At 16, Violet Grohl shared the stage with her dad Dave Grohl and producer Greg Kurstin for a cover of “At Seventeen” for the fourth night of Hanukkah Sessions. The Janis Ian cover follows takes on songs by 10cc, P!nk, and Blood, Sweat & Tears assisted by Inara George, P!nk, and Judd Apatow, respectively.
Many were already familiar with Violet Grohl for her captivating performances at the two Taylor Hawkins tribute concerts in London and L.A. back in September. She brought the same emotional intensity to “At Seventeen”, perched on a stool with an acoustic guitar as she articulated the alienation of adolescence. Kurstin spun the song in a jazzy direction on the grand piano before Dave appropriately comforted his daughter after what was surely a wrenching performance to watch from the drum kit.
“Born Janis Eddy Fink, a 23-year-old Janis Ian wrote one of the all time classic coming of age anthems ‘At Seventeen’—here it is as interpreted by Violet Grohl,” the video’s description reads.
All of this year’s Hanukkah Sessions were recorded live on December 5th at L.A.’s intimate Largo. The benefit concert for the Anti-Defamation League also witnessed appearances from Yeah Yeah Yeahs‘ Karen O, Beck, Tenacious D, and more. These mark the first Hanukkah Sessions recorded before a live audience since the Foo Fighters frontman and his producer began the tradition back in 2020.
Watch Dave and Violet Grohl cover “At Seventeen” with Greg Kurstin for the fourth night of Hanukkah Sessions. Stay tuned to the Foo Fighters YouTube channel for the next four nights.
Dave Grohl, Violet Grohl, Greg Kurstin – “At Seventeen” (Janis Ian) – 12/5/22