Al Green Rocks YouTube Theater
They made quite a pair — Al Green and the YouTube Theater at Hollywood Park. The legendary soul singer brought his timeless voice to one of Southern California’s most elegant and stylish venues, filling the night with love, nostalgia, and pure soul.
By Earl Heath | Contributing Writer
They made quite a pair — Al Green and the YouTube Theater at Hollywood Park. The legendary soul singer brought his timeless voice to one of Southern California’s most elegant and stylish venues, filling the night with love, nostalgia, and pure soul.
Before the concert began, Green was honored by the City of Inglewood. Councilwoman Dionne Faulk presented a proclamation recognizing his remarkable artistry and the concert’s cultural impact on the community. The honor celebrated Green’s enduring influence, his unifying message, and his decades of musical excellence.
Moments later, the Reverend Al Green took the stage in a silk green jacket, ready to remind fans why he remains one of the greatest voices in soul music history. From the first notes of “I’m Still in Love with You” to classics like “Let’s Stay Together” and “Tired of Being Alone,” the crowd sang along to every lyric.
As he moved gracefully across the stage, Green tossed red roses into the audience — a signature gesture that delighted fans, especially the many women who reached out for a bloom.
“It was just a wonderful show,” said Mary Floyd of Long Beach, smiling ear to ear. “His music brought back so many memories.”
A Soul Legend Still Shining
Over his career, Green has won 11 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award, and earned induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. His catalog of hits — including “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart,” “Funny How Time Slips Away,” “God Bless You,” and “For the Good Times” — continues to define the sound of classic soul.
Green’s rendition of “For the Good Times,” written by Kris Kristofferson, was a standout moment of the night. While Kristofferson’s version leaned country, Green’s tender, soulful interpretation turned the tune into a crossover masterpiece and a lasting piece of 1970s R&B history.
Recognized as one of Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time (No. 65, 2008) and ranked No. 10 on its 2023 list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time, Green’s impact on music remains profound.
In a past interview with The New Yorker, Green shared, “I listened to Mahalia Jackson and all the great gospel singers. But the most important music to me was those hip-shakin’ boys — Wilson Pickett and Elvis Presley. When I was 13, I just loved Elvis. Whatever he got, I went out and bought.”
Born April 13, 1946, in Forrest City, Arkansas, Green was the sixth of ten children of Cora Lee and Robert G. Greene Sr., a sharecropper. He later moved to Memphis, where his gospel and soul roots took hold.
Still Making Music — and Magic
Even in recent years, Green continues to surprise and inspire. In 2023, he released a moving cover of Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day,” which The New York Times described as “a sumptuous reimagining of Lou Reed’s 1972 classic.” A year later, he delivered a stirring version of R.E.M.’s “Everybody Hurts,” with Stereogum noting that “he gives the song new emotional shades and textures.”
On this night in Inglewood, both the man and the moment were unforgettable. Al Green and YouTube Theater were, indeed, a perfect match — sending “Love and Happiness” through every corner of the building.
