For those of us who were in the audience for both his Pet Sounds comeback tour and then for this Smile tour, I can assure you there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Seeing Brian on stage as the maestro he is was such a triumph of the human spirit and then he unleashes musical masterpiece after masterpiece. His band of outstanding musicians did him proud. And I had the chance to meet Brian thanks to his guitarist Jeff Foskett who saw me and my husband near the front two nights in a row and invited us back. Still one of the highlights of my life. Brian is indeed one of the great artists and geniuses of the 20th century and overcame so much tragedy to make it back to the stage. A real gift to humanity.
How exciting for you and your husband to be invited backstage by Jeffrey Foskett! You must elaborate on what transpired. I’m certain it was amazing. I did see “Pet Sounds” Brian Wilson Band in Chicago and St. Louis.
I've seen The Beach Boys three times in my life, and never with Brian there. I've never heard Brian live or met him, but I'm sure glad you did. I was seven in 1962 and The Beach Boys blew my mind, even then. Respects.
Smile was, for my long lifetime, the most famous unfinished album in history. To oversimplify, Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys was in a artistic competition with the Beatles to continually up the creativity of each album. It was a duel, and for bizarre reasons, Brian had a nervous breakdown trying to finish this album. More than thirty years later, he was able to take up the project again, complete the album, and produce the concert you saw a clip from. They made a terrific movie about the whole situation, called "Love & Mercy". If this has interested you, Google around and learn more about the Smile project. It's fascinating.
Brian Wilson was indeed a musical genius and was regarded as such by his contemporaries. Check out the documentary movie "Echo in the Canyon" from 2018 for more background. "Love and Mercy" is about Brian Wilson and captures his life experience well. Brian Wilson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by none other than Sir Paul McCartney, which tells you all you need to know about how highly Brian was regarded.
There is a movie called Love and Mercy that is the story of Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys. It's amazing that they came out with all their great music considering all the bad unhappy things they went through in their lives. Especially Brian.
The more you look into the history of this man and in particular this album, Salvo, the more watching him perform it live will make you... Smile! It's an incredible story. Check out the movie Love And Mercy as well as the making-of doc about the creation of this album.
It's hard to overestimate the musical leap the rivalry between The Beach Boys and The Beatles had on popular music. They both admired each other's music and when one put out an album, the other tried to take it further. In his memoir, Brian Wilson said that the Beatles' album Rubber Soul was probably the greatest record ever. And Paul McCartney said the Beach Boys' song, God Only Knows, is his favorite song of all time. Beach Boys songs to check out: Good Vibrations, God Only Knows, Feel Flows and the absolutely stunning Surf's Up. Great stuff!
To put this in perspective, Paul McCartney has immense respect for Brian, and was influenced by him. Of course, the Beach Boys were influenced by the Beatles as well.
You need to listen to the entire BRIAN WILSON PRESENTS SMILE from 2004. Brian is the most amazing American musician in the past 60 years. He is in a class by himself.
Brian Wilson was an absolute genius musically. He fried his brain probably pretty literally with all the hullucinogens he did. You must see Love and Mercy. The songs from Smile were never what they could have been, but Brian's 'finished' version is the one that should be heard. God Only Knows lead vocal was Carl Wilson, Brian's brother (Dennis Wilson was the drummer and their brother too). I Can Hear Music is another with Carl on lead vocals. Brian was a genius, but they were all brilliant. There was a period of time when Brian just quit having anything to do with anything - a long period - and that's why Smile took decades to complete. Brian had a breakdown, and someone took over his life for him. You have to see the movie and you need to hear more of their music. Hint: Stay away from Beach Boys music led by Mike Love. Stick with the music with Brian if possible. Good Vibrations was very ahead of its time in a lot of ways. That and God Only Knows were probably their two most loved songs overall. Oh! I need to start suggesting Pet Sounds for an album listen when it's time to suggest again. One of the most lauded albums ever. They were inspired by the Beatles and vice versa.
Excellent performance! I’ve always loved The Beach Boys… I was around when they came out. Brian is sooooo talented! I never actually saw this performance but I’m glad I did! Thanks to you and to the person who requested it!
Watch that documentary Love and Mercy as others here have suggested. You need the background to appreciate his tortured genius. This particular performance for me was a Master doing a Masterclass. Brian suffered mental illness and for him to perform on stage at this level at this point in time to me, is just mind blowing. So happy to have seen it here!
Carmen Dragon was the conductor of the (among others) the Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra. I was talking to him during a rehearsal break (this was in 1968 or 69) and he asked me who my favorite rock group was... and I replied "The Beach Boys". His face lit up. He told me, "It so happens that the Wilsons are my next door neighbors. Brian is always over asking to borrow books on theory, harmony, orchestration. He went through my entire library. My son is going on tour with the Beach Boys this summer. He'll be playing keyboards." Turns out his son was Darryl Dragon aka "The Captain", as in "The Captain and Tennille". Tony Tennille was also on that tour playing keys, and was "the one and only Beach Girl."
Your story is fascinating. I never knew Darryl Dragon (and father Carmen) lived next door to the Wilsons. Wow - that is amazing. So interesting to learn these personal stories that lead to great information. Thank you for sharing this great story!
Glad to see this song getting some love. It’s been one of my favorite Beach Boys songs since I first heard it back in 1986 on the compilation album, Made In The U.S.A. The version on that album is a condensed version that was released in 1967 on the album Smiley Smile. This performance is of what the song might have been on the Smile album, which you now know was never released. The Smile album that exists now is a recreation by Brian Wilson, since the original recordings were destroyed, allegedly.
The album ths came from is "Smile!", an album that was literally DECADES in the making. And it's a must-listen full album experience, IMO. Both the LP and video versions are terrific
"Smile" was conceived by Brian as a concept album about the American experience from the pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock to sunny California in the mid sixties.
Yes, that clip stopped so abruptly because this song segues into the next one 😉 I now feel like watching the rest of that concert, too! 😄 Which by the way is fantastic like this all the way through 😊 And the stories around the 'Smile' album have always fascinated me, while also making me have a lot of compassion for Mr Wilson; He truly deserves his triumph through releasing 'Smile' eventually, a whole 37 years later! There's also a great documentary on YT that goes with the album, called 'Beautiful Dreamer', which I absolutely recommend 😊👍
Beach Boys are American Canon. Started out singing about surfing and cars. When the Beatles came on the scene, Brian realized they needed to grow musically to stay relevant. Start out with Good Vibrations. Most expensive single ever made at its time, used a Theremin…the first progenitor of the synthesizer.
This is the first time I listened to this version, The Beach Boys did ralease this song as a single I believe and I would recommend listening to the original version. Also, I don't know if you have already, but you need to at least check out the entire Pet Sounds album by the Beach Boys. It is regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time and you won't get an argument from me on that.
You gotta see the whole thing, man. It's a masterpiece. Been a Beach Boys fan since the age of 13, and the classic were good enough, but the deep stuff like this really kept me as a serious fan. Around when this was released, i bought both SMiLE and Alarm Will Sound's Acoustica - an orchestral scoring of various Aphex Twin tracks. I played both of these amazing albums continuously - both similarliy abstract and complex, both mind-blowing. REALLY made me rethink music!
The original "Heroes And Villains" is my favorite Beach Boys song. This was my first time hearing this version of it but I still prefer the 1967 version.
This was interesting to see a reaction to a first time listening to “Heroes & Villains.” In the 1970s, I recall hearing this on the radio. I loved it. That H & V song sung by The Beach Boys, would also be a great to hear. In my mind, that’s the original version. 👍
The sheer amount of fan compilations trying to figure out how Smile was supposed to flow just using the existing unfinished work is astounding. Also, imagine if this was actually released in the late 60s. I keep editing, lol - the guy with the blue shirt on guitar to Brian’s left is the closest to what he sounded like in the 60s.
Did you say you never listened to the Beach Boys yet? Thats sacril;igous . Probaly along with the eagles the best band the US ever had so many it. Their the American Beatles .May I suggest you try Good Vibrations
Saw Brian Wilson do his new Smile Album entirely and his crew in 2004 in Ann Arbor [19 years ago]. his band and extra musicians is superior to the Mike Love version of the Beach Boys. Heroes and Villains was released n a shorter version back in the day but this is the originally intended long version.
The original version of this with Brian (and the Beach Boys) 60 's voices is better - ua-cam.com/video/ptxwWt2JeGQ/v-deo.htmlsi=0LU9g66BVWqmqmWV - This didn't get a official release in this form till 2011 (so after the performance you listened too) and a partially recorded version was released on Smiley Smile in 1967.
I’m really sorry, BUT your complete lack of any recognition ir knowledge of what has to be one of THE GREATEST GROUPS OF THE 20th CENTURY, and THE GENIUS of Brian Wilson ASTOUNDS ME. If you were a young boy, even a Teenager, I could perhaps give you a pass, but you are a GROWN MAN. That you DONT KNOW of The Beach Boys AND of one of their greatest Songs, GOID VIBRATIONS, beggars belief. I think you must have spent your life somewhere in Space, as I’m sure anyone in every corner of The GLOBE will know of THE BEACH BOYS!! You came up in my Feed. I wont be Subscribing. LOVE & MERCY BRIAN.
For those of us who were in the audience for both his Pet Sounds comeback tour and then for this Smile tour, I can assure you there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Seeing Brian on stage as the maestro he is was such a triumph of the human spirit and then he unleashes musical masterpiece after masterpiece. His band of outstanding musicians did him proud. And I had the chance to meet Brian thanks to his guitarist Jeff Foskett who saw me and my husband near the front two nights in a row and invited us back. Still one of the highlights of my life. Brian is indeed one of the great artists and geniuses of the 20th century and overcame so much tragedy to make it back to the stage. A real gift to humanity.
How exciting for you and your husband to be invited backstage by Jeffrey Foskett! You must elaborate on what transpired. I’m certain it was amazing. I did see “Pet Sounds” Brian Wilson Band in Chicago and St. Louis.
I've seen The Beach Boys three times in my life, and never with Brian there. I've never heard Brian live or met him, but I'm sure glad you did. I was seven in 1962 and The Beach Boys blew my mind, even then. Respects.
Smile was, for my long lifetime, the most famous unfinished album in history. To oversimplify, Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys was in a artistic competition with the Beatles to continually up the creativity of each album. It was a duel, and for bizarre reasons, Brian had a nervous breakdown trying to finish this album. More than thirty years later, he was able to take up the project again, complete the album, and produce the concert you saw a clip from. They made a terrific movie about the whole situation, called "Love & Mercy". If this has interested you, Google around and learn more about the Smile project. It's fascinating.
Brian Wilson was indeed a musical genius and was regarded as such by his contemporaries. Check out the documentary movie "Echo in the Canyon" from 2018 for more background. "Love and Mercy" is about Brian Wilson and captures his life experience well. Brian Wilson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by none other than Sir Paul McCartney, which tells you all you need to know about how highly Brian was regarded.
There is a movie called Love and Mercy that is the story of Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys. It's amazing that they came out with all their great music considering all the bad unhappy things they went through in their lives. Especially Brian.
The more you look into the history of this man and in particular this album, Salvo, the more watching him perform it live will make you... Smile! It's an incredible story. Check out the movie Love And Mercy as well as the making-of doc about the creation of this album.
It's hard to overestimate the musical leap the rivalry between The Beach Boys and The Beatles had on popular music. They both admired each other's music and when one put out an album, the other tried to take it further. In his memoir, Brian Wilson said that the Beatles' album Rubber Soul was probably the greatest record ever. And Paul McCartney said the Beach Boys' song, God Only Knows, is his favorite song of all time. Beach Boys songs to check out: Good Vibrations, God Only Knows, Feel Flows and the absolutely stunning Surf's Up. Great stuff!
Brian Wilson is a musical genius. One of a kind.
To put this in perspective, Paul McCartney has immense respect for Brian, and was influenced by him. Of course, the Beach Boys were influenced by the Beatles as well.
You need to listen to the entire BRIAN WILSON PRESENTS SMILE from 2004. Brian is the most amazing American musician in the past 60 years. He is in a class by himself.
Brian Wilson was an absolute genius musically. He fried his brain probably pretty literally with all the hullucinogens he did. You must see Love and Mercy. The songs from Smile were never what they could have been, but Brian's 'finished' version is the one that should be heard.
God Only Knows lead vocal was Carl Wilson, Brian's brother (Dennis Wilson was the drummer and their brother too). I Can Hear Music is another with Carl on lead vocals. Brian was a genius, but they were all brilliant.
There was a period of time when Brian just quit having anything to do with anything - a long period - and that's why Smile took decades to complete. Brian had a breakdown, and someone took over his life for him. You have to see the movie and you need to hear more of their music.
Hint: Stay away from Beach Boys music led by Mike Love. Stick with the music with Brian if possible. Good Vibrations was very ahead of its time in a lot of ways. That and God Only Knows were probably their two most loved songs overall.
Oh! I need to start suggesting Pet Sounds for an album listen when it's time to suggest again. One of the most lauded albums ever. They were inspired by the Beatles and vice versa.
Excellent performance! I’ve always loved The Beach Boys… I was around when they came out. Brian is sooooo talented! I never actually saw this performance but I’m glad I did! Thanks to you and to the person who requested it!
Watch that documentary Love and Mercy as others here have suggested. You need the background to appreciate his tortured genius. This particular performance for me was a Master doing a Masterclass. Brian suffered mental illness and for him to perform on stage at this level at this point in time to me, is just mind blowing. So happy to have seen it here!
I would also highly recommend “Beautiful Dreamer, the Story of Smile”.
Brian Wilson used to have a voice that would melt an angel, so beautiful
Check out the Beach Boys album Pet Sounds, one of Brian Wilson's masterpieces.
Brian Wilson is the king of harmonies
Carmen Dragon was the conductor of the (among others) the Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra. I was talking to him during a rehearsal break (this was in 1968 or 69) and he asked me who my favorite rock group was... and I replied "The Beach Boys". His face lit up. He told me, "It so happens that the Wilsons are my next door neighbors. Brian is always over asking to borrow books on theory, harmony, orchestration. He went through my entire library. My son is going on tour with the Beach Boys this summer. He'll be playing keyboards." Turns out his son was Darryl Dragon aka "The Captain", as in "The Captain and Tennille". Tony Tennille was also on that tour playing keys, and was "the one and only Beach Girl."
Your story is fascinating. I never knew Darryl Dragon (and father Carmen) lived next door to the Wilsons. Wow - that is amazing. So interesting to learn these personal stories that lead to great information. Thank you for sharing this great story!
Pentatonix did H&V at The Beach Boys tribute...they SLAYED!!
Yes, yes! PTX performance as a tribute is excellent!
Glad to see this song getting some love. It’s been one of my favorite Beach Boys songs since I first heard it back in 1986 on the compilation album, Made In The U.S.A. The version on that album is a condensed version that was released in 1967 on the album Smiley Smile. This performance is of what the song might have been on the Smile album, which you now know was never released. The Smile album that exists now is a recreation by Brian Wilson, since the original recordings were destroyed, allegedly.
The album ths came from is "Smile!", an album that was literally DECADES in the making. And it's a must-listen full album experience, IMO. Both the LP and video versions are terrific
"Smile" was conceived by Brian as a concept album about the American experience from the pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock to sunny California in the mid sixties.
Yes, that clip stopped so abruptly because this song segues into the next one 😉 I now feel like watching the rest of that concert, too! 😄 Which by the way is fantastic like this all the way through 😊
And the stories around the 'Smile' album have always fascinated me, while also making me have a lot of compassion for Mr Wilson; He truly deserves his triumph through releasing 'Smile' eventually, a whole 37 years later!
There's also a great documentary on YT that goes with the album, called 'Beautiful Dreamer', which I absolutely recommend
😊👍
Heros and Villains has evolved over the years from how it was presented on the Pet Sounds album. This was a much more complex, developed performance.
Beach Boys are American Canon. Started out singing about surfing and cars. When the Beatles came on the scene, Brian realized they needed to grow musically to stay relevant. Start out with Good Vibrations. Most expensive single ever made at its time, used a Theremin…the first progenitor of the synthesizer.
Definitely "Good Vibrations".
The great Jeff Foskett....
Brian Wilson might just be the best person to ever exist.
This is the first time I listened to this version, The Beach Boys did ralease this song as a single I believe and I would recommend listening to the original version. Also, I don't know if you have already, but you need to at least check out the entire Pet Sounds album by the Beach Boys. It is regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time and you won't get an argument from me on that.
You gotta see the whole thing, man. It's a masterpiece. Been a Beach Boys fan since the age of 13, and the classic were good enough, but the deep stuff like this really kept me as a serious fan. Around when this was released, i bought both SMiLE and Alarm Will Sound's Acoustica - an orchestral scoring of various Aphex Twin tracks. I played both of these amazing albums continuously - both similarliy abstract and complex, both mind-blowing. REALLY made me rethink music!
heroes and villains was on other records and radio back in the day; we have it at home
A fantastic re-work of a fantastic song!
The original "Heroes And Villains" is my favorite Beach Boys song. This was my first time hearing this version of it but I still prefer the 1967 version.
It's hard to do a reaction video of something that leaves anyone listening to it carefully speechless haha Glad the VIP recommended this masterpiece
Masterpiece!!
This was interesting to see a reaction to a first time listening to “Heroes & Villains.” In the 1970s, I recall hearing this on the radio. I loved it. That H & V song sung by The Beach Boys, would also be a great to hear. In my mind, that’s the original version. 👍
I just love GOD ONLY KNOWS. So good, so dreamy. It was used as the theme song for Big Love
I love your reactions to brian wilson x
He’s such a gifted writer.
and producer and arranger, yes he was a musical genius.
What a totally hot band can do. Listen to the whole album.
Would love to see your reaction to the movie "Love & Mercy" about Brian! And maybe your reaction to some of their songs from Pet Sounds xoxo
Yes, you should listen to Pet Sounds. Some of it sounds like the Beatles. It is really good.
The sheer amount of fan compilations trying to figure out how Smile was supposed to flow just using the existing unfinished work is astounding. Also, imagine if this was actually released in the late 60s. I keep editing, lol - the guy with the blue shirt on guitar to Brian’s left is the closest to what he sounded like in the 60s.
Yes were hugely influenced by the B Boys. Especially in terms of harmonies and overlapping lyrics and you can hear that here ❤
Did you say you never listened to the Beach Boys yet? Thats sacril;igous . Probaly along with the eagles the best band the US ever had so many it. Their the American Beatles .May I suggest you try Good Vibrations
Jimi Hendrix refers to H&V as psychedelic barbershop.
You haven't heard the Beach Boys!!??
Please do his solo masterpiece “Rio Grande” ❤❤
Saw Brian Wilson do his new Smile Album entirely and his crew in 2004 in Ann Arbor [19 years ago]. his band and extra musicians is superior to the Mike Love version of the Beach Boys. Heroes and Villains was released n a shorter version back in the day but this is the originally intended long version.
🙂
Please treat yourself to the whole of the Smile sessions.
Shame on Mike Love for stealing the “Beach Boys “ name!!! It was Brian Wilson’s band!!!
The original version of this with Brian (and the Beach Boys) 60 's voices is better - ua-cam.com/video/ptxwWt2JeGQ/v-deo.htmlsi=0LU9g66BVWqmqmWV - This didn't get a official release in this form till 2011 (so after the performance you listened too) and a partially recorded version was released on Smiley Smile in 1967.
I’m really sorry, BUT your complete lack of any recognition ir knowledge of what has to be one of THE GREATEST GROUPS OF THE 20th CENTURY, and THE GENIUS of Brian Wilson ASTOUNDS ME.
If you were a young boy, even a Teenager, I could perhaps give you a pass, but you are a GROWN MAN.
That you DONT KNOW of The Beach Boys AND of one of their greatest Songs, GOID VIBRATIONS, beggars belief. I think you must have spent your life somewhere in Space, as I’m sure anyone in every corner of The GLOBE will know of THE BEACH BOYS!!
You came up in my Feed. I wont be Subscribing.
LOVE & MERCY BRIAN.
The opening bit of the song is caled Our Prayer.