Brian Wilson • 1976 Full Interview (The Beach Boys)
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- čas přidán 29. 01. 2016
- Interview with BBC's Bob Harris from the Old Grey Whistle Test show, November 16th, 1976.
Note: This video is posted for the purpose of historical documentation. I don't claim copyright. It is simply here for the fan community. Thank you! - Hudba
Just remember folks this interview is 47 years old (as I type this) and Brian is still alive and kicking!
I was 6.
Listening to this with headphones on pays tribute to the fact that Brian is deaf in one ear.
But it's panned right.
I was thinking the same thing!
Copacetic that was a very, very intelligent comment
Now that’s funny.
Which is because of his father's abuse. Creep! I adore Brian and am so happy he wound up having a more happy life. He deserves it. And both his first wife and current wife did much to help him.
How can you not love someone who is so haunted, but so honest and articulate.
Although he was struggling with a lot of issues you gotta love his infectious laugh. Wonderful person. True survivor.
A true artist
Severe drug addict who has paid the price, over and over again. Tragic
Brian is Such a warm, sensitive human being. It makes me sad to know what he's been through. Love Brian.
Here in November 2023. Brian is 81 and still going strong. What a life.
81 and he still sings like an angel.
Here, November 2023. Brian is 81 and im just starting my music production career. Current status: diggin' the greats.
what a life!
Great
7:26 “I was able to get ahold of all these drugs and they fuh- heh.. heh.. messed me up” such a wholesome funny moment by Brian 😂❤️
Keanu Confer Yes! I love that part
He’s adorable! ❤️
“Of course I’m a millionaire “ 😂😂😂
This is the most mature and intelligent I've seen Brian. The Landy years in the 80s really regressed and damaged him way more than his 60s breakdown or 70s depression. He's a big kid here but not infantilized or delicate. Thats why the "Brian's Back" trilogy are my favorite BB albums.
15 big ones has some bangers on it. . i love its ok and back home, that same song. . their version of chapel of love. . love what brian does with synths. of course love you is amazing highly underrateed period. and brian is completely lucid. the 80s really ruined him, sadly, but that goes for a lot of things the 80s ruined
@@JustinEdwords
The only good part of the 1980s was the early half.
Especially for the peak of black American culture.
@@neonfroot Ageeed!!!
@@neonfroot yeah plenty of interesting novel things happened in the 80s but in general, for older legacy bands from the 60s it was pretty much their nadir
drugs will do that over time...
he's had brain damage from drugs
"Wilson, 76, has battled mental illness for over 50 years and has been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and mild manic depression. He was also diagnosed in 1984 as a paranoid schizophrenic, with doctors finding evidence of brain damage from Wilson's prolonged and excessive use of psychedelic drugs like LSD. (Wilson has warned against the dangers of such drugs in the decades since.)" ~ Forbes
Brian Wilson , no pretence , what you see is what you get , a genuinely lovely man .
I enjoy how the audio is presented in Brianoscopic format
Brian Wilson has always taken his art so seriously, it was everything to him. A true artist's artist, man. Genuinely love this dude.
I can't get enough Brian Wilson... Just love this guy.
"It's making me a lot of money and it's making a lot of people happy, which is my first goal" king shit, love this man
Bob Harris is a class guy he never really tried getting deep into Brian's mental problems or harping on that subject... instead he just touched on it for a moment but than moved on & went right back into asking him about his music which he seemed really comfortable with ... Bob is a great guy I respect him for being very cool with Brian... other interviewers would have relentlessly harped on the issues of his mental problems... very cool interview indeed...
he turns 80 next year, like Paul...hard to imagine a world without those guys
He’s turning 79 soon! Definitely can’t wait for next year…80 years old, omg!
@@daniellavaladez7820 yeah unbelievable, but 80 is the new 60 these days :-)
Their birthdays are two days apart
It's really uplifting to see this little glint in Brian's eye throughout the interview; he's in a great mood here.
I’m 47 and (sadly) just now realizing what this man has done. I suffer from lifelong depression and am doing well in my life and I take inspiration from humans like this who, despite their suffering, follow their heart and make the sacrifices to do what they love. And the world benefits greatly. And his songs are far more enjoyable to listen to now that I have a better understanding of BW’s life and ups and downs and just how damn hard it is to arrange and create such captivating sounds, harmonies and songs. Songs that hug and capture our hearts and nourish our weary minds with imagery, emotion, and of course, just plain fun. Thank you Brian and your Beach Boys.
Brian was a schizophrenic that was notoriously difficult, almost abusive to work with. Yes, he was a musical genius and could write and play every instrument part. That’s true. But he was no “nice guy” to be around. His own brother fought to get him committed.
@@wadeworkman7283 way to stigmatize mental health issues. Where's your evidence that he was abusive? Quite the contrary; he was a gentle soul who suffered abuse at the hands of his own father, who mercilessly beat him. He struggled for creative freedom under the oppressive control of his father, the bullying of his cousin Mike Love who wanted Brian Wilson to write surf songs forever, and industry execs who wanted him to endlessly churn out the same predictable product. He did suffer brain damage from his extensive drug use, as did a lot of people during that era.
@@stampeaceful long term use of anti psychotic and anti depressant medication can really damage the brain also
@@wadeworkman7283 You can say that about a bunch of musicians. Quit shitting on a legend
@ Tung Mai Bung - awesome comment...👍
He's so engaged in this interview lul. nowadays he would just say "yup" to 70% of the questions
A tender, kind soul Brian is. A soft heart, fragile ego and selfless sense of humanity. I adore him.
Pet Sounds will be listened to hundreds of years from now.
Such a hopeful Brian here. Nothing but love for this man.
“I had a lot of money, of course I’m a millionaire” lol probably one of the only people who can say that line and not sound like a dick 😂
Ha, yeah. Totally unassuming guy, always loved him for that..
Bob Harris is a man of integrity. Brian was talking about drugs and the guy far from being an opportunist with the news and digging into that, he changed the subject and probably wasn't interested in it and only wants to know about his musical projects.
Excellent interview. Calm and disarming enough to get a clearly fragile Wilson to speak candidly, and in a way that seemed (relatively!) at ease. And yet asked incisive questions. Modern interviewers could learn a lot.
He seems a real down to earth guy
Ego death'll do that.
@@evanwright9016
Did he really have an ego that needed to die before the drugs though?
Doesn’t seem like it to me.
So happy to see this interview. And see Brian coherent and engaged and without deep saddness in his eyes. Really a true sincerety and such honesty and hope.
Huh? This was done 40 years ago. Lots of drugs, mental issues and treatments since then.
I love how Brian is giving shout-outs right and left to his contemporaries: Chuck Berry, Randy Newman, Phil Spector, Donovan, Art Garfunkel.........He's a Beautiful Man.
Brian Wilson, having a rare moment of clarity.
few and far between
@@tommytwomommy The poor man :-(
I have watched this interview several times and laugh every time Brian catches himself cursing. This is a great piece of history.
There's never been a better interviewer than Bob Harris. Every rock star that he interviewed, huge ego or not, would get comfortable with this guy and talk about anything. He's the real star.
He appreciated music, asked musician oriented questions, and so they knew he loved the stuff like they did.
My first introduction to Bob Harris was an interview he did with a very young Linda Ronstadt in the early 70's. His voice is hypnotic.
@@lnl3237.... His voice sounds like Terry Wogan. If you've heard of him?
@@chilly6470 No, I haven't, but thank you-will investigate.
@@chilly6470 Did look him up. What a remarkable voice and life! Was interested to read that at his public memorial, the Eva Cassidy's version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" was played. One of my favorites, too.
Thank you again for making this man known to me.
Brian is such an amazing and beautiful human being. An absolute musical genius
Brian was a tortured soul and his story is fascinating to tragic to beautiful. To be an absolute genius tormented by voices in his head and insecurities and to come out at the end with more amazing music, more emotions for us to feel and completing Smile is such a win!
Well said and I totally agree!
This is where.. when one sees the John Cusack biopic called Love and Mercy (the actor who played third base for the Black Sox in 1919), the realization of what "saved Brian" hits upside the head. Forgive the bad metaphor. The depiction of Brian's first meeting with his great late wife and his buying a Cadillac from her.. with Landy in tow carrying the checkbook and CLEARLY NOT REALLY WANTING him to do it, and most certainly not wanting him to PAY CASH FOR IT just to impress the babe.. well let's just say.. it really really hits home. More than just a very nice little movie, if the nobody named me is to be believed. LOVE AND MERCY.. to you and your friends.. tonight.
What a great interview. Brian Wilson has so much child like enthusiasm about his music, it's contagious. He's also very modest and honest. I'm going to have to try to find that atonal Boris Karloff-like song he mentioned.
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Very enjoyable interview. Brian Wilson comes across as a pretty modest, honest guy and the interviewer did a good job focusing on Brian's great body of work and less on sensational aspects.
The smile he shoots the interviewer at 11:35 shows how kind hearted he is as a man... This is while retelling the music of "pet sounds" because the camera cut out the first time in the middle it seems. So many in that business would roll their eyes or act like their time was being wasted. He just enjoys it... 11:35 is a good moment.👍
He also gets so excited at 16:43 talking about making a fairytale album, flashing another big smile. No wonder he named an album "smile", the dude is just so easy going and kind...
I really enjoy how candid and honest he is here especially about his drug addiction. Being an ex addict myself, its refreshing to see someone be so open about his struggles. Also the millionare line is funny..
One of the best interviews I've ever watched. He is sooo interesting person to listen to. I can listen to him over and over.
Such a delicate person.
So open and humble.
He's such an adorable fuckin' genius...
Its a relief that bob harris really knows about beach boys music and asking intelligent questions also about the lesser known stuff seems to make brian relax
That's "whispering" Bob Harris. Not rolf...thank god
No Rolf Harris knows about boys and bob Harris knows about the beach boys .
Truly professional
Brian appears quite normal here. He has a sharp sense of humour.
I say he probably wasn’t completely off of drugs just yet. I’m just speculating of course.
Brian is so honest, it's rare to see this in someone so successful. In this he's still under the Landy spell.
i used to watch your videos when i was little, great to see you.
Well I guess....I think those around him babied him and indulged him way too much....I could have fixed him in one minute and for free....give him a gigantic slap in the face and say "Hey....what the f*ck is wrong with you! Grow up!"
@@richbailey8174 most uneducated comment I've possibly seen, shame on you
@@JackSmith-ji6ut Oh really?...you think differently I assume because you are as you say "educated"?...maybe you are medicated like he is
@@richbailey8174 lol give your head a good wobble pal! If you don't understand or have ever suffered from severe mental health ( I have myself) your opinion is irrelevant. And your speaking about one of the best musicians of our time. Take your gave for a shit and get your head down big man 💪 x
He answers the question so politely
Tahsin Sabah all 3 brothers have impeccable manners patience and articulation... especially early on, b4 substances & diseases set in...
Brian seems to have a pure hearth. We can see It in his face. He's almost childlike. God bless him!
Oh, he does ❤️❤️
yeah he's that kind of personality type of musician
He was sharp here, amazing how much he changed some years later
Landy destroyed the man. Brian may have been travelling down a very dangerous but he does seem genuinely excited and happy in a way he hasn’t in the last 30 years.
@@AnArchyRulzz his mouth movements here are because he is deaf in one ear. but the current brian. . yeah, landy fried him with heavy antipsychotics in the 80s. worse than most any recreational drug
I don’t really listen to The Beach Boys but my respect for Brian Wilson is immeasurable. He’s a true inspiration as an artist.
Why do you respect him if you don't listen to his music, you don't know him
I listen to Pet Sounds every once in a while. First interview I'm seeing and here's a charming human being
Thank you for the music Brian...
Brian is the definition of cool.
I have never seen Brian so articulate, funny, and normal. Very nice!
He's so full of power in this interview. And just two years later he was down again. Maybe the most interesting stage of life of Brian Wilson. He experimented so much musically and had so many great ideas. And he talked about the post-Smile-albums, which he didn't that much afterwards.
Good interview, Brian seemed fine and sounded very relaxed. He's smoking that cigarette likes it's a joint. I'm a big Beach Boys fan and I'm glad Brian did recover, I can't imagine what he went through.
What a lovable teddy bear.
Anybody pick up on when he says “making people happy is my first goal” at 8:28, he then gives a very sad, longing look. And the camerman picked up on it and zoomed in, the only time he zoomed in during the interview. Great camera work, almost capturing the sadness that Brian could make so many people happy, but couldnt make himself happy . . .
nah don't see it.
You cannot make yourself happy. Cannot be done. Your hormones adjust.
@Mitchell Smith I'd like to think it wouldn't have changed all that much. Brian was oh so close to completing _Smile_ , as the _Smile Sessions_ box set showed; a few more songs just needed vocals/lyrics, and, probably the biggest hurdle, putting all the pieces of the puzzle in place. It's a shame he couldn't get the assistance/moral support in order to carry it out. As witnessed throughout most of rock at that time, the 'extreme studio production' was beginning to yield to simpler productions again in late '67/early '68, as witnessed by Bob Dylan's _Basement Tapes_ and _John Wesley Harding_ , The Beatles' "Lady Madonna," and The Stones' "Jumpin' Jack Flash," for example. Therefore, The Beach Boys would've probably come back down to earth again with _Wild Honey_ ( _Smile_ having been completed would've made _Smiley Smile_ non-existent) and continued on as they did, albeit with other songs replacing the _Smile_ songs that popped up on subsequent albums; heaven knows they left enough songs in the vault for that to happen.
I picked up on that. There's another interview of him in the 80s when he did his solo album where he talks about how he used to always do everything to make others happy.
My take is that is the effect of growing up under the malignant narcissim of his Father.
Not hard to tell which is his deaf ear.. This dude breaks my heart. Sadness seeps out of him, despite his brave smiles...
Interesting to hear how Pet sounds is regarded in 1976. All these years later Pet Sounds is still up there in many people's top 5 albums of all time. And some will argue it's up in the top 3 easily. Brian musically was so ahead of anyone else with Pet Sounds.
the Pet Sounds obsession didn't really start til late 70's. I think Sunflower/Surfs Up/and espec Holland would be preferred by youth of today....
@@bernardbaker6803 Good observation. As a teenage Beach Boys fan, I have to say that Sunflower to Holland is probably my favourite period of the band along with Pet Sounds & SMiLE.
Though I think the love for Pet Sounds is universal, the edge the band had between Carl and the Passions: So Tough and Holland would probably attract younger people like me. It's a shame that they didn't continue with the direction they were heading after Holland.
God Bless Brian, he is an American Treasure
Bill Murray sounds just like Brian Wilson.
Definitely, good call 😅👍🏼
Geee you are right. Never noticed that before.
From around 7:10, wow the amazing honesty and openness here. You’ll never see interviews like that today!
Brian seems genuine, without pretense.
What a great interview. History was made that day. High honor to see this today. Bless Brian Wilson, and all of the Beach boys.
Cool that he said he likes the friends album the most. Its probably my favourite too
all of those late 60s post pet sounds albums are pretty great. . glad people are catching on.
even smiley smile is WAAAAY out there, more than smile, honestly.
Seems clear-headed to me. Charming fella.
Damn, he's so out there but so in control, he's a definite genius. His facial expression when he was asked about his long term plan looked like it freaked him out. I could listen to him all day long.
he seems very sharp here. nice to see.
Yes he was, he's very lucid in this interview, sharp/alert...ect..........if this is 1976, then it'a too bad he continued with the hard drugs after this, cause if he had stayed hard drug free, what he did prior to 1976 might not have caught up to him....
UncleHarry You are joking aren't you? He's coked up to the eyeballs here my good man.
Anthony Monaghan he coukd also be in a manic state. its sort of like being on coke. people who are bipolar are on top of the world during the manic state. then when they crash its awful
Guy’s completely honest about his own weaknesses, his own history, his contributions to the band and the music. Very candid and revealing.
Such a sweet, sincere guy. Bless Brian Wilson.
My God, what a special soul.
He is quite lucid and even-tempered here. His intelligence shines through, as does his love for others. And his voice sounds good...a little lower register than 5 or 6 years earlier, but not too raspy yet.
I've watched this interview many times.... He is so interesting....Absolutely intriguing...
Hello how are you doing today
He was very creative and insightful. He suffered a lot because he had it all and paid the price for his legacy as an artist
Met The Beach Boys on a southwest flight in the late 70’s. They signed my boarding pass. I had it for years but lost it unfortunately
Far out man. Bummer that you lost it. Radical that you had it.
All of them signed it? Even Dennis?
14:26 - look at the smile. Man, he loved Dennis so much!
Wow what a smile. Gave me a tear in my eye. Yes the love for his brothers is beautiful
They were laughing as it was Charles Manson's song that Denis used and changed some words. Manson was not happy with him...
bunnyhop3211 yeah it sounds almost like a nervous laugh towards the end - definitely thinking about the Manson scenario
@@lonobl7575 The thing about the whole Manson incident, is that as messed up as Brian was back in those days, even he was coherent enough to see that Manson was a complete lunatic, and told Dennis to get rid of him, and get him out of his house......like NOW!
I know Brian rarely smiled, but when he did, he had such a beautiful and sweet one!
He strikes me as such a humble man.
I bet very few people would have thought Brian Wilson would still be alive today. The dude has been overweight, a smoker, battling mental health issues, etc, for decades, and somehow his body has just kept ticking and he's outlasted a lot of health-nuts from his generation lol.
And now he’ll be turning 80 next year
Good genetics. Most would not have coped.
And he outlived his younger brothers too....
Obsessed with Brian Wilson..he kinda looks like Cameron from Ferris Buellers day off if he hadn’t showered for a while and was a genius
I'm currently obsessed too!
Alan Ruck does look like a young Brian Wilson.
That's weird my friend looks like Cameron and his son looks like Brian Wilson no joke
He looks like Zack galifanakis
I wonder if Bill Murray used Brian Wilson as inspiration for Carl in Caddy Shack. Both talk out of the side of their mouth and Bill's character even sounds like Brian in this clip.
First thing I thought of was Carl.
I think Brian spoke out of the left side of his mouth to make the speech go to his left ear as he was nearly deaf in the right ear
RychleTube I have a nephew who is deaf in his right ear and speaks the same way. I also recall Sylvester Stallone doing the same because of his hearing loss as well. So I think it's a common modification for those having hearing loss of varying degrees.
You took the words right out of my mouth
@@RychleTube Very interesting notion! I was always interested in why this was happening and thought it was more emotionally based not so now since he is so clear minded
The world is a better place because of Brian Wilson
I hope he’s in a good place too
OK, so for a long time I've thought I should probably learn about Brian Wilson, because so many artists reference him as a musical genius--it just seemed like musical history I should know about.
I'm floored. I expected some "musical genius" type--distand & self-involved, caustic, condescending, maybe bitter. That's what I expected Brian Wilson to be. Nothing could have prepared me for who he really is. I cringe to think a human being this sensitive was brutalized when he was young. Absolutely terrible. & so amazing that he found music, or music found him. He just seems to have no pretentions or defences, & at the same time is hearing & experiencing music in a way few other human beings have. He seems absolutely in love in love IN LOVE with music. Extraordinary man with an extraordinary life. So glad he survived, because there are many abused kids like him who self-medicate for years & unfortunately don't survive it.
He's a gentle grizzly bear. A true American treasure.
I had the crazy cool experience of meeting him once and he was kind of like a lost little kid at that point. I worked at a hotel and he and his wife checked in and I drove him to his room on a golf cart which he got a big kick out of. He wanted to ride around some more (I'm secretly blown away that I'm driving him around!) But his wife wouldn't "let" him! Beach boy music is truly some of the first music I heard in my life so it has a special place for me personally so I couldn't believe that here he was sitting right next to me! Ok enough name dropping!
You mean you expected a stereotype? There are a lot of people I would consider geniuses, and the minority of them act as you just described - aloof and bitter. Most of them didn't get to be successful by being assholes.
Brian is remarkably lucid here.
I saw this interview on TV in '76. I've been waiting to see it again ever since!
What channel did it air on if you can remember?
bbc 2 old grey whistle test with bob harris.
Notice how his mouth strays left when he's speaking. He's deaf in his right ear. He does it to hear himself better while talking.
I don´t understand why he moves his mouth only to one side. I thought he had a problem. He didn´t do that in the 60´s. I thought that had something to do with drugs.
@@LauRa-re9un he did do that in the 60s even while singing.
I am just not sure about that. There are lots of people who are deaf in one ear and don't speak out of one side of their mouth like that. I think that may just be the way he speaks. It reminds me of Ronnie Hawkins, except Ronnie speaks out of the right side.
His Mom, Audry, also spoke out of the left side of her mouth. It isn't as drastic as Brian, but it is there. You can see it in some interviews. I am sure his deafness may have made it more pronounced though
He's highly lucid here.
Great to see him kinda smiling and with some giggles, etc.
he seems so nice :(💗
He does. Love his little boy laugh
The interviewer seemed nice too. Calm. Certainly seemed to put Brian at ease. They clicked.
sweet sensitive guy, so vulnerable
He's very well spoken and aware despite his mental health issues at the time, interesting watching his body language he's doing so well to keep it together he almost said the F word and corrected himself in style 🙂
He just makes me want to go to my room and cry.
Same here, the love I have for Brian is so strong.
Even on drugs like cocaine, Brian was still more lucid than whatever program Landy had Brian on from 1982-1989.
Brian was definitely cognitive and lucid from before the Landy years. I honestly think Landy did much more harm to Wilson’s mental health than the drugs really did in terms of truly doing irreparable damage to his psyche.
I thought that he was clean during this interview? Or at least on nothing but cigarettes.
I've seen a recording of Bowie on Dick Cavett where the rockstar was high that I couldn't believe his manager let him on the stage.
That's an interesting observation Brian made about his family when they sing: Because they are related, their THROATS are similar--and that's why they harmonise so well. They have the "Wilson" throats--just like I suppose the Bee Gees had the "Gibb" throats, and that's why the Gibb brothers, also, had a harmony all their own
maybe the Jackson 5 too
Everly brothers come to mind, as well
If you compare beach boys harmonies to beatles harmonies you hear the difference
Boswell Sisters
....and the Deep Sisters, who were famous for those much-missed “Deep throats”....boom boom!!!
Brian Wilson is my favourite musician of all time. So glad he made it through
Brian Douglas Wilson he is my favourite person
I like how Brian laughs when they discuss never learn not to love - Brian knows who really wrote it ;)
he was a cute bear in the 70s
He was troubled though
@@charliel3248 Yep. I wish I could go back in time to that period and give him a huge hug. I would’ve helped him find a proper therapist and got him the hell away from Landy as far and as soon as possible!
I love how Brian Wilson smokes a cigarette like someone who is trying Pot for the first time.
Brilliant Interview. Bob Harris: the best. I Love Brian Wilson!
Friends and Sunflower are two of The Beach Boys albums I tend to play most often. The sad part of these albums is that they are criminally underappreciated
I’m SO happy they finally released the Feel Flows box set to give those two albums their due after so many years! Late 60s and early 70s is such an underrated era for the Beach Boys in terms of music.
A musical magician , long may he walk this earth .
As Mike Love said "Brian is a pure Gemini." You can feel those synapses on overdrive with this musical genius. Cool he talks of using non-triad chords and uses visualization with his fingers to help you 'see' those "bunched up chords". Glad he got his life together. I'd love to see him in concert for a once in a lifetime experience.
Funny--I always thought a true genius (at least a "poetic" genius) was a Pisces. But then, I never thought much of Mike Love (born 3/1/41) and his songwriting!
I like how he explains musical stuff. Like phasing of two voices in unison. And chord clusters.
What Brian is describing is known as double tracking… Where you sing with yourself and some people just have that special voice that when it is double track it is pure magic. Additionally, some people can triple track that is, using two tracks for their voice in the same register and a third track with their voice in a lower octave… And you could not believe how amazing it makes you sound if you have the right kind of voice. Brian has always had his finger on the pulse of sounds and sound control… That is what makes him a musical genius!
This guy was the vision the band really needed. Outside the box by miles.