Mike Love Pays Tribute to Brian Wilson at Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction: “I Do Feel His Presence”

Mike Love gave thanks to his late cousin and Seashore Boys bandmate and co-writer Brian Wilson throughout his Songwriters Hall of Fame induction in New York on Thursday evening, telling the group of fellow writers and business insiders that “I do really feel his presence” within the room as he accepted his honor. 

Love’s induction to the Songwriters Hall of Fame got here only a day after Wilson died on Wednesday at age 82, and 25 years after Wilson was inducted into the Hall himself again in 2000. 

“I particularly should thank my cousin Brian Wilson,” Love stated on Thursday. “My first cousin by blood however brother in music, collectively we set the stage for some of essentially the most profitable music collaborations of all time.”

Love was inducted by John Stamos, a famously large Seashore Boys fan who’s collaborated with the band incessantly. In his induction speech, Stamos stated that Love chronicled “the American dream” with the songs he wrote.

“He made the entire world need to be us: sun-kissed, carefree, full of promise,” Stamos stated. “His lyrics have been cinematic. What’s a tune with out a hook? What’s a hook with out a image in your head or a reminiscence in your coronary heart? Mike Love is aware of how to write that tune.:  

Love carried out “California Ladies,” with John Stamos beside him adorned with a sparked gold electrical guitar earlier than going by culture-defining hits “I Get Round,” “Kokomo” and “Good Vibrations.”

Love’s induction and efficiency was only one of a number of main moments in a ceremony that additionally celebrated funk legend George Clinton, The Doobie Brothers’ Michael McDonald, Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons and hitmakers Ashley Gorley, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins and Tony Macaulay as this yr’s inductees. Broadway icon Stephen Schwartz was additionally acknowledged as this yr’s Johnny Mercer Award recipient, whereas rising star Gracie Abrams acquired the Hal David Starlight Award. 

Dwelling Shade kicked off the night to induct Clinton, opening the evening with a rousing rendition of Funkadelic’s “Cosmic Slop, full with shredding guitar solos from Vernon Reid.

Clinton got here to the stage afterward for his speech, strutting to “We Need the Funk” and carrying a cream pinstriped go well with, a bedazzled gold captain’s hat and a Sly and the Household Stone shirt, presumably in homage to his shut good friend Sly Stone, who additionally died this week. 

In his speech, Clinton acknowledged his earlier honors and awards like his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, however stated that “This one hits totally different, this comes from individuals who really know what it means to be a songwriter,” Clinton stated. The 83-year-old caught across the stage, performing a energetic rendition of the Parliament’s “(I Wanna) Testify” afterward. 

Debbie Gibson additionally took the stage to carry out a canopy of the Tony Macaulay-penned traditional “Construct Me Up Butter Cup.” “Tony’s checklist of accolades is the stuff of legend.” Gibson instructed the group. “Wouldn’t the world be a happier place if all of us sang “Construct Me Up Buttercup” and “Love Grows The place My Rosemary Goes?””

Dan+Shay inducted Gorley, taking part in an intensive mashup of a number of of the nation songwriting legend’s hits together with Morgan Wallen’s “Final Night time,” Luke Bryan’s “Play it Once more,” Carrie Underwood’s “All-American Lady” Submit Malone and Wallen’s “I Had Some Assist.”

Gorely’s daughter got here up for her father, giving a speech earlier than she carried out Hint Adkins’ “You’re Gonna Miss This,” which Gorely wrote with Lee Thomas Miller. 

Teddy Riley inducted Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, who recalled his early days as a producer and songwriter, recalling how his father took out $1,200 from his life insurance coverage coverage to purchase his son manufacturing tools. 

“As slightly boy at 5 years outdated, I used to write poetry for my mom, whso would cherish each phrase, each rhyme,” Riley stated. “She didn’t realize it then, however she was nurturing the soul of a songwriter.”

Jerkins additional spoke about how Clive Davis persistently rejected early songs he’d pitch to the legendary government till he lastly introduced him Whitney Houston’s traditional “It’s Not Proper, However It’s OK.”

“Clive turned me down and stated get again to work. The best method to grow to be profitable is to be turned down,” Jerkins stated. “These failures flip to wins, it builds you. I got here again to Clive’s workplace, the following yr and the following yr till I walked into his workplace with “It’s Not Proper, Nevertheless it’s OK,” and Clive instructed me ‘I believe you’ve acquired it, Rodney.’”

In a single of the sweetest (and most spectacular) moments of the night, Jerkins’ 4 youngsters carried out a string-arranged cowl of Brandy and Monica’s “The Boy is Mine” as their father appeared on. 

Musical theater songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul launched Schwartz, whereas Mary Kate Morrisey and Kristin Chenoweth duetted “For Good from Depraved.”

By the latter half of the night, the Nationwide’s Aaron Dessner had launched Gracie Abrams, his good friend and frequent writing companion, as she was offered with the Hal David Starlight Award. 

She’s one of essentially the most gifted lyricists and melodic artists I’ve ever heard,” Dessner stated of Abrams. “Emotional narratives conveyed in her songs are uncompromising, sincere, sung from the guts, and deeply shifting and relatable to her followers. 

Abrams, who quickly after carried out her tune “Free Now,” instructed the group that “the reality is I really like songwriters, and I’ll by no means cease pinching myself that anybody, not to mention the Songwriters Hall of Fame, considers me one.” 

Garth got here out quickly after and instantly opened with “Lengthy Prepare Runnin’” earlier than leaping into “China Grove” to induct the Doobies’ McDonald, Johnston and Simmons. 

“We are able to discuss how nice they have been many years in the past, however belief me, extra persons are listening to the Doobie Brothers right this moment than they ever have,” Brooks stated. “It’s feel-good music, plain Doobies, some of the best songwriting ever.”

The Doobies, for his or her half, performed their hits “Black Water” and “Takin’ It to the Streets” earlier than ending the evening with their final yacht rock traditional “Pay attention to the Music.”

“It’s simply superb to suppose we might be named alongside individuals like Stephen Schwartz on that checklist,” McDonald stated earlier than they performed. “If I may ship a message to all of the writers on this room, I’d say thanks for the inspiration. We’ve discovered from you, we’ve imitated you our complete lives. We’re honored to be amongst you.”