RIP To The Legendary Brian Wilson…
The music world is stunned today by the announcement that Brian Wilson, the visionary Artist behind The Beach Boys, has died…as just reported int eh Washington Post:
Brian Wilson, the founder and principal creative force of the Beach Boys, whose catalogue of early hits embodied the fantasy of California as a paradise of beautiful youth, fast cars and endless surf and made them the most popular American rock group of the 1960s, has died at 82.
The family announced the death on his official webpage, but did not provide further information.
The Beach Boys were formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California, near Los Angeles, by brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love and their friend Al Jardine, and the regional success that year of their first single, “Surfin,’” thrust them to national attention when Capitol Records signed them almost immediately as the label’s first rock act.
The group had many ps and downs over their 50+ year career, and Wilson himself had a troubled life as well…but his music has lived on:
Several years ago, the biggest music stars in the world gathered to perform his classic hit “God Only Knows” as a tribute to his artistry, and here’s a video f his most iconic song “Good Vibrations:
“Love & Mercy” is the title of one of Wilson’s solo hits…here it is:
It became the title of a great film bout his life, see more about the terrific films here:
The band released their final album a few years ago:
The Beach Boys returned in 2012 with a new album, and then embarked on a 50th anniversary tour to celebrate. The album got great reviews, too!
Here is the official music video released for “That’s Why God Made The Radio”:
The latest Beach Boys album got many great reviews, including this one from “biggbambop.com”, which looked at record track by track, including the mini-suite at the end of the record:
“Summer’s Gone…”
As upbeat and fun as the album was, the CD ended on a note that seems to say goodbye to the fans…this mini-suite that ends the album has a melancholy feel, with lyrics that speak to something bigger…
It’s a beautiful song, with great harmonies and Brian Wilson’s gentle voice, showing more depth and emotion with age…here is a video from youtube…
“Summer’s gone
Summer’s gone away
Gone away
With yesterday
Old friends have gone
They’ve gone their separate ways
Our dreams hold on
For those who still have more to say
Summer’s gone
Gone like yesterday
The nights grow cold
It’s time to go
I’m thinking maybe I’ll just stay
Another summer gone
Summer’s gone
It’s finally sinking in
One day begins
Another ends
I live them all and back again
Summer’s gone
I’m gonna sit and watch the waves
We laugh, we cry
We live then die
And dream about our yesterday”
It is a beautiful, heartfelt song, and what feels to be a coda to the band…here is the band performing “Summer’s Gone” live At Wembley Stadium in London on 29/09/12:
“God Only Knows…”
As I said, some of the world’s biggest musical Artist came together a few years ago to celebrate Wilson as well.
To celebrate the launch of BBC Music, the British broadcaster released a star-studded “God Only Knows” music video with some of the biggest music stars in the world, all singing this classic Beach Boys song along with Brian Wilson…here it is:
One last Wilson story to share…take a moment and look at the cliffs over our shoulder – do they look familiar?
Well, one reason that Paradise Beach is iconic is because of this album cover:
Yes, the Paradise Cove Beach Cliffs provide the backdrop for The Beach Boys and their iconic “Surfing’ Safari!” So there are two great reasons to love Paradise Cove: it’s the location of an iconic album from the “surfing’ 60’s”,
See more of my story about this iconic Beach Boys location here:
If you want more of my stories, click on the main page and “follow” me on the upper right…
RIP to Brian Wilson, a true musical genius…
Categories: 70's Music, Art, Classic Rock, Cult Movies, Hollywood, Memoirs, Movies, Music, Pop Culture, Talent/Celebrities
johnrieber 
A beautiful tribute post, John. 🙏🌅
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Such a wonderful legacy left behind. We saw him in concert in London on one of his last tours of Britain. He still had it!
Best wishes, Pete.
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This is a wonderful tribute to a great singer. Love their music!
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So sad. He gave us such gorgeous music!
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such a huge loss and the more I learned about him over time, the more amazed I was by him
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The Beach Boys were a big part of my teenage surfing years. Hopefully he is at peace now.
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Yes, he struggled through far too much of his life…
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Sad news indeed. Thanks for the awesome tribute. So much talent.
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Thank you for reading!
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A lovely tribute. I heard the news an hour or so ago and immediately changed my plans for tomorrow’s post. Expect my tribute tomorrow!
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