Get the latest gossip
‘The joy shot out of his voice’: Ray Davies, Graham Nash and others on Brian Wilson’s songwriting genius
With the innocence of a child and the vision of a god, his craft was astonishing. From Jessica Pratt to Jim James and Biffy Clyro’s Simon Neil, top musicians explain why he was like no other
Photograph: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesWhen I saw him at the Royal Festival Hall with the Wondermints as his band, doing Pet Sounds for the first time, he was a presence on stage, like Jesus with his disciples. I love the simplicity of the sentiments of his song – really personal and basic, hidden behind these complex musical structures, and that shows how Brian’s mind worked: in one way he was the most advanced and mature artist, and in another he had the brain of a child. I got to sit with the entire Beach Boys and speak to Brian Wilson about Sunflower, about Holland, asking him about records – to pick his brain was one of the most important moments of my life.
Or read this on The Guardian
