Brian has passed away!!!!
rab2591:
rab2591:
[sorry for the double post, but the size of the above image made the formatting of the following text weird]
David Leaf shared this image above of the program from Brian's service on Facebook. Below is his tearjerking writeup about the service. What an incredible selection of music on that program.
“Yesterday, July 9, was one of the most remarkable—and heartbreaking—days of my life.
It was a deeply moving celebration of Brian Wilson’s life, held just steps from home at the United Methodist Church in Westwood. The service—filled with music, memories, and love—was planned with extraordinary care by Elizabeth, Jean, Carnie, the kids, and Darian.
Everything in the church was perfect, including an organist who, before the formal service began, included “Rhapsody in Blue” amongst the hymns
I had the honor of offering the eulogy.
Hearing “Our Prayer,” “God Only Knows,” and “Love and Mercy” in that sacred space—where Carl Wilson’s service was also held—was almost too much to bear.
The pastors spoke with grace. Dakota and Delanie read from Scripture. Dash bravely spoke about his father. Jason Fine shared a beautifully crafted, heartfelt remembrance.
The church was filled with old friends—too many to do more than hug and say hello. Vicki digitally captured the warm moments as they passed by.
Later, at the Beverly Hills Hotel luncheon, Brent Wilson and his team shared a stunning short film about Brian’s life and music. Each guest received a beautifully crafted 24-page commemorative book, adapted from Brian’s final tour program—bravo, Mark London. I had the privilege of contributing the essay inside.
Carnie emceed with warmth and grace. And the stories that followed—from Carnie, Wendy, Daria, Delanie, Danny Hutton, and especially Jerry Weiss—were loving, funny, and true. Jerry’s (often hilarious) reflections from his 16 years on the road with Brian were a special and unique window into the man behind the music.
And in nearly every tribute, one name stood alongside Brian’s: Gloria Ramos—his devoted caregiver of 40 years.
At our table: Danny and Laurie Hutton, Tony and Sheryl Asher, and Van Dyke and Sally Parks. Van Dyke even marked the day with a photo alongside Mike Love.
I had the chance to reconnect with so many dear friends as well as members of the original Beach Boys family—Marilyn Wilson-Rutherford, David Marks, Alan Jardine, the ever-elegant Annie Hinsche Wilson Karges, and Justyn Wilson among them.
The SMiLE theme was everywhere—on the napkins, the cupcakes, and in the music. Brian’s band performed a 45-minute set of classics, joined by Marilyn and Ginger from the Honeys, a reunion of Wilson Phillips, Carnie’s daughter Lola, and Wendy’s son Leo. Ginger’s voice was as powerful as ever—what a moment.
Everything, from the program at the church to the cookies with one Brian bite taken out of each of them (take a bow, Debbie) to the music was just so perfectly planned and executed by Elizabeth and Jean and Carnie and all “the kids” and Darian. Throughout the afternoon, a slide show of Brian’s life played on big screens..
A deeply touching detail: in the ballroom, a small piano placed in a sandbox was displayed with a pair of white sneakers beside it—an homage to Brian’s early days composing barefoot in the sand, a symbol of innocence, genius, and the place where SMiLE began.
A personal highlight: Blondie Chaplin’s performance of “Sail On, Sailor.” When he softly sang “Buddy Boy,” his nickname for Brian, it struck a deep chord.
Watching it all with us were five members of the Stockholm Strings ‘n’ Horns who flew in from the other side of the ocean. They brought such youthful joy and energy (as well as their amazing musicianship) to both the Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE tour and album. It was so great to see them after all these years.
No one wanted the day to end. It felt—though I hesitate to say it—like the closing of an era. But it isn’t. Brian’s music lives on. It always will.”
Wirestone:
Quote from: Pretty Funky on July 10, 2025, 01:24:08 AM
Quote from: Rocker on July 07, 2025, 05:42:41 PM
Beach Boys Salute in L.A. Brings Three Generations of the Wilson Family Together With Friends for First Tribute Concert Since Brian’s Death
https://variety.com/2025/music/news/beach-boys-tribute-carnie-wilson-family-brian-concert-1236447640/
Interesting. Wasn’t there some speculation Carrie Marks was out of the picture?
Marks said it felt slightly strange taking part in a Beach Boys salute: “I told my wife, it’s kinda weird that I’m here paying tribute to myself! But I didn’t want to miss it.”
I mean, they did file for divorce. Papers easy to find online.
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