performed during the set were a duet on “When Something Is Wrong With My Baby” between Jim James and Brittany Howard, a take on John Lennon’s “Instant Karma,” R. Kelly fronting the band for Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” and “Bring It On Home To Me,” a cover of “1999” by Prince, a grouping of Sly covers with Brittany singing, Billy Idol taking the lead on “Get It On (Bang A Gong)” by T. Rex as well as versions of “Hey Pocky Way” by The Meters and Bill Withers’ “Use Me.”
Billboard has shared a snippet of pro-shot footage from the set:
Watch fan-shot footage of “Use Me” from last night:
Check out “Hot Fun In The Summertime” featuring Brittany Howard, Larry Graham and more:
Take a look at “A Change Is Gonna Come” featuring R. Kelly:
We’ll update this post with more video as it surfaces.