The Night That Honored The Beatles: A Grammy Salute
On February 9, 2014, CBS aired The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to The Beatles, a tribute celebrating the iconic band’s enduring legacy. The star-studded event featured powerful performances from an array of artists, each paying homage to The Beatles in their own unique way. Stevie Wonder delivered a soulful rendition of We Can Work It Out, Eurythmics brought The Fool on the Hill back to life, Ed Sheeran offered a heartfelt take on In My Life, and Katy Perry left the audience in awe with her emotional performance of Yesterday.
What made the night even more extraordinary was the presence of Beatles legends Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, whose attendance added an even deeper significance to the celebration. The event, originally recorded on January 27, 2014—just a day after the 56th Annual Grammy Awards—took place at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Among the night’s many highlights were spectacular collaborations, such as John Mayer and Keith Urban teaming up for Don’t Let Me Down, Brad Paisley and Pharrell Williams delivering a powerful rendition of Here Comes the Sun, and Jeff Lynne joining Dave Grohl to perform Hey Bulldog.
One of the most touching moments of the evening was when Jeff Lynne, Joe Walsh, and Dhani Harrison (son of the late George Harrison) performed Something. This Beatles classic, written by Harrison for Abbey Road, was originally released as a double A-side single with Come Together, both of which soared to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, holding the No. 1 spot for a week.
Jeff Lynne’s Connection to Abbey Road
Before the performance, Lynne shared a personal reflection on his connection to The Beatles. “They changed my life,” he said, recalling how in 1968, he had the incredible opportunity to watch the band record at Abbey Road Studios. “I couldn’t believe it. I don’t even know how I got in there. I couldn’t sleep for days afterward. They had this incredible aura about them.”
Lynne went on to explain how his early admiration for The Beatles turned into a career-defining moment. “I never imagined that one day I’d work with them, let alone produce them. It’s the greatest thrill of my career.”
The Story Behind Something
Following Come Together on Abbey Road, Something stands as one of George Harrison’s most celebrated compositions. Written for his then-wife Pattie Boyd and influenced by his growing spiritual connection to Krishna consciousness, Something has become one of the most beloved songs in The Beatles’ catalog.
Harrison first recorded a demo of Something on his 26th birthday, February 25, 1969. The opening line of the song was reportedly inspired by James Taylor’s 1968 track Something in the Way She Moves. Initially, Harrison had planned for Apple Records artist Jackie Lomax to record it, but it was Joe Cocker who became the first to release a version, though his rendition wouldn’t hit the airwaves until after Abbey Road was released.
Among the Beatles, John Lennon once admitted that Something was his favorite track from Abbey Road, a testament to its widespread appeal. Reflecting on the song’s success, Harrison humbly said, “The words are nothing, really. There are so many songs like that in my head—I just need to get them down. Some people tell me Something is one of the best things I’ve ever written. Maybe they’re right, maybe they’re wrong. But it’s flattering to hear. I think it’s the nicest melody I’ve ever written.”
This powerful performance and tribute served as a reminder of the incredible influence The Beatles had—and continue to have—on generations of musicians and music lovers worldwide. Let me know if you’d like to make any changes or additions!
