Brian Didn't Back Down + Concert Review

Originally posted in Forgotten Hits

 

re: BRIAN WILSON:

Kent, 

It seems to me that the three persons who have done the most psychological damage to Brian Wilson have also helped to make him successful. 

While I do not condone their behavior nor ignore the pain and suffering they inflicted, much of Brian's success is inextricably intertwined with these men. 

     1) Murry Wilson - As Fred Vail has pointed out, Murry's tenacious (and sometimes obnoxious) activity on behalf of the Beach Boys' opened doors they could not have accessed themselves. Would we know of the Beatles had Brian Epstein not been acting on their behalf? ... Regarding Break Away, it is one of my "5 Questions I Hope to Ask Brian Someday" -- Did Murry deliver the lyrics to Brain? Did they sit together at a piano and hammer the entire song out? Was crediting Reggie Dunbar as a co-writer and then leaking that it was Murry Wilson actually Brian's way of giving his dad a gift or a peace offering? IMHO, Break Away is only on the surface a message from the Beach Boys to Capitol Records as their contract ended and the suing ensued. I believe it is Brian declaring his need to break away from the control his father and the Beach Boys had over his life and his creative direction. 

     2) Mike Love - Interesting that Mike's perspective was "let's do it again" while Brain is singing of breaking away (these two singles are only 11 months apart) . Mike's attitude toward not-the-Beach-Boys-formula music must have made the recording of Pet Sounds and SMiLE difficult but would Brian have even reached that point had he not collaborated with Mike (and others) on the surf and street and summer songs up to that point? 

     3) Eugene Landy - He certainly crossed the line of psychiatric care when he entered and took control of Brian's career. No excuses exist for this behavior. But, would Brian be alive today or healthy enough to compose and record without Landy's involvement? 

Ironic how these three could be the source of so much hurt in Brian's life and yet, it seems to me, help shape and strengthen him. Only Brian can declare how this balances out but I am glad to know he is happy, creative, and receiving the accolades he so richly deserves. What didn't destroy him has made him stronger and we are blessed because of it. 

Phil Miglioratti

See also Heroes & Villains Part 1

Kent replies ... I agree that THE BEACH BOYS would have NEVER gotten as far as they did in the early years were it not for the momentum sustained by MURRY's drive and enthusiasm ... and there is NO question that BRIAN might not be the surviving WILSON Brother were it not for DR. EUGENE LANDY 

      ... however, instead of sticking with their strengths (and purposes), BOTH of these individuals felt it necessary to infringe upon the CREATIVE side of things ... MURRY in the studio and LANDY adding his name to BRIAN's songwriting credits!!! (I suppose an argument could be made for both: MURRY, in effect, was pushing the boys to do better ... many of BRIAN's song ideas may have stemmed from inspiration derived by his consultations with LANDY ... but I think it's fair to say that both did, in fact, overstep their bounds.) 

     The story of THE BEACH BOYS is amazing and unique ... yet, through it all, they survived and grew ... between the inner turmoil between the band members, ill-suited managers, MURRY and LANDY (not to mention THE MANSON FAMILY) ... it's remarkable they survived it all!!! In hindsight, I guess it's all just part of their charm and their legacy that they not only endured these challenges but also rose above them to give us some music that will last many, many lifetimes.

Meanwhile, PHIL ALSO sent us a review of the recent BRIAN WILSON Concert held here in Chicago:

Kent, Sorry I never put a review together. 

 

The Chicago show was great, though I was surprised at how "seated" the crowd was (how can anyone sit through Dance, Dance, Dance??). I'm amazed at the band's ability to reproduce Brian's studio sound in a live format; from hits like I Get Around to great album tunes like Girl Don't Tell Me; from the vocals of Please Let Me Wonder to the high energy rock of Marcella; from Add Some Music through the entire song cycle of That Lucky Old Sun. 

From the simple to the sublime, they raise the bar for "live" performance. My biggest impression? 

The love and respect of every band member for each other, the music, but especially for Brian Wilson. Privileged to sit through sound check, I was able to observe them work through their rehearsal paces - They even enjoy practice!

Experiencing the Brian Wilson Band in concert gives me hope. Long after we have all passed from this life, the music of Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys will continue to be enjoyed, not just digitally, but also live. We can be confident future generations will give rise to their own Jeffrey Fosketts-Scott Bennetts-Probyn Greogrys-Wondermints - gifted musicians who devote themselves to giving audiences a trip back in time. Blessed to have been there, Phil Miglioratti

Thanks, PHIL ... wish we could have seen it. Great to see that BRIAN added some "new" oldies to the list ... MARCELLA has always been one of my FORGOTTEN HITS Favorites!

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