This Classic Record was LOST for 50 YEARS...Becoming the SADDEST Story in Music | Professor of Rock
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ย. 2024
- It was a trans-Atlantic musical arms race… two titanic rock and roll bands - The Beach Boys and The Beatles - trading punches and landmark records. Each chasing perfection and forever changing how we listen to music. In the midst of this musical battle, genius whizkid Brian Wilson envisioned the perfect album, a record to end all records. An innovative masterpiece he called SMiLE. The symphony was already playing in his head, and he knew if he could get it down on vinyl, it would push the boundaries of music beyond what anyone thought was possible. But what Brian didn’t count on was losing his sanity in the process. In a state of drug-addled madness, he came to a crashing halt. And so did SMiLE… leaving us all wondering what could have been. It’s the story of the greatest unreleased album of all time and an interview with its genius is NEXT on the Professor of Rock.
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Hey music junkies, Professor of Rock, always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest songs of all time. If you remember doing it country cool You’ll dig this channel of deep musical nostalgia. Make sure to, subscribe below right now. I promise that you are going to love this channel. We also have a Patreon you'll want to check out. There you’ll find an additional catalog of exclusive content and you can even become an honorary producer to help us curate this music history.
The Beach Boys started their career in the early 60s riding high as America’s ultimate surf band. It was all California fun in the sun…. Catching waves and Billboard hits, the Beach Boys kicked out seven Top 10 albums between 1962 and 1965. By 1966, the Beach Boys had transformed into America's top pop group, even giving the Beatles a run for their money… if only for a few hot minutes. Between 1965 and 1967 it was a Trans-Atlantic musical arms race to see which of these two top-tier bands could push the boundaries of popular music to its greatest level . The Beatles’ Rubber Soul inspired Brian Wilson to write Pet Sounds, which in turn led to 'Sgt. Pepper’s' Lonely Hearts Club. And in the midst of all that, Brian Wilson aspired to create the ultimate rock and roll album of all time… a project he would eventually call ‘SMiLE.’But even going up against such stiff competition, Beach Boys mastermind Brian Wilson was always an admirer….Yes, he would admit to being jealous of their talents, but in his memoir, he summed their musical contest in friendlier terms. He said, “People talk about a rivalry between the Beach Boys and the Beatles, but that's not the right word. There were messages that got sent back and forth across the ocean. They would do something and I would hear it and then I would want to do something just as good.” It was as simple as that.
So when the Beatles released Rubber Soul in December 1965 Brian Wilson was stunned at what he heard. The high song quality and the cohesion of the album really affected him. Years later Wilson would recall being blown away by songs like ‘You Won’t See Me”, ‘I’m Looking Through You’, and ‘Girl.’ The lyrics, the melodies, the production, and harmonies. It was all so unique. Like nothing he had ever heard
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Poll: Straight up... What is your pick for the GREATEST ALBUM of ALL TIME?
Pet Sounds
Styx "The Grand Illusion"
Great show POR
Way too many to mention.
I'll go with Michael Jackson's Thriller and Leftoverture by Kansas.
Abbey Road
My mom was a big Beach Boys and Jan & Dean fan ! My dad only listened to country . I do like older country music but , i'm a headbanger since i was a teen ! I do love the old rock & roll my mom introduced me too .
Sloop John B is my all-time favorite Beach Boys song . I just paused the video to give it a listen . In my mind i'm 5 years old ... The Beach Boys playing the soundtrack , as my mom cleaned the house and my sister and i "helped" . Mom would always take a break from cleaning , to dance with me and my sister . What a fond memory on this Memorial Day ! I miss them both so much 😢
Thank you for supplying an all day smile for me Professor ! ❤
Thanks!
That was my entire childhood as well, my friend. 🤘🏻 God, how I miss the music of the 80's-early 90's.
@@TheComfortInStatic_Official it was the best ! ❤️
Sloop John B is in my top 10 favorite songs ever.
Sloop john b my alltime favorite beach boys as well
I was a lucky kid...growing up with the music of Porter, Gershwin, Rodgers, Kern, etc. Then growing up into Beatles, Beach Boys, Everly Bros, Elvis, etc. Thank God these geniuses lived to create their sounds. Prayers for those we lost in wars. Hope they are resting in peace.
For sure!
Me too! My father loved classical music, and Andre Segovia was his favorite artist.
Mom was born in 1920, to a mother of "mixed race" and they were very poor. The gift her mother gave to her children was music. She taught them to sing in harmony, and they learned to sing the music she loved, everything from Gospel, to bluegrass murder ballads, to Tin Pan Alley without ever hearing the recordings as they were too poor to have records or the means to play them.
My mom was a walking (more like dancing) jukebox! She was always singing and she had a beautiful voice.
She loved "modern" music too, so we grew up listening to Tom Jones, James Brown, Glen Campbell, and torch singers like Sarah Vaughan and Ella (my favorites as a child). She loved Michael Jackson for his music but especially his dancing.
She and Daddy are on my heart today, along with dear Uncle Bill who fought and barely survived the battle of Iwo Jima as a Marine when he was just a teen. He was my mom's brother, who grew up singing the songs their mom taught them. He wrote gospel music, and performed in a quartet with his gorgeous, booming baritone. He was a high school teacher and football coach and loved by his students. He was the "dad" for boys who didn't have a kind, patient male role model in their lives.
God only knows what I'd be without them!🥲
It’s so fascinating to study the evolution of rock and roll.
@@LazyIRanchI hope you posted this on its own and not just as a reply, everyone needs to read about your beautiful mother and uncle. God bless you all 🇺🇲✝️🛐💟🇺🇲
@@purplelove392 totally agree!
Beatles were so much more sophisticated than their peers. Definitely set the bar and Brian Wilson rose to that level. All brilliant songwriters.
I agree. I don't know why Brian Wilson would set his standards against the Beatles. Just do your thing, and enjoy being a part of the music scene. You don't have to compete with anyone.
Sophisticated? No
@@10000Times Well two of them were, most definitely. Look at how John and Paul handled the interviews; some very sophisticated 'pop stars' there...
@@Slammerworm1 Paul McCartney was the reason the band was successful, verified by his post Beatles success. Lennon? A snob communist.
For 1966 it was very sophisticated
I was shocked when Adam told Brian that Surfs Up was his favorite Beach Boys song and Brian looks shocked . He said it was too long and seemed surprised that it was Adam’s favorite. The song is a masterpiece much like what you might expect Mozart to write. The song is heads and tails above other songs on the Rock genre. For the record I agree with Adam on the greatness of this song.
God Only Knows is one of the most beautiful songs ever made. As someone caring for their father full time, I hope his daughters give him lots of love and grace.❤
It’s my favorite song of all time!
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980Me, too.
In your opinion.
Personally I despise it 💩
Jesus Christ Superstar wins.
My dad loved music. He was not a R&R fan, his taste slanted more toward Al Hirt and Herb Alpert. But he connected with the Beach boys, bought all of their albums and even took us to see them live when they came to Bradley University back in 1967. Got to hand it to him, The Electric Prune and Keith were on the undercard and he sat through both sets. Anyway toward the end of his life he developed Alzheimers disease. He stopped talking altogether but the one thing he did was to put one particular CD in his player and listen to it all day. It was Pet Sounds.
Wow! Nice brother. Sad but nice. That just made me think a lot about what goes on with Alzheimer’s. What goes on in the mind. Thank you for sharing.
The fact that Brian managed to come back after a mental health crisis and overuse of LSD is a testament to his ability to carry on. I was born in 1962 and raised in a family of Beatles fans and didn’t get into the Beach Boys so much when I was young but grew to appreciate Wilson’s work more later.
I agree, I was not a Beach Boys fan, but his journey was difficult.
The lyrical depth of 'Surf's Up' is immeasurable.
I hate to disagree with Brian (sorry Brian) but Surfs Up is not to long, and I think it is their best song.
I am spending this Memorial Day with my three grown sons, grilling with the tv playing PoR videos. We lived in Brazil during their childhoods and I always played the music that I grew up with. So today they are getting the stories behind the songs. I was born and in Mississippi in 1968 and was exposed to every genre of music by parents, grandparents and other family members. Music videos from other countries were my way of knowing getting to know the world. Music videos from Europe, Australia and other places gave me glimpses into the world outside.
When I was in the Marine Corps stationed in Okinawa we would have BBQ's while rocking to some great music. Some of the people that I served with died in service to this great country. I am so glad to be from the United States! Thanks to the Professor for providing all of these great shows on the soundtrack of my life.
Wow! Please say hello to all of them for me! Rock on and have a great holiday!
@@ProfessorofRock I will! Have a blessed day.
Thank you for your service.
@@LaManteca76Thank you. It was a honor to serve.
Thank you for your service!
Shame that we never got to hear what sounded like a classic record. One of my favourite biopics of all time is "Love and Mercy", where Paul Dano and John Cusack play Brian Wilson at different stages in his life.
In 2011 Smile did see the light of day. My favorite track is Mrs. Oleary's cow.
Great film.
@@jamesgorski7551 Great song.
@@jamesgorski7551 My mother loved it too!
@@jamesgorski7551 sorta-kinda SMiLE...it's the best we'll get
To my Fellow Classmates. This is the day for remembering those who have gone before us. Be they military civilian or just family and friends. Please say thank you for the ones we have lost. And hug and tell the ones still here. Are days are numbered. So let us all bow our heads and give thanks to the Big Guy In the Sky. Or just a moment in silence! 🔕 God Bless you one and All
Thanks my friend.
I am thinking about my grandparents today.
Amen…my grandfather survived 3 & 1/2 years as a POW in a Japanese prison camp during WWII. He actually survived the Bataan death march. A true American hero.
@@catherine6653 That's what this day is for . I'm sure that they were great grandparents!
@@usefulidiom Dang your Grandpa was a real bad A$$ Hero ! That's the greatest generation 👏
I actually re-discovered "Surf's Up" after Linda Ronstadt said in an interview that she really listened to, and loved the song. I respect Linda's taste, since, after so many successful years, she really knows how to pick a hit record. I love the song, now. It is certainly my favorite Brian Wilson song ever. It's sonically so beautiful, I never get tired of hearing it!
God Only Knows is my favorite Beach Boys song. So nice to see this Brian Wilson interview.
It's one of the nest songs recorded
It’s not only my favorite Beach Boys song, but my favorite song period. Simply transcendent lyrics, music, and meaning.
Brian says Surf's Up was too long, but I disagree. It was his Day in the Life. Complex song structure, and harmonies with truly unique lyrics contributed by Van Dyke Parks. I'm so glad he created it. This, and Till I Die are to this day my favorite creations by Brian.
I just heard it the other day and still remembered every word… 😊
Have you seen the loving treatment that the Fendertones gave to "Surf's up" in their TH-cam video? As guest musicians, they had members of Brian's band and the touring Beach Boys - including Mike Love. It is a fantastic tribute.
His Day in the Life could be Good Vibrations, God Only Knows, Surf’s Up, etc etc. Brian is one of those geniuses who comes along maybe once a century.
I think Brian was considering the fan's perspective. I think the song might have been what he wanted, but he thought it should have been shorter because fans might have thought it was tedious or something. That seems to be a recurring struggle with his songwriting - maximal artistry packaged for the fans.
@@beenaplumber8379 well said. I think Brian's brain damage causes him to doubt himself. Sometimes the artist is too close to the subject matter to see it clearly.
I cried when I first heard "Brian Wilson Presents Smile" from beginning to end. Even if it was 40 years too late and not as originally intended, it was beautiful seeing Brian come back for a rematch against this material that had knocked him out at the height of his ability and take it to the cards.
one thing about me is i will always drop everything to see PoR interview brian
Very cool!
I've heard so many musicians who worked with Brian Wilson say that he really was the greatest composer and music producer of his generation. It's sad to think how much he's had to suffer, albeit some of it due to his own making. I'm glad that he was able to recover enough to make a comeback and, especially, to have released SMiLE after nearly 40 years. I know that these days he's not in good health and that he recently lost Melinda. I wish for him whatever comfort and peace he can find, and would like to let him know how grateful I am for all the great vibrations he's brought this world.
For all the GREAT- INCREDIBLE interviews youve gotten, that was by far the most significant!!! To sit w that man and have a conversation wow what an honor! Proof of just how gifted YOU are! Think about that!
I agree. The Greatest!
I saw Brian Wilson in concert at the Molson Amphitheater at Ontario place in 2001, with Paul Simon and special guests The Barenaked Ladies. The highlights were obviously Mr. Wilson, but also Paul Simon breaking into The Boy in the Bubble just as the skies opened up, and thunder shook the place and lightning highlighted just how fantastic an experience it was, as the rain poured and it got wetter, many with lawn seats started sliding down the hill on the wet grass like something out of Woodstock, and the whole thing culminated with the Barenaked Ladies singing Brian Wilson, with Brian Wilson. I'll never forget the feeling that night provided all in attendance. A life affirming experience to say thr least.
Smile fully realized in 1967 is almost too much to imagine. But Surf's Up is a singular loss, a song fully stolen from the summer of love. When I hear it right after Til I Die, I can only lament it showed up four years too late.
It's weird how significant this band was where I grew up, basically where they grew up too. Yet, my time growing up on the beach was 20 years after their heyday. They were in TV commercials, on the radio, it was as if it was a cultural thing, like corn is to Kansas. Mike Love says something in the Disney documentary that describes my experience with the surf culture too, "Surfing was a big deal in southern California, you dressed a certain way, you talked a certain way, you had a certain attitude, we all tried to surf but we could never get the hang of it". Damn, I miss those days sooo much!
Did you grow up in LA?
Not a Beach Boys fan but huge respect for Brian Wilson and his musical genius plus his tremendous heart. Truly, a good human being who transcends music.
This has become one of my favorite channels on this platform. The professor really has a knack for getting me interested in music topics I never thought I cared about before :)
Brian is my musical hero. The alternate version of ‘Til I die has been my favorite song for almost 30 years.
Irony defined: The Beach Boys did "Hang on to Your Ego," whilst Mike Love CLEARLY didn't get the memo. That RRHOF speech is just... wow.
So sad.
Such a great song!
He thought he was doing a pro wrestling promo....
Brian probably resorted to drugs in order to deal with Mike Love.
It’s just…unhinged.
The rivalry between the Beatles and the Beach Boys was one of the greatest in music history. They both pushed the creative envelope and all of us listeners benefited from it. Smile was going to be Brian's response to Sergeant Peppers but Brian had a breakdown which left music fans wondering what might've been. While the Beach Boys did put out some good material in the 70's and 80's, I still feel their most classic and best work was in the 60's. It was Brian's writing at its best.
Agreed.
I believe that Smile was actually Brian's response to Revolver. When Pepper was released on June 1st, 1967, Brian threw up his hands and shelved Smile. Two songs from those sessions (including Heroes and Villains, their next single) ended up on their next released album, Smiley Smile (the title, I've always thought, was a sly tribute to the shelved Smile). Smiley Smile also included Good Vibrations. Smile did not see the light of day until almost 40 years later. Brian's increasing mental issues, along with some drug issues, not to mention his widening rift with Mike Love, took an enormous toll, and things were never the same after that.
Odd, but Sail On Sailor is my personal favorite beach boys song.
I agree. After the 60s, The Beach Boys lost their spark.
There wasn't any rivalry around. By 1967 Beach Boys were the yesterdays papers. Like Dave Clark Five in UK. Beatles was still huge. Smile is not something very great. It has been released now and its just OK.
The Professor of Rock and his absolute personal connection to every song he ever listened to. Each one is somehow his favorite. And somehow, I think that is true. :-)
Hi Professor. I'm so glad you chose to talk about the Beach Boys and Pet Sounds and the Beatles in this episode. I think this segment should go down in your personal hall of Fame. I never took the Beach Boys seriously until I had a job in the 1990s where I was allowed to listen to music on headphones at work. Around that time, it was the era of buy 10 CDs for a penny and agree to buy a certain number at full price in the following 7 years or so. I think this was the Bertelsmann Music Group out of Germany. In any case, one of the albums I got in my initial batch was Pet Sounds. I listened to it over and over. From then on, it has been my favorite album of the 1960s. While my all time favorite albums are dominated by the singer songwriter or prog rock bands of the 70s, this one remains special. And an irony - to finally fulfill my obligation to Bertelsmann to buy CDs at retail, the last album I bought was Smile in 2004. It became my favorite album of that year. My gf at the time asked "who listens to this stuff?" to which I proudly said "I do...and I'll bet millions of other music afficionadoes will too!". While that gal did not stand the test of time, both Pet Sounds and Smile have for me. I knew the road for Smile was long and difficult and who knows what it would have been like had it come out in the 60s as originally intended. We can only imagine what heights it may have hit and I cannot agree more with you existential question "what if?". I've recently become ome of your Patreon members and while I'm not wealthy, I can't put a price on the joy and learning I get from each episode of Professor of Rock. From one music lover to another, thank you.
Number 3 thumbs up. It must be a holiday to be so early. I always love spending time with the professor. One of the greatest guitarist of all time played for the Beachboys and that's the late Glen Campbell
Couldn't agree more!
Glen Campbell was a prominent session guitarist on so many classics!
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 : took LEAD vocal on a FREQUENTLY-overlooked 'Summer Of Love' (and Terry Melcher, Gary Usher) MASTERPIECE, Sagittarius' defining version of "My World Fell Down".....en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_World_Fell_Down
I agree that Brian Wilson is a musical genius. His sufferings ended up being our sufferings, too, because we will never know how much great music was silenced for all those years. Oh, and a bif eff you to Mike Love. He owes Brian Wilson more than he can ever repay.
BEAUTIFUL comment, "eff you to Mike Love". I wish more people who liked the Beach Boys knew about this clown. I read the book Heroes and Villans (think that was the title), and basically explained Mike Love's "part" in the band. Mike Love is a tool. He would LOVE (no pun intended) if people thought he was the talent behind the band. He was also nasty to Brian Wilson, probably out of jealousy and envy. I believe he "fired" Brian Wilson from the band. Yeah...right, Mr. Love. You're at the helm.
Thank you for saying that out loud, ml, is and always will be, more than a tool, such a user.
@@suzqu You're welcome. Needs to be said.
@billmimms Just found this reply. Mike Love wanted Brian Wilson out, that's for sure. I can't even stand to look at him. I'm a Brian Wilson fan all the way. I'm not sure anyone in the business appreciated his talent.
When Good Vibrations came out, It blew everyone's mind!!!! I heard it on top 40 radio on a school bus. Every body had an opinion about it. The old folks blamed drugs. the hippies embraced it. No one else except maybe Hendrix with his sound came close. I can't remember a Beatles song that did that. It shook music to it very core......
A Day in A Life?
I agree with you about the comfort we got from Brian's songs. "In My Room" is great. "All Summer Long" is my favorite BB album.
Adam, thank you SO MUCH for this one. Brian has always been my personal hero. Bless his heart - we all love him beyond measure! Pet Sounds changed my life, when I was a teen. The only goal I ever had was to meet Brian... and I finally did (by surprise!) during the Pet Sounds tour, decades later. Took me 30 years, but I got to meet him! Thank you for this one ❤
My high school sweetheart would eventually become my wife.
In high school, "Wouldn't it be nice" was our song. We couldn't wait to be married. Unfortunately, in college, she fell for a real player. They were soon engaged and planned to marry in the month we had planned to marry. A few days before her big wedding, he dumped her. Just used her and threw her away. Years later, I'm back home visiting my parents for Christmas. She calls to say hello. I go to end the call. I don't want to talk with her. As I'm saying goodbye, she asks to go to Midnight Mass with me. I'm stunned silent. She asks again. And again. Finally, I said yes. When I picked her up, I saw the most beautiful woman in the world with that gorgeous smile. 2 years later, we were married. 42 years together. One fantastic son. Lost her in 2019 after her 4 year struggle with breast cancer. At her funeral, we played "God Only Knows." The two songs were great bookends to our life together.
God bless Brian Wilson.
Wow. Touching story. I can feel your emotions.
So sorry for your loss but delighted you & your wife had all the wonderful years together. I’m a widow and cherish the memories. Once the worst of the pain of loss faded holding on to the memories and sharing them keeps him daily in my life. I hope her memories keep you in a good place. God bless.
That really touched me. Sorry for your loss.
Just got me in the heart-strings man!!!
😢😢😢
You’re lucky to have ever had that love at all … nevermind for 42 years!
But … I can’t even imagine the pain of your loss. Tysm for sharing your story !!
God bless you ….
Then prepare to meet her again - 1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Don't know about you guys, but Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys, they are a part of some of the most memorable moments of my life. What a gift they are.
Brian Wilson is a legend - simple as that!!!
Surf's Up is also my favorite, next to Til I Die. I don't think Brian will ever even comprehend the amount of joy that he has brought to many ears. God bless him!
Heroes & Villains is a work of art.
Saw Brian Wilson in concert in Los Angeles a few years ago. It was surreal to hear live the songs that I fell in love with as a child.
And there I was, experiencing it live and in person, with the genius who actually created that musical masterpiece. 🌊🙏🏽🌊
Adam, I don’t know of
anyone better than you to write a screenplay about the Beatles and Beach Boys competitive saga. Here’s your next docudrama, Netflix.
I was sad to hear Brian say he didn't agree with your praises of Surf's Up. I think it is so beautiful. Great work as always
Even McCartney said God Only Knows was probably the best song ever.
That was a great interview with Brian, the greatest pop musical genius of all time. Nice to just hear some talk about those amazing songs. Great job, Prof!
LOL, I never thought that Brian would dis “Surf’s Up.” He really seemed surprised that it would be anyone’s favorite.
One genius thinking he had to beat 2 geniuses. Tough assignment.
I would love for you to do something on Jan and Dean, that would be great.
Sounds good.
Agreed! Always loved playing my dad’s Jan and Dean records!
Listen to the Surfrajets the gitl surh instrumental band. Music lives they just don't put it on the radio.
Pop Symphony No. 1, Save For A Rainy Day, Drag City, The Liitle Old Lady From Pasadena are great albums
Pop Symphony No. 1, Save For A Rainy Day, Drag City, The Liitle Old Lady From Pasadena are great albums
The weird sound in Good Vibrations wasn't from a theremin, DIY or otherwise. A theremin is played by hand movements around the device with the device's antennae sensing the hands' position in space. The device used was invented by Paul Tanner and Bob Whitsell in the late 1950s...well before "Good Vibrations." In fact you hear it when Ray Walston raised and lowered his antennae in "My Favorite Martian" starting in 1963. Paul had been for many years a trombonist in the Glenn Miller Orchestra. It is perhaps unfortunate that they named their new device an "electro theremin," (thus the source of the confusion; some have suggested it be called a Tannerin). In any event, it is played in part by using a slide for precise, repeatable sounds, (not surprising when you recall Paul played trombone). Closer to a synthesizer than a theremin I think even if it creates a similar sound. One physically touches/manipulates the device. And it is Paul himself playing his creation on Good Vibrations. He was a great man, a great UCLA professor and deserves acknowledgement for this original and unique contribution to music.
I’m from New York, born 1972 and growing up The Beach Boys were my favorite band along with The Rolling Stones. My parents got divorced when I was very young and these 2 bands got me through a rough time.
They’re in my top 5 bands too.
While I share your love and admiration for both the Beach Boys AND The Beatles ... my personal favorite album of 1967 was Days of Future Passed. Would love to see it get The Professor treatment
Can't all 3 just be considered great albums, along with many other albums? I ruined my listening experiences back in those days, by thinking only my favorite bands/albums were worth listening too. I later discovered that so many of the bands I was prejudice toward, had great music too.
I fully agree, As great as it was - and is - I still feel it didnt get all the accolades it deserved. DoFP may be my top release of the 60s.
@@syjo4701 That's totally my story! I thought the music I liked was objectively superior, and I closed myself off to all that brilliant music I thought was inferior. Of course I was a massive Pink Floyd fan, and they actually were objectively superior. 😛 (And as a Floyd fan, I didn't have time for the Moody Blues.)
How fortunate, Adam, that you got to interview Brian Wilson. The Beach Boys '60s songs were my parents' music, and even though I don't think any of the band members except for Dennis actually surfed, it was the sound of SoCal. After I moved there myself, I used to play "Pet Sounds", which became popular again in the '90s with us GenXers, on drives to the beaches of Malibu with my first dog. So I dedicated "God Only Knows" to him when he died b/c he gave me companionship and a sense of purpose when I needed it. As for "Smile", it seems like it would've been the perfect album to follow...
Now back in the NE again, I still have that convertible and this CD in it for drives to the beaches here, no more dogs now, but w/my surfboard. Anyway, my parents have seen the various iterations of the Beach Boys in concert over the past couple of decades. And I'm pleased to see that despite everything Brian Wilson has been through, he's survived and found peace. Sad news that his caregiver and loving wife recently passed away, but good that he has his family around him.☮️
I think what drove Brian mad is he was giving 110% to create something great to surpass Pet Sounds when he really didn’t have great ideas to draw on. He didn’t have anything profound to say, and his collaborators were thin in the idea department too. Good Vibrations was a masterpiece. Heroes and Villains was very good. Beyond that Smile was a hot mess.
I would agree with that. When I listen to it, it is just a smear.
What drove him mad were the audio hallucinations, the unwelcome voices in his head telling him horrible things non-stop.
@@markstevenson6635 , yeah, that could do it.
I just rewatched the film Vanilla Sky recently. Good Vibrations plays during the climax and it's crazy how the songs upbeatness mixed with the eerieness of what was happening on screen! 😮
There’s one concept album that can sit nearly alongside Pet Sounds and Sargent Peppers - and one that John Lennon loved. But no one really knows about even though it was produced by one of the most popular singles bands of the ‘60s. And that’s “The Genuine Imitation Life Gazette” by Franki Valli and the Four Seasons. Read the AllMusic review then consider doing an episode on the album that “offers a stunning example of the artistry of the Four Seasons at their most ambitious.”
As we was driving from Blackhawk, Colorado from our grandson's graduation to Deadwood, SD [had to pick up hub's rig in Belle Fourche]. We heard the last part of the countdown of the best 60 songs of the Beach Boys! "God Only Knows" was #1! 🤠
While i was still wet behind the ears, i can see and hear it now. The 45 of the Beach Boys' Good Vibrations playing on my family's console. Of course, it was my brother's record, but i had to take the risk and play it when no one was around. I had a mystical experience with that record! Over and over. Yeah! ❤
Thanks for listening
It’s definitely an amazing experience.
Guessed it. There could really only be one answer to this one. For anyone who hasn't seen Love & Mercy, starring the beautiful and talented Elizabeth Banks as Melinda Wilson, and John Cusack as Brian - it's a must see.
When I was a kid, my favorite song to listen to by the Beach Boys is, Surfin' U.S.A. I also like, Sloop John B. 🥂
Very cool!
Sloop John B. was the song that got me to listen to, and really appreciate the Beach Boys. I was a huge Beatles fan growing up. I grew up in Texas, and wrongly assumed that the Beach Boys were a California novelty "surfer" band until I really listened and discovered the genius of Brian Wilson.
I loved a local Dallas late night radio show with George Gimarc during the 1980s, George could find the most obscure recordings and, much like Adam, he has an incredible wealth of knowledge.
On one show, he played a Beach Boys recording of just the vocals, no background music, and I literally had my hair standing up and goosebumps! I was blown away by the perfection and otherworldliness of those harmonies.
I hadn't thought about George Gimarc in awhile, now I need to see if any of his radio shows are archived somewhere. He had a very fun co-host for some of his shows, who was surprisingly witty and had great stories about the punk rock era, none other than Johnny Rotten!
If George Gimarc is still kicking, he would be an excellent interview for POR. They would never run out of things to talk about!
Sloop John B was actually a cover song contribution by Al Jardine. A great track!
I love God Only Knows and Sloop John B the most.
Hey Professor. What a great interview and story about a musical genius. Talking about tragedy in music, perhaps one day you would give us your take on the band Badfinger? One of the biggest musical tragedies in our era. You are THE Rock n Roll Raconteur! Love your channel.
Good Vibrations is absolutely the best Rock Song ever recorded, period. I truly believe Brian should have taken the time to get Good Vibrations finished and added to Pet Sounds. Think that song alone would have lifted sales to what Brian was expecting and given him a running start to smile, that hopefully would have kept him focused on his music, even being impressed with Sargeant Peppers.
Can't argue!
It’s in my top 10!
What is your favorite, actually what song do you think is the best song ever recorded. Good to hear from you Lilly.@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980
As I was watching this, I realized I need to mention one of my favorite Fantasy novels and recommend it to The Professor Of Rock. It’s Lewis Shiner’s award winning novel, Glimpses. Written before Wilson finally released Smile, the main character hears songs from Hendrix, The Doors and The Beach Boys that were never released. It’s difficult to explain just how good this novel is. For anyone who spent time wishing for that next Doors album, Smile or Another one from Hendrix, this novel speaks to that longing and finding it. Shiner will make you feel every minute of it.
As Mike Love has said, their teeth went gold before that record went platinum.
The description of the continual process of perfecting the sound of both albums (“Pet Sounds” and “Smile”) makes me think about the story I read how Paul drove the rest of The Beatles crazy with the song “Maxwell's Silver Hammer” and how the rest of the band hated the song because of how much he wanted to get every sound and note just right. Which is a bit like what happened with that one Pink Floyd album you talked about that was the last straw in then deciding to kick out Roger Waters.
I can relate because I have mental illness myself. It is a struggle but I get through the day.
❤️
Those who aren't old enough to remember the '60s might have difficulty understanding how quickly fashions changed in those days. The Beach Boys, on top of the musical world at the end of 1966, were regarded as has-beens--if they were regarded at all--within a matter of months.
Until the "1967: Sunshine Tomorrow" album was released in 2017, I didn't realize how quickly the group resumed recording and moved on to their next project after the end of "Smile" was announced. "Wild Honey," recorded mainly in Brian's home and with the Beach Boys playing most of the instruments themselves, was released just a couple of months after "Smiley Smile." The simplicity of those two albums was quite contrary to the increasing complexity of the psychedelic sounds of the time and very unfashionable, but in retrospect, those albums seem to have been ahead of the curve.
I loved the 2004 Brian Wilson solo album and the 2011 release of the original sessions, but when I first heard them I couldn't help but think that "Smile" would have had a much bigger impact if it had been released in 1967--a real groundbreaker--leading to more "what ifs." If "Smile" had been released in 1967, what would have been the next project for Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys? Would Brian and the band gone into more uncharted territory, or would they have move in the direction of "Wild Honey" anyway? How would the Beatles and other artists have responded?
I'm glad it never materialised back in 1967. If the Americans struggled to 'get' Pet Sounds, they would have had no chance of 'getting' Smile.
Brian Wilson Presents Smile is an absolute genius flow of music which always blows me away when I play it on my i-pod when in the gym.
Carl's comment about making music that only a dog could hear was on point with some of Brian's stuff, IMO. Not that everything has to have a massive hook (or more than one) or otherwise be instantly recognizable, but Brian's more experimental music was just not very accessible. Some of it was just....strange, if you ask me.
But of course his real problem was drugs, and they fried his brain. He was permanently damaged and never really a functional human being for the rest of his life. That is the truly sad part about all of this.
It is a hidden gem of theirs.
Congrats on passing 1M followers, Professor!!!
You’re amazing, and I believe that your dad would be so proud of you not just for the success but because in your epic curation of 1960’s to present you’ve achieved this milestone achievement without uttering a single profanity. You’re an extraordinary producer & the perfect example of how we can use our life experiences to help make this a better place. And I sincerely mean this! Great work, sir!
Tomorrow you should do a segment on "Human Highway" by CSNY--it's the "Smile" of the '70s, CSNY's unfinished masterpiece.
Brilliant! and this is why they call this kid the Professor of Rock, what you do for me time and time again is show me how grateful i need to be because i was born in 1954 came in on the tail of Bill Haley's Comets and am so grateful i was there to hear the music when it was new, to be in school when the songs were popular and what was happening in the world at the time.
Your interviews are pure gold, and transport me over again, just brilliant.
Thank you, Professor of Rock, for that very respectful interview of Brian Wilson's. I love your attitude and enthusiasm.
Pet Sounds is the greatest album of all time, and Brian Wilson is a modern day Mozart. The things in his brain that we will never get to hear or experience is quite frankly depressing. Wish he hadn't lost his sanity because he had so much more to give to the music world. Glad he regained some of that genius later in life.
How do you only have a million subs?? Congrats on the million!
I'm watching this as I'm lying in bed, just like Brian Wilson did. Sorry, couldn't resist the Bare naked Ladies pun.. I'll see myself out Another great story from the best teacher on TH-cam, the Professor of Rock!
THank you!
Rubber Soul was one of my favorite Beatles albums.Rock on
In My Room... my personal fave.. introvert theme 🤡
Same here. Such a beautiful song.
I agree!
Smile is just AMAZING! The outtakes to that album are incredible and to me, that is the best that Brian and the Beach boys have ever sounded. Who knows what would have happened had it been released in 1967 but I am sure it would be one of the greatest albums ever made. Brian is on another level and just pure genius. I am glad that he exorcised his demons and released a version of Smile which is great for him. I believe he needed that.
God bless Brian Wilson. Great video, my friend. 😊
Thank you, Professor, for not only covering this record, but doing so within the context of the Beatles/Beach Boys creative rivalry 👍🤘👍🤘 Even though it isn't necessarily the case that "Pet Sounds is Universally Revered as the Greatest Album of All Time", this is precisely the reason I started watching you, Sir.
My favorite Brian solo song is Your imagination, I just love it. I'm happy you got to interview him. From what I understand he's not doing so well nowadays.
beach boys nope never cared for them
Have you ever listened to Pet Sounds
Trollers
@@michaeltamares7974 why because some one doesn't like bubble gum music
Thank you for doing this video!
I’m 72, and have been a huge fan of The Beach Boys since I was 11.
I lived the “California Myth” right here in SoCal.
I surfed, was really into hot rodding, and very much into California girls.😉
And yes, their music helped me tremendously during some very hard and heartbreaking times in my life.
I’m so thankful for people like you who help us to remember and appreciate all over again those summer days and summer sounds with Beach Boys music!
To me, Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys are #1 as far as music that touches the heart and soul! Americas Band!!!
Huge Beach Boys fan, first record I ever bought was God only Knows with Wouldn’t it be Nice on the flip side. What a deal I thought! Years later I married and found out my wife was related to Hal Blaine. I got to meet a lot of the Wrecking Crew members that played on Beach Boys records. I’ve seen Beach Boys and Brian Wilson live many times but the coolest was Brian Wilson with Jeff Beck!! Jeff played Surfs up with them.
Yep - a Holyoke MA native - where my mother arrived to HER life close to two years BEFORE him.....
As a Teenager I Was a huge Beach Boys Fan ,but Pet Sounds just amazed and stunned me , a truly incredible listening experience The Beatles are for most of the world the greatest band ofall time, but Brian Wilson had this magical Vibe going on that came from some other time and place and Paul knew this and was for sure inspired by his genius ,great video Prof
It's interesting to note that Brian Wilson suffered from depression and the Barenaked Ladies write a song about it... Named Brian Wilson... Who also played the song several times in concert.
I remember when I first heard the Purple Chick mix in 2002 and I was addicted. "Do You Like Worms?" is one of those songs that has no competition, in it's own world. I'm glad that remixes of the original sessions are still being made, especially with the separation tools available the past few years. I wish I could go back in time and be a friend to Brian, show him that where he was going was a place no one ever had.
I love coming here to find great stories, interviews and music I haven't heard before. As always, well done Professor.
Hearing brian wilson say “you really like surfs up?” Just about brought me to tears! YES brian thats one of the best songs of all time😭 the man was just too hard on himself and its a shame. Smile wouldve definitely been in the top 10 if they had released it in 1967, no doubt.
As usual ..great job by POR.Van Dyke Parks and Brian were great writing together! Anyone ever listen to Van Dyke’s excellent album Song Cycles? “The All Golden” was so unique back then.Loved it!
Brian lived in St.Charles, Illinois for a few years. Locals were very excited whenever McCartney popped in to visit him.
The Smile Sessions to me is a masterpiece of its own and along with Smiley Smile and Sunflower, I've always felt like Brian's vision for Smile was ultimately realized, even if ultimately there is no way I could know his vision, however I do know that he realized a kind of perfection in these efforts that is inarguable. I agree with you he is the genius of American rock.
With all due respect, Professor, I feel that the history of Badfinger is the saddest story in all of music.
Seen Brian Wilson live thrice.
‘Twas awesome. Good times.
Sad to hear what’s been happening to him lately.
The Beach Boys cut a different groove than the Beatles but left a lasting impression. Thanks for the knowledge Prof!
What a time to enjoy the best of both worlds. I've had Pet Sounds and Rubber Soul albums for years. No bad tracks on either. Thanks Professor, for reaching deeper about these 2 bands and this era of perfection.
Brian Wilson has got to be the most humble genius of our lifetime. He has never seemed to fully understand the effect his music has had for the past 60+ years. Had "SMiLE" been released with the original members of the band providing the vocals, during the 1960's, it could have done exceptionally well, I believe. I have nothing but absolute praise for the ones who convinced Brian to finish it, especially Darian Sahanaja, and they did a wonderful job recreating it. However, Brian's vision was for the Beach Boys to do the vocals and there's a sweetness in the sessions that were originally done that is missing from the final version. "SMiLE" is an example of how creative a person can be, yet criticized by someone too ignorant (yes, Mile Love) to appreciate it...and killing the possibility of the world being able to enjoy it.
I was at Cal Berkeley and very tuned into all this music. I remember when Rubber Soul came out. Mind blowing. In front of the fire in the Orange St. cottage, the sweetest of times.I could smell the grass, and then the Acid with Sgt. Pepper, having been ahead of them with Ousley first wave LSD. Your overarching analysis is very cool.
Smile blew mind when I first heard it. Surfs Up is sublime. Got to see Brian performing Pet Sounds a few years back in Vancouver. It was a joy. They opened with about an hours worth of Beach Boys material then did the entire Pet Sounds Album. The finished with may tunes from the Beach Boys catalog. What a generous concert.
Prof... I've got to admit you're FAN-TAS-TIC (as usual ). This is definitely one of the best (or at least in my opinion) presentations I've ever had from you. ..The Endless Summer compilation was the very first Beach Boys album (and the first rock album altogether ) that i bought back in the 70s while living with my parents and siblings in the States, then a host of Beatles and Rolling Stones albums too. Thank you for bringing back the Good times of my youth.👍
The movie with Paul Dano really brings all this together in a really great story and movie. My dad who loved through these times absolutely loved that film.
I was born in 1953 and inherited the first two or three Beach Boys LP's from my older sister in the mid 60's. I became of huge fan and have most of their music. When Endless Summer came out I was glad I bought that one as well as the box set, Good Vibrations: Thirty Years of the Beach Boys.