Guest DJ Project – Best of 2013

We decided to dedicate our year-end episode to the artists that topped our Guest DJ’s lists this year.

They are all asked to pick FIVE songs that have inspired them throughout their lives and — even with thousands of options — a handful of artists come up again and again.

In 2013, it was The Beatles, David Bowie, Talking Heads, The Who, Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix.

Comedy legend Martin Short kicks things off with a story about the most-picked artist in the history of the show, The Beatles,and used one of my favorite phrases to describe music I heard all year, calling “Ticket to Ride” “precociously groovy.”

Fashion icon Simon Doonan, who made a name for himself with his outrageous window displays for Barneys, has experienced many fashion phases over the years and music has always played a big part in it. He takes us back to the days of glam, with a story about UK in the 70’s revolving around David Bowie’s “Sound and Vision”.

If there is anything I’ve learned producing this show, it’s that architects love Phillip Glass and the Talking Heads. Acclaimed architect Julie Eizenbergexplains why in her choice of “Psycho Killer”.

Like many of us, David Cross was an awkward teenager who used music to get by. His story about The Who resonates in a way a lot of us can relate to!

It’s an exciting time for Director David O Russell, with the success of “Silver Linings Playbook” and “American Hustle“. He uses Led Zeppelin as an example to demonstrate that critics don’t always know best.

Last but certainly not least, Val Kilmer was my favorite Guest DJ Project set this year. He’s the sort of guy who can diss Dylan and get away with it. He’s a fantastic storyteller and he also sums up the impact of music perfectly in his selection of Jimi Hendrix.

Best of 2013 – Guest DJ Project

Comedy legend Martin Short: The Beatles – “Ticket to Ride”

Fashion icon Simon Doonan: David Bowie – “Sound and Vision”

Architect Julie Eizenberg: Talking Heads – “Psycho Killer”

Comedian David Cross: The Who – “5:15”

Director David O Russell: Led Zeppelin – “What Is and What Should Never Be”

Actor Val Kilmer: The Jimi Hendrix Experience – “Manic Depression”

RR