Yesterday, I learned the sad news that Brian Wilson, the key songwriter and one of the founders of The Beach Boys, has been placed in a conservatorship. What does that mean? It’s basically a court order for an appointed person to oversee the financial affairs of someone who can’t do it for themselves, especially if they’re young or have an illness.
Unfortunately, Brian Wilson now has dementia, but has struggled in the past with a variety of mental illnesses, including schizoaffective disorder – something we both have in common.
And, to add fuel to the fire, Wilson lost his wife just a few months ago.
I spoke a lot about Brian in my book because I see him as an inspirational figure for many reasons.
Sure, we both battle with our brains, but Brian created magic even while facing his demons.
A bit about Brian’s brain
From what I’ve read online and in Brian’s wonderful memoir, he began to have auditory hallucinations in the 1960s and was frequently having paranoid delusions. Not fun. I can fully understand the pain of that.
He famously was led under the supervision of Dr Eugene Landy, which was a bad idea from the start. That whole ordeal didn’t end too well.
He was also frequently misdiagnosed, with some of the initial diagnoses eventually retracted.
But Brian has also been pretty open about the fact that although he has had successful treatment for his mental disorders, it has ultimately affected his creativity and ability to write music.
Pet Sounds was a once in a lifetime record
Finished in 1966, Pet Sounds was the 11th studio record by The Beach Boys, but it was largely written by Brian Wilson and Brian Wilson alone.
It includes hit songs including ‘God Only Knows’, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice’ and ‘Sloop John B’.
The record has been frequently recognised as one of the greatest albums ever recorded. Apparently, it cost around USD$660,000 to produce, which was unheard of at the time.
Personally, I love this album for many reasons, including the vocal rounds or cannon used in the end of ‘God Only Knows’ or the strange, yet haunting melodies heard in the song ‘Don’t Talk (put your head on my shoulder)’. The latter is one of the lesser known pieces on the album, but is just so brilliant.
It’s made me wonder: how does Brian Wilson’s brain work? I have no idea. I guess only he knows..
Sure, it proves that his mind worked differently to a lot of other people, but it also proves that mental illness can actually have its creative benefits, rather than the most talked-about downsides and really tough times.
I have never heard anything like Pet Sounds and likely never will again. Perhaps Coldplay’s Mylo Xyloto album is a concept album of its own, but it’s songwriting and melodies are a way apart from Brian Wilson’s.
I urge you to have a listen to Pet Sounds whenever you can. Sure, it’s not the same sort of music as the pop-driven sounds of today, but it’s well worth it.
Love,
Zak
Tales from a Bruised Mind 
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