February 24, 2014
Beach Boy Mike Love Receives Ella Award at Star-Studded Gala
Mike Love, lead singer and co-founder of The Beach Boys, was honored at the 21st Ella Awards on Thursday in Beverly Hills.
The annual gala, which benefits the Society of Singers, was hosted by actor and longtime honorary member of The Beach Boys family, John Stamos.
The "Full House" star brought warmth, humor and heart to the event, saying of his longtime friend, "Mike Love gave the world a musical postcard of America... the girls and the cars didn't hurt either."
The night was filled with one-of-a-kind performances from The Beach Boys (featuring Al Jardine, David Marks and Bruce Johnston), Bill Medley, Dean Torrence, Micky Dolenz, Christopher Cross and America.
Rita Wilson also performed a heartfelt rendition of "Warmth of the Sun" with The Beach Boys, while husband Tom Hanks sang along in the audience. In a playful and flirtatious tribute, Lucy Lawless performed "Wouldn't It Be Nice," for the first time ever. Then, David Lee Roth and Mike Love took the stage in a duet to belt out "California Girls."
The most moving moment came when the children of every Beach Boys member gathered onstage to watch Love's son Brian present his father with the Ella award.
Other honorees included Emmy-winning producer Nigel Lythgoe who received the Leadership Award, and backup singers, The Waters Family (Oren, Maxine, Luther and Julia Waters) who received The Voice Award.
Previous winners of the Ella include Celine Dion, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. For more info, go to singers.org.
