The Smiley Smile Message Board

I found out about this not long ago and apparently it is coming out this year to coincide with Brian’s 80th birthday.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/God-Only-Knows-Wilson-California/dp/1913172759/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1T00ZQ5B6V4LN&keywords=David+leaf&qid=1648132509&sprefix=david+leaf%252Caps%252C156&sr=8-4&_encoding=UTF8&tag=davidleaf-21&linkCode=ur2&linkId=aab0475510fe9c49dae939d12c2367c7&camp=1634&creative=6738

It might be fun to watch the heads over at the other board explode in rage all over again!

Excellent news! An essential addition to any fans' bookshelves, and since it was so hard to find (or very expensive in the collector market) for so long, a long-overdue reissue.

I'll have my popcorn and cold beer ready for the latter event... :lol

Thank you for this news -

until now I haven't been able to locate a copy here in The Netherlands. So I am glad that this updated and expanded edition will be available quite soon.

It does have a special place in the history of the Beach Boys and Brian Wilson.

The timing of its appearance is well chosen... Brian Wilson going to be eighty years of age... all in all, what a story it is!

Thirty-seven years is a long time between editions (about the same length of time, in fact, that it took for SMiLE to emerge from the shadows), so there is much to cover. And David was, of course, part of Brian's story throughout much of that period, so he has much more first-hand material with which to work. Looking forward to it and hoping that the page count listed at Amazon UK (480 pages) is on the money.

The Lovester contingent over at the Nearest Faraway Place is doing some sniping at this development, of course...whatever. Oddly enough, just before this news broke, they were indulging themselves with yet another "Beach Boys myths" thread, which revolved mostly around their usual complaints. Nobody had gotten around to trashing the late Loren Schwartz as yet, so they still have some slithering room left...

I got a good laugh out of one of the "myths" in that thread, that supposedly some people believe that literally every thing bad that happened to Brian was Mike's fault. In all my years of being a fan I've never ran across anyone saying anything remotely close to this...the exaggerations speak volumes.

Consider the source(s).

I'm going to editorialize a bit further here, and while I don't know exactly what's being said today or whatever elsewhere, I can speak from previous examples. It was disgusting to see the names and reputations of Michael Vosse, David Anderle, and others who were in Brian's Smile-era circle of friends being dragged through the mud and even slandered as was happening especially around 6-10 years ago. There were people suggesting these men were leeches, hangers-on, interlopers, drug users/dealers, and hell Mike in his book even suggested David Anderle was a crook who stole revenue from his band. The suggestion was even made (here) that Jules Siegel and his Smile article were sexist, and his reporting of events should be discounted because of that.

There are not enough angry words to say in response to that kind of crap, and that kind of false narrative.

I'll just say that such crap comes from a place similar to the political landscape in the US in recent times, where the narrative and the agenda takes precedent over the facts and accurate reporting, and if someone gets in the way of the narrative, attempts are made to denigrate if not destroy or "cancel" them entirely. Sound familiar? To me it does.

The issues with the original Leaf book touch on points made from first-person accounts of people who were there countering what was suggested in other narratives, books, lawsuits, etc. As often happens, when there are not hard facts to make a valid rebuke, the character assassinations begin. And when we saw people trying to slander Vosse, Anderle, etc it looked like the issue was more with what those men saw and recounted in various interviews versus their own character and accuracy. Yet, some started to go after them personally, made even more disgusting when they did it after they had passed away and were not able to reply or defend themselves. And when Marilyn Wilson, on camera, backs up similar versions of events, what happens...

My take is and always has been that men like David Anderle and Michael Vosse were among those in Brian's circle in 1966-67 who were there supporting him, and being open and enthusiastic to his ideas, no matter how wild they may have been. Brian NEEDED THIS kind of basic support. And he was not getting it at that time from his family and his bandmates to the level I think he may have wanted or needed. Michael Vosse spoke directly to this in his "Fusion" article. And above all, these specific friends cared a lot about Brian, and continued to express that for decades after their official work with the band and Brother had ended.

Loyalty and support...essential and priceless. Also a level of honesty and truth when relating various events...too rare in many cases with this band. And genuinely good guys who went on to have very successful careers in their chosen fields and whose names are respected in their industries, David's accomplishments in the music and film business and Michael's in the TV news business, for two examples.

So the guys who did have Brian's back at that time and beyond are worthy of being dragged through the mud and called leeches, hangers-on, and even crooks?

Hell no. That won't stand. And it's not supported by the facts. It's sad fans have to choose who to believe, but as always trust your gut and consider the full histories of those involved when making those choices and when reading books such as David Leaf's book and reading the accounts of Anderle, Vosse, etc. Then consider why such efforts have been made to go after these individuals personally rather than address the issues they've reported and raised.

@Guitarfool, it is amazing the amount of disinformation that gets spewed out by some people. Remember when Brian had very little to do with the Wild Honey production, but the tapes told a completely different story? Funny how a lot of those myths are aimed at one camp with the intent to discredit and slander. Meanwhile, someone brings up one fact about one of Mike's ill-conceived deeds and heads explode.

I wonder if in their "myths" thread we'll get to hear the myth about Melinda adopting her kids for the tax break?

I didn’t do it Rab! ;D

It is amazing, yes, but maybe even more sad is how it's not surprising. The "Wild Honey" mythology was definitely one of the major issues for a long time, and anyone who has access to the tapes (which is *everyone* at this point) can hear the real story as it happened, not how it was spun or written about years later.

Don't hold your breath waiting for that "myth" you mention to be busted. And that is only one out of many.  ::)

And I'll expand a little further on this topic, and bring it closer to home: What about the lies, distortions, and misinformation that has been and probably continues to be spread about things that happened here? This is ONE example out of many, call it the tip of a very large iceberg of false information circulating.

There have been comments and criticisms suggesting Lorren Daro was banned or otherwise removed from this forum after a series of posts he made here and subsequent conversations with the members.

Let me bust some mythology (and some spite-driven bubbles too) and say this is simply false. The proof is as easy as - wait for it - actually reading the board's archives. If you're not so inclined, here's the proof in the form of his final post here, save for one he posted later about Mike's book:


He left voluntarily. He was NOT banned, he was not asked to leave by the admins here, he was not cut off, and you can still access and read his posts up to the day he left. Why some would persist in "blaming the mods" for him leaving simply makes no sense, but again it sadly is not surprising. In fact, most of the issues and problems that came up while he was posting here came from members who were either banned later for their breaking of the board rules here and/or left voluntarily to set up shop at other forums where the false information about what happened with Lorren Daro continued to be repeated. The only thing I removed from that post quote above was his email address at the very end, which is obviously no longer active. For those who are blaming something other than the truth of what happened, there it is on full display, as are his previous posts and discussions he had while he was here.

So in that regard, it truly is that easy to counter all of the false info. And multiply that by however many additional lies or myths continue to be written or repeated about various goings-on here, and it's a pretty huge iceberg of a situation that can easily be challenged and shattered by simply considering the facts, of which many are fully available to view here.

Thanks, GF, for the great detailed followup on Loren Schwartz/Lorren Daro and other aspects of the "dark past" that have floated through (and, happily, away from) the SS board. With other pressing matters taking precedence of late, I'd simply forgotten about his eloquent parting note and I appreciated his singling out those of us who pushed back against the "prosecutors" and simply asked that he be given a fair hearing. When it became clear that he had negative memories of Mike Love, however, things got definitely got rough! "Innocent until proven guilty" is still the operating practice, but that sure wasn't how that "honored guest" (!!) thread went down!  :police:

I notice we've gotten some attention from them with this thread, so perhaps we should mention that many of the "myths" they are busting over there (pins furiously stabbing at all the balloons they keep blowing up...) are in fact "myths." But there are certain topics that still seem to send them into paroxysms; I'm slightly hopeful that they'll leave the WILD HONEY "myth" alone, given how definitively those strange notions have been debunked. (But I mean, really, guys, how could any die-hard follower of the band listen to that record and not hear Brian's fingerprints all over it? Not to mention all those B. Wilson-M. Love songwriting credits--and hey, let's take this moment to give Mike kudos for some of his best work ever).

There are many, many, MANY solid posts over there, and that's why, in the main, it's worth keeping tabs on things over there. For one, there's a lot of good Joshilyn material that doesn't always come over here for one. Many informative threads. And some folks who are a consistent pleasure to read (Alan Smith, for one). We're grateful for several folk who selflessly travel back and forth, past "checkpoint Charlie" without need of a passport or an armed guard. :lol But as a congregation they really do have a "little girl with the curl" syndrome that just keeps on keepin' on!

I know I shouldn't poke the bear, but it's so darned hard to resist!  :3d

It always amazes me how attempts are made to completely rewrite events that happened, spin events a certain way based on whatever narratives are in play, or just outright lie about things (like the Lorren Daro history on this board) when the truth is literally available for all to see on demand. And again, multiply that by any number of issues, and yet the lies and distortions have persisted for, what, 7 years at this point? Absolutely ridiculous. But the only way to combat this kind of crap is to point out the truth of what was said or done, which is why the Daro history was relevant here.

That's the thing, there are good posts and great posters there. I get that some over there seem dumbfounded that people here would read their posts (and I completely sympathize with their outlook as usually their drivel isn't worth the time of day), but there are many others there who contribute great content/information that is worth reading.


Just a quick look at the history of the people who do this "rewriting" and you'll find the same patterns of disinformation in many other areas - and as I say, it's usually aimed at one camp. Case in point:


:lol get off Smiley Smile and back to firing Darian! He's supposedly been fired more times than Billy Martin, right??
_____

And back to the main topic...this is great news and I'm looking forward to adding this book to my collection.

I'm a little confused by some of the Daro issue here. Yes, it's incorrect to say that he was banned. But the thread was taken down after he left and wasn't left up for public view.

The thread is up in its entirety now, in the "Ask The Honored Guests" section, where it was originally housed. The admins will have to respond to the nit about whether it was pulled from view for awhile. The thread was locked by Billy on January 30, 2015; Lorren Daro passed away early in 2017.

There were several different issues: Lorren had posted something that showed up on a blog back in 2012. In early 2015 Lorren posted his reply to comments made to that blog post from 2012 here, some 3 years after the fact. The same things also appeared on the Hoffman forum. It got contentious here, the Hoffman folks pulled down his thread, there were whispers of slander and other potential crap that wasn't needed beyond all the arguing going on, and the decision was made to remove it here too. First, it was a 3 year old post that appeared elsewhere, second, it was causing a lot of issues here over comments made elsewhere. It was never deleted, and it still exists. The last post to that discussion was January 19, 2015. Lorren was not banned, or removed, he left voluntarily and stated that he was leaving voluntarily.

Another thread started January 20, the next day, about the missing thread. Lorren came back to post in that thread, and that thread was moved to the honored guests sub-forum where it still resides and is readable today. Lorren again voluntarily withdrew from the discussions, and only posted one more time in 2016 about Mike's book.

He was not banned. He was not forced off the forum. The majority of his posts are still accessible and anyone can read them who chooses. The sum total of his posts to the initial thread - replying to comments posted to a blog unrelated to this forum from three years prior - was *eight posts*. When he basically apologized for his initial posts, the ones that caused the issues here and elsewhere, everyone was allowed to engage him and ask questions, and he was replying. Yes, it got contentious, but he was allowed to converse with people here until he again voluntarily chose to withdraw from the discussions. After he did that, the decision was made to lock the thread since he was no longer there and it was page after page of...well, you can see it firsthand if you choose.

That's pretty much what happened. Explanations were given multiple times while the issues with that first thread were happening, and the decision was made which some supported and others didn't. When Lorren did come back to have actual discussions with members here, versus replying to what was said on old blog comments, he was allowed to do so until he decided to leave.

No bans, no being forced off, nothing of the sort. Anyone who suggests otherwise is either misinformed, or full of it.

Again with the Lorren Daro incidents, it's just one of those myths about this forum that keeps getting repeated with no basis in fact, or acknowledgement of what actually happened, made increasingly frustrating by the fact anyone can still read what he wrote when he voluntarily left.

Just to hammer this home yet again, and bust whatever mythology is still circulating, here are his own words:

It might have been pulled and then put back up . It’s been years…I could check the archives but honestly I’ve got more important things to deal with right now, mainly real life (my son was born two months early last month and has been in NICU). That said, I will say this… I WAS going to ban Daro but he quit before I could, for many many reasons ( including some borderline slander involving Terry Sachen). What’s darkly hilarious is that many of the people over “there “ bitching about him leaving the board (regardless of circumstances) now were calling for his ouster back then.

The initial posts were pulled, of which Lorren himself had only 8 of them. The subsequent discussion he joined after his explanation and an apology was never pulled and has never been unavailable to read. After he left, it was locked.

Heh. I got flamed by one of the mods *here* by daring question that everything was Mike's fault.

Was it this?

http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,26531.msg649204.html#msg649204 (http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,26531.msg649204.html#msg649204)










I'm not sure what you're referring to, but if that's not it then please provide the example and I'll be glad to address it and apologize if necessary.

Because that exchange was about the end of C50 and not having to do with "everything bad that happened to Brian" but rather the end of C50 and the notion that one email ended it. Again if it's something else please quote what I said and I'll address it.

That was the extent of my exchanges with you in that discussion, if that's what you're referring to. That's all I can think of because I can't recall any other specific exchanges I've had with you other than when you asked about home recording and how to get that 60's picked bass tone, or something similar, and I definitely didn't flame anyone there  :). Again if you felt like I flamed you in the above discussion, I apologize to you now for using the words I did and making it seem too personal. I was more suggesting the narrative about that single email ending C50 isn't the whole story, that the narrative suggesting this is a crock, and there is more context than what's being presented. I'm sorry if it felt like it was attacking you instead of the issue.

But it's not the same thing as Rab was saying in his comment.

Welcome back Don! I was missing you. :)

If the C50 discussion was indeed your example of this, I guess I just don't understand what the benefits are of exaggerating that such a discussion equates to Mike being blamed for everything. I get that Dirk posted it just to piss people off, but I'm more surprised that others out there would perpetuate this nonsense.

To me, the exaggerations serve no fruitful purpose.

This is great! Ordered

Sigh....I broke down and pre-ordered from the UK site. Man, with the shipping to the US, I'm probably paying double what I'd pay if I'd waited. Just to get the most value out of my money that I could, I checked "This is a gift" and put "That's all about a girl who had to use falsies. Y'know - false breasts." as the gift message.

Just arrived today. Beautiful copy.

Can't wait to read it

I was highly anticipating this as one of the very first things I read about the BB's was the 1985 version, which cemented my fandom that year at age 17.  Having received and read latest version over the weekend, I have to say I am disappointed.  Besides Leaf beating his own chest about how great the first book was (it was), my biggest letdown was the total absence of discussion on Brian's relationships with the group since 1985.  For instance, the aborted 1995 Don Was recording sessions is not even mentioned. The entire C50 negotiations, tour, album and aftermath (arguably the biggest event in the Beach Boys world sine the last version of this book) received a total of 1 sentence. What is there is good, I  was just hoping for a lot more.

Having read the book, I suspect that the reasons C50, etc., weren't mentioned, was because, as the author made clear, the scope of the update was going to be limited to what he had more firsthand knowledge of. This becomes especially true during the time period that C50 would have fallen under, because he had serious matters in his own personal life to deal with, and that had to take priority. The update wasn't going to be a brand new biography as such, because, as he wrote, he felt that he was documenting Brian pretty much year-by-year in real time for awhile with the projects he was involved with.

My copy came today--kudos to David for a very judicious yet still extremely satisfying coda to his earlier work. Stripping the original book down to the text has the effect of adding more weight to those words, and while there are (ahem) folks who will always take issue with David's unabashed exaltation of Brian, it must be said that without the original book and the ministrations that he and others provided, what we've all enjoyed (and agonized about) over the past quarter century would never have occurred. Had Brian become another "rock'n'roll casualty," I think Mike and Bruce would have been out of business, and the band would be seen in a much different light than has become the case. Let's get down to cases: Brian's survival is the most prominent reason why the band and its (primarily his) music is so revered today--his ability to overcome his demons is a powerful part of the entire narrative.

David may not have been the ace researcher or musical analyst in the pantheon of Beach Boys/Brian Wilson experts who've evolved over the past forty years, but he was essential to creating an environment where all of that could flourish. By "going inside," he helped to make things happen that clearly would never have come to pass otherwise.

As for what he didn't talk about, atp nails many of the reasons why such is the case. Additionally, I suspect that David knows about the factions that have grown up amidst Beach Boys fans and he (wisely, IMO) decided to pull back on material that would fan those flames any further. C50 is really a dead issue, except for those who are invested in "shifting the blame"--and David's involvement in that was, as noted, minimal. As it is, some of the cranks across at the NFP are clucking at him for his nineteen-year-old over-enthusiasm in peppering Mike Love with questions, as if it is a revelation of some telling character flaw. I commend David for revealing such "flaws" to us as he shows how his own perspective on life has grown over the years--and I'm especially glad to read more quotes from Debbie Keil, whose presence here is sorely missed.

Congratulations to a man of many accomplishments for a very satisfying coda to a story with a happier narrative arc than many of us care to admit. As for the larger picture: Brian's music may not be able to save the world, but it will always offer joy and solace to us no matter what happens. We are lucky to have it with us whenever we need it, and it will never let us down.

I hope people are enjoying the book. I'm glad that we have a color version of my father's painting in it this time around and I was very happy to contribute the handwritten Smile-era Brian note that I inherited from pop as well.

The original edition was obviously very personally meaningful to me and it's great that it is once again widely available, in addition to being significantly enhanced.

Congratulations to David.

Going to start reading it tonight and continue over the weekend. I've never read it so I'm very much looking forward to it.

I understand why that is the case, but still disappointing to me.

Got the book via Kindle a few days ago, and I'm on the chapter covering the post-Smile era in the late 1960s. Superb read.

Thank you for your contribution, and yes having the portrait in color is fantastic for fans who haven't seen it in such detail. I'm hoping at some point, in some project to come, that a full set of color photos from LAX, October '66 is also made available to fans. Those airport photos represent to me one of the most creative and exciting times in the entire saga. And your Dad was one of those who showed Brian Wilson support and love for him and his art and creativity when he really needed it, many thanks to him and friends like Michael Vosse for being there and doing what he did with and for Brian.

The book is a must-read. For all those trying to dismiss the book and David himself because they don't like some of the hard truths told in the book, I know fans who read it will make up their own minds and enjoy a fantastic read, despite the naysayers and character assassins currently trying to rewrite history.

I received David's book last Thursday and have now read and reviewed it on Amazon. IMO it's essential reading for anyone who loves Brian Wilson's and The Beach Boys' music. The Beach Boys and the California Myth was probably the first serious book on the band and certainly the first to tell Brian's side of the story rather than to subscribe to the convenient myth that Brian's problems were all of his own making, through drug use and mental health issues. The book is fair and honest; it does not sensationalise the story but shows considerable integrity. Immense insight into Brian's life and personality, and the 2022 update, mainly focusing on David's work with and for Brian, ends on such a positive note in comparison to the earlier editions.

David quotes Bruce Johnston who apparently said of some of the people around Brian 'If they couldn't swim, they'd rather take a shower than take a chance'. It does seem to show that Brian suffered from lack of support. That lack of support certainly doesn't apply to David. But if he has championed Brian, he has done it entirely honourably, as befits a champion.

Welcome to you, Angela. The reviews at Amazon UK for David's book are all 5-star, including one from AGD (a fact that doesn't seem to have fully registered over at the NFP).

Thanks Don! I did used to post here as Ang but had to re-register because of problems logging in.

I noticed AGD's review and did accept it as helpful (though he did have to get in his 50 years as a historian...!). I seem to remember his having rather mixed feelings about the original edition of the book but perhaps he has revised those opinions.... I think the accusations of anti-Mike bias in California Myth were really over-stated. David was IMO trying to balance the gaslighting of Brian Wilson, not that he ever used that word of course. Claim it's the drugs and mental illness and it's easy to dismiss a person. Not that I am suggesting that drugs and mental illness weren't a part of it... just not the ONLY part.  The 2022 update is scrupulously fair - the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the C50: had David wanted to go for Mike he had plenty of ammunition! I can understand why he didn't go down this road. It would have been counter-productive anyway, just given the naysayers an opportunity to dismiss David. I'm glad that David suggested various Google searches so that people could find out for themselves.

I am somehat confused. Are there photographs in this print? I am reading about the Anderle painting in color, but also about how it is text only.

There are some photographs but not all of those that were in the first edition. Mainly text.

Add David Leaf to the EH board shitlist…. ::)

Mmm...not really. At least, not yet. There appears to be fallout because David has decided to bypass a visit to our fine feathered friends there after seeing how things played out with Howie. But the BBCGRS* reading is only at 4.4 at this point, as opposed to the Loma Prieta level they achieved with Howie. (The "big one," of course, occurred here, which permanently created the BB chat group version of the San Andreas Fault...)

Oh, and BTW...that thread over there called "Over at Smiley" where AGD had posted a clandestine lament about the events that had transpired with Howie...has been disappeared from the board.  Having had a sneaking hunch that this might happen, I made a point of copying that entry over into a Word file just in case. Here is the text:

"Exactly. I've been a "hard" fan since summer 1975 and though I never thought it would happen, the events of the last few weeks/months have just sucked all the joy out of it for me. I'm close to done with this band, at least to the extent I have been. I posted my thoughts on the latest release here at the time. As for Howie, he's been doing his job, and very well: he's all over the 'net and while he's not been single-handedly responsible for the reboot hitting the Top 30, that's got to have been a factor. But, some elected to focus on individual sentences instead of the overall message, and we lost what could have been a huge asset to this forum. So he didn't post much: 396 people who've registered with this board since it began haven't posted at all. That's almost exactly half. How many posts anyone makes is a meaningless metric (look at my posting total for proof of that). I need to work out how, or if, I can make all this fun for myself again and right now, with the added joy of there being new members who seem to have come here with the express intent of stirring it, I'm not seeing it. Some will see this as a good thing, and they could well be right. Time to regroup and reconsider. Back in my 30s I had a tshirt that said "I'm too old to have to put up with all this sh*t". If only I'd known..."

These are clearly the scattered, despairing laments of someone who knows that some real political damage occurred in that thread. And if I hadn't seen AGD relentlessly and remorselessly go after Lorren Daro's jugular here some years back, I'd probably be able to muster some sympathy for him, since he certainly wasn't close to being the main instigator of that firestorm. And we will continue to admire and use Bellagio10452 with the hope that all of this fallout will not cause it to disappear in a fashion similar to the post above.

This isn't meant as gloating--this is all sad stuff. In the meantime, I urge those who don't want to wait for the US release of David's book to purchase it from Amazon UK in whatever format they feel they can afford. While the price for the UK print edition is certainly not cheap, I can tell you that it's worth every penny/shilling/pound/dollar and more.

---
*BBCGRS = "Beach Boy Chat Group Richter Scale"

As usual you are wrong. Your hunch is full of crap. The over at smiley thread has not nor never was deleted. It was moved. Moved to forum feedback. In all its glory. Save space on your computer and delete that word file. Not needed. You can find andrew’s post there anytime you wanna look. And for someone who likes to say you hate the eh board you sure seem to spend a lot of time going there. Witty you are not.

Thank you Angela for the info about the photographs.

You are welcome.

The photographs in the centre of the book are in colour and those that appear amongst the text are in black and white.

Steve, it might as well be disappeared, given that "Forum Feedback" is about as far from the mainstream material on the board as one can get. And the moderator has seen fit to lock it for a second time (and hopefully this time it will stay locked!).

And, as is often the case, you fail to address the salient points made elsewhere in the post and remind us that you continue to manifest only intermittent control over "reptilian brain" functions when posting either here or over there.

And you'd be surprised (chagrined?) to discover just how witty some of the folk over at the NFP think I am, when they provide likes for my posts over there under my alias--including, IIRC, you yourself.

If that revelation makes folks over there more paranoid...well, it can't be helped.

Meanwhile, folks here might be interested to see AGD's review of David's book. It's a good one, and is part of the growing praise for David's highly satisfying "full circle" performance as captured in the new volume. Here is what he had to say:

"I bought both previous editions of this when they were published in 1978 & 1985 respectively, so the news that some 37 years later it was being updated was hugely welcomed. Was it worth the wait ? Yes, very much so. Anyone who claims to be a Brian Wilson/Beach Boys fan of any hue needs to read this book. Comprising the full text of both the original version and the later update (so in essence you're getting three books in one), and an extensive update covering the years 1985-2022, this view of the complex world of Brian Wilson from the inside is rarely less than revelatory, sometimes shocking and occasionally very funny. Brian's emergence from his years of personal troubles, through the horrors of the Landy years 1982-91 to his triumphant completion of the legendary Smile album (and more) is deftly handled by someone who started off as a fan in 1971 and was, by 2004, Brian's friend and confidante. Running parallel with Brian's story is that of David's journey to becoming a respected documentary maker, and this is relevant because were it not for his involvement with Brian, that would most likely never have happened. David's writing style remains engaging and conversational, even when relating the rigours of getting a tribute show or TV special to come to pass (or not, in some cases...). As both a Brian Wilson/Beach Boys fan/researcher/historian of nearly 50 years standing, I'm obviously not even close to objective, but I'll say it again: if you're in any way a fan of Brian and the Beach Boys, you need to read this book. Unhesitatingly recommended."

The only quibble one might have with the above is the assertion of how David's career moved into documentary filmmaking. While the two threads in the story are related, it seems to me (though, yes, I could be wrong!) that David established that aspect of his career through his ongoing work in television, and was already successful in the mid-1990s when he hit career gold with his look at A HARD DAY'S NIGHT. But one senses that AGD was looking for a way to justify the amount of text devoted to that aspect of David's career in the new book...and while that's laudable of him to do so, I'm not sure it's really necessary. Kudos again to David for having built such an impressive career, one that clearly stands on its own apart from his long interaction/association with Brian Wilson.

I'm surprised that this hasn't been posted or linked to "over there," but I'm disappointed to report that, at least for now, it won't be posted there, since the thread related to David's book has been locked (at least until the book is fully available worldwide). So let's invite those folk over here to lurk and see the AGD review that has been curiously undocumented over there. (Or perhaps it's in some other obscure cubbyhole?)

I haven't posted much on EH but I did when I found that David's book was coming in for some negative comments even before some of those posting had read it! And of course, as soon as I gave my view, it started the old, familiar argument, which went completely off at a tangent. I don't think this was my fault but when I responded to comments made by one person in particular, one of the 'moderators' (not sure that is an appropriate title!) said we should stay on topic, then finally closed the thread because the book isn't available everywhere yet. Brian's tour isn't available everywhere either - here in the UK it was postponed twice because of Covid and then again supposedly because of Covid but obviously really because of the US Tour with Chicago. One of the fans (who was amazingly philosophical about it!) had to spend a night in a hotel he'd booked for the show or just lose the hotel fee! No doubt it's OK to discuss Brian's tour though.

As for AGD's review, I asked him about it on EH and he confirmed he was writing one but didn't post it on EH.

I thoroughly pissed off about EH (there's an oxymoron if ever there was one)!  I was in an on topic discussion defending the book against some silly criticisms when one of the moderators took my posts down and emailed me to say I wasn't to post on that thread any more.  I told him posting on EH was a total waste of time.  I spent time and effort checking the content of my post for errors and accuracy, made sure it related to the book and pffft - it's gone.  I only started posting there to defend some absolutely silly criticism such as 'teachers shouldn't have enough time to write if they are doing their job properly' and 'young fans shouldn't approach artists after a show when they are tired and it's is a bad example to set to his current students'.

Sorry that my first post after a long time should be a moan!

I'm still reading the book (again after a long time) but it seems to me that it is exceptionally fair.  Obviously David's status has changed so now he has to limit himself in what he says but nevertheless it gives us insight into his work with Brian and concludes the SMiLE story with a happy ending.  I'm so glad to have it and read it again.  Covid was sucking the soul out of me and this has got me fired up again about the music.

That thread was a train wreck.

Obviously, I haven’t read the new edition yet, but I have both the 1978 and 1985 editions and I always thought it was a fair assessment of Brian’s story especially as it relates to the BB.  Is David biased? OK, sure. But he is still fair, I think, to the other members (much more fair than his critics are willing to admit).

Am considering purchasing when able to. How much new material is there? I own the 85 edition

Edit

I mean like where does it stop in the timeline? Asking after having read southbay’s post.

The original goes up to the Brian is back campaign. The 2022 update mainly covers David's own work with Brian - plenty of detail on the Landy years, Brian's first solo album, Tribute to the Queen,  BWPS, Beautiful Dreamer, then That Lucky Old Sun, and Epilogue Love and Mercy. Some 'myths and legends' at the end. 2022 update starts at page 317 and goes on to 468.

Awesome…thanks.

I literally had forgotten I owned the 85 version even though it’s been on my bookshelf staring at me longingly for ages 😂

Yes, it was a train wreck and they were probably right to shut it down but they cut a post which was on topic and took me time to write.  Shut it down and don't accept new posts then people don't waste their time and it doesn't look like censorship.

I'm probably a bit biased in favour of David but though I wouldn't have minded much if he was more biased toward Brian, I was surprised how fair he was to everyone else.  Reading it now after so many more inflamatory works it seems very mild.

When I first read the 85 version I was shocked at how balanced it was. I kinda was expecting something like the Gaines book to be honest

Exactly.  Gaines was WAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY harder on Mike than Leaf was.

Like I said earlier in this thread or in the other thread about the Leaf book, it's great to have it once again available and people can make up their own minds about what they read with their own eyes. This book, and eventually Leaf himself, got put in the firing line and attempts were made for years to discredit it, and therefore the author too. But when you compare what was said about the book by those trying to dismiss it to what was actually in the book, you'll see the disparity between the talk about the book and the actual book.

In Beach Boys Land it's sadly a common tactic to try to dismiss things that may not boost certain narratives. Then there's the tactic of picking out one element of a book or article to hammer and hammer more to discredit the book or article. Then there's the outright personal attacks and attempts to discredit the author too. And maybe call him or her "toxic" or "anti-" something or another, with the suggestion readers should just throw away anything they or their books/articles may say. Someone tried that with Jules Seigel's "Smile" article from '67, picking out one sentence to try discrediting Jules and the thousands of other lines in his article. And it was absolutely laughable.

It's been happening recently.

Again it's good people can read this book with their own eyes and make their own judgements on what is "toxic" rather than being told for years about an out-of-print, hard to find book.

Gaines had good sources.

So why DID David come in for such hostility? Because he was the first to state Brian's side or could it be simply because of what David wrote in favour of Brian, rather than any criticism of Mike? It seems to me that Mike has always been jealous of Brian, and not getting enough attention  would be enough to annoy him.

So why DID David come in for such hostility? Because he was the first to state Brian's side or could it be simply because of what David wrote in favour of Brian, rather than any criticism of Mike? It seems to me that Mike has always been jealous of Brian, and not getting enough attention  would be enough to annoy him.
[/quote]

Could be though I expect that David letting the cat out of the bag over the real situation didn't help.

Could be though I expect that David letting the cat out of the bag over the real situation didn't help.
[/quote]

There is a rather marvelous quote in the 1985 edition, "I guess when you have a lot of skeletons in your closet, it makes you nervous if somebody starts rummaging around in there, even if they're only looking for a broom." I think that reflects the situation quite accurately, as far as I can tell.

'There is a rather marvelous quote in the 1985 edition, "I guess when you have a lot of skeletons in your closet, it makes you nervous if somebody starts rummaging around in there, even if they're only looking for a broom." I think that reflects the situation quite accurately, as far as I can tell.



[/quote]

Very astute!

Let's always remember that "Brianista" is meant as an insult by almost everybody using that word. As I said elsewhere, is it even conceivable a "Paulista" directed at fans of Sir Paul? David Leaf is a "Brianista", albeit a particularly fair and balanced one, and that's enough to attract hate. Sad and even uncanny, but true.

I got a 'Brianista' T shirt made especially lol! I debated having 'poisonous little madam' (as one of the EX posters on smileysmile once called me) written on the back!

I think it's OK to have your favourites, in fact, quite understandable. As long as you try to give an honest appraisal what's the problem?

I see your current review thread there is being met with that patented Endless Harmony kindness. Kinda odd they've had a lot of locked threads lately - I guess their harmony isn't so endless after all. 

I didn't get as far as I wanted to in the Leaf book this past weekend - not the fault of the book, just a hectic schedule. But what I did read was absolutely wonderful. All the intro material has me excited for both the early 60s stuff and the post 85 era...mostly the latter as I've always wanted to learn more about Brian's activities during the 90s. Hopefully that section does not disappoint.

TBH I don't really care what they write.  I promised I won't respond just in case they use it as an excuse to lock it and I felt guilty on David's behalf in case it was my fault so I'm just trying to make up for it.  So I'm not even going to read it in case I'm tempted.

I'm enjoying the book again.  Dreading the 80s which is slowing me down but chomping at the bit to get to the last section.

A handy audio/visual reference guide that David just shared on Facebook.

https://omnibuspress.com/pages/the-viewing-listening-and-reading-list-for-god-only-knows

Thank you so much for this wonderful information! Much appreciated.

That is a fantastic reference, thank you!

I have come across the occasional Paulista, those who think Macca can do no wrong.

Yup…and the converse as well

I'm happy to call myself a Brianista but I don't believe for a second Brian can do no wrong - my definition of the word (regardless of anyone else's) is someone who is on Brian's side in those arguments amongst certain band members. As someone (probably Brian) says in the chattering bit in Smiley Smile's Wonderful 'Don't think you're God. Just be a cool guy.'

Just finished the book. Superb. Never saw so many intros and codas in a book, but as David writes, he kind of didn't want the book to end.

Fact is, nobody has ever been called a Paulista (excepting citizens of São Paulo), nor a Rogerista (Pink Floyd), or a Peteista (Who), or a Ianista (Jethro Tull), or a Johnista (Creedence Clearwater Revival), etc.
That extremely dubious blessing has been bestowed only on poor Brian.
Elsewhere, it's usually accepted that a rabid fan of a group may be also a rabid fan of the writer of most of its music. Not so, it seems, in a sizeable part of the Wondrous World of BB Fandom.

I noted elsewhere that I read the new portions of the book (have not yet reread the original portions from 78 and 85) and thoroughly enjoyed it. As I said it is a book about Brian rather than a BBs book so the updates are mainly filling in what had happened to Brian was up to. Even then it is more about David’s personal experiences as an insider in Brian’s life and is not a biography of everything that BW has gone through since 1985. Indeed at times when David became busy with his own life he checked out of Brian’s life so there is nothing about the years 2008 or so up to 2018. If I was to be at all critical I would say that, as he is an insider, David refrains from any criticism so he has nothing bad to say about any albums or the 25th anniversary show or Joe Thomas or Scott Bennett, etc. Again, that is fine, though I am sure he has lots more he could say about all of the ins and outs. David revealed that Debbie from the board was an anonymous source on the original book and gives her ample space to share her experiences from the 1977-1981 period that was not in the original book-which is fascinating. We also learn all about how the Radio City show was organized.

NEW @ Surf's UP: A Beach Boys Podcast Safari with Mark Dillon (Fifty Sides of The Beach Boys) and Phil Miglioratti (Pray For Surf Blog)

David Leaf is back to talk about his new book God Only Knows: The Story of Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys & the California Myth. The release includes the entirety of David's seminal 1978 book, plus its 1985 update, and most excitedly, a substantial new update that brings the story to the present. He tells us about his long-ago mission to befriend Brian and help him finish Smile; navigating Eugene Landy, Brian exorcising his demons and where he is at today, and The Beach Boys' 60th anniversary.

•Hear Today ~ https://soundcloud.com/user-93394161/david-leaf-on-his-book-god-only-knows

•Subscribe to my #PrayForSurfBlog eBlast ~ https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/PP0vWk6

Story

https://www.gwhatchet.com/2022/09/19/alumnus-chronicles-friendship-with-beach-boys-star-brian-wilson-in-new-book/

I laughed at this.

‘He said the two have a normal friendship going swimming together, getting dinner with their wives and singing in the car.’

I don’t imagine these two are heading to the Y doing laps any time soon. 😁

Not sure if this has been mentioned but even the original publication has this sort of “Brian vs Mike/The Beach Boys” angle occurring …  in that the “official” Beach Boys book was released in 1979, less than a year after Leaf’s. While the authorized book was very cool, it was clearly fluff compared to Leaf’s, which history has shown was the more important work.

I would say the origin of “Brian/Wilsons vs. Mike/others” has its roots in the 1971 Rieley era. The 1977 Rolling Stone article was brutal.

I have the updated version of the "official" book, but the binding is coming apart. It's a nice book told from a different angle, the only  thing I don't like about it is how the quotes are separated from the main text.