Watercooler Pick
A Grammy Salute to the Beach Boys
- Special
- Where to Find It: CBS and Paramount+
- Rating: TV-PG
- Release Date: April 9th, 2023
- Runtime: 1 hour
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A special tribute to one of the most influential bands of the past half century, The Beach Boys, with performances by the artists and musicians who have helped define the current generation of music, from Charlie Puth to John Legend, Brandi Carlile to Norah Jones, Weezer, and several others.
In addition to the surviving Beach Boys, who watched the tribute from the balcony, and the names above, look for Andy Grammer, Hanson, Lady A, Beck, LeAnn Rimes, Little Big Town, Fall Out Boy, St. Vincent, Mumford & Sons, My Morning Jacket, Pentatonix, and Take 6 performing in the celebration. Tom Hanks also jumps in to pay tribute.
As a member of Gen-Z, I must confess that although I had great admiration for the Beach Boys, I was not overly familiar with the depth of their music. Then I was lucky enough to walk into Hollywood’s Dolby Theater on February 8th for the taping of the Grammy’s Tribute to the band. The love and excitement in that room was palpable.
Seeing so many artists I know and admire honor them, I’m grateful now to have had the opportunity to be close to this music and see first hand how it affects so many people so deeply. Fans from all walks of the music industry had been invited by the Recording Academy or bought tickets for this TV taping to celebrate the iconic catalogue of music written by brothers of the same mother and brothers of choice.
A few highlights from the three hour show (which will be cut back for the CBS/Paramount+ special): Norah Jones sang “Warmth of the Sun,” Charlie Puth took on “Wouldn’t it be Nice,” and Foster the People did their version of “I’ve Been Thinking.”
Also: Weezer’s “California Girls,” Little Big Town’s “Help Me Rhonda,” and John Legend’s masterful sing along of “Sail On Sail On.”
The concert closed with Legend and Brandi Carlile doing a duet of what I believe to be one of the best songs ever written — “God Only Knows.” The crowd clearly agreed, as everyone stood as one, singing every word with the two powerhouse artists.
Over the course of the evening, the crowd went from pods of people coming from disparate lives to a collective moving and singing together, feeling each word the Beach Boys wrote, culminating with the warmth of the finale.
The Beach Boys were harbingers of love and joy for so many in their commercial peak of the Sixties. And that love and joy and connectedness is what we need right now.
As the great Brian Wilson knew, we could never have enough Good Vibrations.
- Moods: find me fun, give me hope, inspire me
- Interests: classic, music, star power
Sage Bava
