Remembering Carl Wilson

[retrokid67]

Today marks 16 years of Carl's passing  .  how about sharing some memories of him 

[bluesno1fann]

R.I.P.
I think he died around 8 months before I was born. Very sad.

I'm starting to get into his music, mainly through the brilliant Surf's Up album.
Would anyone reccomend his solo albums or not?

[Lowbacca]

R.I.P., Carl.. (but I'm sure you do). Regarding the BBs - thanks for your voice, stability and herculean efforts.

Would anyone reccomend his solo albums or not?

Generally, I wouldn't. But to a fellow BBs fan(atic) and someone interested in Carl's career - yes, you should give 'em a listen. There's still a couple of neat tracks to be found. Plus, it won't take up too much of your time..

[Nicko1234]

Mike posted this nice message on his Facebook page:

'No one did it better than Carl! Whether singing or playing lead guitar, my Cuz was the best. Sadly for all of us, he left us on this day in 1998, but I have to tell you, he's with us every time we step on stage. His standard of musical perfection forever influences us to do the very best we can every night...a Carl Wilson legacy! When we perform God Only Knows...sometimes it feels, as he never really left us. His was a perfect voice for a perfect song. The Beach Boys would have never reached the heights we have without you…Carl. Carl, I Love you forever...ML'

[phirnis]

R.I.P.
I think he died around 8 months before I was born. Very sad.

I'm starting to get into his music, mainly through the brilliant Surf's Up album.
Would anyone reccomend his solo albums or not?

Apparently, Bruce is a big fan of his 80s solo records. Personally I think his stuff on L.A. Light and BB85 was MUCH better. That said, I recommend Like a Brother if you can get past its dated overall sound/production. Not a classic by any means but it does have its moments.

[Micha]

German teletext claims in their "deceased this date" section that Carl sang "most of their hits", but at least the two tracks they give as an example really have Carl leads: GOK and GV.

And I didn't know that Falco ("Rock me Amadeus") and Carl died the exact same day.

[smile-holland]

German teletext claims in their "deceased this date" section that Carl sang "most of their hits", but at least the two tracks they give as an example really have Carl leads: GOK and GV.

And I didn't know that Falco ("Rock me Amadeus") and Carl died the exact same day.

I did know that. But I forgot that it was today.

Mixed feelings... This very day my wife and I are celebrating our copper wedding anniversary. Enjoying a few days off, and while driving to our romantic little getaway for the next couple of days, listening to the radio, someone starts a topic on Falco's passing 16 years ago... and that's when I hit me that it was also the date of Carl's passing today.

[Steve Latshaw]

I have very vivid memories of one very special encounter with Carl, thanks to Brian Berry of Indianapolis.  In the fall of 1983 we went to see the Beach Boys in Evansville, IN., as the guests of Brian.  Brian had been a friend of Carl's for many years.

Part of that evening was a two hour coffee and dessert thing in a semi private dining area with Carl Wilson and Gina Martin, his fiance.  It was me, my wife at the time, Brian Berry and his wife and a local DJ.  We sat there with Carl and Gina and talked about everything under the sun... I talked with Gina about how much I loved her Dad (Dean) and we all had a good laugh about the Matt Helm movies he made.  We also talked about Dean's new music video, directed by Ricci Martin, which was getting played on MTV. 

Carl was gracious and fun... treating all of us like best friends.  We talked about deep catalog Beach Boys songs we'd like to see added to the playlist.  This Whole World was first on everyone's list.  Carl seems surprised that we even knew the song.  His eyes lit up and he said, "Yeah... that's a great one... I'd love to do that." 

The biggest kick was seeing the other Beach Boys.  All of them wondered just who in the hell was at Carl's table.   This was Carl's sense of fun.  He warned us... he said, this is going to drive the guys crazy.  One by one, they're going to stick their heads in here and stare, wondering who you folks are.  They won't be able to stand it and eventually, they'll all come over to say hi, just to find out what's going on.  And sure enough, one at a time, throughout the evening, they all walked over to say hi and get introduced to everyone.  Bruce was first, naturally, being the politician,  then Al, who was very friendly.

Mike was last of all.  He didn't stop, at first, just snuck his head in the room, scoping us out, then slowly made his way over to say hello.  He made a joke, as I recall, then slipped out the back door of the room.  The best part was that Carl got such a kick out of doing it.  He made us feel like we were in on the joke, all conspiring, all trying to keep a straight face.
 
In fact, he made us all feel like his friends, which was exactly how he treated us.  As friends.  I will never forget that night, now over 30 years ago.

 

[bgas]

German teletext claims in their "deceased this date" section that Carl sang "most of their hits", but at least the two tracks they give as an example really have Carl leads: GOK and GV.

And I didn't know that Falco ("Rock me Amadeus") and Carl died the exact same day.

I did know that. But I forgot that it was today.

Mixed feelings... This very day my wife and I are celebrating our copper wedding anniversary. Enjoying a few days off, and while driving to our romantic little getaway for the next couple of days, listening to the radio, someone starts a topic on Falco's passing 16 years ago... and that's when I hit me that it was also the date of Carl's passing today.

In the US, copper is the 7th. Is it the 9th in the Netherlands? 

[Ed Roach]

Great story, Steve.  And you were in good company, being with my old friend Brian Berry!

Carl truly was one of a kind, with the voice & spirit of an angel...

https://www.facebook.com/roachclips68

[retrokid67]

I have very vivid memories of one very special encounter with Carl, thanks to Brian Berry of Indianapolis.  In the fall of 1983 we went to see the Beach Boys in Evansville, IN., as the guests of Brian.  Brian had been a friend of Carl's for many years.

Part of that evening was a two hour coffee and dessert thing in a semi private dining area with Carl Wilson and Gina Martin, his fiance.  It was me, my wife at the time, Brian Berry and his wife and a local DJ.  We sat there with Carl and Gina and talked about everything under the sun... I talked with Gina about how much I loved her Dad (Dean) and we all had a good laugh about the Matt Helm movies he made.  We also talked about Dean's new music video, directed by Ricci Martin, which was getting played on MTV. 

Carl was gracious and fun... treating all of us like best friends.  We talked about deep catalog Beach Boys songs we'd like to see added to the playlist.  This Whole World was first on everyone's list.  Carl seems surprised that we even knew the song.  His eyes lit up and he said, "Yeah... that's a great one... I'd love to do that." 

The biggest kick was seeing the other Beach Boys.  All of them wondered just who in the hell was at Carl's table.   This was Carl's sense of fun.  He warned us... he said, this is going to drive the guys crazy.  One by one, they're going to stick their heads in here and stare, wondering who you folks are.  They won't be able to stand it and eventually, they'll all come over to say hi, just to find out what's going on.  And sure enough, one at a time, throughout the evening, they all walked over to say hi and get introduced to everyone.  Bruce was first, naturally, being the politician,  then Al, who was very friendly.

Mike was last of all.  He didn't stop, at first, just snuck his head in the room, scoping us out, then slowly made his way over to say hello.  He made a joke, as I recall, then slipped out the back door of the room.  The best part was that Carl got such a kick out of doing it.  He made us feel like we were in on the joke, all conspiring, all trying to keep a straight face.
 
In fact, he made us all feel like his friends, which was exactly how he treated us.  As friends.  I will never forget that night, now over 30 years ago.

 

The last part of the story was funny I'm picturing it right now 

[Emdeeh]

Wonderful story, Steve, thanks for sharing. Very CW -- you couldn't help but love the guy (and I still do).

[The 4th Wilson Bro.]

Mike posted this nice message on his Facebook page:

'No one did it better than Carl! Whether singing or playing lead guitar, my Cuz was the best. Sadly for all of us, he left us on this day in 1998, but I have to tell you, he's with us every time we step on stage. His standard of musical perfection forever influences us to do the very best we can every night...a Carl Wilson legacy! When we perform God Only Knows...sometimes it feels, as he never really left us. His was a perfect voice for a perfect song. The Beach Boys would have never reached the heights we have without you…Carl. Carl, I Love you forever...ML'

God bless Mike Love for those very kind (and true) words about the great Carl Wilson.  I believe that, despite their occasional differences, Carl and Mike were close and loved each other – as first cousins should.

Also, thank you Steve Latshaw for sharing that great story about those few hours you spent with Carl and Gina.  Those are memories that will surely endure for the rest of your life.

[feelsflow]

I couldn't begin to explain how much Carl meant to my life.  I miss him very, very, very, very much.

.

Carl was The Bomb.

[CenturyDeprived]

Hard to wrap my head around the fact that more time has elapsed since Carl's passing, than the time between the releases of "Surfin'" and "Love You".

RIP, Carl.

Until going online this morning, I had forgotten that it was the anniversary of Carl's passing. Coincidentally, just last night, I was watching this video of Carl on "Solid Gold" from 1984 (which was only a few months after Dennis' passing), and I got chills just when I heard Carl speaking on this video between songs. The kind, gentle soul that he was shines through simply when he talks in conversation with the host of the program. There's just something intangible about him (which I can only gleam from watching videos, having never met the man) that tells me that he was a truly, genuinely empathetic, good human being. I wish there were more people like Carl in the world, but he was one in a million.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMYYyPP0mcE

[CenturyDeprived]

R.I.P.
I think he died around 8 months before I was born. Very sad.

I'm starting to get into his music, mainly through the brilliant Surf's Up album.
Would anyone reccomend his solo albums or not?

Can I just say that it gives old geezers in their 30s (like me) hope for the future that someone born in 1998 is a budding Beach Boys freak. Hat's off to ya, man. Sometimes it's easy for me to think that the music tastes of the younger generation are totally going to sh*t, but I'm glad there are signs of hope 

Carl's solo albums have their moments, and "Heaven" alone is worth the cost of admission (maybe the best BB-related tune of the entire 80s decade)... but keep your expectations relatively low for the rest of the material, and you might find a few enjoyable surprises here and there.

[DMBeard_13]

This article about Carl Wilson includes the 2001 interview that I did with Brian Wilson and Jerry Schilling. This is the first and only time I am publicly sharing Brian's interview in its entirety. http://www.examiner.com/article/carl-wilson-s-spirit-lives-on-his-music

[Emdeeh]

Thanks for that article, David!

[Jay]

I can't believe it's been 16 years already. I remember it like it was yesterday. For the whole day, whenever a program on VH1 cut to a commercial, there were always a few seconds of a picture of Carl shown, with "1946-1997" below the picture.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDAO4F0odW8

[Mikie]

I met him once and had a little talk.  Great guy.  He still owes me 5 bucks.  He could sing the L.A. phone book.  No kidding.

[Lonely Summer]

My favorite voice, ever. So thankful  I got to see his solo show in 1983, wish every Carl fan could have seen him with his own band. We all love what he did in the Beach Boys, but it was extra special to see him onstage, doing a different style of music that was all his own. Add to that the fact that he took the time to talk to a couple starstruck kids after the show - me and my first girlfriend...all I can say is, what a guy

[smile-holland]

Mixed feelings... This very day my wife and I are celebrating our copper wedding anniversary. Enjoying a few days off, and while driving to our romantic little getaway for the next couple of days, listening to the radio, someone starts a topic on Falco's passing 16 years ago... and that's when I hit me that it was also the date of Carl's passing today.

In the US, copper is the 7th. Is it the 9th in the Netherlands?  

I shouldn't be derailing this topic... but: 7th? Didn't know that. Overhere it's 12½ (at least, that's what I meant)

[The 4th Wilson Bro.]

This article about Carl Wilson includes the 2001 interview that I did with Brian Wilson and Jerry Schilling. This is the first and only time I am publicly sharing Brian's interview in its entirety. http://www.examiner.com/article/carl-wilson-s-spirit-lives-on-his-music

David:  Thank you so much for the article and for sharing what Brian had to say about his baby brother in that 2001 interview.  If I wasn't a grizzled old 60-plus geezer, those thoughts and memories (yours and Brian's) of Carl probably would have made me cry.

And to CenturyDeprived for his post about Carl:  You echoed the feelings of so many Carl Wilson fans when you spoke of his "kind and gentle soul," and how it would always shine through, even in videos.

We can only imagine how much better C50 would have been had Carl Wilson been there to sing the Beach Boys' songs as only he could and to play guitar alongside his childhood friend, David Marks.

[drbeachboy]

Reading Brian's remarks made me well-up. I cried too on the day that he passed. For me, it was as if one of my own family members passed away. Carl was my favorite and the one that I most related to in the band. It hasn't been the same since.

[Disney Boy (1985)]

Reading Brian's remarks made me well-up. I cried too on the day that he passed. For me, it was as if one of my own family members passed away. Carl was my favorite and the one that I most related to in the band. It hasn't been the same since.

Hi Doctor, it's favourite - with a u.

Definition of favourite in English:
favourite
Line breaks: fa¦vour|ite