Mike has been vilified over the years, and BB fans either love him or hate him. Personally, I think he's a great front man live and I think he really brings out the California myth in his lyrics. He's even written a few good songs himself like "Big Sur". The main criticism seems to be that he only played the meat-and-potatos hits in concert all those years, but by doing so he made sure that at least the hits would enter the collective unconscious and become the immortal classics they are today. The Beach Boys have recorded so much music that you can't expect people to know it all, but I like to think that the hits will live on forever like the hits of The Beatles. Of all the lyricists Brian has worked with, he's admitted Mike was the best. And lately Mike has even begun to experiment with the set list, who would ever have thought that would happen!

Pete Townshend: "I love Brian. There's not many people I would say that about. I think he's a truly, truly, truly great genius."

Buy the January Mojo for a cool tribute CD to Brian Wilson, an interview with Brian and Al on the making of "Pet Sounds", and Peter Doggett's review of Brian's recent gig at the Adelphi Theater in London!

Given Brian's now infamous fragility, how in the world is he going to do this?

As long as it's about music, Brian is in full control. I'm more worried about the meal breaks.

Boy, I be afraid to go to this. I be following Brian Wilson around like a little puppy dog. I wouldn't want to scare Brian coming on as an obessed fan.

Rick A.

So does this mean we're going to have Brian endorsing polident?? I can hear the background harmonies in the new commercial already....

No Brian news to report, but I stumbled across this pic today and just had to post it:

I doff my shower-cap to that one!

That showercap looks is in dire need of a comeback.

I don't really think you need the "and/or" in there. Doesn't your desire to one day see him perform sort of presume that both of you will be among the living?

'Twas mostly a commentary that I could go before he.

IAWTP

Brian Wilson returns to Royal Festival Hall in London for six nights in September, where he will premiere a new piece of music called "That Lucky Old Sun (a Narrative)", which he says "will consist of four 'rounds', with interspersed spoken word". Brian Wilson will perform with his ten-piece band, and present a number of classic songs live for the first time. Having enjoyed some of his biggest concert triumphs at Royal Festival Hall, including the world premiere of the completed "SMiLE" album in February 2004, Brian Wilson calls Royal Festival Hall his "spiritual home away from home".

Hokey smoke! This is cool!

Wow, if I start saving now just maybe....

Rick A.

I saw Brian Wilson in concert last night. He was at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga, Ca. Even though Brian is one of my 2 main musical influences, I have never seen him live before. My wife, bless her heart, surprised me with the tickets.

This evening was memorable for several reasons: With the exception of Love And Mercy (the closing song) and Johnny B Goode (which gets and asterik, due to its inclusion on the Beach Boys Concert album), it was an entire Beach Boys set. Besides the hits, he played Drive-In and Marcella, which were totally unexpected. Right before Marcella, the played Sail On Sailor, which Brian announced as a songs he didn't really like.

Alan Jardine was brought out after the first song, and stayed for the rest of the show. It was an unexpected thrill to see 2 Beach Boys on the same stage, and to see Al bring down the house with Help Me Rhonda during the encore. I almost forgot to mention that Billy Hinche was on this tour as well.

There was one scare during the evening: About 30 minutes into the show, during Sloop John B, Brian got up off of his seat and laid down on the floor. I thought, much like the band and most of the audience, that this was going to be one of his corny jokes. When he got up, he announced that he was feeling faint and didn't know if he could finish the show. They very quickly dropped the houselights and escorted him off the stage. After a 20 minute break, he came back out to continue. He didn't look well at first, but really rallied towards the end of the set.

So far, this has been a pretty amazing period for music in my life. Last weekend, my wife and I saw Love at The Mirage in Las Vegas, which was another incredible experience. It was a total assault on the senses. Not only was there so much going on visually, the audio was just swirling around the theater. Even if I were blindfolded, and couldn't see the show, that would have been worth the price of admission.

And lastly, if I may do a little "shameless" self-promotion about an upcoming musical event that will probably be one of the most memorable experiences of my life: my band, The Sun Kings (A Beatles Tribute band), has been honored with the invitation to perform the Sgt. Pepper album in its entirety at the 40th Anniversary of the Monterey Pop Festival, which is being held on 7/28-29 at the same location as the original concert(s). More info can be found here:

http://www.summer67.com

Good for you and your band. I'll bet you get blown over with emotion for just playing at the same place as most of our hero's played. Might be a little overwhelming. Let us know how it goes.

Beatle Pete,
I'm happy for you that you get to play at Monterey. I just want to let everyone know that Brian is fine and in good health. He may have been dehydrated that night.

Brian Douglas Wilson is 65 today, two days after Paul McCartney turned 65. Long live Brian Wilson and Paul McCartney!

Hear, hear!