Title: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Dead Parrot on March 08, 2011, 10:46:29 AM I apologise in advance for the predictability of this question, and also that it's no doubt been asked a few times before, but here goes anyway.....
Just how reclusive was Brian during the period when he was supposed to have spent all his time in bed (mid 1973-late 1975 IIRC). I only ask because it seems like the accepted opinion is that he rarely left his bedroom. And yet there seems to be a fair amount of recordings as well as photographs of Brian that are apparently from this period. So what's the true story? Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: hypehat on March 08, 2011, 11:56:53 AM He ate a lot, smoked a lot, and snorted like crazy ;D
Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: adamghost on March 08, 2011, 12:12:56 PM slept a lot, watched TV a lot, always was lazy...
Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: STE on March 08, 2011, 12:23:51 PM Well, I don't know but I'm lying in bed just like Brian Wilson did. Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: rab2591 on March 08, 2011, 12:39:08 PM I was always a bit confused on his "bed years"
I think it was in 'Brian Wilson Songwriter' where I finally heard someone say that Brian slept during the day and went out and partied all night...he wasn't in bed 24/7. The way this period has been portrayed in most interviews you'd think that Brian was agoraphobic during this time. Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Jason on March 08, 2011, 12:53:03 PM Apparently, his fears were of the shower, Phil Spector, his father, and coming (according to Marilyn).
Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Jonas on March 08, 2011, 01:40:19 PM Yeah right, I bet he had wrists of steel.
Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Jon Stebbins on March 08, 2011, 01:48:26 PM Brian's hair always looked pretty good for a guy who spent so much time in bed. One short nap and mine looks like crap.
Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Chris Brown on March 08, 2011, 02:11:27 PM This has always seemed to be one of those myths that has grown to be overexaggerated over the years. Not to say that Brian was as active as he was during the mid-late 60's, but the notion of him literally spending 2 years or so in bed has been perpetuated so much that it's now accepted as a part of the Brian Wilson mythology. To be fair, even Brian contributed to the myth (recall the interview he did from his bed in the mid-70's).
From what I've read, Brian had periods where he took to his bed and didn't leave (perhaps for days or sometimes a week or two), but overall, he was merely reclusive, lost in his world of drugs and increasing mental illness. Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Andrew G. Doe on March 08, 2011, 02:39:15 PM Lessee, mid-1973 - late 1975...
Known recording sessions: fall 1973 - Ding Dang 3/2/74 - Brian's Jam (= Shortenin' Bread)/Clangin' spring 1974 - Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me bvs (original) 6/10/74 - Ding Dang summer 1974 - Just An Imitation and Why Don't You Try Me mid-October 1974 - It's OK/Honeycomb 11/4/74 - Good Timin'/Brian's Tune (= 'dirty' version of Ding Dang) [Caribou ?] 11/5/74 - Battle Hymn Of The Republic/Child Of Winter [Caribou ?] 11/12/74 - California Feelin'/Lucy Jones [Western] 11/18/74 - Child Of Winter 3/12/75 - unknown title [RCA] 5/29/75 - Why Do Fools Fall In Love/Ding Dang/Money Honey [RCA] spring 1975 - Help Me Rhonda bvs summer 1975 - Boat to Sail bvs September 1975 - Back Home mid-October 1975 - Come To The Sunshine [Sound Factory] Other stuff: June 1973 - flies to NYC with Diane after Murry dies August 1974 - Endless Summer gold disc photoshoot Not bad for someone who stayed in bed for two years. ;D Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: A Million Units In Jan! on March 08, 2011, 02:45:32 PM Apparently, his fears were of the shower, Phil Spector, his father, and coming (according to Marilyn). Coming? Er, where exactly did she let slip this info? Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Jason on March 08, 2011, 02:53:13 PM It was in the, I believe, 1976 Rolling Stone profile of the band; it had interviews with Brian, the band minus Brian, Audree, and Marilyn. I believe it might have had an interview with Landy too...it's reprinted in the McParland Back to the Beach compilation book.
Marilyn also didn't know what celibacy was, either. Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Andrew G. Doe on March 08, 2011, 02:59:25 PM it's reprinted in the McParland Back to the Beach compilation book. Stephen McParland has written and compiled many fine books on many subjects, but Kingsley Abbott did that one. Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: James Hughes-Clarke on March 08, 2011, 03:14:32 PM Quote spring 1974 - Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me bvs (original Brian was on that? Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Andrew G. Doe on March 08, 2011, 03:16:27 PM spring 1974 - Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me bvs (original) Brian was on that? On the original bvs - not the released ones. Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Jason on March 08, 2011, 03:30:18 PM it's reprinted in the McParland Back to the Beach compilation book. Stephen McParland has written and compiled many fine books on many subjects, but Kingsley Abbott did that one. That's right. I initially was like "no that can't be it", then the work phone rang off the hook before I could edit it. So yeah, what AGD said. Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Jonas on March 08, 2011, 04:59:46 PM spring 1974 - Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me bvs (original) Literally shocked reading this. Wonder if theres a way to hear this :smokin Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Ganz Allein on March 08, 2011, 05:18:14 PM slept a lot, watched TV a lot, always was lazy... Poof! :lol Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Ian on March 08, 2011, 05:40:00 PM Should be noted-that if you have ever heard the 1974 Jim Pewter interview-Brian is pretty sharp there-hardly a drooling basket case at least. As has been noted many times-I think that everyone agrees that Brian emerged from his first addiction period in ok shape-though he was no longer the same person that sang Surfs Up on TV or produced Good Vibrations. It was the 1979-82 decline that had more problematic results.
Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Jason on March 08, 2011, 05:54:59 PM That 1974 interview with Jim Pewter is one of the best Brian interviews ever. His voice had definitely changed then, too.
Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Ron on March 08, 2011, 05:55:11 PM Two things about this...
I read in Paul McCartney's biography (one of them) that after the Beatles broke up, he spent 6 months in bed, largely. Apparently people do that when they're depressed. I always thought that story (and Brians) was a little unbelievable. My father died a few years back... my mom stayed in bed for 2 months. I never saw her up. They weren't even married anymore! Two months, I NEVER saw her out of bed. never saw her eat, go to the bathroom, anything. so I imagine there was probably a period there, somewhere, where Brian probably was in bed for awhile. I doubt it was two years, maybe a couple months then for a few years he slept during the day alot or whatever... but the whole thing is not without precedent. Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Jim V. on March 08, 2011, 06:11:50 PM Lessee, mid-1973 - late 1975... Known recording sessions: fall 1973 - Ding Dang 3/2/74 - Brian's Jam (= Shortenin' Bread)/Clangin' spring 1974 - Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me bvs (original) 6/10/74 - Ding Dang summer 1974 - Just An Imitation and Why Don't You Try Me mid-October 1974 - It's OK/Honeycomb 11/4/74 - Good Timin'/Brian's Tune (= 'dirty' version of Ding Dang) [Caribou ?] 11/5/74 - Battle Hymn Of The Republic/Child Of Winter [Caribou ?] 11/12/74 - California Feelin'/Lucy Jones [Western] 11/18/74 - Child Of Winter 3/12/75 - unknown title [RCA] 5/29/75 - Why Do Fools Fall In Love/Ding Dang/Money Honey [RCA] spring 1975 - Help Me Rhonda bvs summer 1975 - Boat to Sail bvs September 1975 - Back Home mid-October 1975 - Come To The Sunshine [Sound Factory] Other stuff: June 1973 - flies to NYC with Diane after Murry dies August 1974 - Endless Summer gold disc photoshoot Not bad for someone who stayed in bed for two years. ;D A few questions Andrew... -Wasn't there also a "Good Timin'" session on 4/29/74? Was any of it used on the released LA Light Album version or was the November version and the extra '78 material only used? -Which of the dates was the Love You version of "Ding Dang" recorded? -I was pretty sure (per you, AGD, i think) that there wasn't a session for "Just An Imitation" and that it was never recorded. Isn't that true? -Brian was involved with "Why Don't You Try Me"? I thought that was a Dennis song. It would be kinda random for Brian to show up for a random Dennis session in '74 most likely. Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Mikie on March 08, 2011, 06:50:40 PM That 1974 interview with Jim Pewter is one of the best Brian interviews ever. His voice had definitely changed then, too. Yes. This was in August, 1974 and you could hear the voice start to change. BUT! If he had just stopped smoking and coking right then I think his voice could have been salvaged. Very late '74 early '75 is when the excesses took their toll on the voice. The clear voice was still really coming through clear but juuuuust starting to deteriorate in late '74. If only........... I always thought he stayed in bed on and off for THREE years. But after Stan couldn't do the job in mid-75, Landy was hired in October, 1975. I assume this is the point when Landy went into the dark closet where Brian was hiding and finally coaxed him out and the therapy began. This was after the Equinox stuff was recorded in mid 1975, so other than record "Back Home" that year, Brian didn't do much, did he? Other than pick up cocaine drops from the bushes in his front yard...... By the way, was the entire song of Back Home recorded or just the instrumental track in 1975? 'Cause by then, his voice was wasted! Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: adamghost on March 08, 2011, 06:51:43 PM Murry stayed in bed for several weeks after the band fired him, did he not?
Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Chris Brown on March 08, 2011, 07:56:36 PM Murry stayed in bed for several weeks after the band fired him, did he not? Yes, and according to Audrey, that wasn't the only occasion. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean that Brian learned such behavior from him, and as others have said, it's something that depressed people sometimes do. Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Jay on March 08, 2011, 08:02:56 PM It was in the, I believe, 1976 Rolling Stone profile of the band; it had interviews with Brian, the band minus Brian, Audree, and Marilyn. I believe it might have had an interview with Landy too...it's reprinted in the McParland Back to the Beach compilation book. Not with Rocky Pamplin around. ::)Marilyn also didn't know what celibacy was, either. Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on March 08, 2011, 08:24:39 PM After my father died, I spent 3 months in bed, for what it's worth...
Mikie- Brian's vocal on Back Home was indeed from that session...it's the first recorded lead featuring Brian's "new" voice. His falsetto was already shot by the time he did the Johnny Rivers Help Me Rhonda session, but as far as his lead goes, without hearing any of the fall 1974 voice I couldn't tell you 100% when his voice was "completely gruff". Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: MBE on March 08, 2011, 08:39:58 PM Last really clear thing that's going around was Rolling Up To Heaven fall 74.
If you listen to Brian interviews from 1971-74 there is a difference by 1974 but not nearly what it was by 1976. The Pewter one from 1974 he sounds in between. The one from New York in 1973 he sounds like the young Brian but is coughing quite a bit. Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Andrew G. Doe on March 09, 2011, 05:17:19 AM Last really clear thing that's going around was Rolling Up To Heaven fall 74. If you listen to Brian interviews from 1971-74 there is a difference by 1974 but not nearly what it was by 1976. The Pewter one from 1974 he sounds in between. The one from New York in 1973 he sounds like the young Brian but is coughing quite a bit. ... and having a serious laughing jag. ;D Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Steve Mayo on March 09, 2011, 06:42:02 AM It was in the, I believe, 1976 Rolling Stone profile of the band; it had interviews with Brian, the band minus Brian, Audree, and Marilyn. I believe it might have had an interview with Landy too...it's reprinted in the McParland Back to the Beach compilation book. Marilyn also didn't know what celibacy was, either. i had a radio special on reel to reel tapes sent to radio staions back in 1977. it was called "a conversation with brian wilson". i think it was done by king bisquit flower hour. all brian interview. i think the following was on that tape. during the interview brian was asked about tm. he replied that he has sex but does not come. the reason was by not coming after awhile " the sperm backs up a duct to the brain and reaches the pineal gland and produces the state of cosmically consciousness". i just about fell over the first time i heard that. it has been a long time since i heard those tapes but i think it was in that special. but i may have that name wrong but there is an interview with brian where he says the above. Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Mike's Beard on March 09, 2011, 10:05:44 AM Brian's hair always looked pretty good for a guy who spent so much time in bed. One short nap and mine looks like crap. True, that side parting never seemed to falter. I wish mine would hold that well. Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: onkster on March 09, 2011, 12:15:39 PM The guy who had the chicken coop studio in Otho, Iowa told me that Brian was in Ft. Dodge, supposedly to do some demos for American Spring--but he wouldn't get out of bed at the Holiday Inn in town. Only after the guy visited him did Brian finally come out and record some stuff. As I recall, it wasn't released, but it led to more recording for Spring.
And staying in bed when you're seriously depressed is not necessarily a choice or a behavior...there's something diabolically sinister about the disease that literally will NOT LET YOU get out of bed...you have no energy. It's truly awful. And anyone who says "snap out of it" has no idea what's it's actually like. (Sorry for going OT...just had to put in my .02...) Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: adamghost on March 09, 2011, 12:22:25 PM The guy who had the chicken coop studio in Otho, Iowa told me that Brian was in Ft. Dodge, supposedly to do some demos for American Spring--but he wouldn't get out of bed at the Holiday Inn in town. Only after the guy visited him did Brian finally come out and record some stuff. As I recall, it wasn't released, but it led to more recording for Spring. And staying in bed when you're seriously depressed is not necessarily a choice or a behavior...there's something diabolically sinister about the disease that literally will NOT LET YOU get out of bed...you have no energy. It's truly awful. And anyone who says "snap out of it" has no idea what's it's actually like. (Sorry for going OT...just had to put in my .02...) And not to be flippant about it, but getting out of bed in a chain hotel in a cold and unfamiliar environment is hard even for people that aren't depressed. I get depressed just thinking about being in a Holiday Inn in Iowa. Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: onkster on March 09, 2011, 01:26:28 PM Yeah, and Ft. Dodge ain't exactly "Cedar Rapids"!
But I have to say, that chicken coop studio was pretty cool. It's still in use. (Westminist'r Sound aka Junior's Motel). Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: the captain on March 09, 2011, 02:53:00 PM i had a radio special on reel to reel tapes sent to radio staions back in 1977. it was called "a conversation with brian wilson". i think it was done by king bisquit flower hour. all brian interview. i think the following was on that tape. during the interview brian was asked about tm. he replied that he has sex but does not come. the reason was by not coming after awhile " the sperm backs up a duct to the brain and reaches the pineal gland and produces the state of cosmically consciousness". i just about fell over the first time i heard that. Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: donald on March 09, 2011, 03:10:40 PM Seems like mood disorder ran in the Wilson family. Along with a predisposition to self-medicate.
Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: MBE on March 09, 2011, 05:08:48 PM Last really clear thing that's going around was Rolling Up To Heaven fall 74. If you listen to Brian interviews from 1971-74 there is a difference by 1974 but not nearly what it was by 1976. The Pewter one from 1974 he sounds in between. The one from New York in 1973 he sounds like the young Brian but is coughing quite a bit. ... and having a serious laughing jag. ;D Never heard the orgazim interview but I have so many interview fragments it may be on something I haven't heard yet. Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Ron on March 09, 2011, 07:47:03 PM Brian's hair always looked pretty good for a guy who spent so much time in bed. One short nap and mine looks like crap. True, that side parting never seemed to falter. I wish mine would hold that well. He has manly man hair. Lots of guys have hair that women admire, Brian has hair that even MEN admire. Got to be one of the best heads of hair in music, even at 68 or whatever he's made it to now. I hope my hair is that cool when i'm old. Hell, I'm 32 and my hair isn't that cool, damn him. Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on March 09, 2011, 08:24:08 PM I'm 32 and I'm bald :(
Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Jay on March 09, 2011, 08:30:42 PM I'm 32 and I'm bald :( You have Beach Boy hair...albeit, Mike Love hair. :lol :pTitle: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Yorick on March 10, 2011, 07:40:31 AM Thursday April 4 1974
While still in Los Angeles on holiday, Paul and Linda decide to pay a visit to Brian Wilson, the now reclusive member of The Beach Boys, at his Bel Air home. They McCartneys bang on the door for over an hour, but Wilson refuses to let them in. Paul and Linda knew Brian was there, because they could hear him inside quietly crying to himself. With no alternative, Paul and Linda depart from the house and head on their way. Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: bgas on March 10, 2011, 08:01:56 AM Thursday April 4 1974 While still in Los Angeles on holiday, Paul and Linda decide to pay a visit to Brian Wilson, the now reclusive member of The Beach Boys, at his Bel Air home. They McCartneys bang on the door for over an hour, but Wilson refuses to let them in. Paul and Linda knew Brian was there, because they could hear him inside quietly crying to himself. With no alternative, Paul and Linda depart from the house and head on their way. Must have been a REALLy slow day in McCartneyland. I'm hard pressed to think of anytime I'd stand outside banging on someone's door, for more than an hour. "Brian, Pretty Please, with coke on top, open the door". Nah, I think they might have been there, maybe, 20 minutes... Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on March 10, 2011, 08:08:56 AM Sometimes when you are really high, 20 minutes can feel like an hour (or vice versa) :lol
Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: MBE on March 10, 2011, 08:33:40 AM I always thought that Nick Kent made that story up.
Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: absinthe_boy on March 11, 2011, 04:01:14 AM Brian's hair always looked pretty good for a guy who spent so much time in bed. One short nap and mine looks like crap. True, that side parting never seemed to falter. I wish mine would hold that well. He has manly man hair. Lots of guys have hair that women admire, Brian has hair that even MEN admire. Got to be one of the best heads of hair in music, even at 68 or whatever he's made it to now. I hope my hair is that cool when i'm old. Hell, I'm 32 and my hair isn't that cool, damn him. Goota say, I am 38 and my once jet black, thick hair is greying and thinning. And I don't sing as well as Brian does at 68 either. Damn I should have taken more drugs when I was in my twenties :) Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: hypehat on March 11, 2011, 05:33:24 AM Isn't that story supposed to be they go round for dinner, Brian is increasingly scared/awkward until he breaks a plate or something and goes up to his room, whereupon Macca knocks and hears him. Poor guy. That story is so heartbreaking.
Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Andrew G. Doe on March 11, 2011, 06:56:01 AM Isn't that story supposed to be they go round for dinner, Brian is increasingly scared/awkward until he breaks a plate or something and goes up to his room, whereupon Macca knocks and hears him. Poor guy. That story is so heartbreaking. No, that's the goldfish bowl/Candice Bergen story, as related by Terry Melcher in the 1971 Rolling Stone 2-fer. And... that came flying straight out of my head without any concious thought whatsoever. Which scares the holy crap out of me. :o Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on March 11, 2011, 08:30:04 AM Wait...Candice Bergen?
Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: gxios on March 11, 2011, 09:15:34 AM Terry and Candice rented a house up on Cielo Drive....
Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: cutterschoice on March 14, 2011, 06:20:04 PM Last really clear thing that's going around was Rolling Up To Heaven fall 74. If you listen to Brian interviews from 1971-74 there is a difference by 1974 but not nearly what it was by 1976. The Pewter one from 1974 he sounds in between. The one from New York in 1973 he sounds like the young Brian but is coughing quite a bit. Could someone please point me in the direction of these interviews? I've only been able to find a video from 1976 with Mike Douglas and some other transcripts. Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: markcharles75 on March 14, 2011, 06:40:45 PM [quote
He has manly man hair. Lots of guys have hair that women admire, Brian has hair that even MEN admire. Got to be one of the best heads of hair in music, even at 68 or whatever he's made it to now. I hope my hair is that cool when i'm old. Hell, I'm 32 and my hair isn't that cool, damn him. [/quote] One of the first things that struck me when I saw the Pet Sounds cover for the first time was Brian's super cool hairstyle. He looks so well groomed there...hard to imagine years later he let it all go. I think a great head of hair is important in life lol Unfortunately, mine is starting to thin at 35. Imagine the money they would make if they came up with say, a stem cell cure, *which is rumored to be around the corner* for baldness/thinning hair. Imagine the stock value of that company!!!!!! Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on March 14, 2011, 08:46:48 PM I've said it before, and I'll say it again...you can tell how well (or unwell...)Brian is doing by his hair. Almost without fail.
Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Rotat on November 03, 2013, 09:44:12 AM Isn't that story supposed to be they go round for dinner, Brian is increasingly scared/awkward until he breaks a plate or something and goes up to his room, whereupon Macca knocks and hears him. Poor guy. That story is so heartbreaking. No, that's the goldfish bowl/Candice Bergen story, as related by Terry Melcher in the 1971 Rolling Stone 2-fer. I hate to unearth a really old thread (been reading archives here.. been a huge BB fan for years but never read this site until recently), I know that's annoying. The Brian "Bed" years really fascinate me though.. Actually Brian Wilson in the 70s in general really fascinates me. I can't really find this story anywhere though just by googling, only this thread. Anyone have a transcript? I've never heard about this before. Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: KittyKat on November 03, 2013, 07:30:03 PM Isn't that story supposed to be they go round for dinner, Brian is increasingly scared/awkward until he breaks a plate or something and goes up to his room, whereupon Macca knocks and hears him. Poor guy. That story is so heartbreaking. No, that's the goldfish bowl/Candice Bergen story, as related by Terry Melcher in the 1971 Rolling Stone 2-fer. I hate to unearth a really old thread (been reading archives here.. been a huge BB fan for years but never read this site until recently), I know that's annoying. The Brian "Bed" years really fascinate me though.. Actually Brian Wilson in the 70s in general really fascinates me. I can't really find this story anywhere though just by googling, only this thread. Anyone have a transcript? I've never heard about this before. The story isn't much, just that Terry was dating Candice and went with her to Dennis Wilson's boat, where they ran into Brian. Brian was so intimidated by meeting the pretty and (then) famous Ms. Bergen that he put a goldfish bowl over his head when he met her, presumably due to shyness. BTW, if you want to read that and any other stories on Brian and the Beach Boys that were printed in "Rolling Stone," you can access all old stories from their website's archives. Some are available for free. All other stories are available if you're a Rolling Stone subscriber (you can get a trial subscription for cheap). Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: donald on November 03, 2013, 08:03:43 PM Isn't that story supposed to be they go round for dinner, Brian is increasingly scared/awkward until he breaks a plate or something and goes up to his room, whereupon Macca knocks and hears him. Poor guy. That story is so heartbreaking. No, that's the goldfish bowl/Candice Bergen story, as related by Terry Melcher in the 1971 Rolling Stone 2-fer. I hate to unearth a really old thread (been reading archives here.. been a huge BB fan for years but never read this site until recently), I know that's annoying. The Brian "Bed" years really fascinate me though.. Actually Brian Wilson in the 70s in general really fascinates me. I can't really find this story anywhere though just by googling, only this thread. Anyone have a transcript? I've never heard about this before. Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Andrew G. Doe on November 04, 2013, 02:11:45 AM Isn't that story supposed to be they go round for dinner, Brian is increasingly scared/awkward until he breaks a plate or something and goes up to his room, whereupon Macca knocks and hears him. Poor guy. That story is so heartbreaking. No, that's the goldfish bowl/Candice Bergen story, as related by Terry Melcher in the 1971 Rolling Stone 2-fer. I hate to unearth a really old thread (been reading archives here.. been a huge BB fan for years but never read this site until recently), I know that's annoying. The Brian "Bed" years really fascinate me though.. Actually Brian Wilson in the 70s in general really fascinates me. I can't really find this story anywhere though just by googling, only this thread. Anyone have a transcript? I've never heard about this before. The story isn't much, just that Terry was dating Candice and went with her to Dennis Wilson's boat, where they ran into Brian. Brian was so intimidated by meeting the pretty and (then) famous Ms. Bergen that he put a goldfish bowl over his head when he met her, presumably due to shyness. BTW, if you want to read that and any other stories on Brian and the Beach Boys that were printed in "Rolling Stone," you can access all old stories from their website's archives. Some are available for free. All other stories are available if you're a Rolling Stone subscriber (you can get a trial subscription for cheap). It was at the Bellagio house - Dennis didn't have his boat in 1971. But my point was, it was nothing to do with Macca. Yes, picky to the point of being anal but facts should be reported accurately. Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: joshferrell on November 04, 2013, 08:23:31 AM "Brian Wilson-The Bed Years" sounds like a cool title for a cd.. just find a photo of him in bed superimpose (or as the young whipper snappers say in this day and age "Photoshop") some head phones on him and a microphone in his hand or on a stand next to the bed and a keyboard in his lap for the cover and there we go....and put the recordings he did during that time period on it....
Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: joshferrell on November 04, 2013, 09:02:58 AM (http://i44.tinypic.com/2ebs3t0.png)
Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Micha on November 04, 2013, 09:54:35 AM Sometimes when you are really high, 20 minutes can feel like an hour (or vice versa) :lol Same effect when my mom talks to me on the phone. Like right now. Hope she doesn't hear me typing... ::) Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Rotat on November 04, 2013, 10:16:39 AM Thanks a lot for recanting that story, even if AGD had to correct you a bit. I gotta dig into those archives and look for that story. It seems like Brian really had more insecurity and reclusive problems around that era ( '71 and a year or 2 after) than 74-75 which is when it was widely known he was always "in bed" for 2 or 3 years. Those pictures that circulate of Brian at the Pewter interview and at Keith Moon's birthday party really make me think the same as what someone else here said; he was probably sleeping a lot, but up all night partying too. Who knows, but there's so much info I'm still reading about from the early to mid 70s era. (http://i44.tinypic.com/2ebs3t0.png) That's absolutely hilarious.. That could be an interesting compilation idea someone could make though.. Could have a bunch of mostly 71-75 type era songs, including some American Spring stuff. Sweet Mountain/Tennessee Waltz (since Brian supposedly played everything on the track didn't he?)/ California Feelin Demo/Fairy Tale Music/ A few others I guess, can't really remember much of what is out there right now. It's not much at all obviously. By the way did Brian co-write that song "Silly Walls"? Never realized how great a song that is and I love the lyrics. I'm really surprised "Shyin Away" wasn't composed by Brian, but maybe it's the production that makes it sound so much like a Brian Wilson song. Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: leggo of my ego on November 04, 2013, 11:33:33 AM BRIAN WILSON - The Bed Years.
Music to snore by. ;D Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Domino on November 04, 2013, 11:53:12 AM BRIAN WILSON - The Bed Years. Music to snort by. ;D Fixed that for you. ;) Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Lonely Summer on November 04, 2013, 12:00:45 PM If memory serves me correctly, in the Don Was film, IJWMFTT, Brian says he did 10 years, off and on, of "bedroom scene".
Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Wrightfan on November 04, 2013, 04:13:15 PM spring 1974 - Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me bvs (original) And I now have a new holy grail to dream about :lol Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: c-man on November 04, 2013, 07:26:51 PM spring 1974 - Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me bvs (original) Literally shocked reading this. Wonder if theres a way to hear this :smokin Not according to Bruce, who arranged the session...he says Elton got an all-star cast of Brian, Danny Hutton, Dusty Springfield, Cat Stevens, Gerry Beckley, and himself together to do the backgrounds...all to no avail, as they couldn't get an actual performance out of anyone 'cause they were all to afraid of each other. So, Bruce did the actual vocals with Carl, Billy, Toni and Daryl while Elton flew off to Japan. Incidentally, this was Earl Mankey's first session at Brother. Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: FatherOfTheMan Sr101 on November 04, 2013, 07:50:02 PM I have a pretty interesting story that kinda relates to this topic.
About a year ago when I was first realizing my issues I was really hesitant about talking to anyone about it, I used music and if you go back you can hear that in some tracks. Anyway, I had a few days where I was so down I was afraid I was in danger, most people who've dealt with this know sometimes you don't really want to die, you want to escape, and I feel like that's what Brian was feeling. During the day he hid from fear, he didn't stay in his room all the time, he just went up when he was feeling down (fortunate pun...) He still went out at night, he was just dealing with his issues on his own. Man, I spent two whole weeks in my room straight listening to Pet Sounds and writing... Actually, I listened to A Day In The Life of a Tree for almost a few days on repeat. It's all about getting away from the pain :/ Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: KittyKat on November 05, 2013, 12:08:52 AM I think the people around Brian may have been exaggerating about him lying in bed for three years straight. It may have seemed like he was, but he still had visitors and went out at night, as pointed out. I have an old Melody Maker book of compiled interviews that I found in a used bookstore. It has an interview with Brian that was done around 1973 or so, the height of his so-called bed period. Brian seemed fairly normal in the interview, playing records for the reporter and being far more articulate than he later became. I'm sure he had problems, but he wasn't doing that badly at times.
Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Bicyclerider on November 05, 2013, 11:58:26 AM Thursday April 4 1974 While still in Los Angeles on holiday, Paul and Linda decide to pay a visit to Brian Wilson, the now reclusive member of The Beach Boys, at his Bel Air home. They McCartneys bang on the door for over an hour, but Wilson refuses to let them in. Paul and Linda knew Brian was there, because they could hear him inside quietly crying to himself. With no alternative, Paul and Linda depart from the house and head on their way. Must have been a REALLy slow day in McCartneyland. I'm hard pressed to think of anytime I'd stand outside banging on someone's door, for more than an hour. "Brian, Pretty Please, with coke on top, open the door". Nah, I think they might have been there, maybe, 20 minutes... If they'd just said "pretty please, we have burgers and some birthday cake to share" he would have opened the door. Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Slow In Brain on November 05, 2013, 06:46:00 PM Add Cruise To Harlem and Just 14 to the Bed Years comp :)
Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: phirnis on November 05, 2013, 09:38:32 PM I think the people around Brian may have been exaggerating about him lying in bed for three years straight. It may have seemed like he was, but he still had visitors and went out at night, as pointed out. I have an old Melody Maker book of compiled interviews that I found in a used bookstore. It has an interview with Brian that was done around 1973 or so, the height of his so-called bed period. Brian seemed fairly normal in the interview, playing records for the reporter and being far more articulate than he later became. I'm sure he had problems, but he wasn't doing that badly at times. I'd love to read that interview, is it available anywhere else? Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Andrew G. Doe on November 05, 2013, 11:37:08 PM Not seen it online. I'll see if I can scan the version I have that's in a book of collected MM articles.. There's some useful info about Spring.
Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: The Shift on November 06, 2013, 03:40:35 AM I have a pretty interesting story that kinda relates to this topic. About a year ago when I was first realizing my issues I was really hesitant about talking to anyone about it, I used music and if you go back you can hear that in some tracks. Anyway, I had a few days where I was so down I was afraid I was in danger, most people who've dealt with this know sometimes you don't really want to die, you want to escape, and I feel like that's what Brian was feeling. During the day he hid from fear, he didn't stay in his room all the time, he just went up when he was feeling down (fortunate pun...) He still went out at night, he was just dealing with his issues on his own. Man, I spent two whole weeks in my room straight listening to Pet Sounds and writing... Actually, I listened to A Day In The Life of a Tree for almost a few days on repeat. It's all about getting away from the pain :/ Appreciate that - many thanks for posting it. I think sometimes that seeing traits you recognise and can relate to in public figures - especially idols - actually helps sort things and bring a little clarity. I've had similar episodes of tuning out of the rest of the world by constantly playing the same music again and again. Eventually I've found I pass through something and come out the other side in a slightly different shape, usually stronger for it. Either music, or a bloody long walk (or both), help that process. Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Andrew G. Doe on November 06, 2013, 04:32:52 AM I just come here and insult selected posters. ;D
Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: The Shift on November 06, 2013, 05:36:49 AM I just come here and insult selected posters. ;D … so we go listen to music for a few weeks, then crawl back for more … :shrug Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Bean Bag on November 06, 2013, 06:41:45 AM Lessee, mid-1973 - late 1975... Known recording sessions: fall 1973 - Ding Dang 3/2/74 - Brian's Jam (= Shortenin' Bread)/Clangin' spring 1974 - Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me bvs (original) 6/10/74 - Ding Dang summer 1974 - Just An Imitation and Why Don't You Try Me mid-October 1974 - It's OK/Honeycomb 11/4/74 - Good Timin'/Brian's Tune (= 'dirty' version of Ding Dang) [Caribou ?] 11/5/74 - Battle Hymn Of The Republic/Child Of Winter [Caribou ?] 11/12/74 - California Feelin'/Lucy Jones [Western] 11/18/74 - Child Of Winter 3/12/75 - unknown title [RCA] 5/29/75 - Why Do Fools Fall In Love/Ding Dang/Money Honey [RCA] spring 1975 - Help Me Rhonda bvs summer 1975 - Boat to Sail bvs September 1975 - Back Home mid-October 1975 - Come To The Sunshine [Sound Factory] Other stuff: June 1973 - flies to NYC with Diane after Murry dies August 1974 - Endless Summer gold disc photoshoot Not bad for someone who stayed in bed for two years. ;D AGD, are you being sarcastic? :-D Cuz, too me, that doesn't sound like a whole lot of accomplishments. Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Andrew G. Doe on November 06, 2013, 08:49:35 AM For someone who stayed in bed for two whole years, I think it's pretty impressive. ;D
Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Roger Ryan on November 06, 2013, 09:22:12 AM To help keep this in prospective, I was still reading published newspaper articles within the past year that refer actively to Brian being a recluse. If touring the world for the past 14 years and recording/releasing/promoting eight-plus albums gets you labeled a "recluse" than I must be an absolute hermit. It's hard to kill a story angle once its been established and even harder when the story is a truly bizarre one.
Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: smilethebeachboysloveyou on November 06, 2013, 09:28:16 AM For someone who stayed in bed for two whole years, I think it's pretty impressive. ;D I didn't stay in bed for the last two years, but "Ding Dang" is a lot more impressive than anything I've done in that time. Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: celticsurfer on November 06, 2013, 10:46:54 AM Hello Andrew, Are you writing about that Melody MaKer article in which Richard Williams wrote about Brian playin A complete version of Heroes and Villains at the piano in front of him and Marilyn teeling RW that Brian was like " that" years before (ie 1966/1967)? I think I can get you one copy as I have them all.
Title: Re: Brian Wilson - The Bed Years Post by: Andrew G. Doe on November 06, 2013, 11:28:27 AM That would be the one, yes.
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