The Smiley Smile Message Board

I had the pleasure of seeing both "halves" of the band perform last year. First off, I'd like to say that I think Brian is a genius. No shocker there. However, it's hard/awkward as hell to watch him perform. I saw him in concert several years ago for the Pet Sounds anniversary tour. He was hard to watch, but he gave an excellent performance as far as accuracy and what vocal range he did have. It was so good that it made my father cry. Over the past couple years though, his vocal quality has diminished and he has been leaving words out of songs at pretty crucial spots. You would think he would know the words to God Only Knows by now. From what I've seen in person and in video footage, I don't even think he actually even plays the piano anymore. It's almost like it's a prop.

I'd blame age, but none of the other band members are having this problem. In fact, they appear at the top of their games.  It is also sort of a recent thing. He used to be vibrant. Now he looks like he doesn't want to be there. I'm not posting this to complain. I'm posting because I'm concerned. Anyone have any clue what's up with him recently? I know he had a back issue, but I don't think that factors in other than his sitting a lot.  ???

The keyboard is less of a prop now than it was a few years ago, when he didn't play a note . He played piano pretty consistently throughout the C50. Not sure how much he played on recent solo gigs.

Brian has had serious mental issues for many many years.  Two things you can count on:

1. He has up days and down days, if you catch him on a down day you'll be convinced he's at death's door, if you catch him on a up day you'll be convinced that he's almost as good as he was in 1965.

2. He's surrounded by family that loves him very much and doctors that are very competent. 

Right. In any case, Brian is 72, has mental issues, back pains and suffered from stage fright all his life. That he performs in public at all is nothing short of a miracle.

You can count on Brian's band. They're the people who always make it worthwhile and don't always get the credit they deserve. Brian is Brian. He's doing fine. No matter what he looks like sometimes, he's fine.

I saw him play the piano solo and sing Love and Mercy at the conclusion of the Pet Sounds concert in Boston. 

Brian is a great pianist. Whether he decides to play it onstage or not has no bearing on that fact. His marvelous band allows him the option.

In my opinion, it is much harder/more awkward to watch Mike and Bruce perform. Mike is creepy and full of himself, Bruce is a total dork. At least Brian is being himself. And if you really think Mike is at the top of his game vocally... all I can say is "Huh?" Unlike Brian his vocal decline was less dramatic because, unlike Brian, he was never a really great singer to begin with. He's just gotten more nasally, almost to the point of self-parody.

At least we know that Brian spends time with a vocal coach, and when he's really trying it's quite apparent. Neither is true of Mike.

You heard it here first guys, Brian Wilson is a better performer than Mike Love!

Brian needs to stop sitting around and start picking up the mike stand and thrusting it at the audience like Mike does sometimes. That will make Brian "the man." Brian in 3D. :3d

...and musician, and songwriter, and human being...