Childhood and Education Journey of Brian Wilson in Timeline

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.

Others born on this day/year

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: 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: 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.

August 1962: Meeting Marilyn Rovell

In August 1962, Brian Wilson met Marilyn Rovell, who later inspired the song "All Summer Long" (1964).

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.

1963: Engagement to Judy Bowles

During Christmas 1963, Brian Wilson was engaged to Judy Bowles.

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.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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.

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: 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.

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: 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.

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.

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: Influence of Switched-On Bach

Wendy Carlos' 1969 album Switched-On Bach, influenced Wilson's use of synthesizers.

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".

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: 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.

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: 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.

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: 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.

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".

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: End of Initial Relationship with Melinda Kae Ledbetter

In late 1989, Brian Wilson and Melinda Kae Ledbetter ended their initial relationship.

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.

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.

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.

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'.

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.

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.

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: 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: Reaffirming Spector's Influence

In 2000, Brian Wilson reaffirmed that Phil Spector was "probably the biggest influence of all".

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: 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.

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.

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.

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.

2005: Interview about Composing

In a 2005 interview, Brian Wilson discussed that he began composing original music in 1955 when he was 12.

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.

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.

2012: Grandchildren

By 2012, Brian Wilson had six grandchildren, two daughters of Carnie and four sons of Wendy.

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.

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.".

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.