The Smiley Smile Message Board

Howdy. So it seems like I'll be interviewing the man himself on Friday. Any questions, suggestions, etc. from the hive mind?

Are there chances for a Reunion in 2011?

Will there be a SMiLE box set using the original '66/'67 recordings released while you're still alive?

Where are we going to be able to see this interview?

Wow! How come you get to interview BW!? Is it over the phone or in person or what exactly?! I'm envious, although I'm sure it's a simultaneously exciting yet nerve wracking prospect!

I'm with Alex - will we ever see a smile sessions release? Something tells me this won't be high on your list of questions though? Not if you want to keep any kind of interview momentum, that is.

Anyway best of luck. Hope it goes well, and please post a full description of the interview when it's complete, i.e. not just the interview, but what it was like to actually meeting the guy and so on.

Does he enjoy touring.

Golden question IMO

Not meeting in person. It's an interview as part of my newspaper job -- he'll be playing in town next month. And I don't want to scoop the article, so I can't say much until it prints. But I'll provide links when it goes up in a week or two.

Why does he feel an affinity with Gershwin? What's his favorite Gershwin composition BESIDES Rhapsody in Blue?
What's his favorite part about being the dad of young kids? (No yes or no there)

Not sure what else. I know that if you ask him about food or music, he's more likely to talk.

I envy you too, Clay.  Here's my 2 cents worth:  does he (Brian) ever play his past work with the BB?  If so, are there certain BB songs/albums today that have special significance to him?  Any of those tracks that he'd like to re-record today (i.e. not satisfied with their original production, vocals, that kind of thing)?

Has he recorded any songs for Pleasure Island?  His thoughts on Al's solo album.  See if you can get him to talk about Dennis's POB Legacy reissue.  Does he have any new favorites from it or Bambu?   I don't think I've heard his comments on Bambu yet. 

Even if you don't pick any of these, I'm still looking forward to reading it.  Good luck.

THE perennial question for Brian -

"Who ran the iron horse?"

You're gonna interview Al ????   ;D ;D

Maybe you can ask Brian what kind of songs we might get on the Disney-album (maybe "When you wish upon a star"?)

Oh and of course the reunion-thing that was already mentioned

My paper interviewed Mike this summer, so it's only fair.

http://www.cmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090716/ENTERTAINMENT/907160311/1020/48HOURS

Ask him whether he realizes he could probably sell almost as many albums and keep a bigger percentage of his profits by just recording whatever, whenever, and releasing it to his fans without the use of a record label or retail stores through the web and direct-mail distribution. Then after a few seconds of awkward silence, ask him what's his favorite Beach Boys album. Then, after a few seconds of awkward silence (after he says either "20/20" or "yeah"), just continue with your original questions.

Why did Al quit touring with him a few years back? Those in the know here won't say...

Good one, Luther.
Ask if you can speak to Melinda for a minute and bring up Luther's idea.

When he sits down to write a song (or arrange vocal parts) today, does he still hear Carl, Mike and Al singing the parts in his mind?

Melinda won't let him hang out with his bio daughters - does she allow any one-on-one time with Diane Rovell?

Are his kids proud or do they think their old man is really a square?

CIFOTM - Was it really a cowboy song at one point?

Ask if he wants to go over to noname's house for dinner...

Come awn fellas - be a little more realistic with your questions.

What's the best Beach Boys song that was recorded and has not been released?

Why did Al leave the Pet Sounds tour.?  He did leave right after the incident where Bw laid on floor feelin faint..Also ask him specific questions about BWPS + TLOS..What his particapation was..ASk him if he is happy now after the dark years..Ask him what his favorite solo lp is..Ask him about sessions on Al"s solo lp..What does he think of Al"s studio..Ask about memories of CW DW..Gary Usher..Terry Melcher..Anyone close to him that died..His feelings about the 2 lp deal..Been surfin lately..??..What happened to the resterraunt in disneyland..Who is he for Dodgers or Angels..?

Maybe ask him about his upcoming projects with Disney. If he has songs selected for his Disney covers album, or what Gershwin tunes he'll be doing.
 :)

What's his favorite memory of Dennis and Carl?

That's a great one, and something I've often wondered as well.  After so many years of writing with specific voices in mind, I can't imagine it's an easy mindset to break out of.

We know he won't answer any Smile questions (or, more accurately, it wouldn't be smart to ask them in the first place), so I second asking this question.

What with the Christmas album, Smile, TLOS, Gershwin and the Disney album, does he get more fired up/inspired these days at the prospect of working on single-themed projects/suites?

I've thought about this, as it's more interesting on a personal note for me. You probably won't get a chance to talk about this topic.
A few years ago while Melinda was on the bloo I asked her what Brian's favorite Elvis song was. She said she'd ask him and would post it later on the board. And she really was online again later but didn't answer my question. So if there's a chance, maybe you could ask him what his favorite Presley-song was and if he heard Elvis' stunning rendition (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7R5xxDy3QU) of "You've lost that loving feeling".....

And as mentioned, anything about the new projects would be finde. I guess he likes talking about new stuff more than always the same questions about the past. Although I wonder which Beach Boys song written by another member than himself was his favorite

Given that the interview is for a general-interest arts section, and many readers have probably never heard of Brian Wilson as a solo artist, I doubt I'll get to some of these extremely specific questions (and for goodness sake -- some of you sound like you'd like an interrogation rather than an interview ;-). But the ideas and enthusiasm are definitely appreciated.

I have heard many times over the years that Brian is a Dodger fan,  In fact, heard him say that in a radio interview...

With your permission, I'll answer that - yes. Of late, Brian finds it easier to work with a theme, a concept if you will, in mind.

Soon as I'd hit the "post" button I knew I'd asked a daftie question -  what was Surfin' Safari, Surfin' USA, Little Deuce Coupe, Pet Sounds, Party! etc if not concept albums...  still, I'd love to hear what part these themes play in his motivation; what it is about them that screw him down into a creative burst.

I often wish he'd developed some of this even further -  a H&V cowboy concept album can't have been far-off completion in some respects in 66/67, as so many individual SMiLE songs repeat the H&V refrains. A Can't Wait Too Long album; a Rio Grande album... I'd welcome them all.

Is there still one thing left you still would still like to do?

When he was laying in bed for those many years, what did he think about the most?  The two steaks and eggs coming up for breakfast?  Did he follow closely the touring dates and places of his band who were making it big-time in arenas and stadiums across the country? Why didn't he attend his father's funeral and make Dennis go with him? Why did he get up and just walk off the stage at numerous solo shows, like the one I saw in his re-comeback at the Hard Rock in 1999? Does he realize how much he is loved?

this is a good one.


pretty much all of these wouldn't go well...

I know he cut Don't Be Cruel with American Spring and sang His Latest Flame at the piano in the 1990 hotel tape.

And what a cool version it was. As it was recorded just shortly after Elvis' death I wonder if it was a tribute....
Never heard him do "His latest flame", it's not on the audio floating around....
But those two and the video where he sings "The wonder of you" still don't say anything about what his favorite was/is. I wonder if it's a rocker (no pun) or something that shows Presley's great singing. If it's one of those powerful ballads or something you can dance to....

Good to see you back MBE

Does it hurt when you pee?

Most of these questions suck.

NO, NO, NO, !
Dont ask about a reunion!
I got in lots of trouble with that question!

Wow, what a great idea - asking Brian if he "feels better now" - why haven't other interviewers thought of that? If you look at interviews that Brian has blown off or paid scant attention to, it is usually when an interviewer is asking that question/line of questioning. Questions about Al leaving the tour? About Brian not attending Murry's funeral? Incredible.

If I were you, I would ask questions about his music career and not so much about his personal life. He doesn't seem to be very receptive to those types of questions.

Doesn't matter if he's a Dodgers or Angels fan.....

The Phillies are going to WIN it ALL and give us another Parade down Broad Street here in Philly!!!

Bri

Ask him about Norbit!

It's done. Results in 13-14 days.

how'd it go?

 :lol

Let's just say that -- nope, can't say that.

The most interesting point was a preview of -- nope, can't say that.

He also definitively refuted -- nope, can't say that either.

Darn. Stay tuned for the article. :-P

Instead of being a toolbag trying to prove how cool he is, you could just let us wait for the article. :)

Darn it, just give an excited kid a break, wouldja?

I was joking (hence the smiley), but fair enough.

No problem. It was just a nerve-wracking experience, and I was thrilled. Hence the babbling.

For what it's worth, it's every bit as challenging interviewing him as you may expect. I went through 20 questions in -- um -- six minutes. But he's exceptionally polite and generous. Also, and this is the absolute last thing I'll say on the subject until publication, no one should count out a rock and roll album.

You just made my day, month, year.... :police:

Thanks for this thread !!  :)

As long as the Rock And Roll album isn't Gershwin...

Man, I can't imagine trying to interview Brian... I'd have messed myself...

 ;D Can't wait.

Actually, I counted again. It was 25 questions. In a bit over six minutes. No one -- and I mean no one -- answers questions that quickly. I've interviewed politicians, chancellors, other musicians -- no one has ever approached that ratio.

Those of you who have done journalism know -- interviewing is tough. Now imagine interviewing someone who instantly responds to any question, and often in such unexpected ways that you can't think of a follow-up quickly enough.

Case in point -- Norbit.

If it's the stuff he's been doing the last few years (post-TLOS), then it could be some good.  ;D

There's post-TLOS material? I mean, I'd assumed as much, but I've never heard it confirmed.

Color me intrigued.

Eh, my dating might be off a tad - let's say, post-2006. Much better version of "Proud Mary".

Color Me Badd!

(http://songbookofkartika.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/color_me_badd.jpg)

Wow.  To think these guys once ruled the charts...  ::)

wow, this sounds good.

Can't wait till the interview is posted

Just found this to tide you over.

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/lifestyle_entertainment/x593085584/Former-Beach-Boy-Brian-Wilson-sees-sunnier-days-ahead

Love this bit. So BW don't you think?

 ...Asked what that kind of day might look like, he launched into a 90-word, stream-of-consciousness summary:

“I get up and go to a delicatessen, a deli that’s five minutes away from my house. I have my breakfast, I come back home, I take my vitamins and I go to the park and I take a lap around the park.

“Then I go to a health food place to get some health drinks, go back to the park, then I go back to the house then I go to my synthesizer, try to write a song, work on some music, go back to the park. Like that,” Wilson said...

I remember those times... every now and then I'll start singing..."I want to sex you up..." to people just to see if they know the reference...not literally, of course... ::)

Don't be intimidated by him and don't buy his methods of averting discussion. Prod him until he coughs up the answers. Say "Listen Brian, I don't give a fuk who you are, answer my goshdarn questions or you won't get this candy bar" (at this point wave candy bar in front of Elder Wilson).

But seriously, do that. Interviews get pushed around by Brian in a subtle way. Obviously don't ask or say anything that would upset, no need to be mean or insensitive, but it's lame that no one's ever done a good interview with him. You have to seem less of a fan and more of a friend. If you go in with stars in your eyes he won't give you sh*t. Treat him as if he's your mailman. Nice guy, you give him as much respect as any of your other universe brothers or sisters, but you don't grovel at his feet. Then he might open up more.

Ask him about whether he thinks Paul McCartney is dead. Ask "Did you ever meet Faul McCartney?" Tell him to check the album covers and carefully examine pre-late1966 Paul and post-1967 Faul.

Oh poo, I just read page 3, it's over already.

I wouldn't've stood for Brian racing through those questions. "Slow down, big man, you're not getting away that fast. Now, once again, when you sang about 'eating p*ssy' on Lei'd In Hawaii, what WERE you talking about?"