The Smile Thread of Honour

[desmondo]

As we approach the release the TSS, something probably none of us would have predicted a few short years ago, I believe it is time to spare a thought for those who contributed to the SMiLE legend over the years and also those who may never have graced this and other boards but who were big fans of Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys and who would have enjoyed listening to TSS when it arrived on their doorstep or computer.

There are many on this board with a far greater knowledge of those who have passed before the release of SMiLE and I think it is right we should remember them in some small way. I am sure Bob Hanes will get a mention from someone.

My own small contribution to this roll of honour is David Bedford, the man who is probably most famous for orchestrating Tubular Bells, who passed away last month. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bedford

I got to know David though tennis and at the time we used to chat a lot about Brian Wilson.  He was a big fan and a couple of years ago arranged and produced a school choir to perform many Beach Boys classics.

He marvelled at both BWPS and Pet Sounds and I can remember bumping into him in the village the day I heard TSS were coming out, excitedly yelling out of my window at him. Sadly he was diagnosed with lung cancer shortly after and he never got to hear this wonderful music which I know he would have loved.

He was chairman of the Performing Rights Society (PRS) in the UK and had Brian as head guest at one dinner - he thoroughly enjoyed it. His role in the PRS meant I was always nervous about telling him about my SMiLE collection and of course when the TSS announcement was made, I felt at ease. Looking back I wish I had just given him a bundle of CDs in a brown paper bag.

[Iron Horse-Apples]

Really obvious one, but Dennis and Carl.

Dennis for being the original SMiLE fanatic, telling us how great it was, leaking the first boots, and allowing us glimpses of SMiLE through his music.

Carl for finishing some of the principal tracks, and, along with Steve Despar backing up and repairing some of the tapes, which would have been otherwise lost.

[Andrew G. Doe]

The Keepers of the Flame:

Coach Bob Haines
Peter Reum
Van Dyke Parks
Greg Larson
Dom Priore
Derek Bill
Jon Hunt
John Lane
Lou Shenk
Dwight Cavanagh
Cameron Mott
Timothy White
Paul Williams
Brad Elliott
David Anderle
Tom Nolan
Nick Kent
Darian Sahanaja
Nicky Walusko
Probyn Gregory

[desmondo]

The Keepers of the Flame:

Coach Bob Haines
Peter Reum
Van Dyke Parks
Greg Larson
Dom Priore
Derek Bill
Jon Hunt
John Lane
Lou Shenk
Dwight Cavanagh
Cameron Mott
Timothy White
Paul Williams
Brad Elliott
David Anderle
Tom Nolan
Nick Kent
Darian Sahanaja
Nicky Walusko
Probyn Gregory

And of course AGD

[Andrew G. Doe]

The Keepers of the Flame:

Coach Bob Haines
Peter Reum
Van Dyke Parks
Greg Larson
Dom Priore
Derek Bill
Jon Hunt
John Lane
Lou Shenk
Dwight Cavanagh
Cameron Mott
Timothy White
Paul Williams
Brad Elliott
David Anderle
Tom Nolan
Nick Kent
Darian Sahanaja
Nicky Walusko
Probyn Gregory

And of course AGD

Nah - I'm not in that league.

[mjwarner]

I am sorry that my first post should be pedantic; I presume a slip of the fingers added an 'i' to Hanes.

[onkster]

And an 'r' to "though"! But who's counting...er, editing... 

[Wrightfan]

Have to add Brian Wilson. Yes, he did say that "the tapes were burned" but he created the music 

[Aegir]

While we're being pedantic, I think the original intent of this thread was to name people who passed away, and Brian Wilson and nearly everyone on AGD's list are still alive.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Memo to self - learn to read.

You are entirely correct.

[Wrightfan]

While we're being pedantic, I think the original intent of this thread was to name people who passed away, and Brian Wilson and nearly everyone on AGD's list are still alive.

Ugh, I didn't see that part 

[Dunderhead]

[desmondo]

While we're being pedantic, I think the original intent of this thread was to name people who passed away, and Brian Wilson and nearly everyone on AGD's list are still alive.

Thank you sir

[Bill Tobelman]

Bob Hanes for sure by a long shot.

[Cam Mott]

Edit: Crap! I can't read either. My apologies to the living and for cluttering the thread. How do you delete a post?

[Pretty Funky]

I'm the same. For a minute there I thought it was ' The Smile Thread of Humor'!


....not that there's anything wrong with that.

[Andrew G. Doe]

OK, reboot:


Coach Bob Hanes
Greg Larson
Timothy White

Dennis Wilson
Carl Wilson

Chuck Britz
Larry Levine
Jim Lockert

[juggler]

Let's remember some of the Smile session musicians no longer with us...

Tommy Tedesco
Steve Douglas
Jay Migliori
Larry Knechtel
Ray Pohlman
Barney Kessel


Let's remember two guys who influenced Brian Wilson's songwriting and production...
Gary Usher
Jan Berry


And let's remember how it all began...

Audree Wilson
Murry Wilson

[Beach Head]

Since, for many of us, the Preiss tape was our first tape of Smile:

Byron Preiss

[OneEar/OneEye]

Since, for many of us, the Preiss tape was our first tape of Smile:

Byron Preiss

I heard the tape long after I read the book, and that book, whatever one may want to say about it, was transformative to me.  Seeing that Smile cover art for the very first time, just how much it knocked me out, as simple as it is, yet intriguing as hell.   Man, it's been a long time - just a few more days.....

[Andrew G. Doe]

Since, for many of us, the Preiss tape was our first tape of Smile:

Byron Preiss

Excellent catch - I completely forgot he wasn't with us any more.