Brian Is Back! (though he was never gone....really)
From The Smile Shop
Brian Is Back! (though he was never gone....really), by Bob "PetSite" Flory
I want to relate something to the youngsters on the board (and I may have posted this before, so, be patient with an old man).
I was standing in the lobby of the Hyatt Regency in Houston, Texas toward the end of February, 1981. I was there to interview the Beach Boys has they got ready to leave the Hyatt and proceed to the Summit for their show.
It was Dennis' first night back after several months and he LOOKED good but the fact that he was smoking a joint and drinking a large glass of wine, I knew he had started to party already. His hair was short, his beard was gone, and he was wearing a sports jacket, tan slacks and hushpuppies. As I talked to Dennis (and as the bus was leaving for the venue), up comes Brian Wilson. I had met Brian first in '79 and it was a quick "Hi-Bye" thing. This was my first time to talk to him at length.
But Brian couldn't talk. He was barefoot, wearing running pants and a white shirt that was unbuttoned all the way. His hair was greasy and messed up. He told Dennis as he walked up that he had just rolled out of bed and down the stairs. He hugged Dennis saying "Dennis my brother, I am so glad you are here. I love you." Dennis introduced me to Brian, who quickly signed my copy of Pet Sounds (I had since put my tape recorder away).
Just as Brian was about to bolt, I asked if he would sign one more item. He nodded ok, so I pulled a piece of sheet music I got from Brother Records. It was for "Still I Dream Of It". He stopped dead in his tracks and loudly questioned "Where in hell did you get that?" Being 21 and sheepishly shy, I studdered "From Susan Gamble at Brother Records. I wanted to learn how to play the tune."
Alan Jardine walked over to see what was "goin' down". He saw the sheet music and the look in Brian's eyes. Brian looked sad but happy (if you know what I mean). Al said "Hey kid. where did you get that?" After I answered, I added "I think it's a great tune, Brian. A Pet Sounds tune!"
Though Brian has whipped through the signing of Pet Sounds, he carefully signed this sheet for me. He thanked me and then made the comment to both Al and I that he would never, ever be able to write something that good again. We both strongly disagreed, but Brian just shook his head and said "Nope, never." And he and Al headed for the bus.
I thought on that night that no new Brian Wilson music would ever come forth. Brian was stoned, dazed and grossly overweight. I was sure he would die soon. To have the 1988 LP, Imagination, and the new work, as well as the touring is just overwhelming at time.
Then again, to have Brian at all is a miracle. Be thankful. Very thankful.
