Catch a Wave : The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson

[Andrew G. Doe]

buy the book

That phrase sounds familiar...all our resident authors use it.

[koff]

[Mark A. Moore]

Peter,

I noticed on the Smile Shop where you said a lot of your conclusions are "interpretive" . . . which is always a necessary thing, to a degree, in writing history or biography.

But it'll be interesting to see how the masses jump on you when the book comes out. Writing books based on people's memories is a dicey game.

I suspect you'll get hammered from both sides . . . Brian vs. Not . . . but it all comes with the territory (as you well know).

I'm really looking forward to reading this one. Great to have new Beach Boys scholarship in the pipeline.

M.

[aeijtzsche]

I really am very much looking forward to reading the book.

Peter, did Hal and Carol (were those the only two Crew you interviewed?) contribute anything new, beyond the usual accolades along the lines of what we read in the PS box set notes?  I'd love to have a conversation with Hal, man I can't even tell you.  Oh, hey, your publisher isn't interested in any additional scholarly beach-boys related books, is it? 

[Peter Ames Carlin]

Hi Mark: Sure, I expect people from every given side to find stuff that they disagree with. The Brian world positively bristles with partisans with strong opinions, yes? Including the observers. (see also: the armed militias patrolling the which 'smile' songs were supposed to be in what order debate) Naturally I want everyone to love, like or at least respect my version of events. But is that realistic? I dunno. I hope so.

 AEijtzsche: I don't know if I got any serious revelations from Hal and Carol. A few interesting tidbits, for sure. And when it comes to selling beach boys books....you're on your own. Took me years (literally) to get mine going.

[aeijtzsche]

I'm sure I won't have any problems getting a huge buzz going for "Santa Ana Winds:  The Danelectro Bass Technique of Al Jardine  The untold heartbreak, trouble, and ultimate triumph of the under-rated Beach Boy:  An info-novel"

[I. Spaceman]

I still like the Monster In A USA Hat name.

[Jeff Mason]

Waiting for a Bus -- the Life of Al Jardine.

[aeijtzsche]

Man, I tell ya, in all seriousness, I would love to write Al's biography.  He's my favourite Beach Boys and I have a feeling he's got a compelling story to tell.

[Jeff Mason]

He would just get sued if he tried to tell it to anyone.

[I. Spaceman]

Man, I tell ya, in all seriousness, I would love to write Al's biography.  He's my favourite Beach Boys and I have a feeling he's got a compelling story to tell.

[Peter Reum]

If anyone wonders who is the person who actually rated the book a "5" it was me. It is a major contribution to the understanding of Brian and the Beach Boys from a 21st century perspective. There is a tendency to isolate Brian from the Beach Boys, and this to me is like taking California out of the USA. The Beach Boys are first and foremost a family.In fact they are a family business. Brian on his own is a major composer of songs and albums.

I think Peter has been able to understand the complexity of the family situation like few people have. Certainly, his timing is impeccable. There is a Brian renaissance and his reputation has been redeemed.

The version of the book I was fortunate to read is likely subject to some rewrites. As it read, it was the best longer treatment on Brian and the Boys I have read.

[I. Spaceman]

Thanks Peter.
This book will sell a lot of copies on release.

[Sheriff John Stone]

I know she didn't want to talk to Peter Ames Carlin, but the one "participant" in the BW/Beach Boys story whose book I would like read - would be Marilyn Wilson.

It's probably in her (and the Beach Boys) best interests that she doesn't write her memoirs.  But, oh, what stories she could tell...

[runalot]

Man, I tell ya, in all seriousness, I would love to write Al's biography.  He's my favourite Beach Boys and I have a feeling he's got a compelling story to tell.

I bet. And why hasn't Mike Love ever stepped up? (wrote a book)

I mean, these days, all you gotta do is talk while you eat steaks. Everyone else does the typing and listening.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Hi Mark: Sure, I expect people from every given side to find stuff that they disagree with. The Brian world positively bristles with partisans with strong opinions, yes? Including the observers. (see also: the armed militias patrolling the which 'smile' songs were supposed to be in what order debate) Naturally I want everyone to love, like or at least respect my version of events. But is that realistic? I dunno. I hope so.

The problem with Brian and the BB is that of the six blind men trying to describe an elephant. I've noticed that no matter what you say, or relate, or how authoritative your sources, someone will pop out of the woodwork and deny your story - hell, I've even been told "Brian doesn't remember that much, don't rely on what he says" (and it wasn't who you might think...). Everyone, but everyone, has their own story. The Heritage article was impressive. I'm awaiting this book eagerly. It has Brian's active particpation, which I don't think too many other books have had, at least not recently.

I'm also impressed with your realistic attitude regarding how people will take it. My dear ol' dad had a favorite saying - "can't tell someone something they don't want to hear". Hope you've cultivated a thick skin, or invested in body armor.  Rest assured, the book will get a fair  reception amongst the likes of us. As for other boards... (glances meaningfully to the west... and shrugs).

[donald]

No doubt I will buy this book.   

[petsite]

I can't wait for Peter's book to drop. Having hepled out some behind the scenes (Peter would sometimes ask Bob Hanes a question which in turn would come to me cuz Hanes knows how anal I am about information) I have been looking forward to this addition to our BB/BW knowledge base.

Peter has been nice enough to exchange e-mails with me towards the end of last year and I'd like to thank hime for putting up with my questions which he answered gracefully.

Thinking about the SMILE period, I have been discussing with Mr. Hanes my thoughts about the people surrounding Brian during this process. It seems to me that those around Brian at the time (Parks, Anderle, Vosse, etc) were embarrased about the "Little Deuce Coupe - Fun Fun Fun - All Summer Long" Brian Wilson. They were helping Brian expand his horizions but, it also seems that there was alot of "Hey Brian, you don't want to be THAT guy! Do other things, but not that "internal combustion sound (as Van called it)." You could tell that really didn't care for BW previous output before PS.

And Andrew Doe's comment about 6 blind men is never better illustrated than a scene from Beatiful Dreamer. Brian describes his utter terror during his first LSD trip and his freaking out. Yet Lauren Daro laughs about the story with a sly "This is wonderful." He tells how Brian freaked and HE WAS LAUGHING about it. Some freakin' friend. I think that  counter to what Mike Vosse said, there does seem to be alot of "FUN" at Brian's expense. I alsothink that BW was getting farther out in order to gain exceptance from this group. Being cool was and still is and objective that people want to obtain. Too bad it's a pathetic pursuit.

Anyway, can't wait for the book Peter. If it's as good as the spread in AH magazine, it's gonna be killer!

Bob Flory

[scooter]

I was afraid this would happen...how much will the book sell for ? At $6.00 an hour, I DO have to ask...But it does appear that the ultimate BW bio has been written and will be released just in time for my birthday...thanx Peter

[pavlos brenos]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1594863202/qid=1141520417/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-0736183-0348013?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

Just a thought: has anybody thought of inviting Brad Elliott or Stephen McParland to the board seeing that AGD seems to have taken his leave?

[Hickory Dichotomy®]

Moved this here.

As for the second thing...I don't know about McParland, but Brad...is next to impossible to get a hold of it seems. At least it was a few years ago. Don't know the whole story myself, just something to do with people who ordered books from him.