Brian’s wife said that Landy was actually WORSE in real life than he was in the film. I can’t imagine how traumatized Brian musta been. I feel bad for him. I’m glad his wife saved him and Brian is at peace as an old man now
You may be right. There is no question his current wife has enabled a version of Brian that can be placed on a stage and generate revenue. There is another perspective worth a second or so and that is that Brian has been at the mercy of manipulators all his life. I do not place Audrey, Carl, Dennis, Mariyn or VanDyke among those who abused Brian. However, too often, many of the people surrounding recognized his talent only to the extent of how they could profit.
@@bobh28630 I concur. Obviously, I have no ill will for Melinda, but I’m also not dim. Brian doesn’t like or want to perform. He hasn’t wanted to in decades. I love Brian like family, so of course I selfishly want to see him out there, but I feel like, in some ways, Melinda is just a softer, sweeter version of Brian’s previous abusers. I don’t know. It’s just something I feel.
@@iamcasihart I guess performing and being active is part of his recovery. He cannot stay home and do nothing because he may relapse or something, I don't know.
@Greg Elchert He may have mixed feelings about him. It's very difficult to get over abusers because they normally show you a good side in the beginning. Landy helped Brian but abuse is abuse.
It's crazy and kinda ironic how Brian, at one point in time, probably seemed like the one Wilson brother most likely to pass away soonest, but he ended up outliving both his brothers (Dennis' drowning and Carl's battle with lung cancer due to his smoking habit) and is still alive and kicking today. That shit's heavy. Love and Mercy's a really great movie. Paul Dano fucking nailed it with his performance of '60s Brian.
Almost Shawn I see. I didn’t know Carl had lung cancer. Either way, sad to have lost him so soon. His angelic voice is sorely missed, that’s for sure. And I can only imagine how deeply his death affected Brian.
For those who are just delving into the Beach Boys and Brian Wilson, congratulations, you've got a LOT of fantastic, awesome music to discover! Thanks for the video!
This is literally me right now! I can say that I've never been nearly as interested in a band and their history BEFORE even listening to their music, as I am now with the beach boys.
I just saw Brian Wilson, and his band in Cincinnati and I have opened up a new chapter of my childhood. It was a fantastic concert. When I saw a few videos on You Tube about his life, I told myself I have to see this man in person before anything happens to him. Sure enough I saw he was coming and I took a bus from Cleveland, stayed overnight and had such a good experience, I wrote all the way on the bus about my own childhood, my father experiences (who was like Brians dad) and just understanding the genius he has/had and what I am wasting. What a role model for me to keep on keepin on.. i totally get where hes coming from. Thank you for this. Made me cry
I worked with Brian for a night on that ‘88 album. He recorded at least one track at Studio 55 in Hollywood, (Richard Perry’s studio). That night I was an assistant. There were only three of us in the studio for that long session; myself, Brian and the engineer (forgot who that was). I talked with Brian throughout the night. What I remember most was Brian needing to go to the private phone room in order to have long conversations with Landy. Brain was a sweet guy. Easy to talk to. I was really young at that time but he talked to me like an equal which I appreciated. I was there to support him and by treating me fairly it made my job (which I enjoyed), so much easier. Thanks Brian!
I don't even believe in god, but when I need the strength of something greater than myself, I listen to pet sounds, SMiLE, and Love You, among others in the catalog.
@@merricat3025 Brian is the least egotistical person you could ever meet, self- deprecating to a fault. His wide-eyed view of love and music has always been about creating as much beauty as possible, to sing to God, meaning he wanted to write songs people would hear/feel as a prayer to God, not to Brian himself. He merely said what many composers (himself among them as it turned out) have done since the dawn of music -- write beauty that connects people with their spirit, with the love and beauty and life around them... and with God. It's actually a quote I always found endearing, sweet, childlike and therefore perfectly Brian.
@@merricat3025 extremely egotistical. Brian was a legend in his own mind. Beach Boys are a very overrated band. I believe in Dennis hadn't gotten involved with Charles Manson, Sharon Tate, Jay Sebring, Steve Parent, Abigail Folger and the others would be alive today. He may have chosen other victims, but Sharon's son would be 51 right now.
Man his life story is really inspiring, his story shows you can be in a shitty place for years and still find a way to get out of it. Thank you for this video and thank you Brian Wilson for inspiring millions.
Me too! It’s weird how all this music from the 50’s-70’s gets WAY more interesting when you learn about the human stories behind the familiar voices and melodies. Totally changes the whole experience and almost makes it brand new again.
Same here. I first started listening to them in June. I learned so much about Brian Wilson and al jardine Carl Wilson and Dennis Wilson. It has been an amazing journey. Brian Wilson is a genius
Brian didnt loose his mind, he lost his way. As I said, life is hard for gentle souls, many dangers like drugs, alchohol etc. He sure found the way back :), I met Brian a few years ago, and he is great and a gentle soul, just like Dennis and Carl who where great :) Keep on going Brian!!!! your the best.
Well said. Brian said "I lost my way"- in perhaps his last great song - "Till I Die". It's great to see Brian is back out touring again in 2020 - as he heads towards his 78th Birthday on 20 June 2020. He did indeed come back from the near dead. I've seen him play 3 times in Sydney, Australia - and met him at the Wentworth Sofitel Hotel in the Sydney CBD on the 31 March 2016 - when he last played at the Sydney Opera House. Speaking with him, he appeared to be damaged - but be aware he also play-acts at appearing this way - when he feels like doing it. I suspect he does this play-acting as a coping mechanism. If you had been as famous as he has been for 55+ years and also had so much attention focused on you for this long - you may also have developed coping strategies to handle it. Yes, he's a gentle soul - thrown into the challenging Music and Pop Star business - not a good mix for him. "I lost myself in the balance of darkness that stretched beyond the breaking waves to the other side of the earth. The ocean was so incredibly vast, the universe was so large, and suddenly I saw myself in proportion to that........ The next day I began writing " 'Til I Die ", perhaps the most personal song I ever wrote for The Beach Boys... In doing so, I wanted to re-create the swell of emotions that I'd felt at the beach the previous night." - Brian Wilson Enjoy this touching BW song: ua-cam.com/video/46IQu0yuJzU/v-deo.html
Piglet6256 the three of them ( Brian, Carl and Dennis ) gave so much love to each other’s than share that love with the world. RIP CARL AND DENNIS AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU BRIAN 😘❤️✝️
To say ‘I lost my way’ ; think about that. Taking responsibility, yes. But assuming self awareness to say so. A rational self assessment...We all want to be positive and agree, right? But no hits, no genius.
Piglet6256 Well, while the pressures of trying to single-handedly match or beat the Beatles at the time were undoubtedly off the charts (pardon the pun), Brian suffered from Murray's physical and verbal abuse his entire childhood. After his azzhole dad sold the rights to Brian's life-work, that was (I believe) the straw - he snapped! I am happy to see that he made it through, even though he'll always carry the scars of his past...
@@Diggers5 I've never met him, but would love to see him before he eventually retires from touring. I've read different things from people who say that they've met him at concerts, and some people say that he can appear off, aloof, and won't even really look anyone in the eye. Then I read things from people who say he was friendly, animated and very talkative. I think he has his days just like we all do.
It really sucks that I never got completed. It could’ve been the best album ever made. But whoever pieced it together for the smile sessions, I applaud them for painting a big part of the unfinished canvas that SMiLE was. One day, I hope somebody gets all of those tapes and archives them for us to hear.
@@eratic0311 There is a compilation of the original tapes available Brian used to say they were all destroyed in a fire I like the re-done version...given the advantage of today's technology The creativeness shines thru Highly recommended : the DVD "BEAUTIFUL DREAMER"
It's fantastic to see a fellow Beach Boys video essayist! I myself have made 2 on the topic. One on the 1970s and one on the 1980s! Some real underrated periods!
12 hours ago i barely knew anything about the beach boys and Brian Wilson. It started with a marc maron podcast with Bob Forrest. They brought up pet sounds. I listed to the whole album. Then i watched Love & Mercy. Then i read their entire wikipedia page. Then i watched 2 documentaries on them. This is the third. Amazing story. Brian Wilson is such a sensitive soul. He is amazing. I wonder how things would of been if Mike Love never entered the picture...
I get choked up listening to all of the things that Brian has been through. He's gone through a life of physical abuse, drug abuse, severe mental decline, the loss of both his little brothers. After all he's been through I genuinely hope from the bottom of my heart that he is happy and enjoys the rest of his time with us in peace. I can never thank Brian enough for the music he brought us all, Pet Sounds in particular. That album got me through some of the darkest times. Thank you Brian, Sincerely. I know he'll never read that but I just had to say it.
It is so weird to me that the Beach Boys albums of the late 60s and early 70s never reached the top of the charts. Sunflower, Surfs Up, Holland, Friends, 20/20 and Wild Honey were all great albums! The beatles achieved success when experimenting, the beach boys didn't. In my mind the beatles and the beach boys are equally great
I agree, but I would make the point that with the Beatles the core song writers was always Lennon and McCartney (and to a lesser degree George Harrison), just as in the case of the Rolling Stones there was Jagger and Richards. I therefore have had the feeling for a long time that it was unfortunate that Brian Wilson didn't have another "half" (permanently throughout the sixties). I know Mike Love was a major Lyricist earlier on and Tony Asher was a Lyricist on "Pet Sounds" but I had the feeling Brian was up against it.
Music had gone in a different direction during the 70s. Brian was best when he did his own thing. Sunflower didn't sell well? Fuckit, it's a masterpiece. An album not selling well is rarely reflective of its artistic merit.
@@rafaelsantosx Don't forget it was us British who raved about Pet Sounds when it wasn't doing so well in the States. When Brian tours the UK, it's always a sell out. Holland and Surf's Up are absolute masterpieces.
I love that man even though I have never met him. His genius is the inspiration that has led me to make music through which I can express myself. It’s not about how many people hear it to me. It’s just the beauty in the art of creation that I cherish and he has given me that. Thank you Brian!
Brian really didn’t lose his voice. He intentionally changed his lead vocal style in an effort to sound more mature. Brian wanted to sing/sound like Frank Sinatra. Al Jardine has gone as far as saying Brian often faked his voice being shot in order to avoid having to sing lead. But if you listen to those late 70’s beach boys albums you can hear Brian’s pure falsetto clear as day in the harmonies. It wasn’t until the over medication by Landy in the 80’s was his voice seriously damaged causing him to slur.
Or this isnt the real Brian. The real Brian commited suicide after his father's death in 72, according to some. Nobody would fuck their voice like that on purpose. He messsed up but iove him anyway.
Great job, Jeff. I consider myself a Brian Wilson authority (I've been studying his life for decades) and I learned some things here. For example, I knew that Brian really dug Randy Newman's "Sail Away" but I have never heard it backed up w footage of Brian essentially doing a Newman impression vocally and stylistically. Only one thing. "Good Vibrations" was the first Beach Boys SINGLE to sell a million copies.
What often goes unsaid is that even if the other Beach Boys didn't like or understand Smile, they still sang on all those tracks, Mike Love still sang "over and over the crow cries uncover the cornfield" (and quite beautifully too), and ultimately it was Brian who shut the project down.
Exactly. The band came home from the England tour in November, and the project wasn’t shut down till May, a full 5 months later (by Brian, not by the band or the label). They may have grumbled but they all sang their parts and worked their hardest to make the album
Fantastic video essay. This covered more ground in 31 minutes than most other's attempts. Please go into the "love/hate" relationship between Mike Love and Brian Wilson.
Discovered this video as a lifelong fan of the Beach Boys who is currently in the midst of a very deep dive to see and hear virtually everything (music, interviews and editorials) that's available online. While I've seen & heard some the clips presented here before (but there's plenty of new to me stuff, thanks!), just wanted to say I appreciate someone taking the time & serious effort to put together a timeline of some of the "lesser known" stuff from Brian Wilson. I use quotes around "lesser known" because while a lot of the material is tremendous, it's true that for the most part, it wasn't given the attention it deserves and the general public isn't familiar with it. Kudos for doing the work, this was a great piece.
Criminally underrated even among beach boys fans. I’ve introduced it to a lot of people who love and own multiple BB albums but have never even heard of Love You
I saw him live in concert 35 years ago. He mesmerized me then, just as he did when I was 13. Listening to all his songs. Blew me away. My crush of Brian was inevitable. I was (and am) in awe of him. To be able to write, produce, sing -- all of what he did stole my little girl heart. I couldn't believe he did all that. Today I still love him, but now it's a respectful, warm glow. His songs will last forever in my heart. Rock on, Brian.
Thanks dear for your love and support ❣️ all your kind wishes and encouragement you have brought me this far I really do appreciate am on my way to thank does whose love and support has helped me... Kindly message me via Hangouts endeavor with your name so I can know it's you course I don't answer unnecessarily Messages Hangouts mail brainwilson1942@gmail.com
(Repost from the first upload) I feel like if The Beach Boys were willing to follow Brian’s lead they would’ve ended up becoming artists like Lou Reed, Radiohead, or like Janelle Monae. Acts that don’t necessarily have chart topping platinum hits, but are hugely respected within the industry, immensely influential to other artists, and still somewhat in the public conscious just not superstars. Instead they desperately kept trying and failing to recapture their early success for three decades by constantly cashing in on trends they really didn’t get. By the time they finally got that success in 89’ with the schlocky Kokomo they were at best a relic of Boomer nostalgia and at worst a joke of a group that’s only relevance is in cruise ship buffet lines. The other members were talented individuals who had beautiful sparks of creativity and musical ingenuity. But they lacked that artistic drive to push themselves outside of their comfort zones and take the kinds of risks that people would’ve appreciated from them. And instead of supporting the fact that Brain was the one who had that creative hunger, they and the industry squashed it out of him because they thought they had a formula that could always work. The Beach Boys will forever be known as the the greatest “what if” in popular music history because in hindsight it’s so easy to see where the crossroads were. I’ve loved them from their surfin days all the way to the early 80’s. I honestly believe that along with Dylan they have the longest period of consistent quality work amongst their 60’s contemporaries. But even with all that in mind, I’d still prefer to see what would have been if they went in the other direction.
When it comes to brilliance and artistic vision, I really think Dennis could be ranked next to Brian by the time he died. It's a shame it happened to him so young, his solo stuff was already great.
There's no denying Kokomo was safe and a little corny but it's the one song in the later period of the Beach Boys that stands out. Brian even told Mike Love that he thought it was great despite their rivalry and Carl has some of his best vocals he ever did in that song. It's not my favorite but it's the only Beach Boys song post 1960's that I really care enough to listen to anymore.
I think they are exactly like those other artists you mentioned. That’s why we are all here. Brian’s later stuff is to the point of occult classic, and I for one, am happy it turned out the way it did.
I'm glad that you brought up the "music that could have been." What alot of people don't realize is that Brian was convinced that people didn't want to hear his music, so almost all of the music Brian made after the SMiLE sessions was not necessarily the music he could have made. Its fascinating.
You really did a great job with this. I’ve been obsessed with the bedroom tapes and Brian’s “lost years” for a while and I’m really glad this popped up in my recommendations! Actually going to see him and Al in NJ tonight! Thanks again!
Dear Jeffrey, I want to say from the bottom of my surf heart: Thank you. This way everything it should be. Great video to one of my heroes. Subbed. Peace.
I wonder how Carl felt when the interviewer asked if they were writing any more songs and he said yes and then the interviewer left him and went straight over to Brian lol
Im 65 and African American and in the 60s preferred motown and the british invasion music primarily The Beatles. I liked The Beach Boys but could not relate to surfer music. Fast foward to about 1995 and Im in the public library where I saw a cassette of Pet Sounds and decided to borrow it. For years I kept reading in the rock press what a great work this was and how Brian Wilson was this musical genius. Low and behold the music totally blew me away it was so fantastic. Every song! The guy that made that record who was so in charge, who knew EXACTLY what every instrument would play in his orchestra, who wrote all the vocal harmony and was on top of everything is simply not the same guy we have seen in the last 30 years. Its nice to see his concerts today when he performs Pet Sounds as a solo artist, but he seems like a prop to sell tickets and his musical director basically puts everything together and the band and backround singers seem to do all the work as Brian sits behind the electric piano which he hardly plays and sings. His voice is ok but nothing like it was in 1967 or 66 or 65. Its sort of sad yet bittersweet for one who was once soooo gifted musically.
Having listened to The Smile Sessions recently, it blows my mind what a fully formed, fleshed out album would have sounded like. I mean, the half finished songs are just mind blowing in themselves
Omg.. I love Brian so much as a musician and a human being. I'm so glad I am alive and existing in the same time he is. Hes inspired me as a musician and I thank him. This video made me smile and cry ,, very emotional. He will stay in my heart. Love and Mercy Brian
Wow, I have thoroughly reassessed my perception of this era of Brian's life. Thank you for introducing me to all of this incredible work. Just amazing.
By the way "Little Child (Daddy Dear)" is not a Brian original. I believe it's an old folk song that was most famously sung by Danny Kaye. Robert Wyatt also does a nice version of it. I'd never heard this demo from Brian, but I can see why it would have appealed to his child-like sensibility.
Fantastic video. I appreciate your dive into Brian’s unreleased music. But there is also so much good stuff that actually saw release in the 70s, such as “This Whole World” and “All I Wanna Do” from Sunflower (1970), “Til I Die” and “A Day In the Life of a Tree” from Surf’s Up (1971), “Marcella” from Carl and the Passions (1972), “Sail On Sailor” from Holland (1973) and “It’s OK” from 15 Big Ones (1976)
His story is one of the saddest in rock history, similar to how Lou Reed’s progressed. But his creativity is so inspiring. I hope he knows just how many lives he’s saved, and how many hearts he’s warmed.
Jesus, I ADORE “Surfs Up.” Heartbreakingly beautiful. When Brian is ON & plugged in, he makes THE MOST STUNNINGLY gorgeous music that’s ever graced my ears.
Who else here, like myself, have watched these Brian Wilson multiple times on this channel? Really fantastic stuff. Well done! And please, more Beach Boys videos. Thank you.
Thank you so much for this, I was not aware of Brian's output through his lost years ~ he went through so many travails and personal pain. Will be great to listen to his recorded legacy as a solo artist, he and his cohorts the beach boys have enriched my life so much! : )))))))))
This may be one of my favourite videos on the entire internet, and is the reason I got into the beach boys so much. I cannot thank you enough for making it.
This is a beautiful, soulful and thoughtful documentary. It’s made me want to explore more of Brian’s music. I’m currently reading his autobiography “I am Brian Wilson “....heartbreaking but also inspirational how he has overcome (or more accurately) continues to challenge and overcome his “demons “. We love you Brian Wilson! What a beautiful soul....💖
Quick correction, Carl and Dennis from all accounts really liked the SMiLE material (especially Dennis, who is on record saying that SMiLE is better than Pet Sonds)
@@fci1 It didn't help but it wasn't the only factor. Brian was starting to have his mental health issues and the band was in a very public battle with Captiol Records over royalties. And on top of that, Carl was dealing with objecting being drafted for Vietnam. Simply put, there was a lot of stress going on within the band and it was a combination of things that ended up ending the SMiLE sessions.
Thank you so much! My two musical heroes were born three days apart in June of 1942. I was fortunate to see the premiere of Smile at the Disney Concert Hall and the experience was transcendent. Smile's release surpassed the cobbled versions that I'd listened to and studied for years. The innocence, complexity and innovation of Brian's compositions make me cry tears of joy...
This is beautifully done. Thank you so much! His harmonies never fail to move me and I appreciate anew how he never truly lost that gift, no matter what happened to him!
Great Video Again, the saddest story in Pop Music, though we got him back (kinda). Nobody comes close to Brian Wilson, he truly is our Rock and Roll Mozart
Great video on some of the lesser known years in Brian’s musical career. Props for mentioning and playing Rio Grande, one of my favorite solo album songs.
Mental illness has robbed the world of so much beauty. So many people fail to reach their true potential, dealing with depression and schizophrenia. It's sad that this range of illnesses isn't treated with the same concern as purely organic illnesses. You have to wonder how much different the world would be, if actually took it seriously. In Brian's case, his innate genius continued to shine through, and that makes me Smile.
McCartney went to visit Brian and he played him the unfinished tapes, on the plane home Paul and Mel came up with the name 'Sgt peppers lonely hearts club band' the rest is history, Smile is genius and if it had been released who knows
Thanks for this! Brian Wilson’s music & story has always been something I return to, since I was a little kid...especially during heavy times. I attempt singing along most times I hear it. This vid is a good one!!
Thank you for this moving, uplifting documentary. I have tears in my eyes for Brian, as he seems like a gentle, flawed, brilliant guy. I'm not an adoring fan, but respect his amazing contributions to music. But what's most important is his humanity. Who among us couldn't have made better decisions at times? Which of us can say we've completely lived up to our God-given potential? Certainly not I. But we have to keep trying.
I was always the biggest Brian Wilson/beach boys nerd I knew but this video introduced me to the completely dark period of Brians music that I never really looked into. thanks for this, Brian is my biggest inspiration for music and creativity and it makes me so happy to know he continued to make the beautiful music he always has while he was being shunned out of The Beach Boys. I had the absolute pleasure to see him live on his Pet Sounds 50th anniversary tour in 2016, he seemed so happy in front of the crowd (although I think the audience standing made him anxious, he kept telling everyone to sit down haha:) ) and I was brought to tears a few times. I hope Brian can continue to live out his life peacefully knowing that he has changed so many lives for the better. thank you for this video!
I knew Brian was “odd” , thinking his youth with a drunkard father was the origin , but he walks the line of genius and gave us some of the best mood music on the planet. In my youth on patrol on a beach ,as a lifesaver in Australia , we had the Beach Boys blaring over the speakers until we we told to stop. Now as an older muso I still love the genius of Brian and I thankyou for really bringing me up to Speed on what happened to The Beach Boys and Brian. it was luck that Brian survived in many ways while his brothers did not . Brian was the brain but Carl was the soul, and Mike was the flag man and Al the face and all rounder. Up with the classics of the Beatles I say, we are all better for the music of the Wilson family , the Beach Boys.🇦🇺
Thanks for the video. I was around in the beginning of The Beach Boys and it was nice to see the reality of what the brilliant man behind the band had to go through to be such a success. It’s heartbreaking for us to see how badly he was abused but a definite eye opener. I hope many more people discover The Beach Boys.
Very enjoyable video. It’s crazy to think how fast they were made to produce albums back then. No one keeps up at that pace now. I also seems the rest of The Beach Boys felt this pressure to stay on top in mainstream music and not just enjoying the music they were making.
A genius even though he had his own personal issues he still managed and stayed around for those around him. And as a fan in general I miss Carl and Dennis ..... 😥
Harlow Jade Mermaid - Pacific Ocean Blues was released on time, and actually outsold the group’s album from the same year - MIU I think. Bambu, the intended follow-up, was mostly done, and then Dennis went back into self-destruct mode and never quite got out of it.
Busy Doin' Nothin' was a great song on Brian's way to checking out. Till I Die was achingly close to being a brilliant foreshadow. Much of the rest of the story is painful and there's no way around it.
Love this video. Favorite part is when Brian was being interviewed and he said "I like food" and Carl starts cracking up not because he was laughing at him but he was laughing that his brother's sense of humor was finally returning. Imo the best Brian song/vocal will ever be: 'please let me wonder'......
Hello mate - excellent video and well put together. Thank you very much. Saw Brian play at The Barbican in London a few years ago, with my Dad. I go to lots of gigs but this was the only one my wife called me to see if I enjoyed it. She knew that it was my Dad that introduced me to the Beach Boys (who we saw at Wembley Arena in 1988). I can't remember the last time I cried so much , with happiness. One of the best gigs of my life, thanks again.
🤩This is really put together soo well, I'm glad that someone that admires & appreciates Brian's genius did a little doc BC you can learn something new instead of the same old Brians 'drug induced', Landy control, + 'mental illness' facts. I recently discovered Dennis' lost album 'Pacific Ocean Blues' and it really blew my mind. Unbelievable, every song sounds more different than the next. You should do a video on Dennis now, I would love to see that. Another sad bittersweet story. 😪 I'm in my 30s, but have always listened to older music, music way before my time. I believe The Beach Boys didn't receive the gratitude they really deserved, mainly BC of the Beatles & the British Invasion.😎 Its a shame for Brian, but he really is making a comeback. I'm glad he now realizes how loved him & his music really is to us all. I consider it a gift, really. Total musical genius, way ahead of his time.🎤🎹🎵
That's from the Leonard Bernstein 1966 CBS Special "Inside Pop - The Rock Revolution". People don't realize that in '66, Brian was "it" from his peers and in the creative community. The special was originally supposed to be about his creative new bounds and the making of Smile, but as things got a little crazy they changed it and made it about the big changes happening throughout rock and society. Leonard Bernstein - "There is a new song, too complex to get all of first time around. It could come only out of the ferment that characterizes today's pop music scene. Brian Wilson, leader of the famous Beach Boys, and one of today's most important musicians, sings his own 'Surf's Up.' Poetic, beautiful even in its obscurity, 'Surf's Up' is one aspect of new things happening in pop music today. As such, it is a symbol of the change many of these young musicians see in our future."
@ms8596...actually bernstein didn't say that. That quote was spoken over brian's solo performance of "surf's up" by the special's producer, david oppenheim.
Thank you. This shows how the creativity never went away. And what a beautiful renaissance Brian had! At 5:30 it says how the others were opposed to the new direction Smile brought. I've read that they held a vote, with the 3 Wilsons voting for the new music and the others sticking with the old identity. It might have been much better to split the band up into the Beach Boys and maybe the Wilson Band. I'm imagining how a better time for all the Wilsons might have followed.
This was a great Brian Wilson (and Beach Boys) documentary; pity it wasn't a lot longer and included more details of all the songs covered with regard to their respective albums.
Brian’s wife said that Landy was actually WORSE in real life than he was in the film. I can’t imagine how traumatized Brian musta been. I feel bad for him. I’m glad his wife saved him and Brian is at peace as an old man now
You may be right. There is no question his current wife has enabled a version of Brian that can be placed on a stage and generate revenue. There is another perspective worth a second or so and that is that Brian has been at the mercy of manipulators all his life.
I do not place Audrey, Carl, Dennis, Mariyn or VanDyke among those who abused Brian. However, too often, many of the people surrounding recognized his talent only to the extent of how they could profit.
@@bobh28630 I concur. Obviously, I have no ill will for Melinda, but I’m also not dim. Brian doesn’t like or want to perform. He hasn’t wanted to in decades. I love Brian like family, so of course I selfishly want to see him out there, but I feel like, in some ways, Melinda is just a softer, sweeter version of Brian’s previous abusers. I don’t know. It’s just something I feel.
@@iamcasihart Same feeling
@@iamcasihart I guess performing and being active is part of his recovery. He cannot stay home and do nothing because he may relapse or something, I don't know.
@Greg Elchert He may have mixed feelings about him. It's very difficult to get over abusers because they normally show you a good side in the beginning. Landy helped Brian but abuse is abuse.
It's crazy and kinda ironic how Brian, at one point in time, probably seemed like the one Wilson brother most likely to pass away soonest, but he ended up outliving both his brothers (Dennis' drowning and Carl's battle with lung cancer due to his smoking habit) and is still alive and kicking today. That shit's heavy.
Love and Mercy's a really great movie. Paul Dano fucking nailed it with his performance of '60s Brian.
I believe Carl had a brain tumor.
@@CarlBowlby Carl has lung cancer and a brain tumor. He was diagnosed with both in 1997 and would die in 1998 of lung cancer.
Almost Shawn I see. I didn’t know Carl had lung cancer. Either way, sad to have lost him so soon. His angelic voice is sorely missed, that’s for sure. And I can only imagine how deeply his death affected Brian.
Oo
The fact Paul Dano *didn’t* get a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination still baffles me.
For those who are just delving into the Beach Boys and Brian Wilson, congratulations, you've got a LOT of fantastic, awesome music to discover! Thanks for the video!
This is literally me right now! I can say that I've never been nearly as interested in a band and their history BEFORE even listening to their music, as I am now with the beach boys.
@@abcdefzhij Check out Beach Boys - Lines, Brian Wilson - Black Widow - (diamonds in the rough!)
@@TheGroovySideOftheTube Will do!
I just saw Brian Wilson, and his band in Cincinnati and I have opened up a new chapter of my childhood. It was a fantastic concert. When I saw a few videos on You Tube about his life, I told myself I have to see this man in person before anything happens to him. Sure enough I saw he was coming and I took a bus from Cleveland, stayed overnight and had such a good experience, I wrote all the way on the bus about my own childhood, my father experiences (who was like Brians dad) and just understanding the genius he has/had and what I am wasting. What a role model for me to keep on keepin on.. i totally get where hes coming from. Thank you for this. Made me cry
Me !!!
It's a FACT how you're treated by parents affects you greatly down the road.
@@vandalayindustries3057 excellent, too often the legacy of abuse carriers on for generations
I still fear my drunken dad is going to shoot me some day and take me away from my daughters.
I worked with Brian for a night on that ‘88 album. He recorded at least one track at Studio 55 in Hollywood, (Richard Perry’s studio). That night I was an assistant. There were only three of us in the studio for that long session; myself, Brian and the engineer (forgot who that was). I talked with Brian throughout the night. What I remember most was Brian needing to go to the private phone room in order to have long conversations with Landy. Brain was a sweet guy. Easy to talk to. I was really young at that time but he talked to me like an equal which I appreciated. I was there to support him and by treating me fairly it made my job (which I enjoyed), so much easier. Thanks Brian!
I think that the engineer was Mark Linett
His not dead
"One day I will write songs people will Pray to." That quote brought a tear to my eye. If anyone could do such a thing, it was Brian Wilson.
I don't even believe in god, but when I need the strength of something greater than myself, I listen to pet sounds, SMiLE, and Love You, among others in the catalog.
I found it egotistical
@@merricat3025 Brian is the least egotistical person you could ever meet, self- deprecating to a fault. His wide-eyed view of love and music has always been about creating as much beauty as possible, to sing to God, meaning he wanted to write songs people would hear/feel as a prayer to God, not to Brian himself. He merely said what many composers (himself among them as it turned out) have done since the dawn of music -- write beauty that connects people with their spirit, with the love and beauty and life around them... and with God. It's actually a quote I always found endearing, sweet, childlike and therefore perfectly Brian.
@@merricat3025 extremely egotistical. Brian was a legend in his own mind. Beach Boys are a very overrated band. I believe in Dennis hadn't gotten involved with Charles Manson, Sharon Tate, Jay Sebring, Steve Parent, Abigail Folger and the others would be alive today.
He may have chosen other victims, but Sharon's son would be 51 right now.
@@roxannemoser You're blaming those deaths on Dennis??
Man his life story is really inspiring, his story shows you can be in a shitty place for years and still find a way to get out of it. Thank you for this video and thank you Brian Wilson for inspiring millions.
I still can't believe it's 2020, and I am just learning about the Beach Boys and Brian Wilson...
Better late than never...dig deep, enjoy!
Me too! It’s weird how all this music from the 50’s-70’s gets WAY more interesting when you learn about the human stories behind the familiar voices and melodies. Totally changes the whole experience and almost makes it brand new again.
Same here. I first started listening to them in June. I learned so much about Brian Wilson and al jardine Carl Wilson and Dennis Wilson. It has been an amazing journey. Brian Wilson is a genius
Watch Love and Mercy :o watch it right now!!!
Brian didnt loose his mind, he lost his way. As I said, life is hard for gentle souls, many dangers like drugs, alchohol etc. He sure found the way back :), I met Brian a few years ago, and he is great and a gentle soul, just like Dennis and Carl who where great :) Keep on going Brian!!!! your the best.
Well said.
Brian said "I lost my way"- in perhaps his last great song - "Till I Die".
It's great to see Brian is back out touring again in 2020 - as he heads towards his 78th Birthday on 20 June 2020. He did indeed come back from the near dead.
I've seen him play 3 times in Sydney, Australia - and met him at the Wentworth Sofitel Hotel in the Sydney CBD on the 31 March 2016 - when he last played at the Sydney Opera House.
Speaking with him, he appeared to be damaged - but be aware he also play-acts at appearing this way - when he feels like doing it.
I suspect he does this play-acting as a coping mechanism.
If you had been as famous as he has been for 55+ years and also had so much attention focused on you for this long - you may also have developed coping strategies to handle it.
Yes, he's a gentle soul - thrown into the challenging Music and Pop Star business - not a good mix for him.
"I lost myself in the balance of darkness that stretched beyond the breaking waves to the other side of the earth.
The ocean was so incredibly vast, the universe was so large, and suddenly I saw myself in proportion to that........
The next day I began writing " 'Til I Die ", perhaps the most personal song I ever wrote for The Beach Boys...
In doing so, I wanted to re-create the swell of emotions that I'd felt at the beach the previous night."
- Brian Wilson
Enjoy this touching BW song: ua-cam.com/video/46IQu0yuJzU/v-deo.html
Piglet6256 the three of them ( Brian, Carl and Dennis ) gave so much love to each other’s than share that love with the world. RIP CARL AND DENNIS AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU BRIAN 😘❤️✝️
To say ‘I lost my way’ ; think about that. Taking responsibility, yes. But assuming self awareness to say so. A rational self assessment...We all want to be positive and agree, right? But no hits, no genius.
Piglet6256 Well, while the pressures of trying to single-handedly match or beat the Beatles at the time were undoubtedly off the charts (pardon the pun), Brian suffered from Murray's physical and verbal abuse his entire childhood. After his azzhole dad sold the rights to Brian's life-work, that was (I believe) the straw - he snapped! I am happy to see that he made it through, even though he'll always carry the scars of his past...
@@Diggers5 I've never met him, but would love to see him before he eventually retires from touring. I've read different things from people who say that they've met him at concerts, and some people say that he can appear off, aloof, and won't even really look anyone in the eye. Then I read things from people who say he was friendly, animated and very talkative. I think he has his days just like we all do.
The Smile album they recreated for The Smile Sessions is amazing. Even in its unfinished state it’s a masterpiece
I intend to listen to this in it's entirety later today ~ Sonic bliss.
Not sure how it would've went down at the time
But in retrospect I think it's much better than Sgt. Pepper's
Jeff Clement I love the Beatles, but man after listening to The Beach Boys the Beatles seem boring
It really sucks that I never got completed. It could’ve been the best album ever made. But whoever pieced it together for the smile sessions, I applaud them for painting a big part of the unfinished canvas that SMiLE was. One day, I hope somebody gets all of those tapes and archives them for us to hear.
@@eratic0311 There is a compilation of the original tapes available Brian used to say they were all destroyed in a fire
I like the re-done version...given the advantage of today's technology
The creativeness shines thru
Highly recommended : the DVD "BEAUTIFUL DREAMER"
It's fantastic to see a fellow Beach Boys video essayist! I myself have made 2 on the topic. One on the 1970s and one on the 1980s! Some real underrated periods!
dirty mop I subscribed to your channel now
Brian Wilson, one of the damn smoothest falsettos in history. This man was/is incredible!
12 hours ago i barely knew anything about the beach boys and Brian Wilson. It started with a marc maron podcast with Bob Forrest. They brought up pet sounds. I listed to the whole album. Then i watched Love & Mercy. Then i read their entire wikipedia page. Then i watched 2 documentaries on them. This is the third. Amazing story. Brian Wilson is such a sensitive soul. He is amazing. I wonder how things would of been if Mike Love never entered the picture...
This is the the only 30 min video I've watched where I didn't check how much time was left
I get choked up listening to all of the things that Brian has been through. He's gone through a life of physical abuse, drug abuse, severe mental decline, the loss of both his little brothers. After all he's been through I genuinely hope from the bottom of my heart that he is happy and enjoys the rest of his time with us in peace. I can never thank Brian enough for the music he brought us all, Pet Sounds in particular. That album got me through some of the darkest times. Thank you Brian, Sincerely. I know he'll never read that but I just had to say it.
It is so weird to me that the Beach Boys albums of the late 60s and early 70s never reached the top of the charts. Sunflower, Surfs Up, Holland, Friends, 20/20 and Wild Honey were all great albums!
The beatles achieved success when experimenting, the beach boys didn't. In my mind the beatles and the beach boys are equally great
I agree, but I would make the point that with the Beatles the core song writers was always Lennon and McCartney (and to a lesser degree George Harrison), just as in the case of the Rolling Stones there was Jagger and Richards. I therefore have had the feeling for a long time that it was unfortunate that Brian Wilson didn't have another "half" (permanently throughout the sixties). I know Mike Love was a major Lyricist earlier on and Tony Asher was a Lyricist on "Pet Sounds" but I had the feeling Brian was up against it.
Music had gone in a different direction during the 70s. Brian was best when he did his own thing. Sunflower didn't sell well? Fuckit, it's a masterpiece.
An album not selling well is rarely reflective of its artistic merit.
Roberto Dubbelman IMO Sunflower is by far the BBs most underrated album
Maybe because they're not British.
@@rafaelsantosx Don't forget it was us British who raved about Pet Sounds when it wasn't doing so well in the States. When Brian tours the UK, it's always a sell out.
Holland and Surf's Up are absolute masterpieces.
nothing like a brian wilson video essay to make me sad
Sad story, and it makes me feel bad that I just dismissed the Beach Boys for so many years.
Me too. I always thought they were a gimmick band til I watched a documentary about Brian Wilson. The guy was on a level of his own.
I didn't think anything of them until i tried acid
It's amazing to think Brian Wilson survived. So sad that Carl isn't still here to give him a hug. And Dennis isn't here to write music with him. Rip
I love that man even though I have never met him. His genius is the inspiration that has led me to make music through which I can express myself. It’s not about how many people hear it to me. It’s just the beauty in the art of creation that I cherish and he has given me that. Thank you Brian!
You should post some
Brian really didn’t lose his voice. He intentionally changed his lead vocal style in an effort to sound more mature. Brian wanted to sing/sound like Frank Sinatra. Al Jardine has gone as far as saying Brian often faked his voice being shot in order to avoid having to sing lead. But if you listen to those late 70’s beach boys albums you can hear Brian’s pure falsetto clear as day in the harmonies. It wasn’t until the over medication by Landy in the 80’s was his voice seriously damaged causing him to slur.
Smoking 3 packs a day didn’t help. That was late 70s/early 80s.
Or this isnt the real Brian. The real Brian commited suicide after his father's death in 72, according to some. Nobody would fuck their voice like that on purpose. He messsed up but iove him anyway.
Oh Jesus, cut it out w/the “Paul Is Dead” type shit.
@@rogerkaleugher7504 "according to some" - citation needed
@@rogerkaleugher7504 you dont know shit if you think people dont shoot out their voices unintentionally. Have you heard anything heavy ever bro?
Great job, Jeff. I consider myself a Brian Wilson authority (I've been studying his life for decades) and I learned some things here. For example, I knew that Brian really dug Randy Newman's "Sail Away" but I have never heard it backed up w footage of Brian essentially doing a Newman impression vocally and stylistically. Only one thing. "Good Vibrations" was the first Beach Boys SINGLE to sell a million copies.
You are so right man, hearing the last of Brian's beautiful falsetto is quite sad. That's the best way to put it - sad.
What often goes unsaid is that even if the other Beach Boys didn't like or understand Smile, they still sang on all those tracks, Mike Love still sang "over and over the crow cries uncover the cornfield" (and quite beautifully too), and ultimately it was Brian who shut the project down.
All beach boys brought a sound to the music love them ..
Exactly. The band came home from the England tour in November, and the project wasn’t shut down till May, a full 5 months later (by Brian, not by the band or the label). They may have grumbled but they all sang their parts and worked their hardest to make the album
Fantastic video essay. This covered more ground in 31 minutes than most other's attempts.
Please go into the "love/hate" relationship between Mike Love and Brian Wilson.
Discovered this video as a lifelong fan of the Beach Boys who is currently in the midst of a very deep dive to see and hear virtually everything (music, interviews and editorials) that's available online. While I've seen & heard some the clips presented here before (but there's plenty of new to me stuff, thanks!), just wanted to say I appreciate someone taking the time & serious effort to put together a timeline of some of the "lesser known" stuff from Brian Wilson. I use quotes around "lesser known" because while a lot of the material is tremendous, it's true that for the most part, it wasn't given the attention it deserves and the general public isn't familiar with it. Kudos for doing the work, this was a great piece.
Love You is an absolute masterpiece
Brian Wilson . Pure T A L E N T.
Criminally underrated even among beach boys fans. I’ve introduced it to a lot of people who love and own multiple BB albums but have never even heard of Love You
@@Agos226 somebody said once Love You was Pet Sounds in crayon and I just love that so much
@@slimkickens I heard someone say this too!! We must be on the same message boards or something lol
My favorite is "Wouldn't it be Nice".
God Bless Brian Wilson.
Vim POP I agree, Brian is blessed and so are we to enjoy his talent. He will always be in my heart..." Til I Die"
That's how us Deadheads feel, Garcia/Hunter lyrics are like a religion.
I saw him live in concert 35 years ago. He mesmerized me then, just as he did when I was 13. Listening to all his songs. Blew me away. My crush of Brian was inevitable. I was (and am) in awe of him. To be able to write, produce, sing -- all of what he did stole my little girl heart. I couldn't believe he did all that.
Today I still love him, but now it's a respectful, warm glow. His songs will last forever in my heart.
Rock on, Brian.
What a masterpiece of a video. Thank you.
you’re like the Justin Y of UA-cam music videos
Yup
I concur. Excellent video
Your gay
Thanks dear for your love and support ❣️ all your kind wishes and encouragement you have brought me this far I really do appreciate am on my way to thank does whose love and support has helped me... Kindly message me via Hangouts endeavor with your name so I can know it's you course I don't answer unnecessarily
Messages
Hangouts mail
brainwilson1942@gmail.com
(Repost from the first upload)
I feel like if The Beach Boys were willing to follow Brian’s lead they would’ve ended up becoming artists like Lou Reed, Radiohead, or like Janelle Monae. Acts that don’t necessarily have chart topping platinum hits, but are hugely respected within the industry, immensely influential to other artists, and still somewhat in the public conscious just not superstars.
Instead they desperately kept trying and failing to recapture their early success for three decades by constantly cashing in on trends they really didn’t get. By the time they finally got that success in 89’ with the schlocky Kokomo they were at best a relic of Boomer nostalgia and at worst a joke of a group that’s only relevance is in cruise ship buffet lines.
The other members were talented individuals who had beautiful sparks of creativity and musical ingenuity. But they lacked that artistic drive to push themselves outside of their comfort zones and take the kinds of risks that people would’ve appreciated from them. And instead of supporting the fact that Brain was the one who had that creative hunger, they and the industry squashed it out of him because they thought they had a formula that could always work.
The Beach Boys will forever be known as the the greatest “what if” in popular music history because in hindsight it’s so easy to see where the crossroads were. I’ve loved them from their surfin days all the way to the early 80’s. I honestly believe that along with Dylan they have the longest period of consistent quality work amongst their 60’s contemporaries. But even with all that in mind, I’d still prefer to see what would have been if they went in the other direction.
When it comes to brilliance and artistic vision, I really think Dennis could be ranked next to Brian by the time he died. It's a shame it happened to him so young, his solo stuff was already great.
There's no denying Kokomo was safe and a little corny but it's the one song in the later period of the Beach Boys that stands out. Brian even told Mike Love that he thought it was great despite their rivalry and Carl has some of his best vocals he ever did in that song.
It's not my favorite but it's the only Beach Boys song post 1960's that I really care enough to listen to anymore.
@@EldritchAugur Kokomo is a fucking dumpster fire. Mike Love is absolutely terrible.
Or, just as likely, they could have become a highly respected best selling musical leader like the Beatles did. Excellence can sell numbers, you know.
I think they are exactly like those other artists you mentioned. That’s why we are all here. Brian’s later stuff is to the point of occult classic, and I for one, am happy it turned out the way it did.
Brian Wilson is a damn genius. Will always love his music and style!
" Over and over, the crow flies, uncover the cornfields......" Sure conjured up an image for me. And I was13.
That line would have to be about Vincent Van Gogh.
I'm glad that you brought up the "music that could have been." What alot of people don't realize is that Brian was convinced that people didn't want to hear his music, so almost all of the music Brian made after the SMiLE sessions was not necessarily the music he could have made. Its fascinating.
'In my room' is so beautiful. Makes me weep every time..
You really did a great job with this. I’ve been obsessed with the bedroom tapes and Brian’s “lost years” for a while and I’m really glad this popped up in my recommendations! Actually going to see him and Al in NJ tonight!
Thanks again!
Dear Jeffrey, I want to say from the bottom of my surf heart:
Thank you. This way everything it should be. Great video to one of my heroes. Subbed. Peace.
I wonder how Carl felt when the interviewer asked if they were writing any more songs and he said yes and then the interviewer left him and went straight over to Brian lol
Im 65 and African American and in the 60s preferred motown and the british invasion music primarily The Beatles. I liked The Beach Boys but could not relate to surfer music. Fast foward to about 1995 and Im in the public library where I saw a cassette of Pet Sounds and decided to borrow it. For years I kept reading in the rock press what a great work this was and how Brian Wilson was this musical genius. Low and behold the music totally blew me away it was so fantastic. Every song! The guy that made that record who was so in charge, who knew EXACTLY what every instrument would play in his orchestra, who wrote all the vocal harmony and was on top of everything is simply not the same guy we have seen in the last 30 years. Its nice to see his concerts today when he performs Pet Sounds as a solo artist, but he seems like a prop to sell tickets and his musical director basically puts everything together and the band and backround singers seem to do all the work as Brian sits behind the electric piano which he hardly plays and sings. His voice is ok but nothing like it was in 1967 or 66 or 65. Its sort of sad yet bittersweet for one who was once soooo gifted musically.
It's kind of refreshing to have a docu narrator saying "So yeah, fuck that guy" when it's really fitting :D
Having listened to The Smile Sessions recently, it blows my mind what a fully formed, fleshed out album would have sounded like. I mean, the half finished songs are just mind blowing in themselves
Thankfully he survived all those years! He gave us some of the most beautiful music from those times.
ive seen every brian wilson video on youtube and i must say yours really captured his genius and even had some things ive never seen before. Bravo
I love your channel cause of your Brian Wilson videos
Omg.. I love Brian so much as a musician and a human being. I'm so glad I am alive and existing in the same time he is. Hes inspired me as a musician and I thank him. This video made me smile and cry ,, very emotional. He will stay in my heart. Love and Mercy Brian
I adore Brian Wilson so much. This video is a goldmine for me! Very well done.
Surf's Up, listen people, best song ever composed!!!
From the smile album
Wow, I have thoroughly reassessed my perception of this era of Brian's life. Thank you for introducing me to all of this incredible work. Just amazing.
By the way "Little Child (Daddy Dear)" is not a Brian original. I believe it's an old folk song that was most famously sung by Danny Kaye. Robert Wyatt also does a nice version of it. I'd never heard this demo from Brian, but I can see why it would have appealed to his child-like sensibility.
Plus that "love-hate" relationship he had with his father.
I’m glad that you picked this as a topic, not as many people talk about this era.
Fantastic video. I appreciate your dive into Brian’s unreleased music. But there is also so much good stuff that actually saw release in the 70s, such as “This Whole World” and “All I Wanna Do” from Sunflower (1970), “Til I Die” and “A Day In the Life of a Tree” from Surf’s Up (1971), “Marcella” from Carl and the Passions (1972), “Sail On Sailor” from Holland (1973) and “It’s OK” from 15 Big Ones (1976)
Yes! Plus Funky Pretty from Holland and the Love You album
His story is one of the saddest in rock history, similar to how Lou Reed’s progressed. But his creativity is so inspiring. I hope he knows just how many lives he’s saved, and how many hearts he’s warmed.
i just got done watching this video and i cannot stop crying
This is one of the few times i'd ever feel a lump in my throat when realizing people don't live forever. Thank you for this video.
Jesus, I ADORE “Surfs Up.” Heartbreakingly beautiful. When Brian is ON & plugged in, he makes THE MOST STUNNINGLY gorgeous music that’s ever graced my ears.
Brian Wilson ,probably one of the most talented composers alive today and a nice man to booth.
Who else here, like myself, have watched these Brian Wilson multiple times on this channel? Really fantastic stuff. Well done! And please, more Beach Boys videos. Thank you.
Thank you so much for this, I was not aware of Brian's output through his lost years ~ he went through so many travails and personal pain. Will be great to listen to his recorded legacy as a solo artist, he and his cohorts the beach boys have enriched my life so much! : )))))))))
This may be one of my favourite videos on the entire internet, and is the reason I got into the beach boys so much. I cannot thank you enough for making it.
you are truly an amazing documentarian. it’s great to see this quality of content on a free platform
Some of the synthesizer stuff on Beach Boys Love You is wild
This is a beautiful piece of work. Hats off, well done!
This was really well done bro
HELL YES, MY FAVORITE YEARS TO REFLECT OVER.
I'M SO HAPPY THAT WE NEVER LOSE THIS GENIUS.
This is a beautiful, soulful and thoughtful documentary. It’s made me want to explore more of Brian’s music. I’m currently reading his autobiography “I am Brian Wilson “....heartbreaking but also inspirational how he has overcome (or more accurately) continues to challenge and overcome his “demons “. We love you Brian Wilson! What a beautiful soul....💖
Why did I watch this. I'm so sad now.
But we have got to celebrate that he miraculously survived and continued to create some beautiful music.
Quick correction, Carl and Dennis from all accounts really liked the SMiLE material (especially Dennis, who is on record saying that SMiLE is better than Pet Sonds)
Mike 'surfin safari" love.probably had a lot to do with smile being shelved.
@@fci1 It didn't help but it wasn't the only factor. Brian was starting to have his mental health issues and the band was in a very public battle with Captiol Records over royalties. And on top of that, Carl was dealing with objecting being drafted for Vietnam. Simply put, there was a lot of stress going on within the band and it was a combination of things that ended up ending the SMiLE sessions.
The Beach Boys Love You is one of my favorite records ever! Awesome video
Thank you so much! My two musical heroes were born three days apart in June of 1942. I was fortunate to see the premiere of Smile at the Disney Concert Hall and the experience was transcendent. Smile's release surpassed the cobbled versions that I'd listened to and studied for years. The innocence, complexity and innovation of Brian's compositions make me cry tears of joy...
I feel like I experienced my "lost years" during this pandemic. I'm the most sedentary, reclusive, unmotivated, and directionless I've ever been.
For Brian it lasted for more than 20 years so pick yourself up and you'll be fine
This is beautifully done. Thank you so much! His harmonies never fail to move me and I appreciate anew how he never truly lost that gift, no matter what happened to him!
Great Video Again, the saddest story in Pop Music, though we got him back (kinda). Nobody comes close to Brian Wilson, he truly is our Rock and Roll Mozart
We got part of him back. Part of him died in 1967, the rest was ripped to pieces through the years
@@slimkickens true
it's such a surreal, heartbreaking, and uplifting story
Thanks Jeffrey! Really enjoyed it!
Great video on some of the lesser known years in Brian’s musical career. Props for mentioning and playing Rio Grande, one of my favorite solo album songs.
Mental illness has robbed the world of so much beauty. So many people fail to reach their true potential, dealing with depression and schizophrenia. It's sad that this range of illnesses isn't treated with the same concern as purely organic illnesses. You have to wonder how much different the world would be, if actually took it seriously. In Brian's case, his innate genius continued to shine through, and that makes me Smile.
McCartney went to visit Brian and he played him the unfinished tapes, on the plane home Paul and Mel came up with the name 'Sgt peppers lonely hearts club band' the rest is history, Smile is genius and if it had been released who knows
Thanks for this! Brian Wilson’s music & story has always been something I return to, since I was a little kid...especially during heavy times. I attempt singing along most times I hear it. This vid is a good one!!
Thank you for this moving, uplifting documentary. I have tears in my eyes for Brian, as he seems like a gentle, flawed, brilliant guy. I'm not an adoring fan, but respect his amazing contributions to music. But what's most important is his humanity. Who among us couldn't have made better decisions at times? Which of us can say we've completely lived up to our God-given potential? Certainly not I. But we have to keep trying.
this is the best distillation of brian's lost years put to video. this deserves more views. Thanks jeff!
It's amazing he never became a member of the 27 club, but im thankful for that, it doesn't need any members at all
I was always the biggest Brian Wilson/beach boys nerd I knew but this video introduced me to the completely dark period of Brians music that I never really looked into. thanks for this, Brian is my biggest inspiration for music and creativity and it makes me so happy to know he continued to make the beautiful music he always has while he was being shunned out of The Beach Boys. I had the absolute pleasure to see him live on his Pet Sounds 50th anniversary tour in 2016, he seemed so happy in front of the crowd (although I think the audience standing made him anxious, he kept telling everyone to sit down haha:) ) and I was brought to tears a few times. I hope Brian can continue to live out his life peacefully knowing that he has changed so many lives for the better. thank you for this video!
I knew Brian was “odd” , thinking his youth with a drunkard father was the origin , but he walks the line of genius and gave us some of the best mood music on the planet. In my youth on patrol on a beach ,as a lifesaver in Australia , we had the Beach Boys blaring over the speakers until we we told to stop. Now as an older muso I still love the genius of Brian and I thankyou for really bringing me up to Speed on what happened to The Beach Boys and Brian. it was luck that Brian survived in many ways while his brothers did not . Brian was the brain but Carl was the soul, and Mike was the flag man and Al the face and all rounder. Up with the classics of the Beatles I say, we are all better for the music of the Wilson family , the Beach Boys.🇦🇺
Thanks for the video. I was around in the beginning of The Beach Boys and it was nice to see the reality of what the brilliant man behind the band had to go through to be such a success. It’s heartbreaking for us to see how badly he was abused but a definite eye opener. I hope many more people discover The Beach Boys.
Very enjoyable video. It’s crazy to think how fast they were made to produce albums back then. No one keeps up at that pace now. I also seems the rest of The Beach Boys felt this pressure to stay on top in mainstream music and not just enjoying the music they were making.
Such a beautiful production you put together, Jeffrey! Heard bits I never heard before!!
A genius even though he had his own personal issues he still managed and stayed around for those around him.
And as a fan in general I miss Carl and Dennis ..... 😥
I just heard Dennis' lost album Pacific Ocean blues or whatever, its FUCKING AMAZING
Harlow Jade Mermaid - Pacific Ocean Blues was released on time, and actually outsold the group’s album from the same year - MIU I think. Bambu, the intended follow-up, was mostly done, and then Dennis went back into self-destruct mode and never quite got out of it.
I can never get enough of videos like this one intelligently and well-narrated going through the less beachy aspects of Brian. Thanks.
Busy Doin' Nothin' was a great song on Brian's way to checking out. Till I Die was achingly close to being a brilliant foreshadow. Much of the rest of the story is painful and there's no way around it.
Love this video. Favorite part is when Brian was being interviewed and he said "I like food" and Carl starts cracking up not because he was laughing at him but he was laughing that his brother's sense of humor was finally returning. Imo the best Brian song/vocal will ever be: 'please let me wonder'......
Keep up the good work, you make such high-quality videos I hope to see more in the future.
Hello mate - excellent video and well put together. Thank you very much. Saw Brian play at The Barbican in London a few years ago, with my Dad. I go to lots of gigs but this was the only one my wife called me to see if I enjoyed it. She knew that it was my Dad that introduced me to the Beach Boys (who we saw at Wembley Arena in 1988). I can't remember the last time I cried so much , with happiness. One of the best gigs of my life, thanks again.
🤩This is really put together soo well, I'm glad that someone that admires & appreciates Brian's genius did a little doc BC you can learn something new instead of the same old Brians 'drug induced', Landy control, + 'mental illness' facts. I recently discovered Dennis' lost album 'Pacific Ocean Blues' and it really blew my mind. Unbelievable, every song sounds more different than the next. You should do a video on Dennis now, I would love to see that. Another sad bittersweet story. 😪
I'm in my 30s, but have always listened to older music, music way before my time. I believe The Beach Boys didn't receive the gratitude they really deserved, mainly BC of the Beatles & the British Invasion.😎
Its a shame for Brian, but he really is making a comeback. I'm glad he now realizes how loved him & his music really is to us all. I consider it a gift, really. Total musical genius, way ahead of his time.🎤🎹🎵
Thank you so much for making this video, absolutely made my morning and inspired me to go sit behind the piano for a bit.
Such an awesome video. It's always great to see your videos about my hero. That piano surfs up was also amazing
That's from the Leonard Bernstein 1966 CBS Special "Inside Pop - The Rock Revolution". People don't realize that in '66, Brian was "it" from his peers and in the creative community. The special was originally supposed to be about his creative new bounds and the making of Smile, but as things got a little crazy they changed it and made it about the big changes happening throughout rock and society.
Leonard Bernstein - "There is a new song, too complex to get all of first time around. It could come only out of the ferment that characterizes today's pop music scene. Brian Wilson, leader of the famous Beach Boys, and one of today's most important musicians, sings his own 'Surf's Up.'
Poetic, beautiful even in its obscurity, 'Surf's Up' is one aspect of new things happening in pop music today. As such, it is a symbol of the change many of these young musicians see in our future."
@@ms8596 No I wasn't talking about the solo TV version, I meant the cover
@ms8596...actually bernstein didn't say that. That quote was spoken over brian's solo performance of "surf's up" by the special's producer, david oppenheim.
Thank you. This shows how the creativity never went away. And what a beautiful renaissance Brian had! At 5:30 it says how the others were opposed to the new direction Smile brought. I've read that they held a vote, with the 3 Wilsons voting for the new music and the others sticking with the old identity. It might have been much better to split the band up into the Beach Boys and maybe the Wilson Band. I'm imagining how a better time for all the Wilsons might have followed.
I love the Friends album just as much as Pet Sounds etc.
love you, wild honey, pet sounds, today, surfs up, friends - all masterworks. smile is in a category of its own
Really well done and enjoyable half an hour of an era of Brian's music that I absolutely adore. Thank you!
This was a great Brian Wilson (and Beach Boys) documentary; pity it wasn't a lot longer and included more details of all the songs covered with regard to their respective albums.
This genius has given generations of people such joy through his compositions ...thanks for putting this together
Finally, some more videos about him.