Carl Wilson Biography

[originals]

As far as I can tell - there has never been a Carl Wilson biography published and I am surprised and disappointed. His unique role in the band and within his family would make for a FASCINATING read. There are some great books about Brian and about Dennis. What about the great Carl Wilson?

[EthanJames]

I Said the same thing lol

[lee]

I've always wished Carl would have found the time / interest in writing an autobiography. I think it would have made for a fascinating read.

[Ian]

I think that the reason there has never been one (besides the obvious fact that he was overshadowed by his older siblings) is that he was such a private person and his friends, children and two wives are very protective of his memory and unlikely to reveal anything less than saintly about him.  So this makes it tough for a biographer looking to write a fully rounded tale.

[MBE]

I think that the reason there has never been one (besides the obvious fact that he was overshadowed by his older siblings) is that he was such a private person and his friends, children and two wives are very protective of his memory and unlikely to reveal anything less than saintly about him.  So this makes it tough for a biographer looking to write a fully rounded tale.

That's exactly how I would put it. Even when he was alive I found people wanted to respect his privacy far more than the others. It was probably down to just what he felt comfortable sharing compared to his brothers who really didn't make much off limits to the public.

[Lonely Summer]

For a big house publisher to be interested in Carl's story, the writer would have to sensationalise the few down times he had (the divorce from Annie, the brief period of heavy drug use in the late 70's), that's what sells books. But I'd still enjoy a well written book from one of the smaller publishers that focused on his work as a singer and musician, I know there are some great stories to be told by the musicians who worked with Carl through the years. Billy Hinsche's dvd on Carl includes some of this kind of stuff.

[CarlTheVoice]

I think this subject has been raised before on here and all of the above reasons were mentioned. I for one would love to know more about Carl (so if anyone on here has stories that aren't readily available in books etc, do let me know!) but I just don't ever see it happening.

As mentioned above, Brian and Dennis were always in the public eye when they went through their troubles. Dennis was visibly out of control and Brian was the genius who became a recluse. Carl just got on with it and therefore there wasn't much to say I guess!

The family have every right to keep his life private and so unless they ever want to share stories, I doubt we will get anything more than we already have.

[Aegir]

Frankly, if there's any dirt on Carl I don't want to hear it. We know way too much about Brian, Dennis, and Mike.

[Rocker]

I'd be very interested in Carl's relationship to Dean Martin who became his father-in-law in the 80s. But he probably met him before when he was working with Ricci Martin and the Sunflower shot was taken on Dino's ground. Of course that would be just a minor thing but interesting.
Outside of his personal life it would be fascinating to hear about his studio work and also his outside productions/work. And of course hearing how respected he was among other musicians.

[southbay]

I'll bet Jerry Schilling could write a good one

[musicismylife101]

A bio of Carl, along with others who have yet to tell their story, would be a very interesting read. The fact that they were there and a part of it is enough for people to want to know their story. As for the dirt behind their history, it would be a difficult task be as honest as possible without flinging around dirty laundry for tabloids to eat up. The dirt behind the history may be the reason why so many keep silent because they are not willing to be that open about their past issues and such. But fortunately there are many writers who are given the task of telling someone's life story and succeeded in drawing the line between over-glorifying and gossip while creating an honest and revealing biography.

[donald]

There is the Billy Hinchse video "bio" of CW AVAILABLE or did someone already mention it?

[The Shift]

Frankly, if there's any dirt on Carl I don't want to hear it. We know way too much about Brian, Dennis, and Mike.

Good call.

[southbay]

Frankly, if there's any dirt on Carl I don't want to hear it. We know way too much about Brian, Dennis, and Mike.

Good call.

That was pretty much my point with Schilling.  Inside access for years, wrote a biography of Elvis--yet he was Carl's best friend and confidant so any "dirt" would likely stay where it needed to be.

[joe_blow]

I'll bet Jerry Schilling could write a good one

Good point. Jerry was very close with Carl and in his Book "Me and a Guy Named Elvis" he talks quite a bit about his relationhip with Carl and The Beach Boys.
I really enjoyed this book!

http://www.amazon.com/Me-Guy-Named-Elvis-Friendship/dp/1592403050/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346430510&sr=1-1&keywords=jerry+schilling

[Emdeeh]

My impression is that Carl didn't care for the way media likes to put emphasis on "the dirt" on anybody.

[Chocolate Shake Man]

I Said the same thing lol

You sure did. And then some!

[Lonely Summer]

I'll bet Jerry Schilling could write a good one

Good point. Jerry was very close with Carl and in his Book "Me and a Guy Named Elvis" he talks quite a bit about his relationhip with Carl and The Beach Boys.
I really enjoyed this book!

http://www.amazon.com/Me-Guy-Named-Elvis-Friendship/dp/1592403050/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346430510&sr=1-1&keywords=jerry+schilling

And unlike many Elvis bios by so-called friends, Jerry talks about the man as a true friend, very respectful. Acknowledges Elvis' mistakes, problems, but doesnt' dwell on them so much that they overshadow his many accomplishments, or his friendship with the man. I would love to see Jerry write a book on Carl.

[Rich Panteluk]

Jerry would be the guy who could really shed some light on the Carl story.  That would be a wonderful read.

Guess who was sitting two boxes behind me at the BB hollywood bowl a few months ago?  But I spent more time (when the BBs were not on stage) looking at Jerry's date.  Pricilla still looks incredible.  They both seemed to enjoy the show a great deal.  What a great night that was...The Beach Boys put on a wonderful show.  And it was pretty neat to see a whole bunch of celebs up close and in person there too.  Paul Stanley, Billy Idol, Jackson Browne etc...

[BillA]

I am not so much interested in Carl's personal life.  But I would love to know what he thought of dynamics within the Beach Boys:

What did he think of Mike?

What did he think of "Love You"?

Did he "give in" to the oldies or was it a case where making another "Holland" or "Surf's Up" lost its importance to him?

What was his favorite version of the touring band?

What did he think of the 68-74 eras music?  Was it frustrating that it was largely  forgotten?

[Lonely Summer]

I'd buy a book with that kind of information.

[Tony S]

Me too.....exactly the type of Q/A I would like to see.

[Summer_Days]

Believe it or not, but I have kicked around the idea of writing a Carl bio myself. I've never written a book, really and it seems kind of daunting, but somehow, through passion for the subject and an interest in growing, I think I might attempt it.
After several books on Brian and a few on Dennis, Carl deserves one good book too, even if he doesn't quite have the big personal problems that his brothers did that makes for a potboiler.

Still, this was a great man who carried the whole bitching, squabbling, drugged-out, spaced-out America's band uphill, with their feet dragging in the sand all the way. And he did it all with a big heart and with one of the greatest singing voices that ever graced a vocal microphone. He deserves to have his full story told, beyond just the tidbits in BW bios.

[dyan61]

Still, this was a great man who carried the whole bitching, squabbling, drugged-out, spaced-out America's band uphill, with their feet dragging in the sand all the way. And he did it all with a big heart and with one of the greatest singing voices that ever graced a vocal microphone. He deserves to have his full story told, beyond just the tidbits in BW bios.

[/quote]

Amen to that, I'd buy your book!

[Lonely Summer]

Still, this was a great man who carried the whole bitching, squabbling, drugged-out, spaced-out America's band uphill, with their feet dragging in the sand all the way. And he did it all with a big heart and with one of the greatest singing voices that ever graced a vocal microphone. He deserves to have his full story told, beyond just the tidbits in BW bios.

Amen to that, I'd buy your book!
[/quote] Me, too!