Music Notes: Brian Wilson Tribute

July 3, 2001 -- Latino sensation Ricky Martin has one thing in common with Paul Simon and Elton John — they're all singing their admiration for Beach Boy Brian Wilson.

The taped all-star event is an alternative to the Fourth of July fireworks as it airs on TNT Wednesday night.

The performers, including Carly Simon and The Go-Go's , interpreted Wilson and the Beach Boys songs in what was a memorable evening for the songwriter.

"[It's] probably one of the biggest moments of my entire life, going on stage with all that," Wilson said after the New York concert in March. "All those artists — unbelievable experience."

And those artists, like John, have a lot to say about Wilson. "I have never been influenced so much as a songwriter by anybody as much as Brian Wilson," said John, who performs "Wouldn't It Be Nice."

"I owe Brian, we all do," said David Crosby. "Everybody in American pop music owes him. He was the first, and one of the best."

But the hitmaker is rather humble about his achievements.

"I am not a genius, a genius is something like Albert Einstein," said Wilson. "I'm not really a genius, I'm just a good music maker."

Tori: The New Slim Shady?

Tori Amos is tackling some rather masculine subject matter for her next album.

The singer, who has achieved a devoted fan base with her intenseley personal and sexual themes, is recording songs originally performed by male artists. "[I've] always found it fascinating how men say things and how women hear them," said Amos.

The album, Strange Little Girls, is due out in September with her renditions of Depeche Mode's "Enjoy the Silence," Neil Young's "Heart of Gold," the Beatles tune "Happiness Is a Gun," and Eminem's violent rap "97 Bonnie & Clyde."

"When I first heard the song, the scariest thing to me was the realization that people are getting into the music and grooving along to a song about a man who is butchering his wife. So half the world is dancing to this, oblivious, with blood on their sneakers," said Amos.

"But when you talk about killing your wife, you don't get to control whom she becomes friends with after she's dead. She had to have a voice."

Amos is also showing some softer words from men and says some of the songs offer thoughts that "heal."

Moreover

Michael Jackson's tribute shows are officially set for Sept. 7 and 10 in New York. The lengthy list of performers includes a Jackson 5 reunion, and singers Whitney Houston, Diana Ross, 'N Sync, Shaggy and Missy Elliott. … And a Porsche belonging to Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails is up for auction on eBay. The silver sportscar is said to go from zero to 60 in 4.9 seconds.

ABCNEWS Radio and ABCNEWS.com's Buck Wolf and Nancy Chandross contributed to this report.