Will Ferrell showed off his musical talent alongside singer Marc Anthony at the 8th Annual Maestro Cares Foundation (MCF) gala Tuesday evening (December 7) in New York City.
The Saturday Night Live alumni and blockbuster movie star stole the show when Anthony invited him onstage during his performance. The gala was held to raise funds for MCF in its mission to improve the quality of life of disadvantaged and orphaned children in Latin America and the United States.
During the start of the song “I Need to Know,” Anthony let his band keep the Latin beat going with his percussionists onstage. Apparently, however, Anthony needed more cowbell. He pointed to someone off stage to get more backup. That someone was Ferrell, who stepped in front of the audience to perform his popular cowbell solo.
The crowd cheered as soon as Ferrell joined the band with his instrument of choice. He walked around the stage keeping the beat and looked like he was taking his job very seriously. Anthony laughed and signaled to him to keep the music going. Ferrell even took his place in the percussion section for a few seconds.
Playing the cowbell is, of course, a throwback to a Saturday Night Live sketch from 2000 where Ferrell portrays a character in the 1970s band, Blue Oyster Cult, whose sole purpose is to play the percussion instrument enthusiastically. “I gotta have more cowbell!” actor Christopher Walken’s producer character tells the band during a recording session in the studio.
Maybe Marc Anthony can take Farrell with him on his next tour. We think “Pa’lla Voy” could use a little more cowbell!