RIP, troubled soul mainly due to drugs but a musical genius.
I’ll never forget being in Wembley for Live Aid and the Beach Boys came on the screens via the feed from the US. Everyone around me was dancing and seemed like the whole stadium was.
Genius is banded about far too often. Brian certainly comes into that category, such great music an absolute icon, who I was lucky to see many, many times.
Certainly was a major musical force in the 60's, one of the few pop music writers/ producers I liked. So many of those songs will be around while music is listened to.
I'm not going to lie and say I was a massive fan of the beach boys mainly because they were way before my time however once you have discovered all the angry bands and exciting new stuff your musical palate changes a bit and you organically discover older stuff. I always think of that chapter from high fidelity when I'm discussing this, no sticky little fingers there is no green day, and you get led to the back catalogue of a band you had no idea existed. I'd heard the hits same as everyone of the beach boys but it was absently listening to desert Island discs when I was cutting the grass cant remember who it was but the way they spoke about how they heard the songs and what they really meant I found myself typing Brian Wilson and beach boys into limewire (for those of you who are between the vintages this was pre-napster/apple music/spotify and post-internet. A real dose of chlamydia for your laptop as well) and sloop John B became one of my favourites as well as God only knows
The songs and harmonies of the Beach Boys were the stuff of legends. And Brian was their biggest legend. Another from my childhood gone but certainly not forgotten,
Surfs Up…….one of my favourite albums. The production was phenomenal, mostly because of the genius of Brian Wilson and the countless days spent in his search for perfection. RIP…..Brian…..RIP.
Glastonbury Cathedral, the gig they put on mostly for locals to make up for the inconvenience of the festival. He was quite unwell and was supplemented by a younger singer for the high notes. Still undeniably a genius and was amazed he was still alive then after the massive drug consumption that he had in portions of his life.
The rivalry between the Beach Boys and the Beatles that contributed to the writing and production of Pet Sounds produced some of the most innovative pop of its time and has i influenced generations. A genius of his craft.
Truly sad news, even if not unexpected since he had been fading away for a long time. I met him a couple of times and he was totally charming. He was much bigger physically than I expected but he was a gentle giant. His delight at being told that his show had been wonderful - and it really had been - was innocent and child-like. "It was really good, wasn't it?" he said, "I had such a good time." I loved all the surf songs but, of course, his masterpiece was Pet Sounds -Imperishable genius. Thanks for so much beauty and pleasure, Brian.
Never a big fan of The Beach boys but when i hear the name Brian Wilson it reminds me of this brilliant song by the Canadian group The Barenaked Ladies.
Comments
I’ll never forget being in Wembley for Live Aid and the Beach Boys came on the screens via the feed from the US. Everyone around me was dancing and seemed like the whole stadium was.
RIP
Rest in peace Brian Wilson, genuine legend
RIP Brian Wilson
RIP
The production was phenomenal, mostly because of the genius of Brian Wilson and the countless days spent in his search for perfection.
RIP…..Brian…..RIP.
RIP Brian, thank you for your genius.
ALthough never a huge fan, you couldn't help but appreciate the production, the writing and, of course, the harmonies of The Beach Boys.
RIP
Driving up PCH, sun shining, listening to the Beach Boys will be a sound I always associate with the happiest family times.
The rivalry between the Beach Boys and the Beatles that contributed to the writing and production of Pet Sounds produced some of the most innovative pop of its time and has i influenced generations. A genius of his craft.
Never a big fan of The Beach boys but when i hear the name Brian Wilson it reminds me of this brilliant song by the Canadian group The Barenaked Ladies.
RIP Brian...
For a period of time in 66 and 67, the one person able to challenge The Beatles, as he and they pushed each other to greatness.