Brian Wilson

HughFreakingDillon

I never “got” the beach boys. I tried listening to them a while back, and didn’t understand the fuss. 

I’m listening to Pet Sounds right now. I still don’t get it. It sounds like barbershop music with instrumentation. Stuff you might hear on a cruise ship. 

However, I will admit, I have often had trouble with those most-revered. Dylan, Prince, Bowie, Young. The Who. The Stones. Don’t care for any of them. 

I feel like I’m missing out on something. 

Jearlpam0925

HughFreakingDillon said:

I never “got” the beach boys. I tried listening to them a while back, and didn’t understand the fuss. 

I’m listening to Pet Sounds right now. I still don’t get it. It sounds like barbershop music with instrumentation. Stuff you might hear on a cruise ship. 

However, I will admit, I have often had trouble with those most-revered. Dylan, Prince, Bowie, Young. The Who. The Stones. Don’t care for any of them. 

I feel like I’m missing out on something. 

To each their own. Smile is hands down a top 5 album.

HughFreakingDillon

I’ll give that one a shot. You never know. Maybe it will “click”. 

Jearlpam0925

I mean if you don't like Pet Sounds then I'd say Smile probably won't stick either lol

(But will still urge you to give it a try)

HughFreakingDillon

From John Einarson Remembers facebook page

This is a wonderful story that Alice Cooper told about John and Brian.

“I was sitting backstage after the 1974 Grammys with Bernie Taupin (Elton John’s lyricist) and John Lennon. This was when Brian was really having some mental issues,” said Cooper.

“During the course of the conversation, I kept seeing Brian out of the corner of my eye, just kind of staring at us from different angles.”

“Finally, he came up to the table, bent down and whispered in my ear ‘Hey Alice, introduce me to John Lennon.’ I couldn’t BELIEVE that these two men had never met! They were virtually neck and neck in the 60’s as the greatest bands on the planet, and I’m SURE they must have crossed paths at some point. But then I thought to myself, ‘Wow, I’m going to be the one to introduce them and become a part of rock history!’”

“So I merely said, ‘Brian Wilson, this is John Lennon. John Lennon, this is Brian Wilson.’ Lennon was very cordial and polite, saying things like ‘Hello Brian, I’ve always wanted to meet you. I’ve always admired your work, and Paul and I considered Pet Sounds one of the best albums ever made.’ Brian thanked him and walked away, at which point Lennon went right back to his conversation like nothing had happened.”

“About ten minutes later, Brian came by our table again, leaned down and whispered something to Bernie, and all of a sudden, Bernie was saying ‘Brian Wilson, this is John Lennon. John Lennon, Brian Wilson.’ Lennon was just as cordial and polite as the first time, saying essentially the same thing about always wanting to meet him.

As soon as Brian walked away, John looked at both of us and casually said in his typical Liverpudlian accent, ‘I’ve met him hundreds of times. He’s not well, you know.’”

We were impressed by John’s empathy and kindness in dealing with Brian and thankful that Brian has found some mental stability following tumultuous times.

DJ253147

HughFreakingDillon said:

I never “got” the beach boys. I tried listening to them a while back, and didn’t understand the fuss. 

I’m listening to Pet Sounds right now. I still don’t get it. It sounds like barbershop music with instrumentation. Stuff you might hear on a cruise ship. 

However, I will admit, I have often had trouble with those most-revered. Dylan, Prince, Bowie, Young. The Who. The Stones. Don’t care for any of them. 

I feel like I’m missing out on something. 

I understand this is a Brian Wilson thread and I do love some Beach Boys stuff and have enermous respect for Brian's contribution to popular music but regarding The Who have you tried cranking up Live at Leeds?

Zod

HughFreakingDillon said:

I never “got” the beach boys. I tried listening to them a while back, and didn’t understand the fuss. 

I’m listening to Pet Sounds right now. I still don’t get it. It sounds like barbershop music with instrumentation. Stuff you might hear on a cruise ship. 

However, I will admit, I have often had trouble with those most-revered. Dylan, Prince, Bowie, Young. The Who. The Stones. Don’t care for any of them. 

I feel like I’m missing out on something. 

My Mom was/is a big beach boys fan, so there were a number of records in the house growing up.   I feel like it's a product of it's time, and sometimes it's not as easy getting into music from an era long gone.  I probably like them because I grew up listening to them.   I'm not sure if I'd get into them if today was the first day I was listening to them.

Or maybe it's just me.  It took me decades to appreciate the Beatles

brianlux

benjs said:

I’m still convinced that God Only Knows is one of the most beautiful songs out there. I hope this kind soul gets the peace he deserved in life.

I totally agree, Ben.  

I remember when Carl Wilson died, that night on the Conan O'Brien show, the Max Weinberg 7 played an instrumental version of "God Only Knows" at brought streams of tears to my eyes.