Norah Jones, Heart’s Ann Wilson, Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne, Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino, She & Him’s M. Ward, the Killers’ Brandon Flowers, Boz Scaggs and Devendra Banhart are among a cross-generational musical cast lined up to salute the music of Beach Boys creative leader Brian Wilson on March 30 in Hollywood.
Wilson is the latest honoree of the ongoing Best Fest series of musical tributes to key figures of the rock era; previous editions of the shows saluted Bob Dylan, George Harrison and Tom Petty.
“Brian Fest: A Night to Celebrate the Music of Brian Wilson” benefits Sweet Relief, the organization that assists musicians in need.
Others confirmed for the show at the Fonda Theatre include Beach Boys founding member Al Jardine and the Beach Boys/Mamas and the Papas’ offspring in Wilson Phillips, Karen Elson, Joy Williams, Capital Cities’ Sebu Simonian and Wilson himself.
Wilson’s latest solo album, “No Pier Pressure,” is slated for release April 7 and features appearances by Best Fest participants Jardine, Ward, Simonian as well as former Beach Boys David Marks and Blondie Chaplin, Fun. singer-songwriter Nate Ruess and Kacey Musgraves.
Wilson will then embark on a national tour that includes a stop on his 73rd birthday at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. June 5 brings the theatrical release of “Love and Mercy,” director Bill Pohlad’s film of Wilson’s life story starring John Cusack, Paul Dano, Elizabeth Banks and Paul Giamatti.
Ticket information is available at the event’s web site: www.theBestFest.com. [LA Times]
