Brian Wilson, a musical genius...

On Wednesday, Beach Boy Brian Wilson passed away aged 82.

Along with his younger brothers, Dennis and Carl, his cousin Mike Love and childhood friend Al Jardine, Wilson created a musical legacy surpassed by few. Their early style was harmonising about surfing, cars and, of course, women! Surfin' from the album Surfin' Safari was their first single, while the titular track became their first hit, getting to 14 in the US Billboard charts. Albums Surfin' USA and Surfer Girl continued the themes of their debut. However, Surfer Girl included the track "In My Room", the first truly great song by Wilson.

All Summer Long continued the growth of the band while not departing from the themes of early works. I Get Around became their first Billboard number 1 and hit the top 10 in the UK.

Wilson always had a poor relationship with his domineering father, Murry, and around the time of All Summer Long's recording the Beach Boys fired the older Murry. That saw a pretty distinct change of sound going forward, with full orchestras being used to create a majestic sound. When I Grow Up (To be a Man) and Help Me Rhonda showcased the next studio album, The Beach Boys Today. They had also released a few live albums and cover albums - the delightful Beach Boys Party is a must listen to. But all this was leading up to The Beach Boys and Brian Wilsons greatest moment...

While they were developing their sound away from harmonised surfing songs, the Beatles were dominating the musical scene both in the UK and the US. The aforementioned Party album contained 3 covers of Beatles songs and the respect was clear. Like the Beatles, drugs were playing a part in the life of Brian but added to the pressures of fame Wilson suffered mental breakdowns. The desire to create an album that was better than anything the Beatles had released was strong, but the love of touring wasn't. As such, Wilson spent his time concentrating on writing and producing a classic.

Pet Sounds was released in May 1966 and was an adventurous, ambitious mix of sounds. It wasn't a massive hit though... only hitting 10 in the Billboard charts. Like much fine art, it's true genius was only appreciated much later in time.
The album contains what many consider the Beach Boys greatest song, God Only Knows. The hit, sung by brother Carl, was controversial at the time for using God in the title. and this maybe explains the poor charting in the US.
I Just Wasn't Made For These Times is another standout on Pet Sounds. Beautifully putting Wilson's mind frame into song form, it deals with his feelings of being a genius in a world not ready for him. The Beach Boys update of Sloop John B is probably one of their most recognisable hits, with many a football chant coming from it - and the "I wanna go home" line especially!

The disappointment of sales added to his already poor mental health led to Wilson and group fractions plus arguments between Wilson and his writing partners, began taking a real toll on the group. The follow up to Pet Sounds, a project named Smile, fell down. Not before one of the most memorable Beach Boys songs was recorded. Good Vibrations, a psychedelic mash up of instruments and harmonies, hit number 1 in the US, UK and across the globe. It later appeared on an album named Smiley Smile - which replaced the Smile album and included another great - Heroes and Villains.

Wild Honey, Friends and 20/20 completed the 60s for the Beach Boys, and found Brian is a psychiatric hospital with Carl stepping up in his absence.

The Beach Boys continued to have success in the 70s, releasing 8 albums. Break Away, Til I Die and Sail on Sailor being some of the best songs they created this decade.

The 80s were tough on the Beach Boys. Dennis Wilson, the only surfer of the group and one time friend of Charles Manson, drowned in 1983. Carl Wilson and Mike Love both attempted solo careers and Brian continued to withdraw from publicity. Wipeout - a collaboration with US rappers the Fat Boys, put them back in the top end of the charts before Kokomo gave them a 1988 number 1.

The 90s onwards saw little from the Beach Boys, and Carl Wilson passed away in 1998. A couple of Brian Wilson's daughters teamed up with the daughter of the Mamas and Papas to create Wilson Phillips and have a massive hit with the great track Hold On.

Like many a genius, Brian Wilson's life was one troubled with mental health issues, drug abuse, poor relationships and an unfilled desire to be even greater. Yet his peers, such as the Beatles, have nothing but great respect and admiration for his music. A lot of people can't get past the surfin' songs, but if you take time to listen you will hear some of the greatest songs of all time in the Brian Wilson discography.




Also, R.I.P. to Sly Stone - another of the greatest to ever do it, but also withdrew from fame, who passed away on Monday.