That Wilson was able to claw his way back from this dark abyss and resume his career is one of the most phenomenal comebacks in the history of rock ‘n’ roll. For the next two decades, Wilson descended into substance use and severe mental illness, marked by artistic stagnation and social withdrawal that was deepened by a controversial therapeutic regimen administered by the Svengali-like Dr. However, he crashed into an artistic brick wall in 1966 with the legendary “Smile,” which remained unreleased for nearly 50 years. Wilson quickly surpassed his influences to create melodically sophisticated pop masterpieces like “All Summer Long,” “Beach Boys Today!” “Summer Days (and Summer Nights!!),” and the incomparable “Pet Sounds.” The early Beach Boys’ songs were a mixture of Four Freshman harmonies and Chuck Berry rhythms overlain with a production sheen inspired by Phil Spector. In I Am Brian Wilson, he tells his story with incredible intensity, candidness, and humor. As composer, lyricist, lead singer, arranger, and producer of the Beach Boys, he created scores of exhilarating songs that celebrated and mythologized the Southern California lifestyle of sun, surf, cars, and girls. Brian Wilson is responsible for some of the most iconic music of the latter half of the 20th century.
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