Althouse: Goodbye to Brian Wilson.

June 11, 2025

Goodbye to Brian Wilson.

43 comments:

gspencer said...: "I wish they were all MAGA girls . . ."; 6/11/25, 2:30 PM
Maynard said...: I almost never feel sad when celebrities die, especially when they are older.

However, my first reaction to Brian Wilson passing was intense sadness. Perhaps, its a sense of sadness that my youth has long since passed.

RIP Brain. You were important to so many people.; 6/11/25, 2:32 PM
Mr. D said...: Sly Stone and Brian Wilson in the same week. Brutal. Two tortured souls who gave us moments of genius. Pet Sounds is as great an album as any in the rock era. RIP, Brian, and thank you.; 6/11/25, 2:38 PM
RCOCEAN II said...: Sorry to hear it. But glad he made it to 82. If you read his biography its just non-stop drug use for years and years. Mike Love and Al Jardine are still alive.

Of the three Wilson brothers, you would've bet Brian would be the first to go. But one died in the 80s in scuba accident. The second died in the 90s of lung cancer.; 6/11/25, 2:44 PM
Dogma and Pony Show said...: Prior to his death, he was the arguably the most "major" figure in American music still living. Perhaps Paul Simon would be comparable.; 6/11/25, 2:52 PM
Mike (MJB Wolf) said...: Genius. Best use of a Theremin in a song. Lush layered vocals with not an autotune in sight. This is a tough week for old rockers. Rick Derringer, Sly Stone, now Brian Wilson too.; 6/11/25, 2:52 PM
Dogma and Pony Show said...: OK, Dylan (before the professor gets enraged).; 6/11/25, 2:56 PM
Kakistocracy said...: Remarkable legacy — one of the very few to create music that stands the test of time like the Beatles or Dylan from that era.

God Only Knows — like strawberry fields or yesterday etc seem to come from another place.; 6/11/25, 2:56 PM
AMDG said...: Genius is often an overlooked description of someone, but not Brian Wilson.

From the middle of 1965 through the middle of 1967 the Beatles were at their creative peak. The music they produced was ground breaking and fantastic. During that time Wilson exceeded the Beatles in everything but quantity.

It is hard for anyone to top these songs:

“Let Him Run Wild”
“California Girls”
“The Little Girl I Once Knew”
“Wouldn’t It Be Nice”
“God Only Knows”
“Let’s Go Away For A While”
“Caroline No”
“Good Vibrations”
“Heroes and Villians”
“Cabinessence”
“Wonderful”
“Surf’s Up”.

All of these songs were composed, arranged, & produced before his 25th birthday.

To get a picture of his genius I would recommend going to YouTube and searching “Behind the Sounds”. The results will be recordings of Brian recording some of the songs from “Pet Sounds”. You will be able to hear how the sounds in his head came alive.

Like Sly Stone he was captured by his demons but even while incapacitated he was able to show flashes of brilliance. Listen to “”Til I Die”.

Unlike Stone, he was able to learn how to deal with his demons and enjoyed a second act. In 2003 he released SMiLE which lived up to expectations:

https://youtu.be/8UbNwhm2EX8

In the 20th century America produced a few musical geniuses. Brian took his place with the likes of Gershwin and Ellington a long time ago.

RIP Brian - Love and Mercy

https://youtu.be/PISkFEzC5XE; 6/11/25, 2:57 PM
Breezy said...: May we hold tight to the memories he provided us. RIP.; 6/11/25, 3:07 PM
Aggie said...: Maybe not on Bach's level, but a creative genius nonetheless. RIP and sad to see him go, but in a lot of ways dementia can be a peaceful & gentle passing to the patient, even while being a horror to their loved ones. It's a test of love that I've seen many, many people quietly ace.; 6/11/25, 3:13 PM
rehajm said...: Depressing…and grateful to remember…; 6/11/25, 3:33 PM
Not Illinois Resident said...: Let's talk about Wisconsin state health department deciding it will continue to recommend Covid vax for pregnant women.; 6/11/25, 3:45 PM
Peachy said...: Brian Wilson Said; 6/11/25, 3:54 PM
tcrosse said...: Back in 1980 Barbara Ann became a kind of anthem.; 6/11/25, 3:59 PM
Iman said...: A giant in the industry… the kind of talent even the Wrecking Crew respected… another soul who lived much longer than anyone expected.

I still recall feeling “major score here!” when I found “Surf’s Up” in the cutout bin at Licorice Pizza in ‘74, lol; 6/11/25, 4:09 PM
Quayle said...: Pet Sounds is an unparalleled work of musical art.; 6/11/25, 4:12 PM
mccullough said...: The Smile Album languishes; 6/11/25, 4:21 PM
RideSpaceMountain said...: (hat tip previous post)
Well, the Yankee girls are abolitionists
For liberation they all swear
And the frontier girls, their independent streak
They don't need no man out there
Bloody Missouri farmer's daughters
They're not afraid to shoot or fight
And the Quaker girls yearn for consensus
Til they reach it they'll be up all night
I wish they all could be antebellum girls
I wish they all could be antebellum girls

So long Brian, RIP. Teach those angels how to sing!; 6/11/25, 4:32 PM
Howard said...: Filed under LA people we like; 6/11/25, 4:37 PM
Mary Beth said...: Maynard said...

I almost never feel sad when celebrities die, especially when they are older.

However, my first reaction to Brian Wilson passing was intense sadness.

Same and same. It kind of surprised me that I was saddened by the news as much as I was.; 6/11/25, 4:46 PM
Saint Croix said...: When I was young, my favorite song in the world was Sloop John B

I could just as easily have named myself John B. Sloop instead of Saint Croix. I still love that song. But it's no longer my favorite song in the world.

Now, my favorite song in the world is Good Vibrations.

God bless, you brother, I love you and your music. May you make beautiful songs in the afterlife. I hope to meet you there one day. RIP.; 6/11/25, 4:52 PM
rsbsail said...: RIP, Brian Wilson. I grew up in the early 60s with the Beach Boys, and really loved their music.; 6/11/25, 5:07 PM
Jean said...: Thank you for all your blessings, Brian. R.I.P.; 6/11/25, 5:07 PM
Josephbleau said...: Brian Wilson had a 5 bedroom mansion in St. Charles IL in the 90’s. I lived in Geneva then and there were always sightings around town.; 6/11/25, 5:19 PM
Charlie Currie said...: I grew up in Hawthorne CA in the time of the Beach Boys - before, during and after. I met Carl in 7th grade at Hawthorne Intermediate. I met Dennis at Hawthorne High. My cousin, who lived down the street from me was best friends with Brian and sang with him at assemblies. My cousin and Brian gave me a ride home from my first day of high school. They graduated the previous June and were crushing by to check out the junior girls who were now seniors. I went to a dance at the Inglewood Women's Club in 1963 attended by about 25 kids, mostly from HHS. The last time I saw Carl a friend and I went by his parents house because we heard he was in town - this was 1966. He had just gotten his James Bond Austin Martin DB5. He had some errands to run so we went along. We went to his tailor to pick out material for the groups stage attire. Went by his new home somewhere up Cold Water Canyon. There was lots of construction workers working on the remodel. I was amazed that someone I knew from high school owned a home. We then went by his girlfriend's home - met the family. And then back to Hawthorne. Not long after, Uncle Sam sent me a letter requesting my presence, and I never saw Carl again. Carl was a really great guy. I have lots of second hand stories about Brian and my cousin - crazy times.; 6/11/25, 5:20 PM
Narr said...: The Beach Boys were always within earshot but in my circles, for whatever reason, they just weren't liked that much. I don't think any of my friends owned one of their albums. (Graduated HS in '71.)

I couldn't have named more than three or four of their songs, if that many, and AFAIK never heard any of the post-60s stuff.; 6/11/25, 5:21 PM
Wince said...: I hope there's a Diet Coke already waiting for him.

The version of the story I heard was Bono asked Wilson if there was anything he could do to show his appreciation.

"U2’s Bono got down on one knee to express how much Brian had moved and inspired him,” says Sahanaja. “Brian’s reply was ‘Thanks. Can you get me a Diet Coke?'"; 6/11/25, 5:30 PM
RCOCEAN II said...: "This whole world" seems to be motivated by the same idea as "everyday people" - but is much more complex and less entertaining.; 6/11/25, 5:36 PM
Tom T. said...: "Lyin' in bed, just like Brian Wilson did..."; 6/11/25, 5:39 PM
Charlie Currie said...: A couple more bits: The boys sang at my/our senior breakfast just before graduation. A cappella - a couple of BB songs and a couple of popular four part harmony songs. Most memorable was the new Surfer Girl song.

Second: I was never what you'd call a BB fan. I like their stuff - some of it very much. In '62 I was into Bob Dylan and Joan Baez. Folk in general. Then came the Beatles and the British invasion and that wss the end of my folk obsession. So, the BB never hit my sweet spot.

Third: I watched Dennis get knocked out in front of Taco Tio one Wednesday night after the Drop In. He was kind of a punk - always looking for a fight. Really hard a chip on his shoulder.; 6/11/25, 5:48 PM
Lem Vibe Bandit said...: From Genius Lyrics : "To me, [Brian Wilson] ‘Heroes And Villains’ sounds like a ballad out of the Southwest. That’s what it was intended to be—as good as any of those—and, really, to be a ballad. This Spanish and Indian fascination is a big chapter in Californian history, and that’s what it’s supposed to be—historically reflective, to reflect this place. I think it did it."

Brian Wilson’s wife Marilyn said of this song’s titular concept:

"There are so many screwed-up people in the music industry. The good guys and the bad guys…That’s one thing Brian had in mind when they did ‘Heroes and Villains.’"; 6/11/25, 5:54 PM
Iman said...: The imp Van Dyke Parks was muchly involved with the writing of Heroes and Villains.; 6/11/25, 7:24 PM
Clyde said...: I loved his music, and he made a lot of great music over the course of his lengthy career. I was really happy when he put out the SMiLE album in 2003 and his artistic vision for that music was finally realized. His passing saddens me, but it is the way of the world. As Cat Stevens sang, "You're only dancing on this earth for a short while." Brian Wilson made the most of his time.; 6/11/25, 7:27 PM
Iman said...: That “500 Songs” thing that Andrew Hickey wrote that focused on Dennis Wilson brought a tear to my eye. I knew that he was a sad case, but sweet Jesus, I had no idea just how bad it was.
RIP Dennis, you had your moments.; 6/11/25, 7:30 PM
victoria said...: I too never give a thought to other people in his age group dying, but it hit me in the gut too. Such a genius. No one could touch him. If you want to see him in action, creating Pet Sounds, seminal album, watch the documentary, "The Wrecking Crew". He is a major player in it and really reveals his genius. RIP, Brian. My first concert, in 1965 at th Sacramento Civic Auditorium. I was 13.; 6/11/25, 7:32 PM
Iman said...: Too many faves to fully list, but “Surf’s Up”, “Darlin” and their version of “I Can Hear Music” still knock me for a loop!; 6/11/25, 7:35 PM
Guimo said...: “Don’t Worry, Baby” (released 11 May 1964) was their best song.; 6/11/25, 7:58 PM
donald said...: We sang The Sloop John B in music class in 2nd grade. Loved ever since. Still sing it.; 6/11/25, 8:09 PM
Saint Croix said...: Wilson didn't write it. I don't think we know who wrote it. It's an old sea shanty or a Jamaican song or something. Wilson and the rest of the Boys did the harmonies, and the Wrecking Crew did the music. The lyrics are poetry.

We come on the sloop John B
My grandfather and me
Around Nassau town we did roam
Drinking all night
Got into a fight
Well, I feel so broke up
I want to go home

So hoist up the John B's sail
See how the mainsail sets
Call for the captain ashore
Let me go home
Let me go home
I wanna go home, yeah, yeah
Well, I feel so broke up
I wanna go home

The first mate he got drunk
And broke in the captain's trunk
The constable had to come and take him away
Sheriff John Stone
Why don't you leave me alone? Yeah, yeah
Well, I feel so broke up
I wanna go home

So hoist up the John B's sail
See how the mainsail sets
Call for the captain ashore
Let me go home
Let me go home
I wanna go home
Let me go home
Why don't you let me go home?
(Hoist up the John B's sail)
Hoist up the John B
Well, I feel so broke up
I wanna go home
Let me go home

The poor cook he caught the fits
And threw away all my grits
And then he took and he ate up all of my corn
Let me go home
Why don't they let me go home?
This is the worst trip
I've ever been on

So hoist up the John B's sail
See how the mainsail sets
Call for the captain ashore
Let me go home
Let me go home
I wanna go home
Let me go home
Why don't you let me go home?; 6/11/25, 9:29 PM
RCOCEAN II said...: Thanks for spamming the thread with all the lyrics. I suppose you could have posted a link. LIke this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSAoEf1Ib58; 6/11/25, 9:34 PM
PM said...: Liked them/him the moment I heard 409. Have the albums to prove it. Call him weird, eccentric, whatever. He wrote great, timeless stuff - right down the road in Hawthorne. For a minute it was the Beach Boys vs The Beatles. Then it was just The Beatles.; 6/12/25, 10:54 AM
wsw said...: Huge loss.; 6/14/25, 11:59 PM