On the death of the Beach Boys legend: Music genius Brian Wilson: sunshine and dark shadows

Brian Wilson was considered one of the greatest geniuses in pop and rock history. But behind the sunny sounds of classics such as “Good Vibrations”, “Surfin ‘USA” or “wouldn’t it be nice” dark shadows. Wilson had been struggling with serious psychological problems since the 1960s. Now the influential musician has died at the age of 82. He has suffered from dementia for years. Wilson’s musical legacy is gigantic.

Talent is already evident in childhood

An ear for music is said to him as a child. On the other, Brian Douglas Wilson, who was born on June 20, 1942 in Inglewood near Los Angeles, is deaf. The strict father Murray – a failed musician – urges him to learn an instrument. Murray Wilson was a tyrant, Wilson wrote in his autobiography in 1991. But he recognizes his son’s talent. The piano is particularly like him.

“I realized early on that when I hide the world, I can hear a mysterious, god -given music in me,” says Brian Wilson later. “It was my gift. So I could understand and express feelings that I couldn’t put into words.” A gift – and a curse, as it will be shown. It grows up in Hawthorne California, sings in the choir and teaches his younger brothers Carl and Dennis Harmonia.

With cousin Mike Love and family friend Al Jardine, “Surfin ‘”, the first beach-boys song-the band is initially called The Pendletones. Wilson and Co. expand the popular “Surf Sound”, which guitarist Dick Dale and bands have shaped like The Ventures, to the harmonious vocals. Shortly afterwards you sign at Capitol Records.

Harmonies for eternity

Numerous hits from Wilson follow, often with Mike Love as a co-author. Songs like “Surfin ‘USA”, “Surfer Girl”, “Fun Fun Fun” meet the nerve of time and are the soundtrack for American youth. The Beach Boys are the only US band that can record with the Beatles.

While Love and the others enjoy fame, Wilson suffers from stage fright. After a panic attack, he stops touring. Bruce Johnston replaces him on stage. Instead, perfectionist Wilson works in the studio like an obsessed on new music. Its melodies become more complex, the harmonies more brilliant and the production of sophisticated. But he suffers from the pressure of success.

He reached the highlight of his work in 1966 with the masterpiece “Pet Sounds”, which is considered an American answer to “Rubber Soul” from the Beatles – and is one of the most influential albums in music history. Wilson creates harmonies for eternity with songs such as “WoodN’t it be nice” or “God Only Knows”.

The dominant father, then manager of the band, criticizes the material as commercially unsuitable. Love is also skeptical. In fact, “Pet Sounds” in the USA is not immediately a hit because it is far ahead of its time. “I just wasn’t made for thesis Times” is one of the songs.

Not just “good vibrations”

At that time Wilson had the feeling that you are nowhere to belong. He alienates himself more and more of the people around him. The musician isolates himself in the studio and in his bedroom. He takes drugs, experimented with LSD and worsens his psychological problems. Paranoia and depression are the result. He hears voices.

In the 1970s, his family hired a psychologist. Dr. Eugene Landy not only takes over therapy, but also control over Wilson’s life – his finances, his social contacts and his career. It was not until 1991, after Landy was confronted with allegations of exploitation and misuse of medication, that a court deprives him of the license.

Wilson’s life is characterized by blows of fate. Dennis’s accident death (1983) and the cancer death of Carl (1998) are difficult for him. But with the help of his second wife Melinda, he gets herself. The film “Love and Mercy”, in which Paul Dano and John Cusack Wilson play, tells his story, which has a happy ending at least in a way.

Celebration comeback with “smile”

In 2004 Wilson fans and critics delighted with the completion of “smile”. The work on the experimental concept album begins immediately after “Pet Sounds”, but breaks off. “I thought it didn’t fit the beach boys,” he says later. Some songs, including “Good Vibrations”, land on other albums. It was only 37 years later “Smile” appears and gives the music genius its first Grammy.

He also succeeds in a celebrated comeback on the stage. He overcomes his stage fright and visibly enjoys the performances. With his old companions from the Beach Boys, despite various judicial disputes about songwriting credits, he is on stage for a short time.

For the documentary “The Beach Boys”, director Frank Marshall, Brian Wilson, Mike Love and Co. 2023 bring together for a meeting on the beach in front of the camera. Wilson completed his last concert a year earlier. Melinda died in early 2024, shortly afterwards dementia diagnosed.

“I’m not a genius,” said Brian Wilson once. “I’m just a guy who works hard.” Fans, critics and music historians see it differently.