Classic Pop Icons

Brian Wilson, Elvis Costello, Bill Medley, and Steven Van Zandt were among the stars who gathered in New York to pay tribute to Darlene Love at the fifth annual Right to Rock benefit on Thursday night.

The benefit, which took place at Cipriani Wall Street®, raised $850,000 for Little Kids Rock, a non-profit organisation that supports the teaching of music in public schools.

Darlene Love was presented with the “Big Man of the Year” award for her commitment to keeping music in the classroom.

The event opened with remarks from Jake Clemons, whose late uncle, Clarence Clemons of the E Steet Band, was the inspiration for the “Big Man of the Year” award. Last year’s recipient of the award and fellow E Street Band member, Steven Van Zandt, is an honorary board member of Little Kids Rock and was the musical director of this year’s show.

After performances from student musicians from Jersey City, Brian Wilson performed “California Girls,” supported by Van Zandt on guitar, and was then joined by Darlene Love on “God Only Knows” and “Don’t Worry Baby”. Elvis Costello then received a rousing reception for “Not too Young to Get Married”.

Darlene Love performed a popular duet with Bill Medley on “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling,” before closing the show alongside many of the evening’s performers with a rendition of her classic “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).”

Right to Rock benefit – Highlights

During the evening, Little Kids Rock founder, Dave Wish, announced a $4.5 million initiative to bring music education to 60,000 kids in 600 schools in New York City.

Darlene Love recently featured in the well received documentary “20 Feet From Stardom,” which examines the role of the backing singer in popular music.