Brian Wilson’s dementia

[Michedelic]

So sad, indeed.
With all he'd been through, many thought Brian would be the first Wilson brother to pass, so it's amazing he's outlived Dennis who's been gone since '83, and Carl who's been gone since '98. His contributions to pop music are unbelievable.



Very well put.


Great point. I believe The Beach Boys may have been the first group to write, produce and perform their own music.

Cancer got Carl, and Dennis had his own problems with drugs and drinking. Alcohol played a role in his death.
If you count Buddy Holly and the Crickets as a group, they certainly had a lead on self-writing and performing, and eventually took over production from Norman Petty. Capitol Records staff producer Nick Venet oversaw the earlier BB albums(what a career that guy had).

 

[GretschWretch]

Cancer got Carl, and Dennis had his own problems with drugs and drinking. Alcohol played a role in his death.
If you count Buddy Holly and the Crickets as a group, they certainly had a lead on self-writing and performing, and eventually took over production from Norman Petty. Capitol Records staff producer Nick Venet oversaw the earlier BB albums(what a career that guy had).

You beat me to it: Dennis destroyed himself, and he arguably had the best sense of humor and playfulness of any of the brothers.

 

[Wyrdlow]

That's very sad to hear. I had the good fortune to see him at the Cropredy Festival in 2018, and it was, without a doubt, the most enjoyable gig I've ever attended. Absolutely beautiful music.

 

[KenD]

Wilson is in a super-tier of arranger/producers with few others. IMO "Good Vibrations" is his magnum opus.

 

[Michedelic]

That's very sad to hear. I had the good fortune to see him at the Cropredy Festival in 2018, and it was, without a doubt, the most enjoyable gig I've ever attended. Absolutely beautiful music.

Saw him twice in the last ten years. His backing musicians, a virtual Wrecking Crew tribute band, were always astounding(but I’m a bit biased as two acquaintances of my wife and I are in it). But seriously, when they opened with “California Girls”, I would get chills. David Marks, Al Jardine, and Blondie Chapin were all on board, so I always considered them to be the real Beach Boys experience. The time at the Greek Theater in LA, Jeff Beck opened and then sat in. Incredible experience.

 

[Carl Hillman]

Thanks for the music, Brian.

Here's one he wrote before Pet Sounds, that sounds like it could be on that album. The rest of the band rejected it for the Beach Boys Today! album, so he arranged and produced it for Glen Campbell to sing.

 

[Gorilla Monsoon]

I’m surprised any of the musicians who played in the ‘60s are still with us. Attribute it to strong genetics.

 

[Water buffalo]

I took care of my Father.

It's a devastatingly horrible disease for all involved.

Brian has always been such a unique individual.

Heartbreaking.

 

[Wyrdlow]

Saw him twice in the last ten years. His backing musicians, a virtual Wrecking Crew tribute band, were always astounding(but I’m a bit biased as two acquaintances of my wife and I are in it). But seriously, when they opened with “California Girls”, I would get chills. David Marks, Al Jardine, and Blondie Chapin were all on board, so I always considered them to be the real Beach Boys experience. The time at the Greek Theater in LA, Jeff Beck opened and then sat in. Incredible experience.

Al Jardine was there, certainly. They played everything I hoped to hear, finishing with "Good Vibrations" and an encore of "Wouldn't It Be Nice?" Absolutely an incredible experience, yes. Mind blown.

 

[Patrice B]

Beach Boys Founder Brian Wilson Has Dementia, Court Filings Confirm

While I tend to not think of him as a bassist necessarily, but as an all-around auteur and composer(and then of course he encouraged Carol Kaye to add her contributions), he, like his counterpart Paul McCartney, put the bass out front and center in the early days of the Beach Boys. In spite of many pitfalls in his life that would have killed others, he managed to survive this far, but with this development right on the heels of his wife’s passing, it is still so sad.

A couple of weeks ago, I was reading about the condition of Mr Wilson and saw one of his last public appearance in 2021 or 2022 and it was really sad: he looked completely out this world and was only the shadow of what I had the luck to see back in 2016 in Toronto. At least, back then, he wasn’t an « entertainer » but he looked ok… and I was there to hear and see one of my idols.

Thank you for your music Brian.

***Unlike in the Beatles, he was often the main arranger/composer/producer, a lot of pression on his shoulders. After his masterpiece, Pet Sounds, he didn’t had the same acknowledgment by Capitol, his own band mates (particularly Mike Love) and the U.S. public as the Beatles got with their unorthodox material. « He just wasn’t made for these times ».

 

[GretschWretch]

That's very sad to hear. I had the good fortune to see him at the Cropredy Festival in 2018, and it was, without a doubt, the most enjoyable gig I've ever attended. Absolutely beautiful music.

One of my favorite YouTube videos is of Fairport Convention doing "Sir Patrick Spens" at a Cropready, and a live version (recorded) was the first time I heard a really trebly bass tone I could get on board with.

 

[consectaneus]

I’m glad I caught him on the 50th anniversary tour.

 

[Chrisk-K]

Keith Richards still being alive and healthy is one of the biggest mysteries of the universe.

 

[Hot Rats]

When all my friends were into Kiss in the mid 70's, I was listening to the Beach Boys. They have been in constant rotation through all my years since. I saw them in 1982 at the Sunrise Ampitheater in Fl and wish I remembered what members I saw and what songs they played. Historical info is rare on set list and members on that show.

 

[perfektspace6]

That is sad news. Guess I am not surprised given all he's been through. It's amazing that he didn't die years ago between the drugs, smoking, and mental illness he has battled.

I saw him a little while back and just drifted off into another dimension when they did Our Prayer from Smile to open the set. It's a perfect piece of music.

 

[MynameisMe]

Father time is undefeated....

 

[Pet Sounds]

Mayall retired some time ago; he’s 91 or 92 now.

I believe Mayall retired from touring, but never said he was retiring from performing or recording, unless that has changed fairly recently.

 

[Kubicki Fan]

I "saw" the Beach Boys in Toronto in '80 or '81. My school buddy Ritchie bought us tix. This was only my second Rock concert up to then. We were in the nosebleed section squirming around huge concrete columns to get a view of the event, but the sound was great. Brian has a unique musical mind.
Thanks Ritchie, wherever you are!!

 

[LordRyan]

On top of this Brian lost his wife a few weeks ago.
Melinda Wilson, Wife of Brian Wilson, Dead at 77

 

[HJFree]

Sad. Legendary Musician.