Jeffrey Foskett (1956–2023)
A man for all seasons, and a key figure among the musicians who brought Brian Wilson back from, well, the wasteland.
The passionate surfer
Christopher Marlowe meets Brian Wilson.
California fail
As the Mike Love–John McLaughlin–Charles Lloyd version ran through my head yesterday, I realized that I’ve always misunderstood “California Girls.”
Los Beach Boys
Los Lobos cover “Sail On, Sailor” — and other songs from Los Angeles.
The Beach Boys at the zoo
Long-lost footage of the Beach Boys in 1966 at the San Diego Zoo. That’s where George Jerman shot the cover photograph for Pet Sounds.
“Surf’s Up”
In today’s Atlantic crossword, by Peter Gordon, a nice tip of the hat: 10-D, nine letters, “Surf’s Up singers, with the.”
Thank you, Brian and Al
Brian Wilson and Al Jardine disavow a Donald Trump* benefit put on by Mike Love’s touring version of the Beach Boys.
Some Beach Boys history
From Fortune: “How the Beach Boys became two separate, warring factions.”
Brian and Al in the news
“Beach Boys founding members Brian Wilson and Al Jardine alerted fans Monday that they have no part in an appearance later this week by a version of the group fronted by cofounder Mike Love at a trophy-hunting convention where Donald Trump Jr. will be the keynote speaker.”
Brian Wilson 2018
From a review of a recent performance: “Throughout most of the show, Wilson sat at his piano, staring blankly and sometimes running a hand across his forehead. Occasionally he played and sang a lyric. But often he missed his cues, mumbled or sang off key. It was sometimes hard to watch.”
“God Only Knows”
The BBC Radio 4 show Soul Music now has an episode devoted to Brian Wilson and Tony Asher’s “God Only Knows.” There will be tears.
Brian Wilson, A student
Not from The Onion : the grade of F that high-schooler Brian Wilson received for his song “Surfin’” has been changed to an A.
Dirt Sounds
“A hand-made record containing soil from the house where Brian Wilson grew up in Hawthorne, California.”
Being wrong about beauty
Elaine Scarry: “Those who remember making an error about beauty usually . . . recall the exact second when they first realized they had made an error.” With Pet Sounds as an example.
Quintessential Love
“This meditative gathering included my lawyer Mike Flynn, front left, who won my copyright suit against Brian.” That’s Mike Love.
Paul Williams (1948–2013)
He founded Crawdaddy!, the first magazine of rock music criticism, and wrote frequently about the music of Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys.
Paul Tanner (1917–2013)
He played on “Good Vibrations.”
The Beach Boys in Newsweek
A member of Brian Wilson’s band speaks.
Arkhonia on the Beach Boys
Arkhonia cares about the Beach Boys’ musical legacy and writes about that legacy at length.
Brian Wilsons
Two takes on a Beach Boys reunion.
Beach Boys’ reunion?
“Money’s not the only reason I made records, but it does hold a place in our lives.”
Beach Boys in the NYT crossword
Five song titles divided among nine clues.
A cappella Beach Boys covers
Robert Gotshall covers “Our Prayer,” “Gee,” and “Heroes and Villains.” Thirty-three voices, and just about perfect.
The Smile Sessions, forthcoming
To be released this year.
Another SMiLE?
“A new release of Beach Boys SMiLE material (with, I trust, excellent remastering) would be a welcome thing, but it’s not as if the music is finally coming out.”
"California Gurls," "California Girls"
Brian Wilson comments on Katy Perry's song, and ten things to listen for in the Beach Boys song
No Beach Boys reunion
Mike Love takes it back
Brian Wilson, getting through high school
The music that got him through high school
The Beach Boys’ Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, 1988
One of Mike Love's more embarrassing moments
Easy-listening "Heroes and Villains"
Like it says.