Have you met Brian? & what i would like to say to him

[letsmakeit31]

I'm sure a lot of you on here have met Brian and even have a chat with him too. I've only seen him live in the RFH but I was very close to the stage and I'm sure Brian given me an nod and a smile as we locked eyes. If I had the chance to I would love to tell him "Thank you" for getting me through some very tough emotional times in my life. I do suffer from Depression and have at times wanted to end it all when I felt life was getting too much for me. But when I heard Pet Sounds for the first time it really spoke to me and it felt like it read my soul. My life has been a hard road but the music Of the Beach Boys esp the Wilson bros really touched me and has helped to heal and understand where and who I am. I know that Brian isn't perfect of course and he made mistakes in life esp his drug use, His first daughters, But he has paid a very heavy price for all his "Madness" but at least he has made amends and has repaired the damage that's been done. The many faults that Brian has at least he is trying his best to fix them. The thing about Brian's & the Beach Boys music is that it gives you Hope and love. I'm so glad that Brian is out and about and is able to understand and feel the love we all have for him and his music. Roll on Monday and then I will be able to finally hear Smile for real official too. If Brian or any of his team read this then please I know that Brian Wilson has given me Hope, Love, & Life. His music has been and is a healing process. Thank you Brian I love you like a brother    

[37!ws]

I met him twice...although typically I only count the second time...

The Mrs. and I met because of Pet Sounds. In 1998 Brian was doing his little Imagination signing mini-tour at the Borders on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. I left work early to go there...my boss suggested swapping shifts for the day with someone who came in a lot earlier than me (man, I was not a happy camper getting up so early that day!). He said sure, no prob, he can switch with me. "Why? Whatcha got goin' on?" "Brian Wilson's doing a signing at Borders downtown!" "Brian Wilson? As in 'lyin' in bed just like Brian Wilson did' Brian Wilson?"

I had a picture of The Mrs. with me. Yeah, I was starstruck. When it was my turn in line before he signed the stuff I brought, I showed him the picture and said, "This is a picture of my girlfriend [as she was at the time]; we met because of Pet Sounds." He looked at it for a second and said, "Wow, thanks!" So, yeah, I have a picture of my wife that was touched by Brian Wilson. (in EITHER interpretation; read on!)  I remember Brian was very quiet that day, almost robotic, very shy. Wearing sunglasses the whole time -- I don't blame him with all the camera flashes every split second. I seem to remember Joe Thomas and someone else were with him. Don't remember seeing Melinda, but she could have been there...just don't remember. I remember shortly before it was my turn he stood up, announced "Uhh....be right back!" and he left for a few minutes with his mini-entourage, and when he came back, announced, "I'm back!" to a round of applause. (A couple of people chuckled and said "Hey - Brian's BACK!")

One thing that really struck me...no, TWO things...1) seriously, the man emits a vibe. The closer you get to him, the stronger it is. It was very tangible that day. 2) When he stood up for his potty break or whatever, HE. WAS. FREAKIN'. TALL. And I'm over six feet tall.

The second time I met Brian was November 22, 2006, backstage at the Beacon Theater in New York. A friend of ours is kinda-sorta on friendly terms with one of BW's crew and when they're in town he occasionally fixes her up with some free tickets. She was going to offer the extra tickets to David Feldman, PSML's Leon Lively, and Leon's wife, but the Livelys had to leave and couldn't reschedule their flight, so the Mrs. and I were offered the tickets that Leon couldn't take. So when we get to the Beacon, our friend goes to will call to get the tickets. She opened the envelope and not only where there a set of tickets, but there were also "all access" passes. Whoa. The Mrs. wanted to just go backstage to thank this certain person on the crew (we've met him several times and he often greets us if he spots us at a show), which we did...and after we thanked the person, we spotted Brian a few feet away pouring himself a drink of water or coffee or something. So the wife, displaying bigger balls than I ever will, walked over to Brian, with me following her...."WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!? THAT'S BRIAN!!!" wow...so my wife sez, "Hi, Brian. My name is Mrs. 37!ws." He smiled and offered her a handshake, saying, "Hi, Mrs. 37!ws!" "And this is my husband 37!ws." Smiled again, looked me right in the eye and offered me a handshake...wow!!!! I don't remember much after that, other than that we both thanked him for his music. The wife mentioned that we met because of Pet Sounds and he semi-laughed and said "Whoa! Great!" and that was pretty much it...

I was surprised at how UNshy he was, how he seemed sociable if not in a rush to get out of there. BTW, for the record, again, Brian seemed VERY VERY TALL. Again, I'm over six feet tall and I STILL had to look up significantly to look him in the eyes. Eyes are VERY blue, hands are soft...as if he freakin' drowns 'em in lotion every day.

But yeah, we got to thank him.

We and a few others talked briefly with Al Jardine later on...my wife the English teacher thanked him for mentioning Travels With Charley in "California," and he confessed he never read the book (at least at the time he wrote the song; not sure if he implied that he has since read it). I remember she also said "Al, you sounded great on 'I Know There's An Answer.'" Al replied, "Isn't that a GREAT song?! I always loved it!"

Saw Richie Havens backstage, didn't talk to him...

Had a great mini-chat with Darian...no surprise: very humble guy.

And we met Nelson that night, and he told us the Bono story.

Got to ask Nick when his solo album is coming out. "Hopefully soon!" Five years later and we still only have one track.

Anyway, yeah, I know you mentioned Brian...but couldn't help going off on that tangent...but yeah, we both said our thank-yous. When you get that chance, you just totally forget all the faults, the bad years he experienced...you almost get to see him as a peer, know what I mean??

(BTW...at that Brian Wilson SOLO concert, there were more original Beach Boys on stage than there are in the touring "Beach Boys" band. And if you count David Marks, whom I spotted in the crowd, you can argue there were three present...)

[letsmakeit31]

What a lovely tale 37!ws. And many thanks for taking time to write it all down for us to read.  To have Brian touch your Mrs is quite an honor (I think? Lol) and the fact that the two of met because of Pet Sounds and your able to tell Brian this is great. I find it interesting that he is so tall I never seen that myself or noticed it even when I saw him live. Seeing Brian the second time with your wife having the the "biggest balls" and at how friendly and relaxed he was the lovely aside that once again you guys had the chance to thank and tell Brian how much he touched the both of you but not this time via the photo of the mrs lol. I doubt I will ever have the chance to say thank you to Brian myself but I'm very happy to of seen him live and I'm even more happy to see him over the years beating his demons and living his life, Getting the love from us fans. Roll on Monday and I can finally hear Smile in full legally and in mono too    

[Iron Horse-Apples]

I've met him 3 times.

The first time I gushed like a girl, cried, told him loved him and how much his music had changed my life and basically embarrassed myself. He mumbled "thanks"

The second time I gushed like a girl, cried, told him loved him and how much his music had changed my life and basically embarrassed myself. He mumbled "thanks"

The third time I smiled and acted normally and chatted about the weather, (I'm English) and he wished me well, and put his arm round me and grinned for a photo, said goodye and went to the food cart.

Learn from this!

[letsmakeit31]

Right Iron Horse-Apples treat Brian like a normal bloke rather than a super hero lol. Mind you saying that if I did meet him I would do the same as you did the first couple of times lol. 

[Mikie]

I met Brian three times.  The first time I was with him inside of his house - the one the Beach Boys recorded the Smiley Smile through Carl & The Passions albums.

[Iron Horse-Apples]

I met Brian three times.  The first time I was with him inside of his house - the one the Beach Boys recorded the Smiley Smile through Carl & The Passions albums.

I know you've probably regailed this tale many times, but I'd to hear all about this.

[Jimmie_R]

wow... just wow!

[Mikie]

Nah, the old farts might like to hear about it, but the kiddies here wouldn't give a sh*t.

[Jason]

I didn't really "meet" him as in meet him and talk for a few moments, but I did get to shake his hand and thank him at the Keswick in October of 2004. He signed my BWPS CD that night. He shook my hand and I thanked him for the show. I didn't really want to bore him too much with my life story; it really bothered me later on when I saw some fat old woman behind me talking to him for about three minutes after I walked away with the signed CD. In 2006 at the Keswick I got to speak to Darian and (I think) Scott. Brian and Al were there as well, but both were being swarmed by fans for pictures and autographs, so I didn't get to talk to either. I'm not one of those folks who feels the unbelievable need to meet everyone.

[letsmakeit31]

Mikie please tell us the story of you being in Brian's home I've not heard it

[drbeachboy]

I didn't really "meet" him as in meet him and talk for a few moments, but I did get to shake his hand and thank him at the Keswick in October of 2004. He signed my BWPS CD that night. He shook my hand and I thanked him for the show. I didn't really want to bore him too much with my life story; it really bothered me later on when I saw some fat old woman behind me talking to him for about three minutes after I walked away with the signed CD. In 2006 at the Keswick I got to speak to Darian and (I think) Scott. Brian and Al were there as well, but both were being swarmed by fans for pictures and autographs, so I didn't get to talk to either. I'm not one of those folks who feels the unbelievable need to meet everyone.

Brian looked exhausted after that October 2004 show. Jason and I both met him together. He didn't look too many people in the eye as he sat at the table, but he did look up at me eye to eye, as I think he appreciated mentioning how well that night's show went. He signed my BWPS booklet and off I went content that I finally met my musical hero. I'll always be thankful to Probyn for getting me those Meet & Greet passes. He's a great guy.

[Mikie]

Mikie please tell us the story of you being in Brian's home I've not heard it

As soon as you update your blog with something I don't already have! 

[stack-o-tracks]

I met Brian in a dream about a year ago. He was doing a book signing at a casino and I made him cry when I mentioned how talented I think him and his brothers are.

[37!ws]

To follow up with you, drbeachboy, Probyn is probably my favorite of all Brian's band to talk to. Don't get me wrong -- I've gotten to chat with all four of the Wondermints, Nelson, and Jeff before, and they were all great -- but Probyn's a riot...seriously, you get into a good conversation with him, he'll follow you like a puppy!

[letsmakeit31]

If you mean my Youtube blog Mikie then unfortunately I've been taken off by Ricky Gervais for "Copyright" reasons grrr. I do have a top notch new Stereo Vegetable mix made up of five sections of the song. Once I get home internet back again I may upload it.

[Mikie]

No, I thought you ran the "Letsmakeit" Beach Boys blog.  My mistake.

Looking forward to hearing your Vegetables mix though!  

[Iron Horse-Apples]

I didn't really "meet" him as in meet him and talk for a few moments, but I did get to shake his hand and thank him at the Keswick in October of 2004. He signed my BWPS CD that night. He shook my hand and I thanked him for the show. I didn't really want to bore him too much with my life story; it really bothered me later on when I saw some fat old woman behind me talking to him for about three minutes after I walked away with the signed CD. In 2006 at the Keswick I got to speak to Darian and (I think) Scott. Brian and Al were there as well, but both were being swarmed by fans for pictures and autographs, so I didn't get to talk to either. I'm not one of those folks who feels the unbelievable need to meet everyone.

It's respectful to treat him as normal, and not want to bother him. He seems to hate these meet and greets, Have you seen the way he smiles for photos, quick grin then his face just drops back down. No eye contact. I found it quite disturbing, and I felt guilty for intruding on him. Yet still I gushed.

[Wrightfan]

Seen him in concert twice but never up close thought that second concert did have me almost right in the front row. Felt like I was on stage 

[letsmakeit31]

Thanks Mikie. I'm rather proud of my vegetable mix I used the vegetables sessions bootleg. Using in order track 4, Track 15, Track 19, Track 23, With Track 25 with it 14secs in. All the tracks has been edited, made louder, faded in, faded out, etc. I just did it for fun but found it really worked out well. One or two of you guys on here have heard it and given me great feedback. But I don't have home internet at the moment.