THE GUY WITH ALL THE TOYS!

1964

I am a HUGE Brian Wilson fan, and have championed his recovery from 1988 to the present. Today he's the father of two young daughters, is remarried and is very healthy physically and emotionally. Brian of course is the genius behind the Beach Boys tight harmonies that have been part of Americana since 1961. Similar to Todd Rundgren, Brian's command of the recording studio is legendary (He recorded 6 miles of tape before he was satisfied with "Good Vibrations"). After years of seclusion, and the tragic deaths of his brothers Dennis and Carl, Brian emerged with the CD "Live at The Roxy " in L.A. with top musicians backing him. It is a celebration and highly evident that Brian is back after almost 40 years of staying off the road and remaining in the studio to write and produce. So, he now tours and has a new lease on life. Now a related story...

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I was in a store to ship a friend a package overnight when the standard Beach Boy Christmas favorite, "The Man with All the Toys" began playing over the ceiling loudspeakers. I have to admit, that I never heard the song before! The girl behind the counter sighed and said "Not again". I replied, "Do you know who these guys are? Imagine them as a garage band in tiny Hawthorne, California. Their harmonies are great and I think they are touring again without any lawsuits!" The girl was unfazed. Apparently, this song recycles every 15 minutes. I can't blame her. But I love signing the bass lines of this song when it plays over the car radio! Brian's legacy continues and is too large for this BLOG, but here are some comments from Brian's friends whom you'll recognize that are really cool:

Paul McCartney: I've often played Pet Sounds and cried. I played it to John so much that it would be difficult for him to escape the influence ... it was the record of the time. The thing that really made me sit up and take notice was the bass lines ... and also, putting melodies in the bass line. That I think was probably the big influence that set me thinking when we recorded 'Pepper', it set me off on a period I had then for a couple of years of nearly always writing quite melodic bass lines. "God Only Knows" is a big favorite of mine ... very emotional, always a bit of a choker for me, that one. On "You Still Believe In Me", I love that melody - that kills me ... that's my favorite, I think ... it's so beautiful right at the end ... comes surging back in these multi-colored harmonies ... sends shivers up my spine."

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Neil Young: His music definitely affected mine - the harmonies. Of course I never played in a band that could sing like that. He's got the whole band retarding every once in awhile - he's got a feel for it and he's got everybody playing and it's not something you naturally do. It's something that he shows you where to lay back - where to slow down. You hear the band doing it just like it happens on the record - it's no accident. I love you, Brian. I'm there for you.

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Pete Townsend: I love Brian. There's not many people I would say that about. I think he's a truly, truly, truly great genius. I love him so much it's just terrible - I find it hard to live with. From my own era I especially admire Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, the Beatles and Brian Wilson. 'God Only Knows' is simple and elegant and was stunning when it first appeared; it still sounds perfect.

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Elton John: Pet Sounds is a landmark album. For me to say that I was enthralled would be an understatement. I had never heard such magical sounds, so amazingly recorded. It undoubtedly changed the way that I, and countless others, approached recording. It is a timeless and amazing recording of incredible genius and beauty.

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Sheryl Crow: Brian, keep creating, keep going. I know from where you sit on the stage you could probably absorb maybe a tenth of how people were feeling out there - you have no idea. People were so in the palm of your hands.

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Bob Dylan: ... Jesus, that ear. He should donate it to The Smithsonian. The records I used to listen to and still love, you can't make a record that sounds that way. Brian Wilson, he made all his records with four tracks, but you couldn't make his records if you had a hundred tracks today.