Mike Love celebrates Brian Wilson and George Clinton shines at 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame
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.'
Country legend Garth Brooks introduced the Doobie Brothers with a raucous rendition of 'Long Train Runnin'' into 'China Grove.' When it was time for the inducted members — Tom Johnston,
Michael McDonald
and Patrick Simmons — to take the stage, they brought their rootsy rock 'n' roll, kicking off with 'Black Water.'
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.
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San Francisco Chronicle
3 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Terence Stamp, British actor who portrayed General Zod in early Superman films, dies at 87
LONDON (AP) — Terence Stamp, the British actor who often played the role of a complex villain, including that of General Zod in the early Superman films, has died. He was 87. His death on Sunday was disclosed in a death notice published online. The London-born Stamp started his film career with 1962's seafaring 'Billy Budd,' for which he earned an Oscar nomination. Stamp's six decades in the business were peppered with highlights, including his touching portrayal of the transsexual Bernadette in 1994's 'The Adventure of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert." Stamp also was widely praised for his lead in director Steven Soderbergh's 1999 crime drama 'The Limey.' But it will be his portrayal of the bearded Zod in 1978's 'Superman' and its sequel 'Superman II' two years later that most people associate with Stamp. As the Kryptonian arch enemy to Christopher Reeve's Man of Steel, Stamp introduced a darker and charming — more human — element to the franchise, one that's been replicated in countless superhero movies ever since. Stamp started out his film career in the early 1960s as part of the 'angry young men' movement that was introducing an element of social realism into British moviemaking. That was perhaps most notable in the 1965 adaptation of John Fowles' creepy debut novel 'The Collector,' where he played the awkward and lonely Freddie Clegg, who kidnapped Samantha Eggar's Miranda Grey in a warped attempt to win her love. It was a performance that would earn the young Stamp, fresh off his Oscar nomination, the best actor award at 1965's Cannes Film Festival. While part of that 1960s British movement, Stamp learned from some of the most seasoned actors from the classical era, including Laurence Olivier. 'I worked with Olivier briefly on my second movie (1962's 'Term of Trial),' Stamp recalled in an interview with the AP in 2013. 'And he said to me, 'You should always study your voice.'' Stamp then segued into a spot-on Olivier impersonation, continuing, ''Because, as you get older, your looks go, but your voice will become empowered.'' Born in London's East End on July 22, 1938, Stamp lived a colorful life, particularly during the 1960s when he had a string of romances, including with actress Julie Christie and model Jean Shrimpton. He married 29-year-old Elizabeth O'Rourke in 2002 at the age of 64 but the couple divorced six years later. Stamp did not have any children. 'I don't do crappy movies, unless I haven't got the rent,' he said.
New York Post
3 hours ago
- New York Post
The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson regretted he wasn't involved with hit song due to ‘weak mental state,' book reveals
John Mason knew that Brian Wilson needed help – but it came at a high price. 'Brian was in a weak mental state,' the entertainment lawyer, who once represented the fragile leader of the Beach Boys, told Fox News Digital. 'Brian often said to me, as sad as it sounds … 'I fried my brain. I took too many drugs.' Brian couldn't get up in the morning without somebody getting him up. He couldn't eat healthily without somebody giving him something healthy to eat.' 'So, the good and bad of Dr. Eugene Landy in Brian's life was that he motivated Brian to become a participant in his own life,' Mason shared. 'But the bad part was that, as time went by and years went by, Dr. Landy expected more and more to replace Brian in the Beach Boys… Brian wasn't allowed to do anything without a Landy handler being with him.' Mason, who has worked with Roy Orbison, Reba McEntire, Shakira and Quincy Jones, among others, has written a new memoir, 'Crazy Lucky.' It explores what it takes to defend the famous during career-defining moments. 8 John Mason, an entertainment lawyer who once represented Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, discussed one if Wilson's regrets and mental state. FOX NEWS 8 Mason has written a new memoir, 'Crazy Lucky,' exploring what it takes to defend the famous during career-defining moments. The Unnamed Press The book delves into Wilson's relationship with Landy, a psychotherapist accused of holding a Svengali-like power over him. Mason said it led to one of the singer/songwriter's biggest regrets. 'Mike [Love] and Carl [Wilson] came into my office and said to Brian, 'Hey, we have the opportunity to write a song for this movie, [1988's] 'Cocktail,'' said Mason. ''It's going to be starring Tom Cruise. It's really great. We'd love you to join us. And Brian was really excited. He said, 'Oh, I'd love to do that.' But later in the evening, Brian called and said, 'I shouldn't do that. Dr. Landy said I shouldn't do that. Well, that turned out to be 'Kokomo,' the biggest hit the Beach Boys had had probably forever. And Brian felt really badly about not working on 'Kokomo.'' 8 'Mike [Love] and Carl [Wilson] came into my office and said to Brian, 'Hey, we have the opportunity to write a song for this movie, [1988's] 'Cocktail'' with Tom Cruise, said Mason, which Wilson turned down. ©Buena Vista Pictures/courtesy E 8 The project 'turned out to be 'Kokomo,' the biggest hit the Beach Boys had had probably forever. And Brian felt really badly about not working on 'Kokomo,'' Mason said. Getty Images 'When he heard it, and when I heard it, we went, 'Oh my gosh, was that a missed opportunity?'' Mason recalled. Mason wrote that Landy refused to let Wilson participate unless he, too, were listed as a writer on the song. However, Carl and Bruce Johnson, along with Love, refused. They went on to write 'Kokomo' without Wilson's input. It was a decision that Wilson deeply regretted over the years. 'Brian is truly a giant teddy bear and genius who regrets bad decisions and lives for better ones,' wrote Mason. According to Mason's book, Wilson's struggles began in 1968, when he quit performing and devoted himself to songwriting instead. While Wilson was determined 'to make the greatest music,' his mental health began to deteriorate. 8 The Beach Boys in 1964. From left to right: Dennis Wilson, Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine and Carl Wilson. Getty Images Mason wrote that Wilson's experiments with drugs, specifically LSD and cocaine, had 'diminished his mental capacity.' He rarely left his bed and, according to reports, would go without brushing his teeth or showering for weeks. 'He eventually became so bizarre that he would sit at the piano in his living room surrounded by actual sand that had been dumped in big piles in a sort of playpen,' Mason wrote. 'He was forsaking his young family — wife Marilyn Rovell, a singer with the group the Honeys, and young kids Carnie and Wendy — for his strange kind of creative peace. Four years passed, and he never left the house. His weight ballooned to 350 pounds from eating entire birthday cakes as a late-night snack.' 8 Brian Wilson and Mike Love of The Beach Boys perform onstage at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images In 1975, a 'devastated' Marilyn brought in Landy, a psychologist known for his unconventional 24-hour treatment of celebrities. Wilson, who reportedly feared being committed to a psychiatric hospital, completely surrendered. Their first session took place in Wilson's bedroom closet, where the artist felt safe, the Los Angeles Times reported. Landy was successful. He padlocked Wilson's fridge, put the star on a diet and shooed away drug-enabling pals, The Telegraph reported. 'Dr. Eugene Landy [helped] Brian overcome his fears of everything,' Mason told Fox News Digital. 'I would call it an agoraphobia. . . . He feared going outside. . . . And he needed outside help.' 8 Mason's book explores the nature of the relationship between Wilson and Dr. Eugene Landy, accused of holding a Svengali-like power over the singer. Mark Sullivan Landy's strict methods worked. But in 1976, Landy was fired over a dispute involving fees, the Los Angeles Times reported. When Wilson was regressing into drugs and obesity, Landy was rehired six years later, the outlet shared. The 24-hour therapy resumed from 1983 to 1986. Landy said he was paid $35,000 a month. And as Wilson began recording and playing live again, Landy was a constant shadow looming over him. Manager Tom Hulett, who knew that Mason was friendly with the Beach Boys, suggested that he could be 'a strong, independent balance.' In 1984, Mason was hired. 'I was asked . . . if I would be Brian's lawyer, and I agreed,' said Mason. 'At that time, Brian was, I think, doing better, but he had a lot of issues. . . . Brian came to my office at least once a week. We started having Beach Boys meetings at my office once a month, and we all insisted that Brian come to those meetings without Landy.' 'Brian was my client. . . . [But] Brian did check in with Landy after our meetings, after our phone calls. Too often I would get a call back from Brian saying, 'I know I said that, but I have to change my mind.'' Mason wrote that Landy was eager to insert himself into every part of Wilson's life. Wilson was controlled by both prescription drugs and the 'Landy handlers' who 'secretly or openly recorded everything Brian and anyone else said' for the doctor. No decision was made without Landy's approval, leaving Mason bewildered and frustrated. 'Ultimately, it led me to say to Brian, 'I can't work with you if Dr. Landy is in a position to change your mind or to second-guess me,'' said Mason. 'And he said, 'I understand that.' But then, Dr. Landy called me and said, 'You told Brian that he can't work with me … so you are fired.' 'That's a shame, but that is the kind of control Dr. Landy had over Brian Wilson,' said Mason. After Mason was fired in 1990, Landy continued to tighten his grip. At one point, he was co-credited as a songwriter on several tracks. Wilson was 'an obsession' to Landy, Mason wrote. 8 Wilson died in June of this year at the age of 82. Getty Images But in 1991, the Wilson family took legal action to appoint an independent conservatorship. The goal was to stop Landy from further influencing Wilson both personally and financially, the Los Angeles Times reported. In 1992, Landy was barred by court order from contacting Wilson. 'The court ordered Landy to disassociate from Brian,' said Mason. 'Ultimately, Landy's license to practice psychotherapy in the state of California was revoked. And Brian's second wife, Melinda, was able to keep Brian motivated to perform.' 'He did a lot of shows,' said Mason. 'He wrote songs, he did a lot of work. His health seemed to be pretty good. I saw Brian a number of times after I wasn't his lawyer, and he looked good. He felt good. He was in a good mental state.' Landy passed away in 2006 at age 71. Wilson died in June of this year. He was 82. In his lifetime, Wilson admitted he didn't entirely regret his association with Landy. Mason doesn't either. 'I have to say that, in Brian's case, I don't think there was a better outcome,' Mason explained. 'Had Landy not become involved, Brian would have become an ineffective vegetable. He was taking too many drugs and couldn't find focus.' 'I don't think that, at that point, back when Landy came in, either Brian's ex-wife Marilyn or his daughters were able to motivate him to be independent. Drugs and alcohol have led to the demise of too many people. Many people we see end up dead from the process.' 'Saving Brian's life probably necessitated a Eugene Landy who could come in and force him to take control of himself,' Mason continued. 'I think they were the best years of his health, but the worst of his years with Dr. Landy.'
Chicago Tribune
3 hours ago
- Chicago Tribune
Terence Stamp, British actor who portrayed General Zod in early Superman films, dies at 87
LONDON — Terence Stamp, the British actor who often played the role of a complex villain, including that of General Zod in the early Superman films, has died. He was 87. His death on Sunday was disclosed in a death notice published online. The London-born Stamp started his film career with 1962's seafaring 'Billy Budd,' for which he earned an Oscar nomination. Stamp's six decades in the business were peppered with highlights, including his touching portrayal of the transsexual Bernadette in 1994's 'The Adventure of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.' Stamp also was widely praised for his lead in director Steven Soderbergh's 1999 crime drama 'The Limey.' But it will be his portrayal of the bearded Zod in 1978's 'Superman' and its sequel 'Superman II' two years later that most people associate with Stamp. As the Kryptonian arch enemy to Christopher Reeve's Man of Steel, Stamp introduced a darker and charming — more human — element to the franchise, one that's been replicated in countless superhero movies ever since. Stamp started out his film career in the early 1960s as part of the 'angry young men' movement that was introducing an element of social realism into British moviemaking. That was perhaps most notable in the 1965 adaptation of John Fowles' creepy debut novel 'The Collector,' where he played the awkward and lonely Freddie Clegg, who kidnapped Samantha Eggar's Miranda Grey in a warped attempt to win her love. It was a performance that would earn the young Stamp, fresh off his Oscar nomination, the best actor award at 1965's Cannes Film Festival. While part of that 1960s British movement, Stamp learned from some of the most seasoned actors from the classical era, including Laurence Olivier. 'I worked with Olivier briefly on my second movie (1962's 'Term of Trial),' Stamp recalled in an interview with the AP in 2013. 'And he said to me, 'You should always study your voice.'' Stamp then segued into a spot-on Olivier impersonation, continuing, ''Because, as you get older, your looks go, but your voice will become empowered.'' Born in London's East End on July 22, 1938, Stamp lived a colorful life, particularly during the 1960s when he had a string of romances, including with actress Julie Christie and model Jean Shrimpton. He married 29-year-old Elizabeth O'Rourke in 2002 at the age of 64 but the couple divorced six years later. Stamp did not have any children. Stamp retained his looks as the years ticked by, his natural handsomeness hardened by a more grizzled look. He generally sought to keep his standards high, but up to a point. 'I don't do crappy movies, unless I haven't got the rent,' he said.
