I was at the Singer Bowl non concert. I remember turning to my then girlfriend, now wife of almost 50 years, and saying "Wow, we have great seats". After sitting in the sun for about an hour someone came out on stage and said that the concert had been canceled and to go to the box office for a refund. Over the years I have met several people who were also at Singer Bowl that day. Sort of a badge of honor for New York City fans who followed the band through the good times and the bad.

Having seen the movie, not to release a soundtrack would be another major missed opportunity in my opinion.

Last week I had the good fortune to be invited to a screening of Love and Mercy by a journalist friend. Having followed this saga for over 50 years, I was extremely curious to see if Brian's story was finally going to be told correctly. After Summer Dreams and An American Family, I had given up all hope that we would ever see anything bordering on accurate.

Well be rest assured that day has finally come. From the opening scene to the closing credits I sat mesmerized. Over the years I have seen the Beach Boys at Carnegie Hall and Brian's first performance of Pet Sounds, Smile and Lucky Old Sun. Seeing this movie ranks up there with those experiences.

Paul Dano and John Cusack knock it out of the park in their portrayal of Mr. Wilson. Elizabeth Banks is perfectly cast as Melinda and Paul Giamatti oozes the right amount of sleaze as Eugene Landy. The cutting back and forth between the 60's and 80's is handled seamlessly and adds to the drama as opposed to a linear approach. The score by Atticus Ross is mind blowing and should one day be incorporated in a Cirque du Soleil performance. The 60's sequences, especially in addressing the groups reactions to Pet Sounds and Smile are fair and balanced (sorry Fox News). Hopefully come next February, we will have a major reason to watch the Academy Awards.

I know where I will be on June 5th.

I am sorry to inform everyone that Jeff Deutch passed away this weekend after suffering a massive heart attack.

I first met Jeff in 1981 through a mutual friend. Jeff at the time was a salesman of high end audio equipment at a store on Long Island. My friend arranged through Jeff that we would visit the store an hour before it opened so that the three of us could listen to "unreleased" tapes on the best audio system that Jeff could assemble. After introductions were made we spent the next hour like three little kids in a candy store. It was the beginning of a wonderful friendship.

In 2004, Jeff, myself and several other people from the NY/NJ area travelled to London for the Smile premier. Countless times afterwards, Jeff stated that it was the greatest experience of his life.

I feel fortunate to have known Jeff. He leaves this world much too early but definitely left it a better place. I will miss him.

Tom Bagdonas

He ended the show with it. 

Today on his Mixed Bag radio show on WFUV-FM (90.7), Pete started the show by saying that he had received a very special gift on Friday that he would soon be sharing with his listeners.  About 20 minutes later he premiered Brian's version of The Christmas Song. He was so happy and excited to play it that he immediately had his engineer cue it up again for a second play.  Pete has been Brian's greatest champion in the New York area for the past 40 years. Long ago I gave up hope of ever hearing a new Brian Wilson song played on New York radio. Pete sure made my day today.

Pete's show can also be heard on WFUV.org. The show still has one hour to go. I wouldn't be surprised if he plays it one more time before he signs off.     

Password is oboe for the pre-sale.