Musical Genius Tells the Story of an All Time Masterpiece | Professor of Rock
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- Опубликовано: 23 июн 2021
- Up next, my Holy Grail interview. One of the last musical geniuses left on this earth Brian Wilson, co-founder of The Beach Boys and the Father of 60s pop tells the story behind God Only Knows from their masterpiece 1966 album Pet Sounds.
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#60s #Pop #Story
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As I began to do interviews with legendary artists, songwriters and producers I maid a list of the 15 artist I had to get before I leave this earth. It was my fab 15, artists that have truly touched my life and created the meaningful soundtrack of my very existence. I’ve been fortunate to interview quite a few from that list. Some still remain. Of the near 600 interviews i’ve done so far and from that list of my 15, there is one that is my Holy Grail interview. An artist who has shaped not only my life and countless others but who legends look to. A legend’s legend. He created a body of work that has never been equaled. He is quite simply one of the last musical geniuses left on this earth.
When I say musical genius, I’d say of the many hundreds of legendary artists in the rock era, I think you can count them on your two hands. We’ve lost a few of them over the years, Prince, Eddie Van Halen. In my estimation there are but a few left. Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, Paul McCartney and Brian Wilson.
Having already composed numerous masterpieces within the pop music canon… in late 1965 Brian Wilson remarked to his then wife that he would venture to create the greatest rock album ever made! Brian had heard Be My Baby by the RONNETTES had to pull the car over. Phil Spector’s wall of sound production was mind blowing to him, he then went on to write the Beach boys heavenly classic Dont’ Worry Baby, Similar to this experience, he heard the Beatles Rubber Soul and was knocked out. An album with no filler, Every song was exasperating to the soul. This was the motivation to tell is then wife that he would create the greatest album ever. The result was called Pet Sounds. It’s in a three way tie for my favorite album of all time.
How does one even try to define Pet Sounds? It’s similar to the plot of the movie It’s a wonderful life where in we ask what would life be like without George Bailey.. Instead asking, What would the world be like without Pet Sounds? It’s a question I can’t even begin to answer, for me it would be like imagining a world without oxygen. It’s emotional impact cannot be overstated . It’s 35 minutes and 57 seconds of absolute sonic perfection. It’s the personification of one million heavenly angels singing in unison. to put it lightly, If you’ve never never listened to Pet Sounds all the way through, then you have not truly experienced the full power of music.. 
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How about a mike love interview?
I'd love to hear TPOR's thoughts on Chris Stapleton
It's a wonderful life is one of my favorite movies of all times
Rubber soul.... YES! But also "Pet Sounds " such an album to listen to on the road! Or anytime for that matter! My family took a lot of road trips and sang along to this! As well as "Rumors " Fleetwood Mac! And Carly Simon...
As far as his best song I would have to say wouldn't it be nice. I would put that song up against any other masterpiece.
The Beach Boys music helped influence my mother to leave England for California. She then met my father.
That's an amazing story!
That's really nice, brother. But it didn't take a band to make my folks leave. They wanted (and achieved) a better life than was possible there for most people.
Sounds like it worked out well for your folks, too. They got you, after all.
That's a nice story!
And then this comment happened and made me smile. Your mom made a great decision. 👍
VERY COOL!
Brian is still the sweet, pure, innocent soul he’s always been. God bless Brian, Dennis, and Carl.
I see you omitted Mike, lol.👍
@@lamarravery4094 And Al for some reason
Carl’s vocal performance on God Only Knows is so clean, and pure, and angelic
I didn't hear Pet Sounds in its entirety until I was a 34-year-old metal head. I then listened to it about 100 times in a row and it immediately became my favorite album. It completely changed how I look at music. I still love metal but there isn't a metal album that comes close to having the emotional impact of Pet Sounds. Thank you for introducing more people to the genius of Brian Wilson.
Some metal heads don't have an open mind to other music. It's sad.
Apparently ‘Here Today’ from Pet Sounds influenced Lemmy
It's never too late to learn new things. Welcome to the club.
I have an album for you friend. This new band from Britain also uses Chamber Pop like The Beach Boys used, and they do it wonderfully and their most recent album is considered one of the best to come out this year. The album Ants From Up There by Black Country New Road. I hope you love it.
I love metal, and I agree. Pet Sounds is one of the greatest bodies of music in the last 100+ years.
Got a text a couple of years ago from my 16 year old daughter: "Hey dad, listening to 'God Only Knows' and thinking about you." Simply transcendent music.
Wow what a special moment.
She rolled over this morning and told me the same thing
@@KokoTheGorilla69 you're a creep go elsewhere.
@@girlinabox1943 you can get it too
Thats one of those moments of utter confirmation that you get when you know you have done most things right as a parent. They are special indeed! Thanks for sharing.
When I was a kid, around ten or eleven, I became a diehard Beatles fan. I listened to Sgt. Pepper hundreds of times. My Dad noticed this love for them and sat me down one evening in front of his record player. 'So you like The Beatles, huh? You need to listen to this.' He put on Pet Sounds and we both listened to it all the way through. It was a revelation. The Beach Boys fought with The Beatles from then on as my favorite classic band. What a big get with THE Brian Wilson! Way to go, Adam!
Fourth!
Thank you for watching.
still undecided since i'm 10-11 also , beachboys beatles ??
@@jamessilver6429 Oh wow well you need to start listening to both and see what you are missing, I don't think you'll be disappointed!
@@loganmpe7559 hi, my meaning was i do listen to them( probably more than anything else) , definitely. dont know if ones better, or its atie.
Brian said in an interview, "I have a really big soul, and i want to share it with you." Thank you for sharing, Brian. We love you. ♥️🏆👏
"Caroline No" is the rawest form of emotions in a song I've ever heard. Hauntingly beautiful.
Brian Wilson literally saved my life! I grew up in a house not too unlike his own. I had it from not only my father physically, but my mother too, both physically and psychologically. Until I grew bigger than her, she came close to putting me in the hospital many times. I was 14, 1976, a huge Eric Clapton (and blues) fan, and peeling back all the layers I could with Cream. I'm listening to an interview with Clapton and Jack Bruce, and they both are absolutely raving about Pet Sounds and Brian as a writer. Clapton talks about how they'd listen to the album all the way through to get their heads right before playing a show. Bruce was calling Brian "the new Bach". Now I had heard all of the regular hits on the radio, but now it was, "who is this guy?" I get Pet Sounds and listen from start to finish. Nothing. Play it again, nothing. I played it a third time and the epiphany happened. It was as if the clouds lifted. Now I got it. I was hooked. It changed how I looked at life and how I would survive. I carried the lyrics to "I Guess I Wasn't Made for These Times" in my wallet from 14 to about 35, it moved me that much and was so true. After the epiphany, I then went off down the rabbit hole of analyzing everything Wilson ever did. You can hear his progression through all of the early stuff into Pet Sounds, and then onto Good Vibrations and Smile. His production, his arrangements, his chords, changes, keys, so many top artists talk about the little things he does in his writing that just grab you, and is so different from everyone else. I swear I'm still hearing new things in the mix in Pet Sounds 45 years later.
The story after Pet Sounds is one of triumph, but also sheer tragedy, as without the support of his band, a family band, he withdrew. He really was the George Washington of rock in 1966. Everyone who was anyone was looking at him then and was blown away by where he was going, what he was doing, and working to achieve, and the new avenues he opened with his visions in both Pet Sounds and Smile. What could have been had he had the emotional backing to keep pushing the envelope.
Thank you so much for this! At 79, it's great to still have Brian, a true treasure, especially after all he has been through.
Thank you!
Beautiful comment.
great comment
Thank you for this comment
I too could practically write a book about this as you probably could.
Wilson is truly a living legend . Survivor . Genius. Humble and Humane. It's all there.
Thanks for the music Brian.
It's Amazing that "The Wrecking Crew" played on most of the Beach Boys and Brian's records
Brian Wilson is one of the only musicians where the more you study him the more questions you get then answers. It’s truly baffling how Brian can fit so much in a song with such incredible chords while it sounds coherent and perfect and massive. Brian’s music style is truly the definition of maximalism and intricacy.
He's so anti-ego. You try to pin down some cult of personality stuff on him and he squirms out from under it, his music too. Just more of his genius and decency if you ask me.
@@zachhiggins1668 yeah I understand that. I’d be weirded out if people were praising me at such cult level but at the end of the day his stuff is brilliant and his music wows me.
@@torinshaw1084 at the end of the day he's a regular guy who loves making music
@@zachhiggins1668and he’s beyond words good at it.
@@torinshaw1084 he's pretty good yeah
Fun fact: The Beach Boys were Keith Moon of The Who's all time favorite band. He nagged Pete Townshend to no end to have The Who cover Barbarann with Keith on lead vocal while drumming. He'd been a Beach Boys fanatic way before his days in The Who. In fact, the name of his band prior to joining The Who was the Beachcombers. He also moved to a beach front home in California because of the allure that The Beach Boys put on the location.
Yep, and as soon as Bruce Johnston from the Beach Boys came over to visit London, Keith immediately got him a place to stay, introduced him to Paul McCartney and John Lennon and asked Bruce to bring a pre-release copy of Pet Sounds!
@@beebee404 oh yeah that's right! I forgot about that. I might butcher this a bit but Pete Townshend postulated that perhaps that's how Keith developed his extraordinary drumming style. By mimicking the tempo of surf music. My goodness, he was so damn good when he was healthy. There'll never be another drummer like him.
There's a scene in The Kids Are Alright of Keith in the studio singing Barbara Ann with The Who.
@@jeremyhoke1782 indeed there is. And since you've mentioned it, I'd say The Kids Are Alright is easily one of the best rock documentaries of all time. They have a newer, more in depth, formal documentary out now but TKAA is just an amazingly entertaining well put together film. Rock n' roll debauchery at its finest.
The Who did Barbara Ann and some other surf type songs...Bucket-T...I think when Keith R got busted for something as a benefit. Had a Who boot with them on it...
I watched "Love and Mercy" today, a movie about Brian Wilson (I recommend it) ... and have taken the plunge into all things Beach Boys and Pet Sounds. Especially God Only Knows. A song which feels divine to me. This episode of your channel was a perfect way to cap the day. Thank you!
+
💯💯💯
A great film!!
It’s so great when you meet your heroes and they’re as great a person as Brian Wilson. Spoke to someone who works with him who said he is as humble as they come and doesn’t see himself as the genius so many others do. The greatest tend to not let the praise affect them. Hence why they’re so great. Always striving to do better.
Exactly right.
As opposed to Mike Love, who has been called "one of the biggest a-holes in the history of rock n' roll." I find it hard to believe the two are first cousins!
I first listened to Pet Sounds at age 18. At 43, Im still listening, more intensive than ever!
Pet Sounds is a very rare album in that it never gets old. The more you hear it, the more it speaks to you and means to you. The great majority of great albums, even though they are great, still wear thin on you eventually if you play them enough times. Pet Sounds however just seems to grow and grow in your soul the more you play it. It does for me anyway. I first heard it when I was in college, right when the stereo mix came out. I put one speaker on each side of my bed and lay in bed listening to it so many times. For the first time I heard music which I could really relate to, about the real struggles of growing up from teenager to adult, written so candidly and beautifully.
"It's art disguised as pop"
The song Surf's Up is my masterpiece pick.
Mine too - great lyrics too
@@topologyrob …by Van Dyke Parks.
After a lot of soul searching, I’ve actually decided i prefer Smile to Pet Sounds. And I love Pet Sounds. But Surf’s Up, Wind Chimes, Heroes and Villains, Wonderful- just incredible music.
Columnated ruins domino!
@@danielboyd4079 Same here. Even in Its state it matches up more with my tastes.
Absolutely love Surfs Up. Such a beautiful sad song.
No other artist has been able to capture the feeling of being in love more than Brian Wilson. Plus his singing in his prime like nothing on this planet. His falsettos are LEGENDARY! He’s one hell of a producer and arranger.
Well said 💖
I was born and raised about 12 miles from Hawthorne, California, the home of The Beach Boys. I was 6-7 years old when I heard Surfer Girl for the first time. It was my first favorite song by a group and The Beach Boys and Beatles my two favorite bands. I was fortunate to attend Beach Boys concerts from around 1971 to 1980. It’s nice to see Brian and the group finally get the respect they deserve finally.
Brian Wilson brought SoCal to the world with his music... Back in the 60s, the Beach Boys were right there with the Beatles on the charts. "God Only Knows" never gets old...
Agreed my friend.
Supposedly it's Paul McCartney's all time favorite song.
Supposedly there's an interview somewhere where Paul Maccar himself says that if SMiLE would have come out before Sgt. Pepper, it would have stolen a LOT of their thunder. We know how that went, though. Brian had to pull his car over and cry because "they got there first".
@@IAmKillEveryone Paul sees Brian Wilson as his equal. They have a very special bond. :)
I never got into The Beach Boys. But I have to say, your infectious enthusiasm for Pet Sounds makes me want to clear my calendar and indulge in 35 minutes of musical bliss.
You won't be sorry.
There’s not a bad song on it. You hear it, and notice how everyone has been influenced by it ever since.
It took me a couple listens. I'm 51 and didn't really give the entire album a listen until my mid 40's. YMMV of course, but once it grabs you it's like it becomes a part of who you are from then on.
I'm a musician and was,for a long time "too cool" to give it a spin. A friend came over and actually brought The LP and a turntable. He left it with me. After 2 weeks I had a slow sunday..put it on and did the dishes. After one spin...I had met a friend I never knew. One that I would never forget. Thank you Brian. If you can..hear this on Vinyl...even better,imho.
It is the only album that still makes me cry every time I listen to it.
I agree wholeheartedly with the Professor. “God only knows “ is Brian Wilson’s masterpiece.
The Beach Boys vocal arrangements are IMO unmatched...
Someday when BW has moved off this sphere and to the next, he will be arranging & conducting some of the most beautiful, heavenly music ever constructed. And Denny & Carl will be right there with him.
@@burlingtonbill1 or enjoying music thats even better than anything that even he could come up with !! etc. he ain't a spring chicken , but he still got a few good suprises in him.
In 2009 I received a First Pressing of Pet Sounds from my wife’s aunt. It, along with a couple of dozen other great albums, was hidden away in her basement. She said I could have them all.
I took it home, cleaned it and put it on my turntable. What I heard honestly brought me such happiness that I consider it one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever received.
I wasn’t aware of the fact that it is one of the best albums ever. I’ve gained a new appreciation for The Beach Boys from listening to that album. Although there are some imperfections in the copy I have, because of poor storage and use, I will never get rid of this copy.
Wilson's songwriting, The brilliance of The Wrecking Crew as the musicians, and Carl Wilson's angelic voice made "God Only Knows" a timeless classic. The ingredients all "clicked."
Pet Sounds is the greatest album of all time. Brian Wilson is a genius. Thank you Professor for this wonderful episode.
FYI kids, when he says A and B side, he is not speaking of an acctual full sized record album, we used to buy 45's which are small records with only one song on each side of it. We all had small record players in something that looks like a briefcase, and we brought them everywhere, plugged them in, popped on a 45, and the party started! The days before internet and cell phones were pretty awesome acctually!
Wow. You managed to get Brian Wilson... There's only a handful of musicians/songwriters alive at that level. Looking forward to watching this. Must've felt amazing to be in the presence of someone who influenced just about everything there is in music today.
It was amazing!
@@ProfessorofRock Next up: Macca!
Bob Dylan?
@Soy Orbison Amen to that. Throw in Art, too.
@@ProfessorofRock I can only imagine!!
Someone I’ve always thought was overlooked as a musical genius is Jeff Lynne.
yes,early elo was brilliant before the pop stuff.eldorado & face the music alone prove jeffs genious.
agreed
Jeff Lynne is 100% music genius!
Absolutely
A 1 song wonder (a good song at that admittedly) but still, "musical genius" claims should not be thrown about like confetti.
It got me when he declared why he let Carl take the lead. What an awesome brother. Amazing man.
Everything about God Only Knows is perfect; the music, the lyrics, the arrangement (with the French horn intro, the flutes, the plastic orange juice cups percussion, etc.,) and the icing on the cake - Carl Wilson's sweet, pure and gorgeous voice on top of it all.
As an accordion player myself, I am grateful that Brian Wilson also had accordions in on the production.
Carl’s voice was magical. Love him on I Can Hear Music also.
And that was the first Beach Boy single that Brian never worked on . It was all Carl!
The one song I could *always* listen to.
I love his song Darlin’ too
My favorite "Carl" song, other than God Only Knows, is the much-less-well-known, "All This Is That," from Carl & The Passions: So Tough. Listen to his heavenly voice gently tail off at the end of the song (crank up the volume so you can hear ALL of that beautiful vocal!)
Even if “God Only Knows” was the only track on Pet Sounds, it would still be one of greatest albums of all time.
Yeah: THE GREATEST 3-MINUTE ALBUM OF ALL TIME.
@@mitchellkarera “Pocket Symphony” indeed... lol
That song gets you doesn't it? "I may not always love you." Who starts a song like that? Surf music came and went a long time ago. The Beach Boys were its undisputed vanguard. "Pet Sounds" was their stab to break into the hippy part of the sixties and it worked. Sort of. Who knew then it would be Brian Wilson's last creative gasp. But at least he went out on top.
That's a lot of deadwax.
@@brianmallen8887 last gasp? Nah. Look at how hard he worked on SMiLE (which literally has those words in "Cabinessence") and Good Vibrations.
His brothers are Brian's best gift. The way Dennis sings "Forever" & "Slip On Through" to open the Sunflower album and Carl's "Our Sweet Love" show that no other band had this many great voices as soloists and harmonizers. The 5-6 voices are like another instrument.
I just LOVE Brian Wilson. My biggest influence for sure. All of my children went to Berklee College of Music, and it all started with Pet Sounds. My daughter chose the bass as her instrument because of the work Carol Kaye did on that record. We would sing along with every song and do all of the harmonies together. Brian's influence can't be overstated!
I listen to Pet Sounds when I walk on the beach by myself, and reflect on life. I think about someone who I love, and miss every day. I think about how tiny we are as humans, how silly everything is and how convoluted our lives are with technology and our products and consumerism. It's like therapy, my own meditative soundtrack. Great album
I used to hang with the Boys as a teenager in the 80’s at their burbank studio and man talk about amazing... They have enriched all our lives beyond measure. Beautiful music!!! God only knows what I’d be without their musical love.
🎶💗
Would’ve been nice to hear more of Brian talking about himself, music and The Beach Boys. They are one of the most underrated and forgotten bands in the history of American Music.
@Vincent H. think you misunderstood the statement man:/ cause your response is way off base
So blessed to have grown up listening to The Beach Boys, then Pet Sounds gave everyone wings. Thanks Brian Wilson!
Wouldn't it be nice!
Reality: I agree with the first sentence; couldn't disagree more with the second sentence. Far from under rated and never forgotten.
@@DZobe-nz7dl ccc
There’s 2 types of music: music that makes you feel and music that doesn’t. Brian for the most part wrote music that made you feel
If Pet Sounds was the greatest album ever made, them SMILE was the greatest album never made. To my ears, SMILE was far superior, and the fact that it was never completed by the Beach Boys was truly heartbreaking. It was great that Brian finally finished it as a solo project in 2003 - it's one of my all time favorite albums by anyone - but the fact that it didn't get the recognition it should have gotten is nothing short of criminal. "Wonderful" is perhaps the most beautiful song ever written.
@Hesh Meister - I got the Smile Sessions box set and it blew me away. I got the 2003 version of Smile after I got the Smile Sessions box set but I prefer the Smile Sessions box set because Brian's voice was in prime condition and I love the original Beach Boys on backing vocals. I had never heard a lot of the Smile songs before I got the box set (e.g., Our Prayer, Wonderful, Surf's Up) and I was in complete musical bliss.
@@mikeneedham3740 i think of the 2011 release sort of like the venus de milo and the 2003 one as if alexendro went back and put arms on it - it's not a perfect analogy , the 2003 is more complete , and its "perfect" , but the beach boys version is more ' magical ' and understandably so , and its just about "perfect". i listen to both
@@jamessilver6429 I think you perfectly captured my thoughts! Thanks.
@@burlingtonbill1 you is welcome 👍 😃
Very kind interview. Brian is a true musical legend in a climate were the word "Legend" is tossed around too frequently.
This song would always take me on a spiritual journey. Still love it to this day. No computers just heart and soul.
I still remember the words of the review I read of the Pet Sounds album back in the day - so long ago. 'A dog barks, a train passes in the night. Pet Sounds is a soundtrack without a movie. You don't need a movie. You're living it.'
I was in high school, late 90's/early 00's, and remembering saying to myself that I wanted something real in my life, and this was the time that everyone was going crazy for people like Britney Spears, NSYNC, TLC and Puff Daddy, and I wanted to hear music that had love and feeling behind it. I remember getting paid from work and across the street was KMart (Remember that store) and they had all of those Beach Boys Twofer CD's, and they had Pet Sounds in Stereo and Mono on one CD, so I bought that alongside the Twofer of Surfer Girl/Shut Down Vol 2. Going home, putting Pet Sounds in my walkman, laying down in bed and just let it play, when the CD finished, I felt like I've just went through a religious or spiritual experience, this became the start of my love for Brian and The Beach Boys, every day afterwards, I would go back to KMart and bought all of the Twofers they had: Surfin Safari/Surfin USA, Little Deuce Coupe/All Summer Long, Today/Summer Days (And Summer Nights), Smiley Smile/Wild Honey, Friends/20-20, Party!/Stack-O-Tracks. Then two years later after graduating, him finishing SMiLE, that album touched my soul as well. I was lucky to see him when he and his band played in my hometown a couple of years ago, and had front row seats, and he caught me singing along to his song, this young kid, that must have made him feel great knowing that his songs have touched young people.
I feel you!! No one writes music like Brian Wilson!
Wonderful story truly🙏 REALLY know what you mean here!! Thank you for sharing!!
Really heartfelt story... thanks. I'm just a few years older 🙂but I can tell you I had a similar epiphany when endless playing the double-sided 45 I Get Around / Don't Worry Baby on my uncle's stereo system in June 1964. I've been a devoted fan ever since. Got to sit in front row in 2017 when Brian's band did the 50th anniversary tour for Pet Sounds. They are the soundtrack to my life...
@@burlingtonbill1 wow, so did I and front row too, Billy Hinische even waved hi at me and Probyn, and I know Brian saw me singing along to his songs, such a great tour
To say he is a living legend is so understated..
Without Brian Wilson the world of music would not exist as we know it ..
Brian was so far ahead of his time musically , He influenced so many lives beyond his imagination..
Thank you Brian with Gratitude and Respect..
My wife suffers from depression. At first, we didn't know what was wrong with her. She just stood in bed crying and feeling down. Brian's music took her out of her depression. When she got better, we took her to a professional and she was diagnosed and got her medication, but what really helped her was Brian's music. When she knew about Brian's struggle with his own mental problems she said, "he understads what I'm going through." That's the reason why we named our first son after him.
Adam, I am extremely touched by the palpable emotion and respect that you've shown during your interview with Brian Wilson. (Even your voice, deliberately pitched so he could hear you, is so beautifully thoughtful.) Your surface feelings mirror my own when I discuss what Pet Sounds means to me. In one interview, Brian said he wanted to create pocket symphonies and mini-prayers for teenage angst. He succeeded above anyone's imagination - perhaps even Brian's. For me, Pet Sounds remains, through trial and tempest, devastating grief and cancer survival, my go-to for both healing and celebration. Thank you for covering the real story and the real deal, Brian Wilson. ❤
"I believe that God is music." Great quote from Brian. Thank you Prof for seeing the spirituality and higher realms expressed in music, particularly this music. Now I have to listen to Pet Sounds all the way through. :)
I tried not to be a beach boys fan but after listening to pet sounds i was in awe.
The Beach Boys were #1in our house during my early years. We had them on 8 track and vinyl. My brother used to wake up in the middle of the night ,go into the living room with his blanket and fall back to sleep with a 8 track of the beach boys playing .
I was born in ‘57 and grew up on The Beach Boys. Now going on 66 and they are still my favorite. They will be playing at my funeral.
Brian Wilson's ability to create music from human feeling and experience is unmatched. He is a humble and kind soul on top of it all. Hey, he influenced the Beatles!!!!
"Pet Sounds" is a sonic joy. The sounds, the instruments, the voices and arrangements are so exciting to listen to - even today. I saw Brian Wilson and his band live in 2004 and I literally had chills going up my spine hearing he and his band play live, the array of sounds were so gorgeous.
Sonic joy is exactly right!
I’ve seen him live several times, and he’s just breathtaking. He might be up there in age, but when the music starts, he’s a teenager again!
Perfectly put....I never thought i would get to hear the album live ever in my life. But Brian got it together, found great musicians, and made a band. I saw him in 2005-6, and I couldn't stop laughing like a maniac, and crying like a grandmother from the sheer joy i felt...It lived..it was LIVE. Thank you Professor, for this .
@@williamkaylor1191 I truly thoughtI would never hear Brian perform that music live. When the show came to our town, we jumped on tickets and got in the first row. I think at the time, a lot of people didnt know the name Brian Wilson. A true joy to behold. I went back again and again. Such a good band .Such good music!
2011 I attended a Brian Wilson concert in Regina Saskatchewan Canada. A beautiful theater and his big band plus members of our philharmonic orchestra. First 1/2 was all Gershwin...intermission then second 1/2 was all Beach Boys....BEST CONCERT EVER.
Thank you for doing this one. It was truly amazing to hear from Brian himself. I remember Paul saying in several interviews that Brian was inspired to write “Pet Sounds” after listening to “Rubber Soul” and he and John being inspired to write “Sgt. Pepper’s” wondering how they could ever top “Pet Sounds”. Also, if anyone hasn’t watched the “Wrecking Crew” documentary, I highly suggest you do. It’s amazing what these “studio musicians” could do.
It's true that Pet Sounds is a mindblowingly great classic album that compares well to The Beatles for quality.
However look at the Beatles output and the quality of most of that output.
What other album did the Beach Boys make at that level ? None.
It is a bit fanciful to imagine there was an ongoing competition between the two bands. Only for that one moment in time.
@@davidlamb7524 That was because Brian Wilson had a complete mental breakdown. He was a music genius of the same caliber of McCartney and Lennon...
I can remember exactly where I was when I first heard this album. I was around 10, in Brooklyn, at a friend's sleepover, when her older sister walked into the room, and without a word, calmly replaced the bubblegum music we had on the stereo with this album. We didn't even realize what hit us until "Wouldn't It Be Nice" came on, and our jaws literally dropped open. We went from loving "Chewy, Chewy" one minute to This. And none of us were ever quite the same again, bc we started listening to music in a completely different way. The genius of Brian Wilson is he could do THAT, by making us all hear what he heard in his head. Thanks, Professor, for spreading the word.
Surfs up, for me, is Brian’s masterpiece.... But that’s what makes him so good. So many truly inspired and emotional songs for different people to relate to.... We’ll all have our (different) favourites 😄
In my room is another great one… I think surfs up is probably his opus though.
I totally agree. The finale "a Children's song.." gets me every time. His masterpiece, just in front of "God only knows".
With you on "Surf's Up," the whole album actually. It's understandable why "God Only Knows" is so popular, though. I'd put the it's-too-short "Caroline, No" up with those, too.
Til I Die is my favorite beach boy song. Not a big fan
Surfs Up is the greatest song ever written in my opinion.
You know when you remember The Beach Boys music from your earliest age, up until you are Middle Aged, that Brian Wilson & The Beach Boys are More than a BAND... Brian is like a family member by now. 2 Wilson brothers lost to us and it's a difficult thing - but when the last one goes... ...smh...you Know it'll be... the end of an era...probably more than the World can bare. And THAT is amazing. To know you touched the world in such a way....that's crazy is what that is. But I'll know then, that life won't ever be the same without Brian Wilson's Brilliance in it. Dennis once said, "Brian Wilson IS The Beach Boys...and we are his messengers." ❤️❤️❤️ A book of Brian's - at the end...he said, just before going on stage to perform with his orchestra, some of his new stuff, "I hope they like my music." 🫢. Then he said, "No matter how many times I do this - I alwa
This album and really many of Brian’s songs have had a big influence my life. I introduced my wife at the time 18 years old to Brian and his band mates in 1983.
It has played such an important in our relationship. GOK is OUR song while we have navigated through 36 plus years of marriage and six children. There’s no one even a close second when it comes to being a sound track of our love and life. From the uptempo songs to the ballots they have made the memories all the more sweeter and easier to recall as the backdrop to a relationship which has seen its highs and lows. Just like our family it has endured the arrows life throws at us. Building me up when life has pushed me to within an inch of giving up.
Nobody, and I mean nobody has comprised a better body of work than Brian Wilson.
Matt, when I met my future wife, she loved In My Room because it was her. I loved California Girls because it was about pretty girls. We married and God Only Knows became our song also. It still is after 47 years and the words are also our life. Thank you for sharing this with us/me.
Love your comment! 46 & six, also.
The Bach of Rock, indeed. Amazing to learn that Brian wrote God Only Knows in 45 minutes.
And congratulations on landing this "holy grail" interview!
Actually the Mozart of Rock. Took music in new directions.
@@anEyePhil I agree. Beach Boys and Brian in particular were/are the Mozart of rock. I personally pick Pink Floyd with any of or all of: Syd Barret, Roger Waters or David Gilmore as the Bach of Rock.
Oh who am I kidding?! Of course the "Bach" would have to be fellow keyboardist Richard Wright!!
Brian Wilson. So grateful that we still have him with us. We will never, ever, see another quite like him. Such a talented and beautiful man. The soundtrack of our lives. Thank you Brian.✌❤
VERY well-said! Thank you.
i was 12 in 1962 when the California wave swept across America. Brian
's music was at the crest of this wave. My young heart opened up as I realized greater potential for myself...that there was true sensitivity, like my own, out there! "In My Room" was soooo beautiful and helped me accept that I was an introvert artist/musician who liked being by myself in my room. God Only Knows evokes tears from such a deep place...I believe God connects us together through this highly refined music. Recently I've discovered Carl! Where have I been all these years??? What a stable, level-headed guy he way...probably the one who grounded the whole show after his big brothers couldn't participate. Great talent...an angel's voice!
I learned Nate Reuss was singing with Brian Wilson. What an honor and a half. Beach Boys music is BEYOND great.
Brian Wilson will be remenbered in the same way as Mozart or Beethoven. A true musical genius if there ever was one
I agree 100%
🏆I couldn't agree more! I didn't get the popularity of Beach Boys' music until I was an adult. Someone played for me a recording of just their voices singing in harmony, without instruments, and it was so PERFECT I forgot to breathe!
I wish I could have heard them in concert. I SAW them once in concert, but it was at a Rangers baseball game, in a stadium, so the acoustics were terrible. I couldn't even recognize what songs they were playing, but I was thrilled to know I was in the presence of greatness.
Check out: Our Prayer (Remastered 2001)
Or Lennon, or Mcartney, or....
@@mmccartney6579 100% agree. Lennon and McCartney will also be remembered as two of the most talented composers who ever lived
Guys like Brian Wilson aren´t only geniuses, are kind souls leading another souls to the light.
The beach boys have been my all time favorite group for 54 years. God Only Knows is my fave song. Nuff said.
God Only Knows touches me in a way I can not describe or explain. But when I hear it it’s always like hearing it for the first time and it always brings tears to my eyes. God only knows why!
"God Only Knows" is my favorite Beach Boys song by far. It is about as near to perfection as humanly possible.
I lived in DC and used to watch them every 4th of July playing on the Mall...
The music never felt old or out of date.
THAT is the genius of Brian.
As a pre teen in the early 80s - my father took my sister and I to see the beach boys on pensacola beach Florida as my first concert event.
The Beach Boys as well as Jan and Dean were his favorite 2 bands.
“Why did you choose Carl instead of your own voice?”
“Cause I wanted him to have a chance to sing. I liked his voice and he had a turn, I gave him his turn for singing.”
When I tell you my heart shattered, damnit Brian that was so sweet. Clearly a down to earth and hell of a man. Glad you got to meet him man.
The word 'genius' gets thrown around a lot this days. But Brian is the dictionary definition of the word!
Exactly!
....aaaaaannd HOW! ....ha-HAA!!
We need to create our
Own word for genius, like how social justice pen pushers are really communists
@@protestthisyouloser1093 Yeah, whatever! 😂
Wilson heard those songs in his head long before anyone else did. Achieving those sounds was frustrating for everyone I'm sure but just listen to the genius in their end product. Brian is the king
The first time I heard The Beach Boys, I was seven; Sloop John B. Remember how hauntingly beautiful it sounded to me before I knew what “hauntingly beautiful” sounded like.
Mr. Hice, my choir instructor back in high school was a big Beach Boys fan and would sometimes play their music. We actually sang "God Only Knows" in choir. That was the first time I remember hearing the song. I'm pretty sure he played the Pet Sounds recording to help us learn the song.
Many years later...in 2015, at the Greek Theater, I finally saw Brian live. Brian, with former Beach Boys Al Jardin & Blonde Chapin, (and the excellent backing band) put on such a great performance that night! It was an audio delight with a lot of old favorites. My ears and brain could hardly take it all in; God only Knows and Surf's Up live with the vocal harmonies definitely soared beyond my earthly senses into a spiritual delight for my soul. The best vocal in concert experience I have ever had, and it was so special to share the music I loved for so long with my wife. Thanks, Brian!!!
Years ago I got really interested in the complexity of the production of this song and the more I listened to all the parts and instruments the more I fell in love with it. The more you listen, the more critical you get the more you appreciate the perfection of the song, but it's only made complete by the studio work- so well done. Beautiful song.
Thank you.
Agreed, but the Boys' a cappella version is also transcendent:
ruclips.net/video/OvNXPkK7JY8/видео.html
Brian's innovative use of the studio and its techniques, helped the Beach boys to be among the first musicians who weren't classically trained to create complex music and compositions. Great songs and melodies endeared them as America's first band, even though they did get a rough ride from a few fans as only "a fun in the sun" band. As history has proved, the band persevered to be one of the most influential, innovative and greatest bands in the history of Rock. I still get a huge adrenaline rush out of the revving engines in their classic song, "409". Your interviewing skills, your perspective and respect for all these great artists is impressive and refreshing. I just want to thank you for enlightening me with all these great interviews.
I simply do not have enough words to describe what Brian Wilson means to me.
God Only Knows
Continued from previous comment - well in the end of one of his books, Brian was basically explaining that he still got nervous but it's more like anxious. And that he was still here, he liked playing for people, and misses his brothers, but he's still here. So he'll keep on playing. My review said something like "and I'm glad I've been able to witness it. I'm here with you Brian...still enjoying the sounds! Thank you & Love you Brian Wilson! ❤️".
When the clock stops...I'll be here crying my eyes out, & being grateful that I experienced his true gift.
The first thing that struck me about Pet Sounds as an album is how sophisticated the harmonic structures are. It's not just that they had those sublime SATB etc. vocal arrangements as a group, but beyond that in the instrumentation side of things one may find so many of those clever harmonic tricks like "slash" chords, altered upper extensions, and a comparatively higher ratio of the use of "flavor" tones like 7th's, 9th's, and sharp or flatted 5th's then you'll find in most any other pop or rock music since then. Some minor bands of the 70's and 80's had successful careers using just a handful of these tricks of the trade in only a few of their tunes, whereas a few of the songs on Pet Sounds have more than a couple of these inventive harmonic turns all crammed into the same song.
The second thing i've noticed as i've gotten older is in regards to Paul McCartney's general assessment re Brian's influence. If you're a big enough fan of Sir Macca you'll eventually realize he is asked the same questions so many times in interviews that he has gotten pretty gracious in answering them in such a way that it doesn't sound like he's just repeating the same old tired, canned answers. Anyway, the one i love hearing him answer is sometimes phrased as "Is there any song by another artist where you think "Man, i sure wish i had written *that* song!"...? Sometimes he answers this with "Cheek to Cheek" by Irving Berlin -- and then usually sings the first few lyrics of "Heaven, i'm in heaven..." as though some folks might not be familiar with the tune, lol. But he'll just as often use his other answer of "God Only Knows" -- and when he says this you can just see it's super-special to him as musician that he fortunate to be a contemporary of Brian's, clearly grateful to have gotten to know him and share time with such a gifted fellow craftsman.
This is the only song that when ever I hear it, I tear up. An absolute masterpiece that has been a constant musical companion to me since I first heard it on my older sister's record player in the 60's. Thank you for sharing this wonderful interview. My only complaint.........Way to short.
I feel that way about Good Vibrations. When it comes on the car radio, I usually pull over and listen until it’s over.
It was a strange time in the 70's, when Led Zepelin ruled and conformity was as strong as it was and always will be. The Beach Boys were out. Way out. But the first time I heard "God Only Knows" ........Let's just say I was tearing up on the inside.
So thankful that Brian Wilson lived in my lifetime and not after it! Don’t know what I would have done without Brian and his beautiful music. Even to this day (I’m 65) it satisfies my soul and gives me incredible joy.
33 of my 38 years I've been a Beach Boys zealot & I'm just very appreciative of how you put this together. The Beach Boys will ALWAYS be the best. After them the Ramones, barnone.
You Still Believe In Me is inarguably one of the most beautiful songs ever recorded, and the whole of Pet Sounds is one of the greatest creations in human history.
No way you got Brian Wilson hats off dude wow WOW wow!
Thank you for your support!
@@ProfessorofRock You got Brian Wilson man you don’t need me.
The Beach Boys played at our spring dance at Lawndale High School. I will never forget it. Cost me 25 cents. The best money I have ever spent.
I'll bet you could tell LOTS of other stories 🙂
Like 20 actual seconds of Brian Wilson in this interview.
I was born in 1961, (Santa Monica, CA), Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys were and still are an integral part of my musial experience, foot note: interestingly enough the day I bought "Pet Sounds" box set, (early '98), was the same day that Carl passed, God bless all of their hearts-
I am the youngest of five. My earliest memories are of my older brothers and their 45s. My brother loved The Beach Boys and I memorized the songs and artists on each side before I could read. My favorite song as a kid was God only knows. Love that Paul McCartney thinks it’s the greatest song. High praise. Great vocals by Carl Wilson.
The worst thing about God Only Knows is that it ends. My fave bit of Love Actually is the bit where the song's outro loops forever, I just wanna listen to that and sink into it
One of the most spiritual songs Brian ever composed was "Our Prayer", pure harmonic perfection, no instruments, just vocals, very powerful.
When this album Pet Sounds was released it really did not hit huge commercially. It was quite different from typical Beach Boys. However, over time the album received the recognition it deserved. I still have the original album I purchased in 1966 in MONO! Here Today is one of my favorites.......
Brian Wilson is just a lovely man, congrats on the interview.
Brian gave me fifty six years of music passion. Never stopped playing and never stopped feeling grateful.
I have been a Beach Boys fan since Endless Summer, but, nothing prepared me for how Pet Sounds wound affect my life. I have spent my entire life studying Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys. No greater band, no greater album. God bless them all.
This is amazing! I can't believe you bagged an interview with Brian Wilson! Awesome. I ran into him briefly in the 1970s when I was a little kid, I remember he seemed so huge and so hairy, like a bear, that at first I was afraid because I was a shy kid and grownups intimidated me. But then I looked him in the eyes and I realized he wasn't like other grownups. He was like a little kid trapped in a big bear suit. I didn't fully understand how famous he was until many years later. But I'll always remember how different he was from anybody else I've ever met.
I'm gettin' some good vibrations from this channel. Congrats on your success being able to talk to these talented artists.
@Anna Trail In his Little Deuce Coupe.
Nothing but "Fun Fun Fun" until Daddy takes the T-bird away!
Brilliant interview! The Beach Boys have such a beautiful sound, even 50 years later. They truly do not make music like this today. Fortunately, I grew up with all of the 60s/70s bands, and am happy I did.
Kinda funny, these were THE two songs I had to have play at my wedding. Sometimes you feel certain music is a part of yourself. Thankful that Brian took the time to write God only knows and Wouldn't it be nice, two amazing songs.
YES, those two songs are like song-twins to me