Steffi D consoles Rob James after learning he has been eliminated.
Roger Hodgson and Dennis DeYoung revel in a standing ovation after their performance.
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James' last song on Idol leaves judges dancing
Updated Thu. Aug. 10 2006 2:35 PM ET
Eye on Idol
Canadian Idol's judges had their last dance with Winnipeg crooner Rob James on Tuesday after the humble Winnipegger ended his run on the show at Top 7.
After learning of his elimination, James closed the show with his song from the previous night's classic rock performance episode, Grand Funk Railroad's "Some Kind of Wonderful." It brought the judges to their feet, dancing in tribute to the talent and steady improvement shown by the former member of pop duo McMaster and James.
It was the end of a long haul for the humble 28-year-old, and his second attempt to hit the big time.
After going gold with the only record released by McMaster and James and then quickly fading from the public eye, James auditioned for Canadian Idol with first-hand knowledge of just how much it takes to make it in the recording industry.
Having already had a shot at stardom, James entered his first audition nervous about the kind of reception he could expect from Idol's producers.
The feeling persisted as he was thrown to the mercy of the voting masses for the Top 22 phase, but as the weeks went by, his growth as a solo performer was obvious and his presentation increasingly confident.
"When you showed up in Winnipeg, you showed up with probably the biggest shadow over you and the biggest burden to carry," host Ben Mulroney said after announcing the elimination. "You could actually see it and feel it.
"Week after week, you've moved out of your shadow, you've moved out of your past and you've become this great fantastic performer with a smile that everyone loves and a voice that people do remember. Whatever success you think you enjoyed as a part of a duo is nothing compared to what you will enjoy on your own."
Judge Sass Jordan was equally encouraging, telling both members of the night's bottom two, James and Steffi D, that maintaining their natural grace under pressure and lasting as far as Top 7 was a testament to their ability to make it in the industry.
Zack Werner was somewhat less consoling as he offered his opinion of the bottom two.
"Rob is an incredibly talented person, but it's the exceptionally talented that get a break," he said. "Steffi D... this is just one stepping stone toward this ridiculous career."
Before launching into his farewell song, James thanked everyone involved in watching or making the show for giving him the chance to learn more about himself than he ever would have expected.
"It's been an amazing journey," he said. "It's taught me about how I want to approach my own life... About who I want to be and what it's going to take to get there. I've just got so many more tools now, so much more inspiration."
While many in the live audience were visibly disappointed with the voters' selection, the episode wasn't all bad news.
A day after appearing on the performance show as coaches to the Top 7, progressive rock superstars Roger Hodgson (formerly of Supertramp) and Dennis DeYoung (former singer of the band Styx) kicked off the show with songs that had the crowd dancing and -- in pure 70s concert style -- waving their arms from side to side.
After performing "Give a Little Bit" alongside the Top 7, Hodgson launched into a heartfelt medley including "The Logical Song" and "Dreamer." DeYoung summoned his uncanny ability for theatrics, singing "Lady" with the competitors, followed by renditions of "Mr. Roboto" and "Come Sail Away" that included a host of flashy dance moves.
After the pure rock energy required to perform rock hits of the ages, the Top 6 must now shift their gaze toward giving an intimate delivery with a focus on lyrics for next week's episode. In what is being billed as the first-ever acoustic performance on any "Idol" show worldwide, Canadian folk goddess Chantal Kreviazuk will join the Idols in their workshops and on stage.
The "unplugged" performances hit the screen Monday at 8 p.m. EST (check your local listings).
If you are a Telus subscriber, you can text your comments, questions and support for Rob to 2428 (CHAT). Be sure to start your message "Rob" (Example: Rob -- What will you miss most about the top ten?)
If you have a Telus mobile phone, you can check out his responses to your questions and comments Wednesday afternoon (August 9).
