Before the Beatles there were the Beach Boys.

Three brothers and a cousin, harmonizing in its purest form, (think Everly Brothers and the Jackson 5) singing teen-angst lyrics (think “In My Room”) with gotta-dance rhythms (think “Surfin' USA”) that made you feel like you were sitting on the sand in California, even if you lived in Little Rock.

The musical genius that composed these sounds lived a complicated life. He was abused by his father, misunderstood by his brothers, cheated by his business manager, and berated by record executives. To borrow a phrase, “Never-the-less, he persisted.”

If you want a better understanding of what goes on in the mind of an “unstable” genius, read Brian’ s wonderful autobiography, “I am Brian Wilson.” He articulates his thoughts on songwriting beautifully:

“When you think songs are just for you, you pay special attention to them. It’s like a building going up…… you keep adding stories until you look down and you’re so far from the ground that you don’t know how you got there.”

10 years ago, I saw Brian and his band perform “Pet Sounds Live” at a small theatre in Vermont. When it was released in 1966, “Pet Sounds” was neither a critical nor a commercial success. It has since become a staple on nearly every “Greatest Albums of All Time” list and is widely recognized (even by Paul McCartney) as being the inspiration behind the Beatles’ album “Sargeant Pepper.” 

The thrill of hearing this iconic album performed in full by the person who wrote it was magical. As his bandmates helped him to the throne of his grand piano on center stage, I detected a smile and a nod. The carefully crafted harmonies kicked in seamlessly for the high notes that Brian could no longer reach. His own iconic rock and roll voice on “God Only Knows” sounded like a solemn prayer. It was wonderful to witness him (at last) enjoying the fruits of his hard-knock labor and sharing it with the audience. 

Creating art is never easy. But Brian Wilson’s life reminds us that making meaningful and enduring art can transcend your own limitations. Thankfully, for all the friends, family and fans who loved him, he persisted.

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