In July 1964, two popular songs dominated the Billboard Hot 100 chart, sharing a similar sound. These were upbeat pop rock tunes that originated from doo-wop music, characterized by powerful harmonies. Notably, both tracks were sung by renowned ’60s groups who had already made a name for themselves in the music industry at that time.
During the initial fortnight of the month, “I Get Around” by The Beach Boys held the top spot. Later in the month, “Rag Doll” by The Four Seasons climbed to the number one position.
However, during this period, the music scene was undergoing significant turmoil due to the British invasion. Despite this turbulence, The Four Seasons continued to be a successful hit-making group throughout the rest of the decade, with six additional songs reaching the Billboard top ten. They wouldn’t return to the number one spot until the ’60s had become a thing of the past.
What did the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson mean to rock music in the 1960s?
In the remaining years of the ’60s, The Beach Boys soared even higher, amassing a total of eight additional top ten hits and an extra five in the top twenty. They managed to reach the peak position with songs in both 1965 and 1966.
What made the Beach Boys stand out as the most influential American band of the 1960s, whereas the Four Seasons started losing their prominence? The key factor can be traced back to a single individual’s impact.
This week, at the age of 82, Brian Wilson, the eldest of the three brothers, took his final bow. They were the founding members of the Beach Boys back in the ’60s. Not only was he the group’s main songwriter and one of their lead vocalists, but he also played bass in the early years. However, his influence went far beyond these roles.
Brian Wilson was instrumental in shaping the distinctive sound of the Beach Boys, a sound that significantly advanced rock and roll into a sophisticated genre. Although his brothers, Carl and Dennis, as well as his cousin, Mike Love, all made significant additions to this sound, it was Brian who stood out as the innovative mind behind it.
Back in a time when very few musicians took on the task of producing their own albums, it was at the age of 21 that Brian started creating the band’s records, starting with their third studio album titled “Surfer Girl“, which came out in 1963. Unlike The Beatles, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, the Velvet Underground, or the Doors, they were not self-producers.
Frankie Valli, known for his lead vocals in the Four Seasons, didn’t compose or produce any of their hit songs. Others took care of that. It’s possible that this could be a reason why The Four Seasons struggled to sustain their spectacular early ’60s success as music trends evolved throughout the decade. However, it might also be due to other factors.
A more fitting statement might be: The Beach Boys maintained their success due to a songwriter and producer who burned with an insatiable enthusiasm for pushing the boundaries of pop rock, leading them to exciting new realms.
Brian Wilson incorporated the intricate jazz vocal harmonies he admired from the Four Freshmen over a foundation of rock music influenced by Chuck Berry, on their debut album’s first track, “Surfin’ Safari.” Co-written with Mike Love, Wilson also arranged the backing harmonies that complemented Love’s lead vocals. The song made it to the top 20 in the charts.
A year on, he’d draw even more heavily from Chuck Berry for “Surfin’ U.S.A.”, eventually hitting the top ten charts. Wilson was creating the soundtrack that encapsulated the American teen fantasy of sun-soaked beaches, bikinis, fast cars, and the Californian sun at its peak.
If Brian Wilson had remained in charge of the band, it’s likely that the Beach Boys would have followed a similar path as they did, and if this had happened, they probably would have evolved like the Four Seasons did.
Brian Wilson, rather than following in the footsteps of giants like Dylan and the Beatles, chose to push boundaries instead. He observed how these artists were influencing each other musically, as well as how Phil Spector was crafting his signature “wall of sound” with groups such as the Ronettes and the Righteous Brothers. Instead of simply matching their achievements, Wilson aspired to outshine them.
In 1966, Brian Wilson made a profound impact on the world of rock music through his groundbreaking work, particularly the album Pet Sounds and the single “Good Vibrations.” His innovative songwriting and studio techniques were unprecedented at that time and remain seldom matched to this day.
Wilson’s relentless passions eventually caused him stress. Known for his meticulous nature, he found it challenging under the spotlight of public performance. He decided to step back from touring with the band several years ago in order to focus on composing and studio work. The intense passion he held, combined with a delicate mental state and ongoing struggles with Love, as well as an abusive father emotionally, ultimately resulted in significant mental health issues.
For several years, Brian Wilson conceived an idea for an album that he hoped would surpass “Pet Sounds.” However, various obstacles hindered him from bringing his concept to fruition. Known as “Smile,” this ambitious project remained unfinished by Wilson. Instead, the band released a more simplified version of it in 1967, entitled “Smiley Smile.
As a gamer, I’ve got to say, after a rough patch, Wilson really bounced back with “Wild Honey,” a mix of R&B and pop-rock that dropped at the end of ’67. From then on, Brian scaled back his involvement in songwriting and production, giving other band members the chance to shine as leaders. Over time, Brian decided to leave the group altogether.
Despite facing mental health challenges, Brian’s knack for producing remarkable music remained intact. Following his treatment, he put out a series of thought-provoking, albeit inconsistent, solo albums. Eventually, in 2004, he finished his rendition of the album Smile.
Afterward, he released a succession of diverse albums, many of which contained valuable treasures. In 2008, he often worked with Van Dyke Parks on “That Lucky Old Sun”. This collaboration was followed by two more albums: one filled with George Gershwin tunes and another containing songs from Disney. These albums weren’t as avant-garde as his ’60s work, but they continue to be delightful listening experiences.
10 years ago, he released his most recent significant album titled “No Pier Pressure“. In this work, he showcased his talent once more, singing original tunes alongside artists like Kacey Musgraves and Nate Ruess from fun. Additionally, by that time, he had reunited with the remaining Beach Boys members and collaborated with his longtime partner Al Jardine on various songs.
Brian outlived both his younger brothers, Dennis who passed away in 1983, and Carl who followed in 1998. It’s strangely symbolic that Brian also died the same week as Sylvester Stewart, better known as Sly Stone. These two men were born nearly identical years apart and grew up in California during the emergence of rock & roll music.
In the ’60s, they both emerged as composers of songs, leaders of bands, and innovative record producers, taking American music to remarkable new peaks.
The beautifully intricate tunes and ethereal vocal harmonies crafted by Brian Wilson have left a lasting impression on musicians since the dawn of rock ‘n’ roll, and it seems he will continue to inspire even after his passing.
Dylan noted that even though Wilson recorded all his albums using just four tracks, it wouldn’t be possible to replicate those recordings today with a hundred tracks at one’s disposal.
Skip ahead approximately fifty years. On her 2018 album, “Dirty Computer,” Janelle Monáe stated that only Brian Wilson was capable of delivering harmonies.
Various renowned musicians such as Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Jimmy Buffett, Linda Ronstadt, Leonard Bernstein, Quincy Jones, and Philip Glass have all held him in high esteem. Neil Young even likened him to Mozart, while Jimmy Buffett deemed him a hero. Linda Ronstadt stated that Wilson had no equal in pop music. Their admiration extends beyond the realm of pop music, as evidenced by praise from legends like Leonard Bernstein and Quincy Jones. The list of accolades is extensive and continues to grow.
Among Iggy Pop, Henry Rollins, Questlove, and Bruno Mars, none from the rock era is more highly respected and regarded as a musical genius by their peers than Brian Wilson.
Today, U2’s Bono will have the last say: “The magic of his music lies in the joy it carries. I am convinced that Brian believes in angels. So do I. Yet, just listen to the violin arrangement on ‘God Only Knows’, and you’ll find indisputable evidence and proof of angels.
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2025-06-12 17:00