I didn't know Rick Henn had such success in the music industry.  I wish he'd elaborate on his dealings with Brian.

I didn't realize that Dennis commited suicide. Nor that 40,000 people jammed into the Cow Palace that seats fewer than 18,000.

details.....

Came across this piece on the web.  Great interview with Rick Henn.  I didn't know he married a Dragon.  Interesting opinions regarding Murry.

Check out page #6.

http://www.21st-centurymusic.com/ML210002.pdf

Frankly, too much analysis here.  I thought Brian sounded fine.  Maybe it was too laid back but so what.

I think he's just a sucker for a good conspiracy theory. EVERYBODY IS OUT TO GET US!

It's the mind gangsters from Spector.

Clearly the body of evidence would suggest that Brian has suffered will mental health issues almost all of his adult life.  That's not all that unique among especially creative people.  It's interesting that Murry also clearly had issues and like many health problems, depression, bipolar d/o, etc. have a tendency to run in families.  Add the screwed up family to the mix as well.

One point....no one can really diagnose based upon observations of a public figure from a distance nor can they claim "all is well".  This is an issue between the patient and their physician.

Landy clearly saved Brian's life at one point...then clearly abused his position of authority given the intoxication of money and fame.  The brain damage issue is a bit dicey.  Brian looks like an older guy on psych-meds to my eyes.  I'm not sure what Landy gave him legally that would have damaged his brain.  Certainly massive quantities of cocaine didn't do his neurons any good.  Anyone know if Brian ever over-dosed and went without oxygen even for a short period? 

Melt Away is about the only solo Brian composition I like better.  MAD is really a moving piece of work.  It's a great song for a guy in the twilight of his career.

The big insult is against Yoko Ono IMO.

The whole thing sounded dry as noted and the band as a whole wasn't all that tight.  That said, I thought it didn't sound all that bad....it looked awkward for sure.  Get rid of that keyboard and give Brian a stool and a hand-held mic.  The hand motion stuff is retarded looking.  Also Brian looks like they just woke him up and said, "Your on!"   

The worst TV I recall was a skin tight leather suit with Brian singing "Night Time" from the original solo album with only a backing track.  Brian attempting to sing and dance in a leather suit was not an attractive sight.   This Conan performance wasn't even that geeky!

Al could buy some original material if he wanted too.  Al should put together an album that re-issues all the songs he sang lead on over the years.  That might be an interesting  cd.

Otherwise the whole thing is a big yawn! 

Hanging on to one's paycheque hardly seems imperialistic.   

I wonder if she ever got paid for her "Catch a Wave" session?   

Doesn't look like tickets are available yet, in fact not listed on the Ryman site.  I'm there...it's a 2 hour drive.

I saw Levon Helm there last fall....sounded great.  Not a bad seat in the house.

To really appreciate this record you have to wear a smoking jacket and have a few martinis. 

I first got hooked on The Beach Boys with the release of Endless Summer and Spirit Of America in 1974-75. I immediately started researching the group, but, at that time, there were few books, few TV appearances, and no internet. So it was quite a shock when the next album I bought, 15 Big Ones, featured Brian (and Dennis's) rough vocals.

The one phrase I kept repeating to myself, and still do, was "I can't believe this is the same guy who wrote and sang those Beach Boys' songs". And, obviously, he wasn't the same guy. It wasn't just Brian's voice, but his appearance. That was just as fascinating. There weren't many people like Brian (with his drug addiction, mental illness, obesity, etc.) in the public spotlight like that. It hooked me big time. I wanted to know what happened to this guy, and wanted to know what he was still capable of doing. So I proceeded to read as much as possible, scour the TV Guide for TV appearances, and, one by one, buy the albums - if I could find them.

Back then I was optimistic. I guess I knew that the old Brian voice was history, but I also held out hope for improvement. As a BB/BW nut in 1976, you looked for anything - ANYTHING - that might show progress. He was articulate on the Mike Douglas show. On Saturday Night Live, he got into "Love Is A Woman" at the end, and, did I hear a clear high note on "Good Vibrations" in the sandbox? On Love You, it was two steps forward and one step backward. You loved the falsetto on "The Night Was So Young", but then he almost ruined "Roller Skating Child" with the tag. He sounded emotional on "Airplane", but then killed "Love Is A Woman". I was doing cartwheels when I dropped the needle on MIU. You know, I would've been completely satisfied for the rest of Brian's career with vocals like "Matchpoint", She's Got Rhythm", "Wontcha Come Out Tonight", and the falsetto at the end of "Winds Of Change". Regardless of the depth (or lack of) of MIU, listening to Brian's vocals on that album for the first few times was a very emotional and positive experience. I was holding out high hopes, but those hopes were dashed when Brian was absent from L.A. Light Album. I had no idea what was going on, but I just had the feeling that something was wrong.

Sorry for rambling, but one last thing...If you eliminated one year - 1976 - you would not have any of those raspy Brian vocals on record. They were all recorded in a twelve month span. By 1977, Brian was nowhere "healed", but his voice was improved. And the funny thing is, for me, those vocals were oddly appealing. Yeah, some are unlistenable , like "Had To Phone Ya", but some showed some real emotion. Ultimately, Brian's diminished voice is a major reason for his lack of critical and commercial success - from the mid-70's and continuing today. For me personally, it is the single most important reason I find his solo work unsatisfying.

You just wrote the story of my teenage years.  I did start with Holland....but otherwise I could have written that.

BTW Brian's voice still sounded clear but weird on Child of Winter.  He wrecked it really fast.

- the line "First love is the moment you can't repeat but you'll always own it" could be in reference to the song "Surfer Girl", the first song Brian wrote

... except that it wasn't the first song he wrote. 

Maybe it's the first "good" song he wrote.  Just casually listening to the CD I took it as reference to the song.

So you're refuting Peter Reum's claims?

And doesn't Peter work in the same field ?

I'm not debating nor interested in debating Peter Reum.  He's forgotten more about the BB and Brian than I'll ever know.

I'm a physician, I prescribe these medicines all the time, I'm intimately familiar with their efficacy and side effects.  TD is not a subtle diagnosis.  Brian is 60+ years old.  Tremors, Parkinsonian tremors, etc. are very common in elderly who take psychotropics.  The guy is way too functional for someone with TD.  If making a diagnosis was as easy as looking it up on the internet, then I'd be out-of-business.

My last word on the topic.

thanks for your indulgence

http://www.springhillinternalmed.com/

Tardive causes strange tremors, movements, vocalizations, etc.  - this is more common and fairly obvious when you see it.

"Features of the disorder may include grimacing, tongue protrusion, lip smacking, puckering and pursing of the lips, and rapid eye blinking. Rapid movements of the arms, legs, and trunk may also occur. Impaired movements of the fingers may appear as though the patient is playing an invisible guitar or piano."

Sound like anyone most of us know ?

Reading about it and seeing it are two very different animals.  Brian doesn't have TD.

Cite me a case. 

Years ago when I was in training we used massive doses of Haldol.  You can't really "overdose" on it.  In some cases you can develop Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome - usually you die if you get this disorder.  It is idiopathic and not dose dependant or dose related.  Tardive causes strange tremors, movements, vocalizations, etc.  - this is more common and fairly obvious when you see it.  I still use a fair amount of Haldol in patients with terminal delirium/psychosis and for nausea.

Some of the modern atypical antipsychotics have been linked to strokes in th elderly.  They are generally well tolerated and safe in younger patients.

On the other hand, massive doses of street drugs like cocaine and even alcohol have been known to cause brain damage, ie "organic brain syndrome".

Obviously I don't know anything about Brian Wilson's medical history.

A couple of points:

I'm a physician and I've seen lots of TD over the years and Brian doesn't have it.

Brian very well may have suffered an anoxic brain injury or small stroke over the years.  We don't know how many ambulance runs for unresponsiveness he's been subject too over the years; however,  I doubt his current medical problems are lasting effects directly related to any medications Landy may have given him.  Landy's a great villain (no pun intended) but name me a psychiatric medication that can permanently "damage" your brain.

Brian does have obvious anxiety issues in public settings. On the other hand, he looks like an elderly mentally ill patient who's just sort of reached the "burn-out" phase of his illness.  If you don't believe me visit a homeless shelter or geriatric inpatient psychiatric unit - you'll see lots of Brian look alikes.  Most mentally ill patients aren't multimillionaires.

In the end I think it is a bit creepy to discuss the guy's medical condition on a public forum.  Really it's his business and no-one else's....and yeah I'm guilty for chiming in but there is a lot of misinformed wild speculation going on here and I think it deserves a generalized response.

Smart idea to bash BRI when THEY READ THE BOARD.

Good....READ THIS......GET THIS STUFF OUT TO THE PUBLIC!

IMO Lennon-McCartney should be listed as a team and as individuals.  Brian Wilson definatley in the top 3.  Dylan I can take in the top tier but frankly Joni Mitchell should be way higher than listed.  Where was Carole King?

This book and my original Leaf book are worn ragged from years of use in the pre-net days.  I bought duplicate first editions a few years later so as to have "acceptable" copies on my shelves.  My original LLVS is also worn out.

Diane Rovell

Given her family involvement and the fact that she coordinated much of the sessions during the musical/commercial peak.  Could be a facinating read.

Johnny Carson.....only from the mind of Brian Wilson.  I love it.

I'm holding out for one of Murry's eyeballs in a velvetine box.