The Smiley Smile Message Board

Just saw this on Brian's facebook page....
:( :( :( https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10158159064517241&id=34250497240

Oh, no....

 :(

Just found out,...sh*t

OMG!

Oh no that is terrible.

Thank you so much for the amazing shows.

My condolences to his family, friends and all the band past and present.

I am so sorry to hear this. While I never met Nicky, he seemed like such a great guy. Rest in Peace, thoughts and prayers to his family, friends, and bandmates.

I’m shocked. Sad day indeed.

Met Nicky once, damn he was nice, he made that band so freakin cool. I’m in Rochester, NY, not going to tonight’s show in Lewiston NY, but I’ll be at Friday’s Show. Gonna be a sad one.

(https://i.imgur.com/VHA4TI3.jpg)

Sending prayers for his family and friends. What an incredible talent and he will be missed badly. I hope Brian and the band are doing okay :(

I'm at a loss right now. He was extremely nice to my family when we saw Brian the  last time...I get off work in 2 hours and am dreading telling my daughter. Doesn't feel or seem right at all.

such sad and shocking news, and what awful timing.

Nicky had so much style and charisma on stage and the chops to back it all up, a perfect supporting musician.
I spoke to him briefly in Ann Arbor on Brian's first little tour with The Wondermints back in '99.

he was obviously a huge fan, at least as obsessed as I was, and you could tell how excited and honored he was to play with Brian.
I remember asking if he'd suggest playing Busy Doin Nothin to Brian and he lit up and said something like, "That would be so cool!"

sure enough, the band was playing it within a few years along with so many other great songs we never thought we'd hear Brian perform.
I know Nicky had a lot to do with helping make Brian feel comfortable and confident in general and also in some of his deeper cuts, including SMiLE and so much more.

thank you Nicky. I always enjoyed what you brought to the band and I hope you're jamming with Carl and Dennis right about now.

Wow, how sad. I looked up his age and he was only 59. I never met him but I've seen the band a few times, and he was obviously integral. I still remember that scene in Beautiful Dreamer where Brian makes him do "You're under arrest" repeatedly. Condolences to all his friends and family.

Great tribute indeed, Bossaroo that echo my thoughts completely. How sad for Brian and the band and Nicky's family. So very sad and condolences for everyone. :'(

This is a sad, sad loss. His own music was freakin' amazing, too.

My favorite Nicky Wonder memory will always be him waving the Jolly Roger flag during the transition between On a Holiday and Wind Chimes in the Smile concerts.

Damn. That is insane. RIP.

This is so sad. Anyone have any details as to the cause of death?

Gosh. I'm absolutely heartbroken. And it's just so sad, as Brian's group is (and has been) full of such lovely people. What a shame.

Rest in peace, Nick.

So shocked and sad.  Nicky was a great guitar player but what I loved most was how much he loved the music and the way he was around Brian.  It seems like he continued to get a thrill from playing this music with Brian, even after doing it for many years. 

Condolences to his family, and I hope it gives them some comfort to know that Nicky gave us so much happiness by helping to bring this amazing music to life with Brian’s band.   

https://youtu.be/WBXE2tssCLU

RIP Nicky

Doesn’t feel real. He was such a nice man; from just a brief interaction I could tell especially the way he was with Jaymie. I’m still trying to process this and I have no words to express what I want to say

This sucks.

Oh man, how sad.  He was my favorite part of the backing band.  He brought a real distinct and authentic style, and skillfully walked that fine line between making you notice him and making sure it wasn't all about him. 

I’m in shock.  I’m all set to see Brian on Friday and was very much looking forward to seeing the great Nicky Wonder.  I will always remember Harrisburg, PA July 2000.  I was with my buddies and we weren’t sure where we were going.  I saw a guy with a Pet Sounds press pass on and asked him, “hey man, do you know where the show is?”.  He replied, “yeah, I’m the guitar player”.  We talked a bit as we walked and he could tell how much of a fan I was.  When we got to the venue he said, “wait here”.  A couple minutes later he appeared and said “I have good news and bad news....the good news is I got 4 back stage passes, the bad news is only 1 is signed by Brian”.  I was flipping out!  I literally ran to a CVS to buy a disposable camera and ran back.  I was drenched in sweat and we barely made the 8:00 start.  We had front row seats and backstage passes, what a night.  I’m now an elementary music teacher and tell this story each year when I teach about Brian and the boys.  I still have the pics and the autographs.  As I walked out on cloud nine, I accidentally knocked over Brian’s Diet Coke and it spilled everywhere!

Fast forward to summer 2013 at the Golden Nugget in Atlantic City.  Awesome show.  Afterwards my Dad and I leave our hotel room around midnight to do a little gambling.  Who do we run into?  Nicky Wonder!  He’s got his post show meal and he’s by himself.  I go up to him and say, “excuse me, but I have to tell you, great show tonight...and one more thing, you did a really nice thing for me 13 years ago, you got me to meet Brian and I just wanted to say thanks!”.  He said he remembered, but of course I think he was just being nice.  The really weird thing is I had a premonition days before the show that I would meet Nicky and thank him for 2000.  Anyways, his act of kindness will stay with me always.  Brian’s late career renaissance is directly due to Nicky and the Wondermints.  RIP Nicky!!

That summed him up perfectly

If Mars..., that's a lovely story.

I always thought Nicky's talents were so integral to the sound and that he was underrated for what he did. His guitar was always perfect to recapture the magic of Pet Sounds, Smile etc...

a sad day :(

That's the kind of thing that makes Brian propose marriage.

I suppose now it’s time to ask... what was the hat all about?

RIP Nicky

Nick was a true original, but yet that description doesn’t quite do him justice either. As part of Wondermints, he was a strong singer/songwriter who travelled where his muse would take him. 60’s styled harmony pop? No problem! Jazz-tinged lounge? Why not? Beautiful folk pop? Cool! If Darian’s songs often wore their hearts on their sleeves, Nick’s songs often had that mischievous twinkle.  When they got the gig with Brian Wilson, Nick often supplied those Carl Wilson-worthy guitar tones that hadn’t been heard on live performances of Beach Boys music since Carl Wilson had stopped using a Fender Jazzmaster. Watching Nick play the solo melody on the PET SOUNDS title track was always a treat because of how much he put of his own into it.

Anyone who loves pop music owes it to themselves to seek out the 4 albums Wondermints made between 1994 and 2002. And after that, offer up an Excelsior to Nicky Wonder.

The perfect share. Thanks so much! In a horrible coincidence, I was traveling to and from, and attending my husband's memorial service on 8/7, so I'll try to take this in as a can. I guess we can find out if we run out of tears.

What terrible losses we are experiencing. I hope this indicates that we can join them at some special place (if we behave ourselves)...and that Nicky will be there with his guitar.

Gotta pay my respects to Nicky. RIP friend. The greatest backing band in the world is a little less great without you... but you will live on in the music. Really enjoyed hearing you perform these songs I love dearly and damn, you not only did them justice, but elevated the music to another level. Thank you for the amazing memories.

http://floodmagazine.com/65965/remembering-nick-walusko-1960-2019/

Very sorry you lost your husband, Debbie. Sending good energy your way.

Seconded, Debbie. Sending much love your way

I'm so sorry, Debbie. Sincere condolences.  :(

EM

Wonderful  article, sad days.  Thank you sir for the great music and spirit.

Agree, that's a great tribute to Nick.

Debbie, I am so sorry to hear of your loss.

Fashion, that's all. If you're talking about the furry hat he wore sometimes, I'm sure his Russian roots (his name is Walusko, after all) have something to do with it.

Such incredibly sad news. Loved watching him play with his array of guitars (the danelectros and jazzmasters etc). RIP Nicky. Must have been very hard for the band to play so soon after.

There's a GoFundMe now to raise money for:

• Nick's funeral
• Finishing his album Memories of Tomorrow
• Donations to the SPCA in honor of his rescued chihuahua Ringo

URL: https://www.gofundme.com/f/aqwfm-nicky-wonder-nick-walusko-memorial-fund

I just saw this thread a few minutes ago (I've been away too long, obviously).  I'm shocked and saddened to hear of Nicky Wonder's death.  I didn't meet him, but I enjoyed his playing at two Brian shows in the past few years.  For those of you who did meet him, I appreciate your sharing your stories.  It sounds like he was good people as well as a fine musician.

Debbie KL, I'm also sad to hear of your husband's death.

Love and mercy, and good vibrations to all concerned.

It made me feel less helpless to support this GoFundMe. Thanks for posting. What a wonderful cause that I think all of us can support on some level.

And thanks for all of your generous sympathies over the loss of my husband. He was such a special man.

Oh Deb, I am so very sad and sorry to hear of your husband's passing. All I can do here is forward my profound wishes that he found peace and that you can withstand his absence and stay strong through this difficult time. Please know that many are thinking of you and wishing the best we possibly can.  :'(

In PS DVD, when Jeff Foskett toured with Brian's band, coolest thing to me been Nicky's "Here Today" solo. Listening to 1966 record, that place in music seemed & still seems really difficult to play. Then I see the PS film & this guy with headgear plays it just like that, as if it's easiest thing to do. I respected Nicky Wonder's talent since then. & found who's who in Brian's band, their names & talents.

Seconded. You’re a dear friend and just know we’re thinking of you during this difficult time.

Yes! It’s my favorite moment of the DVD  and I rewatched it several times since Nick passed

That and him playing the song 'Pet Sounds' - I don't know if I'd even considered it was a guitar until watching him play it! Every nuance is in there.

He ruled that song!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBXE2tssCLU