Pete Townshend, John Mellencamp Lead Star-Studded Pre-Grammy Classic Songs Event
On January 31, 2023, a remarkable pre-Grammy celebration took place in Beverly Hills, California. Hosted by Primary Wave Music Publishing, the event commemorated the company’s 20th anniversary. The luxurious Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills served as the venue for this star-studded gathering.
Pete Townshend and John Mellencamp Shine
The evening featured an impressive lineup of musicians, including The Who’s Pete Townshend and rock legend John Mellencamp. Townshend performed a six-song set filled with classics from The Who, such as:
- Pinball Wizard
- Behind Blue Eyes
- I’m One
- Magic Bus
- Won’t Get Fooled Again
- Let My Love Open The Door
Accompanying him were touring bassist Jon Button, longtime instrument tech Brian Kehew on keyboards, and drummer Jeremy Stacey. Townshend shared a clip of his performance of “Magic Bus” on his official Facebook page.
Mellencamp delighted attendees with a brief performance that included his hits “Jack & Diane,” “Pink Houses,” and “Hurt So Good.” Videos of the crowd singing along to “Jack & Diane” quickly surfaced on Mellencamp’s social media.
Def Leppard’s Acoustic Set
Joe Elliott and Phil Collen of Def Leppard added to the excitement with a three-song acoustic set. Their performance included popular hits:
- Hysteria
- Two Steps Behind
- Pour Some Sugar On Me
Fans captured moments from their set, particularly a video of “Two Steps Behind” shared on Instagram.
Other Notable Performances
In addition to the main acts, the event showcased performances from Trombone Shorty, CeeLo Green, and Leo Sayer among others. Trombone Shorty brought an exhilarating surprise as his band marched through the crowd during their performance, transitioning from the stage to the blue carpet.
Leo Sayer shared a clip of his 1976 hit “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing” on Facebook. CeeLo Green also took part as one of the evening’s DJs, alongside hip-hop icon Grandmaster Flash.
Celebrities in Attendance
The pre-Grammy party attracted numerous notable attendees, including:
- Mark Mothersbaugh (Devo)
- Sharon Osbourne
- Danny Elfman
- Faith Evans
- Eric Benét
For those eager to witness the excitement of the night, photos from the event can be explored on the Primary Wave Music Instagram page.
