The Smiley Smile Message Board

I learned in my reading of how the Wilson Boys grew up that Murry beat them alot. Where was Audree when this was happening, Why would a mother do nothing when  her child is being abused. I know that fathers ruled more back then and a parent could hit their kids, unlike now. Im sure brian and dennis deserved a spanking now and then but to beat them the way the book tell, thats crazy for a mom to not step in. Has anything about this been talked about before, and how did dennis and brian feel toward their mom. It never say's anything about Carl getting beat.

Audree eventually had enough of Murry by the early 60s, I believe it was 1964 when they separated. Brian and Dennis loved Audree very much. She was also quite "accepting" of their rapidly changing lifestyles.

Audree somtimes went out on tour!
She would sit in the front of the bus
with Carl.
I met her at
a Beach Boy show in
Mt. Cranmore,
New Hampshire,
in the early 80's.
She was a cool
rock 'n' roll mom.....

Hi Denni,

I never could understand how Murry could do that. I know I've read that Murry's father Bud [nickname] subjected Murry to the same kinds of beatings though. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Carl did get beatings too but just not as bad or as much, right? Also they all endured mental/verbal abuse. Audree always felt balanced between husband & children. Murry would say 'If you love me Audree you will see my point of view & not give in". If she agreed with the boys, Murry would get pissed & throw a tantrum.

This is from what I've read in different articles, and books. Mainly Heroes & Villians.

I read somewhere that Carl doubts if the beatings ever happened, that Brian and Dennis made it up.

I can distinctly remember Stebbins posting that Dennis often took a beating for Carl...and that's the type of thing you don't forget (I'll find the post)

Also, Mike mentioned in a 90s interview that Dennis and Carl came out of the beatings in different ways...Carl was withdrawn and quiet and Dennis was Dennis. (And we loved him for it!)

Doesn't Mike also say that the abuse was meted out differently to the kids? So perhaps Carl's abuse was more emotional while the other two were being smacked around. (And if Carl was the peacemaker he's stereotyped to be, maybe he went out of his way to avoid raising Murry's ire even as a kid.)

Dennis said his earliest memory was getting beaten by his dad, knocked across the room.

Sad stories indeed. It is a deep psychological mystery why people 'pass on' abuse that they themselves experienced in childhood (which is what Murry did). Also, Murry drank quite a lot, going by Carlin's book. That wouldn't have helped either, drinkers have less self-control.

Genetic disposition for anxiety and depression, combined with severe abuse in early childhood: that is a recipe for trouble in adult life. Which is what connects Brian Wilson and Michael Jackson, IMHO.

With Brian being the oldest, Dennis being a rebellious brat and Carl being the youngest and more of a mommy's boy than his brothers, it's likely that Murry "spared" Carl more often than his other sons.

Both Murry and Audree being spelled correctly in one posting.  Wow!!  Based on history about a 174/1 shot. 

Good job!