Brian Wilson

Brian Wilson is an American singer, songwriter, musician and record producer from Inglewood, California. He is a Beach Boys co-founder and is also associated with The Wilsons, The Survivors, the Brian Wilson Band, California Music, Hale & The Hushabyes, and Kenny & the Cadets. His work is rooted in pop and rock, and he is especially identified with the Beach Boys’ role in shaping the California sound.

Career

Wilson begins his professional career in 1961 as a member of the Beach Boys, where he acts as principal songwriter, producer, co-lead vocalist, bassist, keyboardist and de facto leader. After the group signs to Capitol Records in 1962, he takes a central role in the band’s recordings, often handling writing, arranging, producing and performing. His approach is marked by elaborate production, layered vocal harmonies, complex arrangements and introspective songwriting, along with a distinctive head voice and falsetto.

His early influences include George Gershwin, the Four Freshmen, Phil Spector and Burt Bacharach. By the mid-1960s he has written or co-written a series of major US hits, including the number-one singles “Surf City”, “I Get Around”, “Help Me, Rhonda” and “Good Vibrations”. He is also known for treating the recording studio as part of the compositional process, and is often described as one of rock’s early producer-authors.

Beach Boys work and solo releases

In late 1964 Wilson experiences a nervous breakdown and withdraws from regular touring with the Beach Boys so he can concentrate on songwriting and studio production. In 1966 he produces Pet Sounds, releases his first solo-credited single “Caroline, No”, and works on the unfinished Smile project. During the late 1960s and 1970s he has periods of reduced productivity and poor health, including withdrawal from public life and struggles with overeating and substance use.

His first major return to active recording in this period leads to The Beach Boys Love You in 1977, an album largely written and produced by him. In the 1980s he resumes his solo career with Brian Wilson and later ends his association with psychologist Eugene Landy in 1991. From the late 1990s onwards he returns to regular touring and recording. In 2004 he completes and releases a version of Smile, which draws major critical attention and becomes one of the best-known releases of his solo career. His studio albums also include Sweet Insanity, I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times, Orange Crate Art, Imagination, Gettin’ In over My Head, What I Really Want for Christmas, That Lucky Old Sun, Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin, In the Key of Disney, No Pier Pressure and At My Piano.

Style, collaborators and recognition

Wilson also produces recordings for the Honeys and American Spring. His music is associated with the development or popularisation of California sound, art pop, psychedelic pop, chamber pop, progressive music, punk and sunshine pop, and his influence is noted in later styles including post-punk, indie rock, emo, dream pop, Shibuya-kei and chillwave. His career brings two Grammy Awards and the Kennedy Center Honors, and he also receives nominations for a Golden Globe Award and a Primetime Emmy Award. He is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 as a member of the Beach Boys and into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2000. His life is depicted in the film Love and Mercy.