Mike Love celebrates Brian Wilson and George Clinton shines at 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame
NEW YORK (AP) — The Beach Boys' Mike Love was inducted into the 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame on Thursday night, just one day after it was announced that his inimitable bandmate Brian Wilson had died.
The actor — and lifelong Beach Boys fan — John Stamos introduced him. 'There are songs that don't just play on the radio,' Stamos said in his speech. 'Mike Love is a songwriter's songwriter.'
Stamos recalled asking Love, 'Which songs did you write, again?' Love's response: 'I only wrote the hits.'
Love's speech was filled with gratitude, with one of his greatest thanks reserved for 'my cousin, Brian Wilson," he said. "My first cousin by blood and my brother in music.'
Stamos then joined Love for a few Beach Boys' classics: 'California Girl,' 'I Get Around," 'Kokomo,' and "Good Vibrations.'
It was a notable moment in an evening full of them: The funk rock group Living Colour opened the energetic gala with a cover of Funkadelic's 'Cosmic Slop' to honor new inductee George Clinton.
The annual event, held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City Thursday night, also featured inductees spanning genre, an inspiring mix of funk, rock, R&B, country and beyond: George Clinton, The Doobie Brothers, Ashley Gorley, Rodney 'Darkchild' Jerkins and Tony Macaulay.
'What an incredible honor this is,' Clinton said in his speech. He talked about his early days in the legendary Brill Building song factory, which he described like going 'into Oz.' Being a songwriter, to him, required 'consistent effort.'
He then jumped into a performance of his own: The Parliaments' '(I Wanna) Testify.'
Teddy Riley introduced the groundbreaking producer Rodney 'Darkchild' Jerkins, whose touch is heard across countless R&B and pop hits. His speech included an animated impression of Clive Davis and a story about Jerkins' father borrowing $1,200 against his life insurance to get him an '80s sampler, the MPC3000, so he could follow his dreams.
'I didn't grow up chasing fame,' he said. 'I grew up chasing feeling ... Creativity has no limitations.'
His four children, R.J., Heavenly, Hannah Joy and Royal Jerkins, performed one of his best-known hits, Brandy and Monica's 'The Boy Is Mine."
It was a night for families: Country songwriter superstar Ashley Gorley's daughter also performed one of her dad's originals, Trace Adkins' 'You're Gonna Miss This.' Dan Shay also performed a medley of Gorley's hits in his honor, including Morgan Wallen's 'Last Night,' Carrie Underwood's 'All-American Girl' and Post Malone and Wallen's 2024 summertime smash 'I Had Some Help.'
When Gorley took the stage for his speech, he said he felt like he was in a 'fever dream' or that he has 'crashed a royal wedding.'
Legendary English songwriter Tony Macaulay was also honored. He is best known for such classics as The Foundations' 'Baby Now That I've Found You" and 'Build Me Up Buttercup,' the latter of which was performed for Macaulay by a spirited Debbie Gibson.
Musical theater composer Stephen Schwartz was the recipient of the esteemed Johnny Mercer Award; Kristin Chenoweth performed 'For Good" from 'Wicked' in his honor.
Gracie Abrams received the eminent Hal David Starlight Award.
Last year's inductees included Steely Dan, R.E.M., Timbaland, Hillary Lindsey and Dean Pitchford. At the induction ceremony last summer, R.E.M. stunned attendees by reuniting for an acoustic version of their alt-rock hit, 'Losing My Religion.'
The Songwriters Hall of Fame was established in 1969 to honor those creating popular music. A songwriter with a notable catalog of songs qualifies for induction 20 years after the first commercial release of a song. Some already in the hall include Gloria Estefan, Carole King, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Brian Wilson, James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Lionel Richie, Bill Withers, Neil Diamond and Phil Collins.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
2 hours ago
- Mint
And the Emmy goes to ... Phillies star Trea Turner? Documentary on Turners ovation wins Emmy Award
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — And the Emmy goes to ... Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner? Turner already won an NL batting title and a World Series championship ring in his 11-year MLB career. How about adding an Emmy Award to that trophy case? 'Trea Turner's an Emmy winner, absolutely,' sports documentary producer Kyle Thrash said. 'He definitely held it up like he owned it.' Turner may not actually have the award in hand to keep for good, but he got to hoist the real deal ahead of Friday's game against Toronto in a short celebration for the Emmy won for a best sports short documentary produced on the 2023 standing ovation credited with turning around his season. 'The Turnaround' won a sports Emmy in May and Thrash and Phillies fan Jon McCann — whose personal struggles with mental health and kinship with Turner were the heart of the film — attended the game to show off their new bling to Turner. 'Cuz, we did it, huh?! 'McCann said as he shook Turner's hand on the field after batting practice. 'Trea Turner, we share an Emmy together.' Turner read the inscription at the bottom of the Emmy and promised the fans he would wave to them in section 301 if he stole a base in Friday's game. 'We get to bring a trophy back to the ballpark tonight and share it with so many people that were involved in the standing ovation. It's pretty incredible,' Thrash said. Philly sports fans — often billed as some of the worst in sports — gave a slumping Turner standing ovations in at-bats throughout the weekend in an August 2023 series to show he had their full support. Turner was in the first season of an 11-year, $300 million deal with the Phillies but was batting just .238 with 11 home runs and 39 RBIs. He was even dropped to eighth in the batting order headed into that series against Kansas City. In three games over the weekend against the Royals, Turner went 4 for 12 with two doubles, a home run and five RBIs and he would eventually help lead the Phillies to the playoffs. Turner later helped pay for 'Thank You, Philly" digital billboards in the greater Philadelphia area. The documentary was produced by Higher Ground, the media company founded by former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama MCann, also known as 'The Philly Captain," is a Philadelphia based YouTuber and was one of the fans — along with a Philly sports talk radio host — credited with rallying the fans to get behind Turner. 'During the ceremony, one of the award presenters said, 'wWen you go up against the Olympics, you lose.' So I kind of thought we already lost,' McCann said. 'We didn't. It was a great, great shock.'
Mint
8 hours ago
- Mint
Slick Rick returns after 26 years with Victory album and proves hip-hop storytelling still reigns
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hip-hop legend Slick Rick is proving his creative spark is far from fading. The English-born rapper — known for his signature eye patch and masterful storytelling — returned to the booth with his first new project in nearly three decades. He's reminding the world of his timeless rap prowess on his visual album, 'Victory,' released Friday. It marks Slick Rick's first album since 1999's 'The Art of Storytelling.' This new project is largely self-produced, with the rapper handling 95% of the production and sharing executive producer duties with Emmy-nominated actor and occasional rapper-DJ Idris Elba, who appears on the album alongside Nas, Giggs and Estelle. 'You was a young adult, then a middled aged man and now you're an older man, so my mentality has to grow with it,' said Slick Rick, known for his rap classic such as 'Children's Story,' 'La Di Da Di' with Doug E. Fresh and 'Mona Lisa.' His debut album, 'The Great Adventures of Slick Rick,' in 1988 hit No. 1 on the Billboard R&B/hip-hop charts. 'Victory' was four years in the making, with Slick Rick, now 60, writing and recording the album between his birthplace of London then France, while the visuals were filmed in the United States, United Kingdom and Africa. Slick Rick believes his voice still resonates in hip-hop. He said the subjects he tackles have grown with him. 'Can't always be children all the time,' he said. 'We grow and talk about things that interest us at this age.' In a recent interview, Slick Rick spoke with The Associated Press about how storytelling plays a role in today's rap, his relationship with Elba and how hip-hop has no limitations. Remarks have been edited for clarity and brevity. SLICK RICK: We met at a party and then we clicked. His people reached out to me, and they wanted to make an album. They flew me to England and France. I hung out with Idris at his cribs, and we just did what we do. We just had fun, And then when we was finished, we said, 'Yeah, we're ready to bring it to the marketplace.' SLICK RICK: It might've been a little hesitation, but you're just having fun. We just bringing it to the marketplace and see what happens. There's no pressure or nothing. We're bringing it to the people to see if they like it. Feed them. SLICK RICK: When we were in the studio with Idris doing our thing, I checked the reactions of people. But then I saw people in their happy place. Once I saw that, I'm good. I see him and his people's happy. A little dancing. Popped a little Moet. We were having a good time. SLICK RICK: It's what Black people like. We're not just hip-hop. We like reggae. We like house music. Let's say like the Beatles or Barry Manilow. We go all over the place. Dionne Warwick, Diana Ross. We go places. We try to entertain ourselves in different areas of existence. SLICK RICK: It was saving time. People make songs and do videos anyway. So why not just speed this up real quick? Video and rap both at the same time. Boom, let's keep it moving. ... This is like watching a movie. You want to expand the picture. Not only do you hear my voice and the music, which is the essence. You get ... visual picture as well. SLICK RICK: In my creative process, I need to have a lot of input or it's not going to be authentic Rick. Too many hands, it's not going to pop. So many hands is going to distort stuff. I do my own music most of the time. SLICK RICK: It's an open space. It hasn't been filled, the whole storytelling thing. Before it gets too lost back into braggadocios, one frequency. Expand your horizons. You don't always have to be rough. Be romantic. Be humorous. Be vulnerable. Go all over. Be a politician. Use your imagination. Go places, so we can take stories and give to our people's imagination.
News18
13 hours ago
- News18
What Is Schizoaffective Disorder? Rare Condition Of Beach Boys' Brian Wilson
Last Updated: In 2024, after losing his wife, Melinda Ledbetter, who stayed by his side for almost 30 years, Brian Wilson was diagnosed with a brain condition called Schizoaffective Disorder. Brian Wilson, the founder of the Beach Boys and a legendary songwriter, has died at the age of 82. He became famous as the lead singer and main songwriter for the band. His family shared the news of his passing on social media but did not mention the cause. Throughout his life, Wilson faced many health challenges. In 2024, after losing his wife, Melinda Ledbetter, who stayed by his side for almost 30 years, he was diagnosed with a brain condition, called Schizoaffective Disorder, similar to dementia. Here is a look at his health journey and what fans should know. Taking to Instagram, the singer's family stated, 'We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away. We are at a loss for words right now. Please respect our privacy at this time as our family is grieving. We realise that we are sharing our grief with the world. Love & Mercy." Brian Wilson started hearing voices in his head when he was quite young. Instead of getting help from a doctor or therapist, he tried to deal with it on his own by using drugs, alcohol and food. Later, he began treatment with a Hollywood therapist named Eugene Landy, who was known for using unusual and strict methods. In 1982, things got so serious that Landy took full control of Wilson's care and even removed him from The Beach Boys so he could focus only on treatment. In a 2006 interview with Ability Magazine, Wilson opened up about how his condition affected his life. He explained, 'For the past 40 years, I've had auditory hallucinations in my head, all day every day, and I can't get them out. Every few minutes, the voices say something derogatory to me, which discourages me a little bit, but I have to be strong enough to say to them, 'Hey, would you quit stalking me? Don't talk to me, leave me alone.' I have to say these types of things all day long. It's like a fight'." 'I was on stage, I could hear voices telling me negative things about myself. Even today, when I sing, I have to force myself not to listen to them. But when the concert is over, the voices come back. I knew right from the start something was wrong. I'd taken some psychedelic drugs, and then about a week after that, I started hearing voices, and they've never stopped. For a long time, I thought to myself, 'Oh, I can't deal with this.' But I learned to deal with it anyway," Brian Wilson added. The Beach Boys singer is survived by his daughters Carnie and Wendy, whom he had with his first wife, Marilyn Lovell. He also has two adopted daughters, Daria and Delanie, from his second marriage. First Published:
