Ok cool i just wasn't sure if there would be some special rule to make it special for just the separate board or whatever, let's make it easier for everyone:
Hey - it's Brian. I'm here - let's have some fun
Hey Bri,
Would you ever consider doing the entire Love You album live, much like you have done in the past for Pet Sounds and Smile?
L&M
Juice
Yeah, we've talked about it - we love the album!
What inspired you to write "Country Air" on the Wild Honey album, and was some part of it written for Smile?
I love it - sings - no inspiration - just wrote it!
Hi Brian, 17-year old super fan from NC.
Is No Pier Pressure your favorite collaboration project so far? Have you considered doing another collaboration with international artists?
Cheers!
It's versatile - has a lot of sweetness. I loved working with the guest artists, it was a thrill to have such good singers.
Hi Brian
When you sit at the piano today, do the melodies and chord progressions still come to you just as easily as they did when you were writing songs at 20 years old? I am a songwriter and I am curious what the process looks like after doing it for more than 50 years as you have.
Thank you so much for all the beautiful music--it has meant the world to me!
Justin
Well, I write songs in the studio a lot now.
C'mon, BW - you know when you put out a song called... "Last Song," a million people will ask you: "So, Brian... is this your last song?"
Before you have to answer thousands of times... tell us first!
What does "Last Song" mean to you?
It's a song about the last time - not the happiest lyric but an interesting song.
What was your biggest influence while making No Pier Pressure?
Thank you for everything!
MY wife inspired me and I inspired it myself. Any my kids because they wanted me to work with young artists.
What's your most distinct memory of living and working in the Netherlands?
We were there for six months - yeah, it was a great place. The roads were like coblestone.
Hi Brian, I'm a huge pepperoni pizza lover, and would like to know what kind of pizza you like to have?
Cheese pizza.
Brian, when did you become aware that you (and later on, your brothers) were musically gifted and was that a gradual or sudden realization?
I was around the age of 17 - I learned how to play the Four Freshman on the piano. After that I wrote Surfer Girl.
Hi Brian. If you could change just one thing (anything at all) about any Beach Boys album, what would that be?
Thanks for doing what you do. You're the best!
JAMiE
Besides Let Him Run Wild vocal, which I've said a lot, Chapel of Love from 16 Big Ones. I wasn't in my right voice - I had really bad laryngitis.
Hi Brian,
I'm fascinated with the way you almost never used hi-hats and crash in your recordings.
Does it come from technical limitations (e.g. miking and channels) or has it been always a creative production decision?
How did you replace hi-hats to achieve the great rhythm dynamics in your recordings?
Thank you for saving my life,
STE
I never used high hats on our records - I just don't like the sound of them.
You've revisited some incomplete works in the past, most significantly the SMiLE album in 2004. But there is still a wealth of amazing songs/song ideas that you and The Beach Boys left unfinished throughout your career (ex. "Can't Wait Too Long", "Lonely Days" and my personal favourite "I'm Begging You Please"). There are many such songs that us fans are interested in, but which unfinished songs/demos of yours would you most like to complete/revisit?
Yeah, I had a song called Lana - I would do that again. 1962.
Do you listen to "Wild Honey" or "Love You" songs much?
If you do, I'd love to know which songs you listen to (though I know you're busy and I understand if you don't have the time to go into it).
I only ask because I find both albums to be refreshing, direct, charming and so different. They are among my favorite albums to listen to over and over again.
Thank you for everything, Brian. The music, the concerts, the obvious care you have for music, and the respect you always show to your fans.
Chris Shields
I have to say no, just my new one.
Hello Brian,
Ever since I've been a fan of yours, I've been fascinated by that white & gold Baldwin organ - an HT2R model, I believe - that was apparently given to you in 1966. What happened to that organ, do you still own it, or do you know who does?
Thank you for the music
-
Alan, 26, from FranceWe used it on Heroes and Villains and Fall Breaks and Back to Winter and put it in our storage rehearsal place - we might still have it!
Hello, Brian! Thank you for doing this Q&A with the fans.
My question: Who has been your all-time favorite lyricist/writer you've ever worked with?
Thank you very much!
Yes, Van Dyke Parks.
Hi Brian. I know the Beach Boys performed "Their Hearts Were Full of Spring" quite often in concert, and it's a great vocal arrangement on that song. What Four Freshmen songs still blow you away every time you hear them? What song has their craziest vocal arrangment? Thanks for answering some of our questions, Brian!
Artie
You Stepped out of a Dream - I don't know I just liked the harmonies.
Good evening Brian,
One of my favourite non-album songs from recent years was What Love Can Do? on which you collaborated with the legendary Burt Bacharach. How did that come about, and would you like to collaborate again?
John, age 50-and-3/4, UK fan
I love his songs a lot - I always did - since 1961 - Walk on By.
Any fond memories of writing / recording the Friends album?
Hi Brian! Friends is my favorite album and very little is ever written about that time. I was hoping you had a happy memory or two of writing / recording that album that you would like to share.
Thank you.
I had my dad sing on one of my songs - one note! A song called Be Here in the Morning. A bass note. One of my favorite Beach Boys albums. I also remember cutting Cotton Fields with Al. Great song - and then it came out on the 20/20 album. Wake the World, Diamond Head too.
Hi Brian,
Since you are (rightfully) famous as both a composer and a producer of music, I was wondering how integrated the two steps were in your creative process. How does your style as a producer influence the way that you compose music (or vice versa)?
Thanks, and I'm really looking forward to your new album!
Will
Some of the songs I change the melody or chords in the studio, but mostly not though.
One of my favorite tracks on the Made in California box set was the extended version of "Meant For You" from the wonderful Friends album - it featured the lyrics about ponies and their mothers and puppy dogs and their brothers - do you recall anything about why that part was cut out for the original release?
Such a peaceful and loving song! Thanks!
No, I just edited it because it was better shorter.
Hey Brian! Can’t wait for the new album!
It seems you've been working quite a bit with newer artists, especially with this album, and thus opening up a new generation to your amazing music.
Do you have any advice for the many young artists you inspire?
I always tell people to follow through with it - write a whole song - not half a song. Make sure the vocals are not flat but on pitch. Be happy with the song before you lay it off. Make sure that you have a great management team behind you too!
What's your favorite chord?
F sharp seventh is my favorite chord.
What's your favorite track off The Beach Boys Love You?
The Night Was So Young.
Your music has brought me so much happiness throughout my life.
What brings you the most joy and happiness in your life these days?
-Gregg
Music actually.
If you watch movies or TV, what do you like to watch??
or else what's the normal routine day life at 'The Wilson' household?
RickB
I go to the park and take walks and in the evening I watch news. Also, going to my son's basketball games and playing with my kids.
Hi Brian,
Great pleasure to talk to you and thanks for answering these questions.
You've spoken a lot about being competitive with The Beathles. I am curious over whether you felt any competition from your local contemporaries such as The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, Love, etc.?
Thanks again!
The Doors - there's so many. I liked the Monkees - I'm a Believer - Neil Diamond. A group called the Kingsman.
Hi, Brian!
Blondie Chaplin did a great job in Vegas when you played there in December and I am very glad to see you two back together!
Question: Will you and Blondie work together more in the future? It would rock.Surf's up, Robert!
Oh, he's a really good singer. It was a thrill. I love Blondie!
Hello Brian,
I know you cite "Strangers In the Night" as one of your all time favorite pieces of music. Have you ever considered doing an album of Frank Sinatra music in the vein of your "Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin" record?
I recorded Strangers in the Night about 10-12 years. Piano demo.
Hi, Brian! I have always wondered if the ABSOLUTELY, BRILLIANT, GEORGEOUS musical snippits on Mt. Vernon and Fairway have or ever will be fleshed out as full blown songs and will we ever hear them someday on a future album? Thanks for any answers you may have and thank you for the last 52 years of incredible music! :
I love Pied Piper and Jack Rieley's narration. He was a trip, a big speaking voice. His idea to go to Holland. He sand Day in the Life of the Tree.
What part/parts of Break Away did your dad contribute to?
My dad did the lyrics and I did the music. He had the idea for Joey Bishop the talk show host - he used to say let's break away. I did not write the lyrics.
I have to go to my board - we have to do this again. Please come to my board. I lots of news so stay tuned. See you soon!