The Week the Music Died... Brian Wilson gone at 82
- Thread starter pourcyne
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I had a conversation with Brian Wilson once.
There had just been a tsunami killing thousands and he had this charity where you donated a certain amount and he'd call you and talk to you. My friend saw it and donated but used my name because he knew I was a big fan. I kind of forgot about it then one day a few months later I picked up my phone and "Hi I'm Brian Wilson, thanks for your donation, you can ask two questoins and I'll do my best to answer." Any fans know his voice and way of speaking is very unmistakable.
I wasn't really prepared because I was kind of skeptical I was actually going to talk to him. I asked where he drew inspiration from, I hate to say I can barely remember his answer but it was something about being at peace with himself and nature. I also asked him who his favorite artist of any medium is, that it didn't have to be music, and he seemed to pause and think then very genuinely told me that Paul McCartney was the artist who inspired him most.
There had just been a tsunami killing thousands and he had this charity where you donated a certain amount and he'd call you and talk to you. My friend saw it and donated but used my name because he knew I was a big fan. I kind of forgot about it then one day a few months later I picked up my phone and "Hi I'm Brian Wilson, thanks for your donation, you can ask two questoins and I'll do my best to answer." Any fans know his voice and way of speaking is very unmistakable.
I wasn't really prepared because I was kind of skeptical I was actually going to talk to him. I asked where he drew inspiration from, I hate to say I can barely remember his answer but it was something about being at peace with himself and nature. I also asked him who his favorite artist of any medium is, that it didn't have to be music, and he seemed to pause and think then very genuinely told me that Paul McCartney was the artist who inspired him most.
I was never drawn to the Beach Boys music but I can appreciate and respect the genius of the band and of Wilson when it came to songwriting. When Paul McCartney regards you as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, you're doing something right.
Hope he rests easy.
Hope he rests easy.
The three members of the Wrecking Crew in the video are the following.
Al DeLory on tack piano. He is best known for producing Glen Campbell's 60's hits Galveston,By The Time I Get To Phoenix and Gentle On My Mind.
Lyle Ritz on upright bass. He played on hundreds of songs and was the stand-in on the ukulele for Steve Martin in the movie The Jerk.
Hal Blaine on drums. Played on over 40 songs that hit #1 on the Billboard hot 100 and country charts. Was the drummer on the six consecutive songs that won the Grammy for Record Of The Year from 1965 to 1970 and the drummer on Brian Wilson's favorite song Be My Baby by The Ronettes.
Many other Wrecking Crew members played on Good Vibrations as well:
Carol Kaye on bass guitar. She will be inducted into the Rock 'N Roll hall of fame later this year,
Plas Johnson on piccolo and clarinet. He is best known for playing the sax solo on The Pink Panther Theme by Henry Mancini. Kaye and Johnson are still with us.
I live in a cave sometimes. I just found out of Brian's passing. He was the band leader, main song writer and producer, I think. Just a fantastic artist and musician! He will be missed. RIPDamn. I gotta quit checking the news in the daytime.
Sharing full article:
Brian Wilson, Songwriter and Leader of the Beach Boys, Dies at 82
A hitmaker elevated and burdened by the label of genius, he transcended the breezy surf genre to create complex harmonies and intricate soundscapes in the studio.www.nytimes.com
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This is a 15 min excerpt from the documentory film, "Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road".
I can't remember what network it was/is on (Netfilx, Hulu, PBS, etc.), but if you can find it, and are a music fan of the 60's or Brian Wilson, it is well worth the time.
His passing reminds me of an old debate I always used to have with my father and a few others.
What is the greatest *American* rock *band?*
No British groups (the Beatles, Stones, etc.)
No solo artists (no Dylan, Elvis, etc.)
I still haven't heard a convincing argument it wasn't the Beach Boys.
For Pet Sounds alone and everything else Brian suffered to give us.
RIP
What is the greatest *American* rock *band?*
No British groups (the Beatles, Stones, etc.)
No solo artists (no Dylan, Elvis, etc.)
I still haven't heard a convincing argument it wasn't the Beach Boys.
For Pet Sounds alone and everything else Brian suffered to give us.
RIP
An argument could be made for Creedence Clearwater Revival.
Also some candidates since that period, I won't try to delve into that right now.
I haven't been so broken up over a celebrity death since Robin Williams. The Beach Boys remind me of my childhood. How can anyone not like their music honestly? It's just fun.
I've seen at one time or another Sly and The Family Stone mentioned in this conversation.
