Overview
- At the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony in Los Angeles, John delivered an emotional rendition of the Beach Boys classic.
- He recounted first meeting Wilson in 1970 with Bernie Taupin and Danny Hutton, describing being "scared" to meet his idol.
- John noted years of friendship and collaboration, including singing on each other's records and benefit appearances.
- The performance featured Kenny Aronoff on percussion, Don Was on bass, and Benmont Tench on piano.
- The telecast also mounted a Sly Stone tribute with Stevie Wonder, Flea, Questlove, Leon Thomas III, Jennifer Hudson, Beck, and Maxwell, and its In Memoriam honored Wilson alongside Ozzy Osbourne, Roy Ayers, and Marianne Faithfull.