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Open thread
Thursday, Jun 12, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller * Brian Wilson’s 1966 album Pet Sounds changed everything about everything. No joke… You know it’s gonna make it that much better An absolute masterpiece. Everything about that song is perfect, particularly the demand for personal freedom during the post-war, outrageously ridiculous neo-Victorian hypocrisy. The record was one of the best psychedelic rock ‘n’ roll albums ever, with a hard Frank Sinatra swing. Brian should’ve won a Nobel Prize. * Also…
RIP What’s up?
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- Keyrock - Thursday, Jun 12, 25 @ 7:43 am:
Thanks for posting these. I saw Brian at many venues in the Chicago area and elsewhere.
What a life, filled with amazing accomplishments and sadness.
I still really miss Carl, too.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Thursday, Jun 12, 25 @ 8:42 am:
Pet Sounds was revolutionary in its sound. Brian Epstein said without it, Sgt. Peppers never happens.
That said, Good Vibrations, which came out of the Smile sessions the next year, revolutionized songwriting.
There are a bunch of YouTube videos out there on the Smile sessions, done with The Wrecking Crew (LA studio musicians), and Good Vibrations, and they’re fascinating.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Thursday, Jun 12, 25 @ 8:58 am:
Brian Wilson was a hugely talented individual that created incredible music. I’ve always wondered what music he might have made in later years absent his health struggles.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Thursday, Jun 12, 25 @ 9:34 am:
===I’ve always wondered what music he might have made in later years absent his health struggles.===
I dunno, it is rare for even the best songwriters to have a creative streak greater than a few years, where most of what you do turns to gold. Brian was as prolific as they come, and his later years appeared to be comfortable and satisfying to him, even though the hits didn’t keep coming.
- Amalia - Thursday, Jun 12, 25 @ 9:47 am:
have seen the Beach Boys but never with Brian. His years in the Chicago area, including with Steve Dahl, very interesting. it’s amazing what really young people produced, Brian, Beatles, timeless things. words matter. this is something that does not always compute to many current “musicians.”
- Blooms of Spring - Thursday, Jun 12, 25 @ 9:56 am:
The Beach Boys played over a dozen times at the IL State Fair. Not sure how many times included Brian.
- West Side the Best Side - Thursday, Jun 12, 25 @ 10:22 am:
The Irish rock band The Saw Doctors paid tribute to Brian Wilson in their own particular way in their song “I’d Love to Kiss the Bangles.” In singing about people they don’t want to kiss in their quest to kiss the Bangles they note ” I don’t want to kiss Brian Wilson or his lovely Yankee daughters. “
- What a Kroc - Thursday, Jun 12, 25 @ 10:24 am:
Chuckled at US Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi. He thinks the first McDonald’s in the USA was opened in Illinois.
Obviously, he did not watch “The Founder.” The McDonald brothers were from San Bernardino, California.
- @misterjayem - Thursday, Jun 12, 25 @ 10:43 am:
Losing Sly Stone and Brian Wilson in the same week made me think one thing: Mavis Staples must be protected at all costs.
– MrJM
- Anyone Remember - Thursday, Jun 12, 25 @ 11:10 am:
December 3, 1965 - Rubber Soul
May 16, 1966 - Pet Sounds
August 5, 1966 - Revolver
May 26, 1967 - Sgt. Pepper’s
That was some 18 months …
- Behind the Scenes - Thursday, Jun 12, 25 @ 11:37 am:
Had the unique pleasure of seeing the Beach Boys re-united at a concert as part of a Shrine Session in St.Louis in, I think, the Fall of 2008. Brian was there (just coming out of a dark period), Mike Love doing lead vocals, and first time I had seen him on drums, John Stamos. Very cool.
- Rock n Roll Heretic - Thursday, Jun 12, 25 @ 11:42 am:
“Wouldn’t It Be Nice” and “God Only Knows” are absolutely brilliant songs. And there is no denying that “Pet Sounds” is a hugely influential album, particularly to people who, unlike me, actually write and produce music. But as just an ordinary music fan, I’ve always found it to be overrated — a little too experimental, to the point of bordering on self indulgent. Don’t get more wrong, I like it, but it’s not on my “greatest” list. I have a similar take on “Sgt. Pepper’s.” Love it and it’s super influential, but I’d listen to “Revolver” over it any day.
BTW, if you want to see a great Brian Wilson documentary, check out “Long Promised Road.”
- jim - Thursday, Jun 12, 25 @ 11:45 am:
is a a great New York Times obit on Brian Wilson. Readers will not be disappointed, loaded with all kinds of interesting information.
For example, they didn’t name themselves “The Beach Boys” = was arbitrarily given to them.
- View from the Cheap Seats - Thursday, Jun 12, 25 @ 11:53 am:
This post is 1000% correct! Brian Wilson absolutely changed music. The saddest truth is his illnesses impacted him sharing even more music for all of us to enjoy. Props to “anyone remember” for outlining a ridiculous 18 months of music that has lasted generations. Kudos to Rich for posting this.
- Excessively Rabid - Thursday, Jun 12, 25 @ 12:56 pm:
Those are both great. On the other hand,
We can be married
And then we’ll be happy
HAHAHAHA
- Loop Lady - Thursday, Jun 12, 25 @ 6:31 pm:
This has been a difficult week for boomers who loved funk and the California surfer sound.
I listened to Sly Stones greatest hits today and sang all the words.
We really had the best music growing up and partying
to.
The messages were so uplifting and hopeful, as compared to the political milleu of today.
Rest well gentlemen.
- Anyone Remember - Thursday, Jun 12, 25 @ 9:26 pm:
Cheap Seats - Thank you!