History of Brian Wilson in Timeline
Brian Wilson is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer, best known as the co-founder of the Beach Boys. He is celebrated for his innovative approach to pop composition, musical talent, and mastery of recording. Wilson's work is characterized by high production values, complex harmonies, layered vocals, and introspective themes. His vocal range and struggles with mental illness are also notable aspects of his life and career.
June 20, 1942: Brian Wilson Born
On June 20, 1942, Brian Douglas Wilson was born in Inglewood, California, the first child of Audree Neva and Murry Wilson.
1943: First exposure to 'Rhapsody in Blue'
Around 1943, at about age two, Brian Wilson heard Glenn Miller's rendition of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue", which had a profound emotional impact on him.
1944: Birth of Dennis Wilson
In 1944, Brian Wilson's younger brother, Dennis Wilson, was born.
1946: Birth of Carl Wilson
In 1946, Brian Wilson's younger brother, Carl Wilson, was born.
1954: Inspired by 'Rock Around the Clock'
In 1954, Brian Wilson felt compelled to learn and sing repeatedly Bill Haley's recording of "Rock Around the Clock".
1955: Began Composing Original Music
In 1955, Brian Wilson began composing original music, at the age of 12.
1955: Inspiration to remake the song
In 1961, Wilson was influenced by the Everly Brothers' "Devoted to You" (1958) and the Robins' "Smokey Joe's Cafe" (1955) later in his career.
1956: Listening to 'Freshmen Favorites'
In 1956, the Four Freshmen's album "Freshmen Favorites" was the first pop album that Brian Wilson listened to in its entirety.
1958: Admiration for 'Voices in Love'
In 1958, Brian Wilson cited the Four Freshmen's album "Voices in Love" as "probably the greatest single vocal album I've ever heard".
1958: Inspiration to remake the song
In 1961, Wilson was influenced by the Everly Brothers' "Devoted to You" (1958) and the Robins' "Smokey Joe's Cafe" (1955) later in his career.
October 1959: Essay on "My Philosophy"
In October 1959, Brian Wilson submitted an essay for his Senior Problems course, titled "My Philosophy", stating his ambition to "make a name for myself [...] in music."
September 1960: Enrollment at El Camino College
In September 1960, Brian Wilson enrolled as a psychology major at El Camino College, also pursuing music.
1960: Inspiration to remake the song
In 1961, Wilson was influenced by the Olympics' "Hully Gully" (1960) and the Shirelles' "Mama Said" (1961) later in his career.
1961: Reduced obsession with The Four Freshmen
Around 1961, Brian Wilson's obsession with The Four Freshmen was reduced, as he became influenced by other bands and artists.
1961: Professional Career Begins with the Beach Boys
In 1961, Brian Wilson began his professional career as a member of the Beach Boys, taking on roles as the band's songwriter, producer, co-lead vocalist, bassist, keyboardist, and de facto leader.
1961: Crafting "Surfer Girl"
In 1961, Brian Wilson crafted his first entirely original melody, "Surfer Girl", inspired by a Dion and the Belmonts rendition of "When You Wish Upon a Star".
1961: Meeting Judy Bowles
In 1961, Brian Wilson met Judy Bowles, his first serious relationship.
1961: Musical Tastes
In 1961, Wilson mentioned that he enjoyed the top 10 hits of the era, including songs by Chuck Berry, the Coasters, and the Everly Brothers.
1961: "Surfin'" Becomes a Hit
In 1961, produced by Hite and Dorinda Morgan on Candix Records, "Surfin'" became a hit in Los Angeles and reached 75 on the national Billboard sales charts. The group was renamed the Beach Boys.
1961: Formation of "the Pendletones"
In 1961, the three Wilson brothers, Mike Love, and Al Jardine debuted their first music group together, called "the Pendletones". Brian and Love co-wrote the group's first song, "Surfin'".
August 1962: Meeting Marilyn Rovell
In August 1962, Brian Wilson met Marilyn Rovell, who later inspired the song "All Summer Long" (1964).
1962: Writing Songs With New Collaborators
By mid-1962, Brian Wilson was writing songs with DJ Roger Christian and guitarist Bob Norberg.
1962: Britz as Wilson's "right-hand man"
From 1962 to 1967, Chuck Britz acted as Wilson's "right-hand man".
1962: Wilson reads 'A Toehold on Zen'
In 1962, Brian Wilson read the book 'A Toehold on Zen', influencing his views on spirituality and its connection to music. He would later refer to it in 1988.
1962: Signed with Capitol Records
In 1962, The Beach Boys signed with Capitol Records. Brian Wilson also became the first pop artist credited for writing, arranging, producing, and performing his own material.
March 1963: First use of the Wrecking Crew
Brian Wilson first used the Wrecking Crew for his productions with the Honeys in March 1963.
March 1963: First Top Ten Single
In March 1963, Capitol released the Beach Boys' first top-ten single, "Surfin' U.S.A.".
July 1963: Release and Success of Surfer Girl Album
Recorded in June and July 1963, Brian Wilson was for the first time officially credited as the Beach Boys' producer on the album Surfer Girl. This LP reached number seven on the national charts.
July 20, 1963: "Surf City" Reaches Top of Charts
On July 20, 1963, "Surf City", co-written by Brian Wilson with Jan Berry, became Wilson's first composition to reach the top of the US charts.
October 1963: Release of Little Deuce Coupe
In October 1963, Brian Wilson produced Little Deuce Coupe, released only three weeks after the Surfer Girl LP.
1963: Songs like 'Lonely Sea' and 'In My Room'
Although the Beach Boys were known for their surfing imagery, his songs typically avoided such topics when he wrote with collaborators outside of his band's circle, such as in the 1963 songs "Lonely Sea" and "In My Room".
1963: Producing The Honeys
Around 1963, Brian Wilson began producing a girl group called The Honeys and pitched them to Capitol Records.
1963: Engagement to Judy Bowles
During Christmas 1963, Brian Wilson was engaged to Judy Bowles.
1963: First Number One Hit with "Surf City"
In 1963, Brian Wilson co-wrote "Surf City", which became his first composition to reach the top of the U.S. charts.
1963: Hearing 'Be My Baby' for the first time
In 1963, Brian Wilson heard the Ronettes' "Be My Baby" for the first time and deemed it the greatest record he had ever heard.
1963: Double-Tracking Vocals
In 1963, Brian Wilson started double-tracking vocals on songs like "Surfin' U.S.A.", enhancing the sound by creating a deeper, more resonant effect.
1963: Wilson Writes "The Warmth of the Sun"
In 1963, Brian Wilson wrote "The Warmth of the Sun" as a tribute to John F. Kennedy following his assassination.
1963: Jan and Dean release 'Surf City' and 'Dead Man's Curve'
In 1963, Jan and Dean released "Surf City" (the first chart-topping surf song) and "Dead Man's Curve" (number 8), which Wilson co-wrote.
1963: Forming Record Production Companies
Towards the end of 1963, Brian Wilson formed Brian Wilson Productions and Ocean Music for songs he wrote for other artists.
December 1964: Marriage to Marilyn Rovell
In December 1964, Brian Wilson married Marilyn Rovell.
December 1964: Houston Flight Incident
In December 1964, Brian Wilson's Houston flight incident led him to realize he could manipulate others through displays of "craziness."
1964: Wilson endeavors to take what he learned.
According to Wilson, after his first nervous breakdown in 1964, he endeavored to "take the things I learned from Phil Spector" and maximize his instrumental palette.
1964: Righteous Brothers release of 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin''
After Spector's "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" (1964) became a hit for the Righteous Brothers, Wilson personally phoned Spector's co-writers, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, to praise it as the "greatest record ever".
1964: "Chapel of Love" Release
Brian Wilson had auditioned to sing for the Original Sound Record Company's inaugural record release, "Chapel of Love" (unrelated to the 1964 song), but was deemed too young.
1964: Deeply affected by the Beatles
During 1964, Wilson was deeply affected by the Beatles' cultural influence and stature.
1964: Living With the Rovell Family
For most of 1963 and 1964, Brian Wilson made the Rovell family home his primary residence.
1964: "I Get Around" Reaches Number One
In 1964, "I Get Around" became the Beach Boys' first U.S. number one hit.
1964: Tape Splicing Experiments
In 1964, Brian Wilson began experimenting with tape splicing on his recordings, using it to aid in difficult vocal sections.
1964: Nervous Breakdown and Shift in Focus
In 1964, Brian Wilson had a nervous breakdown and resigned from regular concert touring to concentrate on songwriting and production.
1964: Referencing First Meeting with Marilyn Rovell
In 1964, Brian Wilson's song "All Summer Long" referenced his first meeting with Marilyn Rovell in August 1962.
1964: Impact of 'He's a Rebel'
In 1964, The Crystals' "He's a Rebel", produced by Phil Spector, reportedly had a strong impact on Brian Wilson.
1964: The Beach Boys release 'I Get Around'
In 1964, the Beach Boys released "I Get Around", which Wilson co-wrote. It became a number-one hit.
1964: Wilson's Psychological Breaking Point and Marriage to Marilyn Rovell
In 1964, the pressures of Brian Wilson's career and personal life led him to a psychological breaking point. He grew resentful of being identified with surf and car songs and expressed a desire to create music that explored broader themes of teenage life. On December 7, 1964, in an effort to find emotional stability, Wilson impulsively married Marilyn Rovell.
1964: Social Distancing and New Independence
In the autumn of 1964, Brian Wilson moved to a one-bedroom apartment in Hollywood, distancing himself socially from the other Beach Boys and gaining independence. This allowed him to form a new social circle through industry connections.
1964: Extensive Touring and Album Releases
Throughout 1964, Brian Wilson engaged in worldwide concert tours with the Beach Boys while continuing to write and produce for the group.
1964: Influence of Mary Poppins
Wilson was also influenced by Disney film soundtracks such as Mary Poppins (1964).
January 1965: Emotional Breakdown on Tour and Withdrawal from Touring
On December 23, 1964 Wilson experienced a breakdown on a flight to Houston, leading to his replacement by Glen Campbell for the rest of the tour. In January 1965, Wilson declared to his bandmates that he would be withdrawing from future tours, attributing his decision to jealousy towards Phil Spector and The Beatles.
December 1965: Partnership with Tony Asher for Pet Sounds
In December 1965, Brian Wilson partnered with Tony Asher to write songs for The Beach Boys' album, Pet Sounds. Asher was a jingle writer, and Wilson offered him to be his writing partner.
1965: Integration of the Wrecking Crew
By 1965, a typical Brian Wilson session would necessitate about 11 or more different players, which began during the sessions for Surfer Girl.
1965: First LSD Experience and Creation of "California Girls"
Early in 1965, shortly after moving to a new apartment, Wilson took LSD for the first time under supervision. The experience profoundly affected him and inspired the riff for "California Girls." However, for the remainder of 1965, he experienced paranoia attributed to his LSD consumption.
1965: "Don't Hurt My Little Sister" Song
In 1965, Brian Wilson wrote "Don't Hurt My Little Sister" about his early relationship with Marilyn, inspired by a remark from her older sister Diane.
1965: Drug Use and Hallucinations
In 1965, Brian Wilson's hallucinations began shortly after his first experience with psychedelics; he later crashed his car into a 7-Up machine.
1965: Advanced Tape Splicing
In 1965, Brian Wilson's use of tape splicing became more ambitious, exemplified by the song "And Your Dream Comes True", which he edited together from separately recorded sections.
1965: Separation and Reconciliation with Marilyn, Move to Laurel Way
In 1965, Marilyn separated from Wilson due to his relationship with Schwartz and drug use. They soon reconciled and moved into a new home on Laurel Way in Beverly Hills, which became a hub for visitors.
1965: Musical Advances and Touring Substitutions
In 1965, Wilson demonstrated musical growth with albums like 'The Beach Boys Today!' and 'Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)'. Glen Campbell, who had replaced Wilson on tour in December of 1964, continued touring with the band until February. Following Campbell's departure in February, Bruce Johnston was recruited as Wilson's substitute on tour.
1965: Religious Experience with LSD
In 1965, Wilson described having a "very religious experience" after taking LSD, saying he learned about patience and understanding.
1965: Friendship with Loren Schwartz and Drug Use
In 1965, Wilson formed a close friendship with Loren Schwartz, who introduced him to literature, mystical topics, and marijuana and hashish. Wilson's drug use strained his marriage and influenced his songwriting, starting with "Please Let Me Wonder".
1965: The Beach Boys release 'Help Me, Rhonda'
In 1965, the Beach Boys released "Help Me, Rhonda", which Wilson co-wrote. It became a number-one hit.
1965: "Help Me, Rhonda" Hit Number One
In 1965, the song "Help Me, Rhonda" reached number one.
1965: LSD Experience
In mid-1965, Brian Wilson played a single piano note for someone at Studio B, describing it as a sound he heard while on LSD, marking the point when his inner circle realized he was in trouble.
1965: Schizoaffective Disorder Diagnosis and Hallucinations
Since 1965, Brian Wilson has experienced auditory hallucinations and was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and mild bipolar disorder.
1965: A cappella in 'Salt Lake City'
Sudden breaks into a cappella segments, borrowed from the Four Freshmen, were employed in "Salt Lake City" (1965).
March 1966: Release of "Caroline, No" as Solo Artist
In March 1966, Brian Wilson released "Caroline, No" as his first solo record, which led to speculation about him leaving the band. Despite this, Wilson stated it was temporary, but it only reached number 32 in the charts.
April 1966: Production of Pet Sounds
From January to April 1966, Brian Wilson produced most of the Pet Sounds album at four Hollywood studios, using his bandmates for vocals and session musicians for the backing tracks.
May 1966: Release of Pet Sounds
In May 1966, Pet Sounds, which he collaborated with Tony Asher, was released to the public. It included tracks he called "the most satisfying piece of music" and an autobiographical song "about a guy who was crying because he thought he was too advanced".
November 1966: Worsening Mental Condition and Unraveling of Smile Project
Around November 1966, Brian Wilson's mental condition worsened, marked by the recording of "Mrs. O'Leary's Cow". This period is considered the beginning of the unraveling of the Smile project and the onset of his erratic behavior.
1966: Introspection with Pills
By 1966, Brian Wilson used "pills" for introspection, viewing psychedelic usage as benign.
1966: Rising Influence and Recognition
By the end of 1964, Brian Wilson had become an influential musician in Los Angeles. However, it wasn't until 1966 that a broader public recognition of his talents was achieved.
1966: Exclusive reliance on the Wrecking Crew
In 1966 and 1967, Brian Wilson almost exclusively relied on the Wrecking Crew for the recording of the Beach Boys' backing tracks.
1966: "Good Vibrations" Hit Number One
In 1966, Brian Wilson co-wrote "Good Vibrations" which became a number one hit.
1966: Description of songwriting process
In 1966, Brian Wilson described his writing process, starting with finding a basic chord pattern and rhythm that he termed "feels".
1966: Wilson Believes Music Starts with Religion
In 1966, Brian Wilson expressed his belief that all music "starts with religion" and recognized a "higher being who is better than we are", while not being traditionally religious.
1966: Focus on "Good Vibrations" and Smile Album
In 1966, Brian Wilson focused on completing "Good Vibrations", which became a number-one hit in December, and new songs with Van Dyke Parks for the Smile album. The Smile album was intended to be a "teenage symphony to God", but Wilson involved more people in the process, leading to creative conflicts and challenges.
1966: Solo Release of "Caroline, No"
In 1966, Brian Wilson had his first credited solo release, the song "Caroline, No."
1966: Influence of Bacharach and David
In 1966, Brian Wilson stated that Burt Bacharach and Hal David were more like him and the best pop team.
1966: Vocal Range
In 1966, Brian Wilson stated that the highest note he could sing was D5.
1966: Phil Spector's Retirement
In 1966, Phil Spector's self-imposed retirement was identified by sociomusicologist Simon Frith in 1981 as one of the catalysts, along with Brian Wilson's withdrawal in 1967, for the "rock/pop split that has afflicted American music ever since".
1966: Wilson Interview Described as Non-Verbal
In 1966, following an interview with Brian Wilson, David Oppenheim recalled, "we tried to talk with him but didn't get much out of him. Some guy said 'He's not verbal.'"
1966: The Beach Boys release 'Good Vibrations'
In 1966, the Beach Boys released "Good Vibrations", which Wilson co-wrote. It became a number-one hit.
1966: Acknowledging Spector's Influence
In a 1966 article, Brian Wilson referred to Phil Spector as "the single most influential producer."
1966: Thoughts on the Beatles
In a 1966 interview, Brian Wilson commented on how the Beatles' invasion shook him up.
1966: A cappella in 'Sloop John B'
Sudden breaks into a cappella segments, borrowed from the Four Freshmen, were employed in "Sloop John B" (1966).
April 1967: Sale of Laurel Way Home and Move to Bel Air Mansion
In April 1967, Brian Wilson and his wife sold their Laurel Way home and moved to a mansion in Bel Air. Wilson also began constructing a personal home studio. Most of his new contacts had disassociated or were exiled from his social circle by this point.
September 1967: Home Recording Base and Shared Production Credits
In September 1967, starting with the album Smiley Smile, The Beach Boys made Brian Wilson's home their primary base of recording operations. The album was the first to credit production to the entire group instead of Wilson alone, due to his self-consciousness about his reputation.
1967: Second experience with LSD
Around 1966 or 1967, Brian Wilson consumed LSD for a second time.
1967: Britz as Wilson's "right-hand man"
From 1962 to 1967, Chuck Britz acted as Wilson's "right-hand man".
1967: Exclusive reliance on the Wrecking Crew
In 1966 and 1967, Brian Wilson almost exclusively relied on the Wrecking Crew for the recording of the Beach Boys' backing tracks.
1967: Documentary Filming at Wilson's Home
In 1966, Brian Wilson started working on the Smile album, which was never finished. In 1967, television producer David Oppenheim characterized Wilson's home as a "playpen of irresponsible people" while filming the documentary Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution.
1967: Wilson's Withdrawal
In 1967, Brian Wilson withdrew, which sociomusicologist Simon Frith identified in 1981 as one of the catalysts for the "rock/pop split that has afflicted American music ever since".
1967: Unreleased rendition
In 1967, Wilson produced renditions of Burt Bacharach's "My Little Red Book" but left the recording unreleased.
1967: Bernstein Describes Wilson as Important Pop Musician
In 1967, the CBS documentary Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution, hosted by Leonard Bernstein, described Brian Wilson as "one of today's most important pop musicians."
June 1968: Recording of Friends During Emotional Recovery
The album Friends was recorded in June 1968 during a period of emotional recovery for Brian Wilson. He led the studio sessions and later referred to it as his second "solo album" and his favorite Beach Boys album.
1968: Abandonment of Smile Album and Psychological Decline
Brian Wilson had been trying to record the Smile album for six months, but in May 1967, it was announced that the album had been scrapped. In a 1968 interview, Brian Wilson said that he "was about ready to die" and "decided not to try anymore." The commercial response to "Heroes and Villains" led to his psychological decline.
1968: Wilson Equates Religion and Meditation
By 1968, Brian Wilson had equated religion and meditation through his promotion of Transcendental Meditation (TM), though he ultimately abandoned TM.
1968: Hospitalization and Treatment
In 1968, Brian Wilson was hospitalized and prescribed Thorazine for severe anxiety; he also possibly received talking therapies, lithium, and electroconvulsive therapy.
1968: Birth of Daughter Carnie
In 1968, Brian Wilson's daughter Carnie was born.
1968: Decline in Songwriting and Self-Medication
In 1968, Brian Wilson's songwriting output declined, and his emotional state worsened, leading him to self-medicate with excessive food, alcohol, and drugs. He began using cocaine and expressed suicidal wishes, marking a significant decline.
1968: Unreleased rendition
In 1968, Wilson produced renditions of Burt Bacharach's "Walk On By" but left the recording unreleased.
1968: Psychiatric Hospital Admission and Withdrawal
In mid-1968, Brian Wilson was admitted to a psychiatric hospital, and sessions for 20/20 continued without him. After being discharged, Wilson rarely finished tracks for the band, leaving much of the work to Carl Wilson.
1968: Influence of Bacharach's 'Walk on By'
Wilson used chord inversions, especially Bacharach's song "Walk On By" and "This Guy's in Love with You" (1968) to influence his own work.
February 1969: Release of 20/20
Sessions for 20/20 continued in Brian Wilson's absence in February 1969, as he was dealing with undisclosed issues.
August 1969: Rare Studio Presence
In August 1969, after co-writing "Break Away" with his father, Brian Wilson was rarely in the studio with the Beach Boys. His limited studio presence came after a period of active participation in writing material for the upcoming album.
1969: Affair with Debbie Keil Begins
From 1969 to 1970, Brian Wilson began having an affair with Debbie Keil, who worked for the Beach Boys.
1969: Birth of Daughter Wendy
In 1969, Brian Wilson's daughter Wendy was born.
1969: Chromatic bass descents in 'Our Prayer'
In 1969, Wilson's use of chromatic bass descents are most notably displayed in "Our Prayer".
1969: Cohn Recognizes Wilson as Pop Art Progenitor
In his 1969 book Awopbopaloobop Alopbamboom: The Golden Age of Rock, Nik Cohn recognizes Brian Wilson as a progenitor of authentic pop art, elevating high school-themed music "to completely new levels" and transforming it into a mythic narrative.
1969: Influence of Switched-On Bach
Wendy Carlos' 1969 album Switched-On Bach, influenced Wilson's use of synthesizers.
November 1970: Whisky a Go Go Performance
In November 1970, Brian Wilson rejoined the live band for a brief stint, performing for one-and-a-half dates at the Whisky a Go Go. This marked a rare return to live performance for Wilson during this period.
1970: Affair with Debbie Keil Continues
From 1969 to 1970, Brian Wilson continued having an affair with Debbie Keil, who worked for the Beach Boys.
1970: "Don't Worry Baby"
In a 1970 interview, Brian Wilson cited "Don't Worry Baby" as "Probably the best record we've done".
February 1972: America Concert
In February 1972, Brian Wilson attended an America concert at the Whisky a Go Go. During the performance, he reportedly "held court like a Mad King," with Danny Hutton attending to him.
April 1972: Carl and the Passions Recording
During the recording of Carl and the Passions in April 1972, Blondie Chaplin stated that Brian Wilson rarely left his bedroom, but his contributions when he did were amazing.
1972: Dismantling of Home Studio
Brian Chidester coined "Bedroom Tapes" as a loose umbrella term for Brian Wilson's subsequent unreleased output until 1975, despite the fact that his home studio was dismantled in 1972.
1972: Inspiration for Mount Vernon and Fairway
In 1972, while living in Holland and listening to Randy Newman's album Sail Away, Brian Wilson was inspired to write a fairy tale titled Mount Vernon and Fairway, loosely based on his memories of listening to the radio at Mike Love's family home as a teenager.
1972: End of Home Recording Era
Starting with Smiley Smile in September 1967, the Beach Boys made Brian Wilson's home their primary base of recording operations until 1972.
June 1973: Seclusion After Father's Death
Following his father Murry Wilson's death in June 1973, Brian Wilson secluded himself in the chauffeur's quarters of his home, engaging in self-destructive behaviors, including drug and alcohol abuse, overeating, and rarely venturing outside.
October 1974: Endless Summer Success
In October 1974, The Beach Boys' greatest hits compilation Endless Summer reached number-one in the U.S., marking a resurgence in popularity for the band.
December 1974: "Child of Winter" Release
In December 1974, The Beach Boys released "Child of Winter (Christmas Song)", their first record since 1966 displaying the credit "Produced by Brian Wilson."
1975: Bedroom Tapes Era Ends
Brian Chidester coined "Bedroom Tapes" for Brian Wilson's unreleased output until 1975. However, Wilson's home studio was dismantled in 1972.
1975: Physical Decline and Intervention
In 1975, Brian Wilson's health declined due to substance abuse and overeating, leading to interventions by his family and management. He volunteered into psychologist Eugene Landy's radical 24-hour therapy program in October.
1975: Equinox Records Deal
In 1975, while still under contract with Warner Bros., Brian Wilson signed a short-lived sideline production deal with Bruce Johnston and Terry Melcher's Equinox Records, leading to the formation of California Music.
1975: Appreciation for Bohemian Rhapsody
In 1976, Wilson mentioned Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" (1975) as one exception to the lack of artistic integrity in contemporary popular music.
July 2, 1976: Return to Concert Appearances
On July 2, 1976, Brian Wilson began making regular concert appearances with the Beach Boys for the first time since December 1964, singing and playing bass guitar and piano.
October 1976: Love You Production
From October 1976 to January 1977, Brian Wilson produced a large collection of studio recordings, largely by himself. These sessions would result in The Beach Boys Love You.
1976: Landy's Services Relieved
At the end of 1976, Brian Wilson's family and management relieved Eugene Landy of his services due to increased fees. Wilson's cousins and a friend took over his care, and he maintained a healthy disposition for several months.
1976: Wilson on Religion and Drugs
In 1976, Brian Wilson stated that he still believed, as he did in the 1960s, that the coming of "the great Messiah [...] came in the form of drugs" while acknowledging that his own drug experiences "really didn't work out so well, so positively".
1976: Landy's Refutation of Diagnosis
In 1976, Landy refuted the diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia, suggesting Brian Wilson's primary issue was "being scared".
1976: The Beach Boys release 'Rock and Roll Music'
In 1976, The Beach Boys released "Rock and Roll Music", which Wilson produced. It reached number 5.
1976: Commentary on the state of popular music
In 1976, Wilson commented that he felt contemporary popular music had lacked the artistic integrity it once had.
1976: "Brian's Back!" Promotion
Throughout 1976, the tagline "Brian's Back!" was used to promote the Beach Boys' concert tours and their July release, 15 Big Ones. This album was the first since Pet Sounds to credit Wilson as the sole producer.
1977: Release of The Beach Boys Love You
In 1977, Brian Wilson released The Beach Boys Love You as a would-be solo effort.
1977: "The Night Was So Young" Song
In 1977, Brian Wilson wrote the song "The Night Was So Young" inspired by Debbie Keil's frequent visitations to his household.
1977: "Roller Skating Child" Song
In 1977, Brian Wilson's daughter Carnie inspired his song "Roller Skating Child".
1977: Writing Mona
In 1977, Wilson wrote a 1950s style love song, "Mona", whose lyrics discuss some of his favorite songs by Spector, including "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "Be My Baby".
1977: Adult/Child Album Disputes
In early 1977, Brian Wilson produced Adult/Child, the intended follow-up to Love You; however, it remained unreleased due to artistic disputes.
July 1978: Separation from Marilyn
In July 1978, Brian Wilson and Marilyn separated.
November 1978: Institutionalization at Brotzman Memorial Hospital
In November 1978, Brian Wilson was institutionalized at Brotzman Memorial Hospital following an incident where he attacked his doctor. He spent three months in the hospital, was discharged for one month, and then readmitted.
1978: Paranoid Schizophrenia Diagnosis
In 1978, Brian Wilson was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and manic-depressive psychosis while at Brotzman Memorial Hospital.
1978: "My Diane" Song
In 1978, Brian Wilson wrote the song "My Diane" about an affair he had with his wife's sister.
1978: Drug Overdose and Disappearance
In 1978, following a disastrous tour of Australia, Brian Wilson overdosed on a combination of drugs and disappeared from his family. He hitchhiked, played piano at a gay bar, traveled to Mexico, and was eventually found by police in Balboa Park before being hospitalized for alcohol poisoning.
1978: Leaf Identifies Wilson as Influence on Bands
Writing in 1978, David Leaf identified Brian Wilson's 1960s productions as a chief influence on bands such as Queen, Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), 10cc, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, among others.
January 1979: Filing for Divorce
In January 1979, Brian Wilson filed for divorce from Marilyn.
January 1979: Dismissal of Stan Love and Rocky Pamplin
In January 1979, while Brian Wilson was institutionalized at Brotzman Memorial Hospital, Stan Love and Rocky Pamplin were dismissed of their services.
March 1979: Involvement with L.A. (Light Album)
In March 1979, after being discharged from detox, Brian Wilson rejoined his bandmates to record L.A. (Light Album). However, after producing some demos, he requested that Bruce Johnston take over the project.
March 1980: Bandmates Implore Him To Produce Next Album
In March 1980, Brian Wilson's bandmates implored him to produce their next album, Keepin' the Summer Alive, but he was unable or unwilling to do so.
1980: "Cocaine Sessions" Collaboration
In 1980, Brian Wilson engaged in clandestine recording sessions with his brother Dennis at Garby Leon's home studio, which were later dubbed the "cocaine sessions" or "hamburger sessions" due to Dennis's encouragement with McDonald's hamburgers and cocaine.
1981: "Cocaine Sessions" Collaboration
In 1981, Brian Wilson continued clandestine recording sessions with his brother Dennis at Garby Leon's home studio, which were later dubbed the "cocaine sessions" or "hamburger sessions" due to Dennis's encouragement with McDonald's hamburgers and cocaine.
1981: Relationship with Debbie Keil Ends
In 1981, Brian Wilson maintained a relationship with Debbie Keil after his separation with Marilyn.
1981: Assault Conviction of Pamplin and Love
In early 1981, Pamplin and Stan Love were convicted of assaulting Dennis Wilson after hearing that he had been supplying Brian Wilson with drugs.
1981: Frith Identifies Wilson's Withdrawal as Catalyst for Rock/Pop Split
Writing in 1981, sociomusicologist Simon Frith identified Brian Wilson's withdrawal in 1967, along with Phil Spector's self-imposed retirement in 1966, as the catalysts for the "rock/pop split that has afflicted American music ever since".
1982: Re-enlistment in Landy's Program
In 1982, after overdosing, Brian Wilson's family and management orchestrated a ruse to convince him to volunteer back into Dr. Landy's program. Wilson was falsely told he was penniless and no longer a member of the Beach Boys unless he re-enlisted Landy.
1982: One of Wilson's favorite Albums
In a 1988 interview, he named the 1982 compilation Stevie Wonder's Original Musiquarium I among his ten favorite albums of all time.
1982: Carl Given Financial Control and Hospitalization
In early 1982, Brian Wilson signed a trust document giving Carl Wilson control of his finances. Brian was also involuntarily admitted to St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica for three days. By this time, Brian's diet and weight had become extremely unhealthy.
January 1983: Relationship with Carolyn Williams Ends
In January 1983, Brian Wilson's relationship with his nurse, Carolyn Williams, ended.
March 1983: Return to Los Angeles with Landy
In March 1983, Brian Wilson returned to Los Angeles and was moved by Dr. Landy into a home in Malibu. He lived with Landy's aides and was cut off from many of his friends and family, including his children and ex-wife.
1983: Annual Charges by Landy
In 1983, Dr. Landy charged about $430,000 annually (equivalent to $1.32 million in 2023) for his services to Brian Wilson, and Landy's influence extended to being Wilson's creative and financial partner.
1984: Misdiagnosis of Schizophrenia
In 1984, doctors misdiagnosed Brian Wilson with schizophrenia again and found evidence of brain damage due to excessive drug use.
June 1985: Release of The Beach Boys Album
In June 1985, Brian Wilson actively participated in recording The Beach Boys album, which was labelled as a "comeback" for him. Afterward, he focused on a solo career.
1985: Alleged Suicide Attempt
In mid-1985, Brian Wilson allegedly attempted suicide by swimming out to sea before being brought back to shore by one of Dr. Landy's aides.
1986: First Date with Melinda Kae Ledbetter
In 1986, Brian Wilson initially dated Melinda Kae Ledbetter.
1986: Landy Charged About $430,000 Annually
In 1986, Dr. Landy charged about $430,000 annually (equivalent to $1.32 million in 2023) for his services to Brian Wilson, and Landy's influence extended to being Wilson's creative and financial partner.
1986: Gaines Biography
In 1986, Gaines' biography of the Beach Boys highlighted the difficulty Wilson's family and associates faced in determining genuine mental health issues from potential manipulative behavior.
1986: One of Wilson's favorite Albums
In a 1988 interview, he named the 1986 release Paul Simon's Graceland among his ten favorite albums of all time.
1986: Solo Album Demos with Gary Usher
Starting in 1986, Brian Wilson engaged Gary Usher in writing songs and recording demos for his prospective solo album, known as "the Wilson Project," at Usher's studio.
January 1987: Solo Contract with Sire Records
In January 1987, Brian Wilson signed a solo contract with Sire Records. Seymour Stein stipulated Andy Paley as co-producer, and Landy was given an "executive producer" role.
July 1988: Release of Brian Wilson Solo Album
In July 1988, Brian Wilson's self-titled solo album was released to favorable reviews and moderate sales. The album's release was overshadowed by the controversy surrounding Landy and the success of the Beach Boys' "Kokomo."
1988: Solo Album Brian Wilson
In 1988, Brian Wilson relaunched his solo career with the self-titled album Brian Wilson.
1988: Wilson Refers to 'A Toehold on Zen'
In 1988, Brian Wilson was asked if his music was religiously influenced, he referred to the 1962 book A Toehold on Zen, explaining that he believed that he possessed what is called a "toehold", meaning that having "a good grasp" on one aspect of life can translate to others.
1988: "Little Children" Song
In 1988, Brian Wilson's daughters Carnie and Wendy inspired his song "Little Children".
1988: Wilson's Honesty Depends on Mood
In 1988, journalist Verlyn Klinkenborg observed that while Brian Wilson was known for being brutally honest, what he believes to be true depends on his mood at the time and could vary dramatically if inquired on another occasion.
1988: Favorite albums
In a 1988 interview, he named the 1982 compilation Stevie Wonder's Original Musiquarium I and the 1986 release Paul Simon's Graceland among his ten favorite albums of all time.
May 1989: Recording "Daddy's Little Girl"
In May 1989, Brian Wilson recorded "Daddy's Little Girl" for the film She's Out of Control.
August 1989: $100 Million Suit Against Irving Music
In August 1989, Brian Wilson filed a $100 million suit against Irving Music to recover song publishing rights sold by his father.
1989: Backing Vocals for Ronstadt
In 1989, Brian Wilson contributed backing vocals to Linda Ronstadt's single "Adios".
1989: End of Initial Relationship with Melinda Kae Ledbetter
In late 1989, Brian Wilson and Melinda Kae Ledbetter ended their initial relationship.
1990: Description of Song Arrangement
Brian Wilson wrote in 1990 about how he worked out "about a third" of the finished arrangement of a song as he was writing it, leaving the rest to studio experimentation.
1990: Estrangement from The Beach Boys
By 1990, Brian Wilson was estranged from the Beach Boys. The band scheduled recording sessions he could not attend and rejected his offers to produce an album for them.
1990: LSD and Jesus Christ Complex
In 1990, Brian Wilson attributed his development of "a Jesus Christ complex" in the mid-1960s to LSD.
1990: Conservatorship Attempt
In 1990, Brian Wilson's cousin Stan Love sued Wilson, attempting to gain conservatorship, citing Wilson's mental health issues. The court ultimately ruled against Love.
May 1991: Conservatorship Suit Filed
In May 1991, a conservatorship suit was filed by Brian Wilson's family, leading to the dissolution of his partnership with Dr. Landy in December.
October 1991: Publication of Memoir
In October 1991, Brian Wilson's memoir, Wouldn't It Be Nice: My Own Story, was published, prompting defamation lawsuits from bandmates and family.
1991: Wilson's Memoir
Brian Wilson's 1991 memoir reflected on the Houston flight incident from December 1964 and the realization that he could control others.
1991: Reconnecting with Melinda Kae Ledbetter
In 1991, Brian Wilson and Melinda Kae Ledbetter reconnected.
1991: Dissociation from Eugene Landy
In 1991, Brian Wilson disassociated from his psychologist, Eugene Landy.
1991: Memoir Recalls First Song
In his 1991 memoir, Brian Wilson recalls writing his first song for a 4th grade school project concerning Paul Bunyan.
April 1992: $10 Million Settlement from Irving Music
In April 1992, Brian Wilson was awarded $10 million through an out-of-court settlement with Irving Music, although he failed to recover the song publishing rights.
May 1992: Lawsuit Filed by Mike Love
In May 1992, one month after being awarded $10 million from his Irving Almo lawsuit, Brian Wilson was sued by Mike Love for decades-long neglected royalties and songwriting credits.
1993: Offer to Record Album with Van Dyke Parks
In 1993, Brian Wilson accepted an offer to record an album of songs written by Van Dyke Parks. This project resulted in Orange Crate Art, released in October 1995.
December 1994: Verdict in Favor of Mike Love
In December 1994, the jury ruled in favor of Mike Love in his lawsuit against Brian Wilson, awarding Love $5 million and a share of future royalties.
1994: Recording choral version of Rhapsody in Blue
In 1994, Brian Wilson recorded a choral version of "Rhapsody in Blue" with Van Dyke Parks.
February 6, 1995: Marriage to Melinda Kae Ledbetter
On February 6, 1995, Brian Wilson married Melinda Kae Ledbetter.
September 1995: Lawsuit Against Jerome Billet
In September 1995, Brian Wilson filed a lawsuit against his former conservator, Jerome Billet, seeking $10 million for alleged failure to supervise the lawyers overseeing the suits between Wilson, Irving Music, and Love.
October 1995: Release of Orange Crate Art
In October 1995, Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks released Orange Crate Art, an album of songs written by Parks and credited to both of them.
1995: Wilson Links Abstinence to Functionality
In 1995, Brian Wilson linked abstinence to his ability to function, calling it an "Einsteinian formula" that "create[s] a void in your brain".
1995: Wilson recalls 'Caroline, No' as best he's ever written
In 1995, Wilson reflects on the song Caroline, No as 'probably the best I've ever written'.
1996: Co-produced Beach Boys album Stars and Stripes Vol. 1
In 1996, Brian Wilson co-produced the Beach Boys album Stars and Stripes Vol. 1 with Joe Thomas.
1997: Appears on The Wilsons Project
In 1997, Brian Wilson and Asher rekindled their writing partnership and wrote some songs together. One of them, "Everything I Need", appeared on The Wilsons (1997), a project by his daughters Carnie and Wendy.
1997: Moved to St. Charles, Illinois
In 1997, Brian Wilson moved to St. Charles, Illinois, to work on a solo album project with Joe Thomas.
1997: O'Hagan on Rock Music Stifling Pop Composers
Speaking in a 1997 interview, musician Sean O'Hagan felt that rock music's domination of mass culture following the mid-1960s had the effect of artistically stifling contemporary pop composers who, until then, had been guided by Brian Wilson's increasingly ambitious creative advancements.
June 1998: Release of Imagination and Family Deaths
In June 1998, Brian Wilson's third album, Imagination, was released, receiving criticism for its sound. Shortly before the album's release, he suffered the loss of his brother Carl and their mother Audree.
July 1999: Solo Tour
From March to July 1999, Brian Wilson embarked on his first ever solo tour, playing about a dozen dates in the U.S. and Japan.
August 1999: Lawsuits Against Joe Thomas
In August 1999, Brian Wilson filed suit against Joe Thomas, seeking damages and freedom to work on his next album without Thomas's involvement. Thomas reciprocated with his own suit. The case was settled out of court.
1999: Melinda Kae Ledbetter Becomes Manager
After 1999, Melinda Kae Ledbetter was Brian Wilson's manager.
1999: Regular Solo Touring Begins
In 1999, Brian Wilson began touring regularly as a solo artist.
1999: Wilson Believes in Phil Spector
In 1999, when asked for his religious beliefs, Brian Wilson responded: "I believe in Phil Spector".
1999: Raspy Voice Comparison
In a 1999 interview, Brian Wilson compared his harsher, raspier voice to that of Bob Dylan.
2000: Reflections on Solo Tours
In 2000, Brian Wilson expressed his satisfaction with his solo tours, stating that he felt more comfortable on stage and had a better band than the Beach Boys.
2000: Reaffirming Spector's Influence
In 2000, Brian Wilson reaffirmed that Phil Spector was "probably the biggest influence of all".
2000: Live Album Release and Pet Sounds Performances
In 2000, Brian Wilson released his first live album, Live at the Roxy Theatre. He also began a U.S. concert tour, performing Pet Sounds live in its entirety for the first time, backed by a 55-piece orchestra.
2000: Edgers on Interviewing Wilson
In 2000, Edgers wrote that "no writer will ever understand Brian Wilson", highlighting his often "clipped and conflicting" responses, adding that he "generally makes it clear to interviewers that he would rather be somewhere else — and that's when he's feeling good."
2000: Caroline Now! Tribute Album Released
In 2000, Marina Records released Caroline Now!, an album of Brian Wilson's songs recorded by artists including Alex Chilton, Kim Fowley, the Aluminum Group, Eric Matthews, Saint Etienne, Peter Thomas, the High Llamas, and Jad Fair of Half Japanese.
2000: Conflicting Accounts of Deafness Origin
In a 2000 interview, Brian Wilson stated that his deafness had been present at birth and unrelated to his father's physical abuse, conflicting with other accounts.
March 2001: Tribute Show Appearance
In March 2001, Brian Wilson attended a tribute show in his honor at Radio City Music Hall in New York, where he sang "Heroes and Villains" before a public audience for the first time in decades.
June 2002: Release of Brian Wilson Presents Pet Sounds Live
In June 2002, Brian Wilson released his second live album, Brian Wilson Presents Pet Sounds Live, which featured recordings from his European tour.
2002: Creativity and Treatment
In 2002, Brian Wilson lamented that his successful treatment had inhibited his creativity and songwriting.
2002: Wilson on Landy Program
In a 2002 interview, Brian Wilson expressed love for Landy and stated that Landy "saved me."
2002: Beatles' Releases pushed Wilson to create
In a 2002 interview, Wilson stated that each new Beatles release, particularly over 1964–65, pushed him "to try something new" in his work.
2003: Wilson reconfigured sound techniques.
The 2003 book Temples of Sound states that Wilson distinguished himself from Spector through the usage of certain instruments, such as banjo, and by possessing a "clean muscle" missing in Spector's work.
February 2004: Premiere of Brian Wilson Presents Smile
In February 2004, Brian Wilson Presents Smile (BWPS) premiered at the Royal Festival Hall in London. This was a live performance of the unfinished Smile album.
June 2004: Release of Gettin' In Over My Head
In June 2004, Brian Wilson released his fourth solo album, Gettin' In Over My Head, featuring guest appearances from various artists.
2004: Wilson on the Bible and Afterlife
In 2004, Brian Wilson stated that his favorite book was "the Bible", and when questioned if he believed in life after death, Wilson replied "I don't".
2004: Ledbetter Claim on LSD Use
In 2004, Ledbetter claimed that Brian Wilson had only taken LSD thrice in his life.
July 2005: Live 8 Performance
In July 2005, Brian Wilson performed a concert at Live 8 in Berlin, watched by a television audience of approximately three million.
September 2005: Charity Drive for Hurricane Katrina Victims
In September 2005, Brian Wilson arranged a charity drive to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina, offering a personal phone call from him to those who donated $100 or more.
October 2005: Release of What I Really Want for Christmas
In October 2005, Arista Records released Brian Wilson's album What I Really Want for Christmas, which featured two new original songs by Wilson.
2005: Interview about Composing
In a 2005 interview, Brian Wilson discussed that he began composing original music in 1955 when he was 12.
November 2006: Pet Sounds 40th Anniversary Tour
In November 2006, Brian Wilson embarked on a brief tour to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Pet Sounds. Al Jardine accompanied him for the tour.
2007: Wilson cited Joel as favorite pianist.
In 2007, Brian Wilson cited Billy Joel as his favorite pianist.
2007: Wilson Names 'Norbit' as Favorite Movie
In a 2007 interview, Brian Wilson was asked about "good movies" he had watched recently and named Norbit. When asked his all-time favorite movie, he again answered Norbit.
2007: Panda Bear's Person Pitch Album
Thanks to acts such as Panda Bear and his 2007 album Person Pitch, Brian Wilson began to be recognized for his continued impact on the indie music vanguard since the late 2000s.
September 2008: Release of That Lucky Old Sun
In September 2008, Brian Wilson released his seventh solo album, That Lucky Old Sun, which was a studio-recorded version of a semi-autobiographical conceptual piece about California.
2008: Comparison in Dark Mirror
In his 2008 book Dark Mirror: The Pathology of the Singer-Songwriter, Donald Brackett identifies Wilson as "the Carl Sandburg and Robert Frost of popular music.
2009: Pitchfork on Indie Music and Wilson's Themes
In 2009, Pitchfork ran an editorial feature that traced the development of nascent indie music scenes, and chillwave in particular, to the themes of Brian Wilson's songs and his reputation for being an "emotionally fragile dude with mental health problems who coped by taking drugs."
2009: Favorite chord and key signatures
In a 2009 interview, Brian Wilson stated that his favorite chord is E major seventh, and his favorite key signatures to play in are B, C♯, E, and E♭.
August 2010: Release of Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin
In August 2010, Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin was released, reaching number 26 on the Billboard 200 and topping Billboard's Jazz Albums chart. He subsequently embarked on a concert tour performing the album.
2010: Moorefield Acknowledges Wilson as a Brilliant Producer
Virgil Moorefield's 2010 book The Producer as Composer: Shaping the Sounds of Popular Music acknowledges Brian Wilson as a "brilliant producer" who significantly expanded the field of music production.
October 2011: Release of In the Key of Disney
In October 2011, In the Key of Disney was released, peaking at number 83 in the U.S.
2011: Wilson on Modern Politics
In 2011, Brian Wilson responded to a question about drawing inspiration from modern politics by saying, "Politics goes in one ear and out the other. I don't even know the president's name for sure."
2011: Wilson on Spiritual Beliefs
In 2011, Brian Wilson said that while he had spiritual beliefs, he did not follow any particular religion.
2011: Dillon on Tributes to Wilson
Writing in his 2011 book on the Beach Boys, Mark Dillon stated that tributes to Brian Wilson remained "common among musicians young enough to be his children".
June 2012: Release of That's Why God Made the Radio
In June 2012, That's Why God Made the Radio, a Beach Boys album, was released, with Brian Wilson listed as the producer.
September 2012: End of the Beach Boys Reunion Tour
The Beach Boys reunion tour, which Brian Wilson had initially hesitated to join but eventually agreed to, concluded in September 2012.
2012: Grandchildren
By 2012, Brian Wilson had six grandchildren, two daughters of Carnie and four sons of Wendy.
June 2013: Recording New Material
In June 2013, Brian Wilson's website announced that he was recording and self-producing new material with various artists, with potential for three albums.
2013: Ronstadt's Memoir Suggests Brief Dating
Linda Ronstadt's 2013 memoir Simple Dreams suggests she briefly dated Brian Wilson in the 1970s.
September 2014: Premiere of Love & Mercy
In September 2014, Brian Wilson attended the premiere of Love & Mercy, a biopic about his life, at the Toronto International Film Festival.
October 2014: BBC "God Only Knows" Recording
In October 2014, Brian Wilson participated in a newly recorded version of "God Only Knows" with numerous other guest artists for BBC Music.
April 2015: Release of No Pier Pressure
In April 2015, No Pier Pressure, another collaboration between Brian Wilson and Joe Thomas, was released, featuring guest appearances from several artists.
2015: Preference for 'oldies but goodies'
As of 2015, Brian Wilson maintained that he does not listen to modern music, only "oldies but goodies".
2015: Gilstrap on Wilson Ending Interviews Abruptly
In 2015, Salon's Peter Gilstrap wrote that Brian Wilson had been known to end interviews abruptly, though the author concluded that his actions were not "due to a bad attitude.".
2015: Doggett on Wilson and Pop Battles
In his 2015 book Electric Shock, Peter Doggett identifies Brian Wilson as the quintessential figure of an era marked by "some of the most notorious pop battles" between "idealistic musicians" and the executives funding their ambitious projects.
March 2016: Pet Sounds 50th Anniversary World Tour
In March 2016, Brian Wilson and Al Jardine embarked on the Pet Sounds 50th Anniversary World Tour, promoted as Wilson's final performances of the album.
2016: Memoir on LSD Use
Brian Wilson's 2016 memoir stated that he abstained from consuming LSD for a second time until he was 23, around 1966 or 1967.
2016: Mention of Spector meeting in memoir
Brian Wilson's 2016 memoir states that he met Phil Spector only a few days after hearing "Be My Baby".
2016: Publication of Wilson's Memoir
In 2016, Brian Wilson's memoir was published, characterizing his father as "violent" and "cruel", but also suggesting some narratives about the mistreatment had been overstated.
2016: Lambert on Wilson's Harmonic Ingenuity
In 2016, musicologist Philip Lambert stated that Brian Wilson's harmonic approach demonstrated an exceptional mastery and significantly expanded upon the British-American pop idiom of the 1960s, leaving a lasting imprint on popular music since.
2016: Memoir on Deafness Origin
In his 2016 memoir, Brian Wilson repeated his mother's claim that he was hit in the ear as a child, causing his deafness.
2016: Guriel Credits Pet Sounds with Inventing Modern Pop Album
Writing in 2016, The Atlantic's Jason Guriel credits Pet Sounds with inventing the modern pop album, stating that Brian Wilson "paved the way for auteurs [and] anticipated the rise of the producer [and] the modern pop-centric era, which privileges producer over artist and blurs the line between entertainment and art."
2019: Co-headlining Tour with The Zombies
In 2019, Brian Wilson embarked on a co-headlining tour with The Zombies, performing selections from Friends and Surf's Up.
2019: Health Issues and Concert Postponement
In 2019, Brian Wilson underwent two back surgeries and later postponed some concert dates due to worsening mental health.
August 2021: Resumption of Concert Touring
In August 2021, Brian Wilson resumed his concert touring after the COVID-19 pandemic.
2022: End of Solo Touring
In 2022, Brian Wilson ended his run of touring regularly as a solo artist.
2022: She & Him Embark on Tribute Tour
In 2022, She & Him, accompanied by the release of Melt Away: A Tribute to Brian Wilson, embarked on a concert tour dedicated to renditions of Brian Wilson's songs.
January 2023: Speculation About Retirement
During a January 2023 appearance on a Beach Boys fan podcast, Brian Wilson's daughter Carnie reported that her father was "probably not going to tour anymore".
January 30, 2024: Death of Melinda Ledbetter
On January 30, 2024, Melinda Ledbetter, Brian Wilson's wife, passed away at their home.
May 2024: Conservatorship
In May 2024, it was announced that Brian Wilson entered into another conservatorship after it was revealed that he had dementia.
2024: Completion of Cows in the Pasture
In 2024, the unfinished album "Cows in the Pasture" that Brian Wilson produced for Fred Vail in 1970, will be completed by Vail. Wilson will be the executive producer and contribute new vocals to one of the tracks.
