It’s the album which almost never happened. Brian Wilson’s album Smile was intended to be his opus. The legendary member of the Beach Boys started on it in the 1960’s, but gave up on it, and finally completed it in the 2000’s.
His story from superstardom, to a mental breakdown and drug abuse, and back to stardom again sounds like a Hollywood movie. In fact, the 2014 movie “Love and Mercy” looked at his struggles.
"I think tortured genius is a fair description," said David Leaf, who wrote what is considered the definitive 1978 book on Wilson called “The Beach Boys And The California Myth.”
"This is a guy who was abused as a child, and had lot of pressure put on him when the Beach Boys became famous," said Leaf. "He took too many drugs, he finally withdrew from music, and almost ate himself to death."
Leaf admits he became obsessed with Wilson’s story as a teenager. In the early 1970’s, he read a story in Rolling Stone Magazine about the singer/songwriter, and his unfinished Smile album. Leaf went to GW University, where he decided to become a journalist, and to tell Wilson’s story.
He told his roommate he was going to go to California to tell Wilson's story, and try to get him to finish the album.
The young journalist was serious about the Wilson project — four years later, he moved to California.
"Within 36 hours of arriving, I met Dennis Wilson on the streets by accident...I told him I was a journalist, and was going to write a book about his brother...and he laughed, and said good luck!" said Leaf.
Three years later, the book was published.
Leaf said he never approached Wilson about writing the book. He just started doing it, and that’s what led to the author connecting with him. Some of Wilson's friends who did interviews for the book thought the two should meet. They did, but he never tried to interview him.
Leaf said they later became friends, but he's convinced Wilson has never read the book, or the updated editions.
"He didn't need to read the book," said Leaf. "He lived his life."
Leaf said Wilson really had a resurgence in the late 1990’s.
"When Brian started touring in 1999, it took us all by surprise," said Leaf. "He just blossomed musically when he realized there was an audience that wanted to come see Brian Wilson alone, with a great band."
Wilson played his entire Pet Sounds album, he finished his Smile, and he wrote a rock opera.
Leaf has produced a number of music related documentaries, and TV specials about Wilson, and Billy Joel. He’s a music professor at UCLA, where he teaches classes related to songwriting, and music documentaries.
But, he’s best known for his books about Wilson, and is considered to be the definitive authority on the musician.
Leaf thinks Wilson was really a misunderstood genius. But, he said if you listen to his music, he, tells his own story.
Leaf will speak with journalist Ivor Davis Thursday night about Brian Wilson at the Museum of Ventura County. It’s both an in-person, and zoom event.
