These Go to 11

Berklee honors Christopher Guest.

December 4, 2007

"Up until an hour ago I thought this was a practical joke," Christopher Guest cracked as he took the podium at the Berklee Performance Center. But the actor, director, composer, and musician's body of work is no laughing matter. As the night's MC, Larry Monroe, said at a clinic Guest taught earlier in the day, "His music is solid. There are gags in the lyrics, but there are no gags in the music." And the audience saw the strength in the music firsthand as Berklee students and faculty joined Guest onstage for straight covers and unique interpretations of the songs from his movies This Is Spinal Tap, A Mighty Wind, and Waiting for Guffman.

Watch Christopher Guest perform with Berklee students and faculty and talk about the joy of playing stadiums in a wig.   Press: to inquire about photo availability and usage, please email us (and see the Instructions for Photo Usage).   A beanie and gown?   "I have some remarks I've written. I know people who improvise, but I'm not one to do that."   Guest (center) receives his honorary doctorate from Berklee president Roger H. Brown (left) and trustee Ernie Boch Jr (right).   Faculty members Jon Aldrich (left) and Ken Zambello (center) round out the Folksmen for "Eat at Joe's."   The whole cast comes together for "A Mighty Wind."     Guest's signature intro to "Stonehenge."   Guest rocks out.   More than 50 bassists—nearly all of Berklee's bass students—participated in "Big Bottom."   Concert performers, producers, family, and friends take a moment after the show. Photos by Phil Farnsworth

Related Links

• Tap Into Berklee (Boston Phoenix, December 4, 2007)
• Guest takes Berklee to 11 (Boston Globe, December 3, 2007)
• Doctor Tufnel, We Presume: Guest Rocks Berklee (Bostonist, December 1, 2007)