Each of the American Idol Top 9 finalists brought his/her A-game to the special Rock &Roll Hall of Fame episode Wednesday night.

I was on set tonight and will write a full recap and review later tonight about the experience watching Idol LIVE, I mean REALLY LIVE, in the quaint 700-person studio. So, check back to read the full story.

But for now – let’s focus on James Durbin for a minute who took a major risk and mellowed things down on a night we expected him to go full out rock ‘n roll on us. And, the risk paid off – James came out vulnerable, sweet and emotional…well, until the last screech which we know and love him for!

Watch James Durbin sing The Beatles’ While My Guitar Gently Weeps, written by Goerge Harrison: