What was Brian listening to in 1968-73?

[phirnis]

In that Rolling Stone video which features Brian playing a snippet of "Long promised road" he also plays "The wonder of you". Now, that is of course an old song that Brian might've remembered in Ray Peterson's version. But since he was also asked in that video about his meeting with Elvis and Elvis had a big hit with the song in 1970 I could imagine that it was Presley's version that Brian had in mind. It's just a guess though.

On his website Brian mentioned that he loved Marvin Gaye's "What's going on" a couple of years ago. Or maybe it was in some interview.

IIRC, What's Going On was also once mentioned by Mike Love as his (Mike's) favorite album by anyone.

[Worzel Gummidge]

Good day to you all! I found this thread interesting and wanted to chime in for my first post. I remembered reading that Brian enjoyed the music of Queen, so I dug up this interview where he explains that he was quite fond of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and also The Door’s ‘Light My Fire’, while at the same time claiming that both records ‘scared’ him. An interesting read, although I know I might have missed the mark on the timeline by a little..
http://thequietus.com/articles/20279-interview-brian-wilson

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Welcome to the board!

I can definitely see him liking the Doors (esp. the organ) but I can't picture him listening to Queen for some reason!

[KDS]

He once listed Pink Floyd "Dark Side of the Moon" as a personal favorite album.  So I would imagine some of those years in bed (1972-1975) were spent listening to that quite a bit.

Is there a source for this? I have never heard about this before and can only wonder what his reaction was to "On The Run"...

If I remember correctly, there was actually an audio clip on SoundCloud or something that was posted officially by Brian's people, and had him talking about great albums or something, and sure enough he mentioned Dark Side of the Moon. I must say I was pretty surprised when I heard this. But indeed, he did say it.

Apparently, something like one out of every three households has a copy of Dark Side of the Moon, so I wouldn't be shocked if Brian had one.  I could see Brian really liking Floyd musically, but not really being into Roger's lyrics. 

[Michael Edward Osbourne]

I remember him saying he really liked Ringo's solo stuff too.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

NOt too surprising, as he was on Ringo's 1998 solo disc

[HeyJude]

NOt too surprising, as he was on Ringo's 1998 solo disc

And also Ringo's 1992 album "Time Takes Time!"

As someone cheekily but correctly pointed out not too long ago in another thread, Brian is on more of Ringo's 1992 album that he is on the Beach Boys' 1992 album.

[Debbie KL]

I had a copy of "John B. Sebastian" before Brian did somehow.  We listened, and he really loved it. I thought it was 1969, but apparently it was 1970.  Memory blurs.

[William Bowe]

I recall Brian waxing lyrical about The Lovin' Spoonful in an interview from 1967/68, so that figures.

[SMiLE Brian]

Coconut grove....

[KDS]

Welcome to the board!

I can definitely see him liking the Doors (esp. the organ) but I can't picture him listening to Queen for some reason!

I'm not so sure Brian would be into the guitar bombast of Queen, but I could see him appreciating Roy Thomas Baker's production, as well as the layered vocals. 

[SMiLE Brian]

1980s BW would love the Synths though....

[KDS]

1980s BW would love the Synths though....

That would've have to have been post 1976 Queen, as they proudly proclaimed "No Synthesizers" on their first five albums.   

[SMiLE Brian]

I was listening to live Queen from the 1970s and they really were a great rock unit!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5PXYAtgvc0

[KDS]

I was listening to live Queen from the 1970s and they really were a great rock unit!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5PXYAtgvc0

Absolutely, and one of the great live bands of all time.  I only wish I'd have had a chance to see them when Freddie was still alive. 

[Terry]

None of the following would surprise me...Early 70's Harry Nilsson, Todd Rundgren/Something Anything, Carole King/Tapestry, Later Turtles/Flo & Eddie, first few Three Dog Night albums...

[Wata]

I think I read Brian loved Carpenters' music in early 1970's in his latest autobiography. He mentioned "Superstar" apparently.

 

[Tord]

He has said that he likes "Sad Song" by Lou Reed.

[Aum Bop Diddit]

He has said that he likes "Sad Song" by Lou Reed.

He posted that when Lou Reed passed away.   A dark one  ("somebody else would have broken both of her arms") but tugs at the same heartstrings as much of Brian's work.

[willmansell]

He once listed Pink Floyd "Dark Side of the Moon" as a personal favorite album.  So I would imagine some of those years in bed (1972-1975) were spent listening to that quite a bit.

Is there a source for this? I have never heard about this before and can only wonder what his reaction was to "On The Run"...

I first read it here: http://petsounds40.blogspot.com/2006/07/day-at-beach-boys-house.html


Must've been wild, those years in bed and sneaking out at night to go to random parties.  Waking up everyday with "Be My Baby" on a loop and then some Randy Newman and DSOTM sprinkled in. 

 

Wait so Brian wasn't a complete mess at this time? I had it in my head he was a recluse out of choice - I didn't imagine he would be out partying.

[wjcrerar]

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[wjcrerar]

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[Pablo.]

I guess Brian found in "Bohemian Rhapsody" some echoes of "Good vibrations" i.e. different sections tied togheter, forcing the limits of the pop single. And both Brians (Wilson & May) are deep into harmony. So I can picture BW digging the unique work BM did building harmonies with his multitracked guitar.

[guitarfool2002]

"Switched On Bach"

[willmansell]

Didn't Switch On Bach heavily inspire 'Love You'?