History of Brian's reputation

[Amy B.]

I wouldn't say Brian destroyed the BBs. Their survival as a creative force was dependent upon his ability to function, yes. Sure, some of the other members were talented, but he was the only one with the overarching capacity to produce a decent BBs album. So maybe as he lost his ability to lead, the BBs slowly eroded. But it's not fair to say he destroyed them. A lot of factors destroyed them.

As for Brian's reputation, it seems like his reputation as a genius in the 60s helped them tremendously. They certainly weren't going to win over the cool crowd with Mike (or Al, Bruce, or even Carl). But a genius known for making high art out of pop music is cool.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

I actually became a fan through reading WIBN while going through a severe depression (my therapist actually told me a bit about Brian) in 1995 and then bought a VHS copy of IJWMFTT as soon as it came out (along with the soundtrack).  Actually, from then up until Imagination, he had some hipster cred. That's how I got to know him, which really disappointed me when I heard Imagination when it first came out. I mean, I saw the film, then went out and bought BW88, IJMFTT soundtrack, Smiley Smile, Wild Honey, Pet Sounds, 20/20, and Friends (in that exact order), and thought of him being this cool ass dude. I miss the quirky Brian, and if TPTB would've let Brian be himself more often, I think he'd still have the cred. But, they went the "mature" route, and actually out-Miked Mike Love at times.  The past few years, he seems to be getting his groove back, and really from the middle 2000s on, he's been productive, and now would be a good time to position him as the Johnny Cash-type.

[MBE]

I think Brian had a lot better of a reputation before 1976 then after. I wouldn't want to be defined in the public eye by mental illness. I would be sick of making "comeback" after "comeback".  OK in the late sixties and early seventies he was known to be eccentric but I think that he's been constantly exposed and exploited since 1976 in ways he shouldn't be. In other words there's too much hype about his decline and so called recovery/recoveries. Any body with some sympathy for the man can see that he won't ever be who he was in his twenties and people should learn to be understanding of that. I'm glad he does work at music still but I don't understand why he's made to be such a public figure when he so obviously doesn't want to be one. Brian does deserve to be called a genius for his sixties and early seventies work and various things since then, he does seem to be a decent guy, but he shouldn't be someone who is made to be a martyr. I don't even think he wants to be one but Brian triumphing over the evil Beach Boys is how he is marketed and that's sad. We all should know better.

[18thofMay]

Firstly let by saying that I love this board. As i sit here in the sunny Central Coast of NSW Australia with the cool ocean breeze and a beer in my hand i think of what it would have been like to see Brian in his prime at his true creative best. To me a 33 year old man with 4 boys, the Beach Boys music is life. My boys have gone sleep to the soothing songs of Pet Sounds and BWPS. They have listened to every snippet of "new" material I have found. My boys no all the words to Loop de Loop, games two can play and Wouldn't it be nice.
My 2nd youngest boy Lachlan was badly burned by some hot water a year back. And as his skin was peeling away as I washed his body under the cold water the only thing I could think of doing to stop him from screaming was to sing wouldn't it be nice. He stopped screaming and the Ambulance guys could not believe it. Me and my partner were both brought to tears by this. The MUSIC that Brian created is timeless it's perfection and in-perfection. He is human..Just!!

[Cam Mott]

I think we fans have an adorable tunnel vision and are funny sometimes. The band still has albums that sell big numbers and are still in demand for live appearances and still are having shows and documentaries made about them and they are one of the most revered bands ever. Currently we like to have dirt on our heroes, so some has been discovered/invented/reported on Brian and the Boys and still [or therefore] their reputations are huge and they are still one of the most revered bands so far. No one and nothing has destroyed the group or their reputations.  That doesn't seem to be changing in the near future judging from the generational testimony on this board. IMO, of course.