Meeting Brian Wilson

[Lee Marshall]

I miss Mikie.

Me too Cam.

[Debbie KL]

So, I'm trying to follow the thinking here.  Since Brian has been married to Melinda (for over 21 years), random fans aren't let into the house by a very troubled Brian with the hope that they might have coke (obviously a story from decades ago and a terrible time) - so it's no fun anymore?  I guess I'm starting to understand the hostility toward her.  What a buzz-kill - a healthy Brian with a beautiful family - not rock n' roll enough, I guess.

[mikeddonn]

So, I'm trying to follow the thinking here.  Since Brian has been married to Melinda (for over 21 years), random fans aren't let into the house by a very troubled Brian with the hope that they might have coke (obviously a story from decades ago and a terrible time) - so it's no fun anymore?  I guess I'm starting to understand the hostility toward her.  What a buzz-kill - a healthy Brian with a beautiful family - not rock n' roll enough, I guess.

What thinking is that?

I've read the thread again and don't pick up any negativity towards Melinda at all.  Only some fans delighted to have met Brian and happy that they were able to as Brian is such a down to earth guy.  All positive. 

Why do you seem to think everyone hates Brian and Melinda?  It's not the case.

[alf wiedersehen]

I miss Mikie.

Me too Cam.

Me too, Add Some.

[Moon Dawg]

I miss Mikie.

Me too Cam.

Me too, Add Some.

  The circumstances surrounding Mikie's departure seemed murky, from my POV at least. I'd like to see him return to the board.

[The Shift]

I miss Mikie.

Me too Cam.

Me too, Add Some.

Me too, Bubbly Waves

[RangeRoverA1]

I will really appreciate it if you stayed on topic and began sharing your stories - both new posters and old fans who recently attended BW show and maybe had a chance to go backstage and talk/sign an album. I bumped this thread in hopes to read new stories.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

I will really appreciate it if you stayed on topic and began sharing your stories - both new posters and old fans who recently attended BW show and maybe had a chance to go backstage and talk/sign an album. I bumped this thread in hopes to read new stories.

Exactly.

[bgas]

.

[The Shift]

I will really appreciate it if you stayed on topic and began sharing your stories - both new posters and old fans who recently attended BW show and maybe had a chance to go backstage and talk/sign an album. I bumped this thread in hopes to read new stories.

Okay. I met Brian on several occasions, after the 2002 Pet Sounds gigs (RFH) and Feb 2004 UK Smile gigs. They were meet n' greet signings, back in the days before they started charging for such social occasions. You know the score: stand in line, wait your turn, shake his hand, get something signed, say something gushing, then womble off and try to compose yourself.

At one such signing - probably Newcastle, but I'm trying to recall things from 12 years ago - Brian wasn't exactly interacting much - Brian conducted the signings in virtual silence - but, having seen a handful of Smile shows by then, I commented to him on how the shows were getting better each evening and he suddenly looked up at me and agreed very enthusiastically that they were getting stronger and stronger. His animated acknowledgement, agreement with my (heartfelt) comment took me by sheer surprise and dumbfounded me. Then thing's got straight back to silent signings.

He didn't invite me back to his place or anything. Not yet anyway…

I miss AGD.

I Miss Whiplash.

[Lonely Summer]

I met Brian only once, Tower Books, when he was autographing copies of his book.  October or November 1991. No sign of Landy, although I'm sure one or two of his handlers were there. Long line, but had some good conversation with other fans. When it was my turn, I asked Brian about a song called "Sweetie", cause I knew he liked it, and he said "yeah, that never came out". He looked at me as he answered my question. I was looking for signs of .. you know, craziness, cause everyone said he was brainwashed by Landy. He seemed okay to me, he was coherent. Not much time for conversation, though, there were a lot of people behind me. When I tried to ask another question, I was asked to move along.
My only other BB meeting was with Carl after one of his solo shows. He was very relaxed and friendly with everyone, but the group of us were embarrassed by the aggressive female fan that was pounding on his dressing room door for him to come out. And I regret not having any pics from this meeting, we took photos all through the concert - used up ALL the film during the show. DOH!

[Debbie KL]

So, I'm trying to follow the thinking here.  Since Brian has been married to Melinda (for over 21 years), random fans aren't let into the house by a very troubled Brian with the hope that they might have coke (obviously a story from decades ago and a terrible time) - so it's no fun anymore?  I guess I'm starting to understand the hostility toward her.  What a buzz-kill - a healthy Brian with a beautiful family - not rock n' roll enough, I guess.

What thinking is that?

I've read the thread again and don't pick up any negativity towards Melinda at all.  Only some fans delighted to have met Brian and happy that they were able to as Brian is such a down to earth guy.  All positive. 

Why do you seem to think everyone hates Brian and Melinda?  It's not the case.

Okay, so if I respond to this, I'm "derailing," in spite of the fact that this has been turned into an "I miss Mikie" or "I miss AGD" thread by many people.  But I'll be the problem, of course. In the first case, the guy seemed to be a fan of Alexandra Morgan/Eugene Landy, and I offended him horribly by questioning that - in addition to not approving of downloading free boots when artist version were available for NPP.  In the second case, one of the major problems was apparently trashing Melinda and Brian - although I guess we all don't know what that entails.  But never mind - I'm not "off topic:"

I met Brian at the Ivar offices in August 1969. He was delightful.  I guess I'm on topic.  Carry on...

[bringahorseinhere?]

I met Brian 4 times briefly.  He was always charming polite and gave time to stop for photo's and autographs.  I've witnessed him restless in most of
these situations. I must have been lucky that he was feeling well and/or in the mood to stop for a bit.

[Cam Mott]

Mr. Mott, did you ever meet Brian? Share your encounter.

I've never met Brian nor any of the other Boys.

About the closest I've come is pretty lame, I was going through some old boxes recently and found where I was given (supposedly) Brian's personal e-mail address about 15 years ago but apparently I was too chicken to use it.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Haven't met Brian but it's on my bucket list. Had a chance last year but got there too late for the meet and greet

[John Malone]

I was fortunate enough to meet Brian in 2011 at the Meijer Gardens Ampitheater in Grand Rapids, MI. Three of us had tickets to the show. I sent Jeff Foskett a message on Facebook about three weeks before the event, telling him I had been a lifelong fan and would really enjoy the chance to meet Brian and have a photo taken with him. Jeff responded to me and agreed to provide 3 backstage passes at the will call window, only on the condition that I refrain from publicizing his favor on these message boards. I complied with his request...up until now, as the coast has long cleared!

When we got to the venue, I discovered that we had only two passes, so one of us would have to remain outside. Anyway, before the show, time must have escaped the band and there was no time for a meet and greet. Jeff sent word to us that we would be able to have our meeting after the show. In the meantime, during the intermission, one of us were able to get Scott Bennett's attention off stage. When we explained our dilemma, he peeled his pass off of his shirt on the spot and gave it to us!

So, after the show, we were escorted in to a large indoor botanic garden. A few minutes later, Jeff, Probyn Gregory, and Brian came walking in. They stayed for about five minutes, and we all got pictures with Brian. He couldn't have been more pleasant, although he was his usual quiet and reserved self. I was able to thank him for being such a positive influence in my life, and he simply said "thank you" and shook my hand. All I remember is that he seemed exhausted, as did the rest of the band. It was very hot, and it had been an outdoor show.

The result of my experience is my avatar photo! Afterwards, I sent Jeff polite thank you email. We went to the show in St. Charles, IL, the following night and ran into Scott there as well. I even met Melinda and her oldest daughter in the lobby of the theater. She couldn't have been more delightful. What a wonderful two days of fandom it was!

[mikeddonn]

So, I'm trying to follow the thinking here.  Since Brian has been married to Melinda (for over 21 years), random fans aren't let into the house by a very troubled Brian with the hope that they might have coke (obviously a story from decades ago and a terrible time) - so it's no fun anymore?  I guess I'm starting to understand the hostility toward her.  What a buzz-kill - a healthy Brian with a beautiful family - not rock n' roll enough, I guess.

What thinking is that?

I've read the thread again and don't pick up any negativity towards Melinda at all.  Only some fans delighted to have met Brian and happy that they were able to as Brian is such a down to earth guy.  All positive. 

Why do you seem to think everyone hates Brian and Melinda?  It's not the case.

Okay, so if I respond to this, I'm "derailing," in spite of the fact that this has been turned into an "I miss Mikie" or "I miss AGD" thread by many people.  But I'll be the problem, of course. In the first case, the guy seemed to be a fan of Alexandra Morgan/Eugene Landy, and I offended him horribly by questioning that - in addition to not approving of downloading free boots when artist version were available for NPP.  In the second case, one of the major problems was apparently trashing Melinda and Brian - although I guess we all don't know what that entails.

Am I missing something?  There are no other posts from you on this thread that I can see apart from on this page.  Who mentioned Landy or Morgan or NPP in this thread?

[SurfRiderHawaii]

I miss Mikie.

Me too Cam.

Me too, Add Some.

I miss Carl and Dennis Wilson!

[Lonely Summer]

I miss Mikie.

Me too Cam.

Me too, Add Some.

I miss Carl and Dennis Wilson!

I still think back to that one time I met Carl and think how lucky I was. He was a true gentleman. Wish he and Dennis were still around.

[Joel Goldenberg]

Here's more detail on my phone interview with Brian in 2005, before meeting him in person at the Smile concert in Montreal. Before the scheduled interview time, I was more nervous than I had ever been before any interview with the highest level of politician. That was because I was worried about how Brian would be that day, and if I would get more than one word answers. When interview time cane, and he said "hello Joel" in what sounded like his 1964 voice, I was pleasantly surprised and in heaven. The following is lessons I learned from the interview, if there ever is a next time I interview him for my newspaper, The Suburban.

1. Don't make pre-question small talk, he wants the interview process to start right away.
2. If you compliment his latest album/tour, he brightens up and becomes very enthusiastic.
3. I tried to resist, but the fanboy questions came tumbling out. He seemed to stiffen up at that point.
4. My problem during the interview is that I have read too much about Brian, so I didn't want to ask Beach Boys/Brian Wilson 101 questions.

[ThyRavenAscend]

When I tell my (brief) story of when I met Brian Wilson, I say, "I met Brian, but Brian didn't meet me."  We shook hands, but he was preoccupied at the moment, a bit confused even.

I went w/ my dad to a show (supporting his Gershwin album, me thinks) in the summer of 2010 in Iowa. I never anticipated meeting Brian Wilson, and I'm sure my dad didn't either. But when we got to the show, we happened to be in the right place at the right time: we were near his tour bus, and someone came out & said that Brian would be willing to shake hands & sign stuff. I went in, tried to hand him a CD of my rendition of WIBN like an idiot lol, and I was told he couldn't take it, so I just shook his hand while he said to someone, "Is this the meet-and-greet?" (It wasn't the meet-and-greet lol.) That's it. Not flashy at all, but a totally unexpected experience.

As a kid (I'm 26 now), black-and-white photos were of old and/or dead people. So, naturally, I assumed the BB to be old and/or dead, ya know, based on the pictures I saw. Thus, as a kid, the thought of one day meeting Brian Wilson would hardly have made sense to me. So meeting him felt like an impossible dream that, by chance, came true.

[Joel Goldenberg]

When I tell my (brief) story of when I met Brian Wilson, I say, "I met Brian, but Brian didn't meet me."  We shook hands, but he was preoccupied at the moment, a bit confused even.

That describes my 2001 encounter to a tee.

[petsoundsnola]

That's a great way of putting it and a great story.

My "meeting" Brian was not really a meeting, but rather, a locking of eyes.  In 2005, Brian played Jazz Fest here in New Orleans.  His concert was scheduled for around 5:00 in the afternoon, but around 1:00 or so, there was a separate Q&A session in another area of the Fairgrounds, moderated by Harry Shearer.

There were about 50-75 people in the seats facing out toward the large windows which overlooked the horseracing track.  Brian was on the floor level.  Joining Brian were Jeff Foskett and Darian Sahanaja.  They sang a few a cappella tunes (I think Jeff had his guitar and Darian had a portable keyboard) interspersed with questions taken from the audience.  BWPS had recently been released a few months earlier, so there were a lot of questions asked about SMiLE.  I had practiced a question to ask (I don't remember what it was) but I was never called upon.

The Q&A session lasted around 45 minutes.  I had been fortunate enough to get there early and sit in the front row.  After it ended and Brian and the group were walking out, I stood up, hoping to be able to reach over and shake his hand.  Brian stood up and looked me square in the eyes for what to me seemed to be 10 seconds (it was probably 1 second in reality).  I saw so much depth in those eyes for that one brief second.  Brian's vibe was one of fear, sadness, and strength all at the same time.  I remember giving him a smile, but he was expressionless.  It was surreal and I will never forget that moment.

[Joel Goldenberg]

The expression I saw in 2001, outside Rockefeller Center, was total fear. The 2005 personal encounter was more controlled, and relaxed.

[NickandthePassions]

I had the chance to meet Brian Wilson after winning an Instagram contest. My friend and I, both college students, were among the first in line. I was wearing my Radiant Radish shirt and pointed it out to Brian. I said, "Brian, I just had to wear my Radiant Radish shirt."

Brian just looked up and gave me a very angelic stare with a soft smile as Blondie and Al said, "Man, that's so obscure."

Brian didn't say much but, "thank you! Have a great day." as we were leaving.