Brian Wilson Has Died

When people ask me who I think were the most influential of American musicians they are often shocked that my choices are THE BEACH BOYS and THE VELVET UNDERGROUND.

Mr. Wilson by John Cale of The Velvet Underground

I believe you Mr. Wilson
I believe you anyway
And I'm always thinking of you
When I hear your music play

[Chorus]
And you know it's true
That Wales is not like California in any way
And when I listen to your music
You're still thousands of miles away

[Verse 2]
Take your mixes not your mixture
Add some music to our day
Don't believe the things they tell you
Don't let them get in your way

[Chorus]
And you know it's true
That Wales is not like California in any way
And when I hear your music
You're still thousands of miles away

[Bridge]
Whisper, whisper
Got a monkey on my back
Whisper, whisper
Tell your tale, scratch my back

[Chorus]
And you know it's true
That Wales is not like California in any way
And everytime I hear your music
You're still thousands of miles away

[Outro]
California wine tastes fine
California wine tastes fine
California wine tastes fine
California wine tastes fine
California wine tastes fine
California wine tastes fine

To understand Brian you begin with his father Murray. Murray slapped Brian so hard he lost hearing in his ear. When as a child he asked to go to the bathroom during dinner, his father made him take a crap in front of the family. At the dinner table.

At the height of their fame (but not their creative peak) the Beach Boys did this storming concert:

There would be no Sgt. Pepper without PET SOUNDS

This documentary tells (using modern day interviews and archival footage and sound tapes) the story of how in 1967, while his band The Beach Boys triumphantly toured abroad, Brian Wilson was trying to push the boundaries of conventional pop music with a new follow-up to the Beach Boys' cutting-edge mega-hit, Pet Sounds. The new album was to be called "SMiLE". SMiLE pushed the envelope both musically and lyrically, and was supposed to out-do the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper record. But Brian wasn't able to sell the project to his band-mates when they returned. The project was shelved and Wilson's well-documented decline into depression, drug abuse, recluseness, and obesity had begun. Thirty-odd years later, Wilson announced that in 2004, SMiLE would be performed live in its entirety in London. This film tells the story of a damaged but healing artist bringing his greatest work to light.

Here he plays SMILE live:

Endless Harmony: The Beach Boys Story

“Brian Wilson was my friend and my brother in songwriting. We shared a similar sensibility, as evidenced by his 4 over 5 chord under ‘Aaaah!’ in ‘Good Vibrations’ and mine under ‘I’m Into Something Good.’ We once discussed who used it first, and in the end we decided it didn’t matter. The world will miss Brian, but we are so lucky to have his music.” — Carole King

“The maestro has passed — the man was a open heart with two legs — with an ear that heard the angels. Quite literally. Love and Mercy for you and yours tonight. RIP Brian.” — John Cusack

“Rest in Peace!” — Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards on Instagram.

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“Oh no Brian Wilson and Sly Stone in one week - my world is in mourning. so sad.” — Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood on X.

“Anyone with a musical bone in their body must be grateful for Brian Wilson’s genius magical touch !! And greatly saddened of this major worldly loss!! My thoughts go out to his family and friends.” — Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood on X.

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“Anyone who really knows me knows how heart broken I am about Brian Wilson passing. Not many people influenced me as much as he did. I feel very lucky that I was able to meet him and spend some time with him. He was always very kind and generous. He was our American Mozart. A one of a kind genius from another world.” — Sean Ono Lennon on X.

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“SO very sad to hear that our dear friend, inspiration and mentor for decades has passed away. Rest In Peace BRIAN WILSON...with love, Dewey & Gerry” — Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley, the only remaining founding members of the band America on Instagram.

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“His cherished music will live forever as he travels through the Universe and beyond. God bless you, sweet Brian. One of the biggest thrills of my life was singing “California Girls” with Brian.” — Nancy Sinatra on Instagram.

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“To me, Brian Wilson was not merely about surf music, rather a true musical genius toiling away at melding POP into startling sophistication. He will he be missed mightily. xx jc” — John Cale, Velvet Underground musician and producer, on X.

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“Brian Wilson was a musical and spiritual giant. His melodies shaped generations, & his soul resonated in every note. I was fortunate to know him; we all were blessed by his genius. Rest peacefully, Brian.” — Micky Dolenz of The Monkees on X.

Behind the paywall: ENDLESS SUMMER

Documentary filmmaker Bruce Brown, himself a competition-level surfer, follows surfers Michael Hynson and Robert August on an around-the-world surfing adventure. With Brown's wry, sardonic narration and a twangy, guitar-driven instrumental soundtrack by The Sandals playing over the silent footage, Mike and Rob leave their California home to visit Hawaii, Australia, South Africa and other secluded surfing spots in a search for the surfer's holy grail that Brown dubs "The Perfect Wave."