Brian Wilson, RIP, one day before his first heavenly birthday. My thoughts as a die hard fan.

He made fun music, he made beautiful music, he made weird music, and he even made scary music. He was a pop genius, innovator, singer, songwriter, bass player, piano player, arranger, producer, and I cannot even begin to express the impact he had on me, my dad, and my musician friends. Unlike The Beatles, who had not one but two amazing songwriters as well as each other and George Martin, Brian only had himself...and he ALMOST caught them, which is unbelievable.

Tomorrow will be Brian Wilson's first heavenly birthday. Had you told me he would have been the last Wilson standing back in the 70s/80s, I wouldn't have believed you. When you think of what this man achieved, under the conditions he did--sadistically abusive household and mental illness plus addiction problems--it's even more amazing: the classic songs, the innovation, the "game over" level vocal performances, all just staggering.

I never met Brian, but I talked to him on the phone a few times. I have one call recorded, but I've never listened to it due to my sounding not unlike a giddy teenybopper. That's really how I feel about the man, in awe of what he achieved. There's not much he didn't do, even becoming a major touring act following the completion of the infamous SMILE project.

As long as there's a summer, there will be Brian Wilson music. Thanks for adding some music to our day, Brian. 1942-2025