A Pray For Surf Mini-Interview with David Leaf,
author of "God Only Knows"
PHIL: David, if someone has read the first and/or second edition of the book, what should motivate them to dive into the new third edition of “God Only Knows”?
DAVID: The new chapters in the book are so significant and revealing that the update could have been its own book. It’s more than half the length of the 1978 edition. But more important than size, I think, is that it is filled with behind-the-scenes stories and insights you can’t read anywhere else about some of the biggest moments of Brian’s life and career. Insights into Brian’s life from those closest to him.
In the first edition, I was a journalist talking to eyewitnesses and participants, family and friends, trying to make sense of this very complicated story. In the second edition in 1985, I was becoming Brian’s friend and was very concerned. For this book, I’m now the elder statesman looking back on the past forty years and celebrating Brian’s journey…and doing that through my first-hand experiences with him…as his friend and as somebody involved in so many projects: press kits, CD liner notes, box sets, tour programs, documentaries, et al.
If you don’t have the 1978 and/or the 1985 editions, it’s like getting two books in one. If you have the old book, then this new edition brings the story of Brian Wilson up to 2022.
PHIL: Is this a book for die-hard fans only?
DAVID: I think the book is a redemption story. It’s for anybody who is interested in the history of music. It’s the story of the artist who challenged and inspired the Beatles. And the update is a celebration of Brian’s 2nd act, what he’s miraculously accomplished as a solo artist. The publication of the book marks two most unexpected milestones: the 60th anniversary of the Beach Boys and Brian’s 80th birthday.
I also think it’s for “die-hard fans” who want more than “just the facts” which we can get at Wikipedia and the web. We fans know and have read every detail of Brian and the Beach Boys’ story. This book is where a “die-hard” fan who became Brian’s friend tells the story… a story told with heart and soul.
I also think that because of my experiences, having lived and witnessed part of it, I understand the spiritual nature of Brian’s story. It’s not just words when he says “Music is the Voice of God.”
PHIL: How would you describe the response to the new edition?
DAVID: Overwhelmingly positive. Reviews have been mostly great. Long -time fans seem to truly appreciate the extensive Author’s Note in which I look back at the original book with a critical eye and discuss what I think I may not have gotten right.
However, to be honest, I have heard some complaints that it doesn’t have more about The Beach Boys. I can only say that my first words in the original book are “This is the story of Brian Wilson.” The title of this edition has been changed so that it’s clear that Brian comes first in what I’ve written.
Of course, those who say I’m biased are right. I am. As are Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, Sir Barry Gibb, Sir George Martin, Bob Dylan and dozens and dozens of others in the world of music including the Beach Boys engineer Chuck Britz, who told me, “As far as I’m concerned, Brian is the Beach Boys.”
That said, I think I make it clear how much I love the music, the feeling in the music, how important the Beach Boys voices are and what are, to me, the most important recordings. I write a little bit about each of the original members' significance, their role in the group and their special talents in the Author’s Note. But to quote Dennis Wilson, “Brian is the Beach Boys; we’re his messengers.”
PHIL: What has been the most surprising/annoying question you've had to field?
DAVID: Nothing annoying. Some readers are disappointed that I don’t write more critical commentary about the various albums. Or that I didn’t write more than a couple of sentences about the 50th anniversary tour. But I’m not a music critic. I’m telling the part of the story that I was part of. And I think I explain why…if I wasn’t there, if I don’t have anything to add that’s meaningful, I don’t write about something.
PHIL: Give us a Bonus Cut ... Something you did not include in the book fans would have been glad to read?
DAVID: Oh my goodness. There’s another couple of hundred thousand words that didn’t make the cut. But probably the best thing I should have included is a conversation I had with Brian right after he got back from England after the Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE tour in March 2004. This is the real Brian Wilson. You can see it at this link after the credits of Beautiful Dreamer. https://youtu.be/uxk1-P6S_xU?t=6545
The Readers Guide for the book is here: https://bit.ly/GodOnlyKnowsReadingGuide
The book can be ordered here https://amzn.to/3zNkbbp or at your local bookstore.
Also, at www.leafprod.com, there are still a few author-signed books remaining in the Silver Tier benefiting the Brian Wilson scholarship fund.
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