God Only Knows: The Story of Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys and the California Myth
this groundbreaking study was both the first full-length book on the band and the first to recognize Brian Wilson as one of the most significant and influential artists of the 20th century. Covering the turbulent family strife and internal conflicts as well as giving proper attention to the remarkable music, the book was an instant classic. An intimate look at Brian’s rollercoaster of a life and career, it’s told through the eyes of those who were there during Wilson’s most legendary productions including Pet Sounds and Good Vibrations. Revised and updated, God Only Knows covers the decades since the 1985 edition, including Brian’s first acclaimed solo album, his startling return to live performing, the landmark Pet Sounds tour, the “All-Star Tribute to Brian Wilson” (which Leaf wrote and produced) and the triumphant and miraculous Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE world premiere in London. Filled with surprising revelations, insight and behind-the-scenes detail, this indispensable book written by renowned Brian Wilson expert David Leaf also features forewords by Jimmy Webb, the Bee Gees’ Barry Gibb and Melinda Wilson.
"1141362907"
God Only Knows: The Story of Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys and the California Myth
this groundbreaking study was both the first full-length book on the band and the first to recognize Brian Wilson as one of the most significant and influential artists of the 20th century. Covering the turbulent family strife and internal conflicts as well as giving proper attention to the remarkable music, the book was an instant classic. An intimate look at Brian’s rollercoaster of a life and career, it’s told through the eyes of those who were there during Wilson’s most legendary productions including Pet Sounds and Good Vibrations. Revised and updated, God Only Knows covers the decades since the 1985 edition, including Brian’s first acclaimed solo album, his startling return to live performing, the landmark Pet Sounds tour, the “All-Star Tribute to Brian Wilson” (which Leaf wrote and produced) and the triumphant and miraculous Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE world premiere in London. Filled with surprising revelations, insight and behind-the-scenes detail, this indispensable book written by renowned Brian Wilson expert David Leaf also features forewords by Jimmy Webb, the Bee Gees’ Barry Gibb and Melinda Wilson.
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God Only Knows: The Story of Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys and the California Myth

God Only Knows: The Story of Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys and the California Myth

by David Leaf
God Only Knows: The Story of Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys and the California Myth

God Only Knows: The Story of Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys and the California Myth

by David Leaf

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Overview

this groundbreaking study was both the first full-length book on the band and the first to recognize Brian Wilson as one of the most significant and influential artists of the 20th century. Covering the turbulent family strife and internal conflicts as well as giving proper attention to the remarkable music, the book was an instant classic. An intimate look at Brian’s rollercoaster of a life and career, it’s told through the eyes of those who were there during Wilson’s most legendary productions including Pet Sounds and Good Vibrations. Revised and updated, God Only Knows covers the decades since the 1985 edition, including Brian’s first acclaimed solo album, his startling return to live performing, the landmark Pet Sounds tour, the “All-Star Tribute to Brian Wilson” (which Leaf wrote and produced) and the triumphant and miraculous Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE world premiere in London. Filled with surprising revelations, insight and behind-the-scenes detail, this indispensable book written by renowned Brian Wilson expert David Leaf also features forewords by Jimmy Webb, the Bee Gees’ Barry Gibb and Melinda Wilson.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781915841414
Publisher: Omnibus Press
Publication date: 04/03/2025
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 1.25(h) x 9.00(d)

About the Author

David Leaf is an award-winning writer, director and producer, whose feature credits include the Venice Film festival favourite The U.S. vs. John Lennon, the Grammy-nominated Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of SMiLE, The Night James Brown Saved Boston, and Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is ‘Everybody Talkin’ About Him?).

As well as publishing the seminal The Beach Boys and the California Myth in 1978, David wrote the Bee Gees’ authorized autobiography.

Leaf is also a professor at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music in Los Angeles, where, since 2010, he has been teaching courses in rock documentary, songwriting and the Beatles.

Table of Contents

An Overture from Sir Paul McCartney 1

A Note from Melinda Wilson 3

"Words" Sir Barry Gibb 5

Welcome 7

My California Myth Begins and Is Renewed 12

The Stall Dog 19

"All I Know": An Introduction from Jimmy Webb 25

The California Myth 29

Introduction to the 1978 Edition 37

1 Rhapsody in Blue 41

2 Five Freshmen 60

3 Let's Go Surfin' 67

4 If Everybody Had an Ocean 80

5 Don't Worry Baby 93

6 Please Let Me Wonder 104

The Beach Boys' Sound 114

7 Pet Sounds 120

8 Good Vibrations and Smile 138

9 Heroes, Villains and No Smiles 158

10 Beached 177

Charles Manson 196

11 Surf's Up 200

Murry Wilson 219

12 Endless Summer 228

13 Brian Is Back 237

Epilogue, 1978 264

14 Codetta, 1977-1985 271

Requiem for the Beach Boy 290

15 Retrospective, 1985 293

Shades of Grey 300

The Legacy 313

Author's Note to the 2022 Edition 317

16 'Til I Die: The Battle for Brian Wilson 328

17 Melt Away: Brian Wilson's Personal Renaissance Begins 356

18 Brian Hits the Road!? 379

19 The Tribute and the Queen 388

20 Beautiful Dreams and Beautiful Dreamer 407

21 That Lucky Old Sun 422

An Epilogue: With Love and Mercy 434

Myths and Legends 452

Acknowledgments: 1978, 1985, 2022 464

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