‘I yearned to be a California Girl – but I lived in Burnley’: readers on their love for Brian Wilson

From memories of photoshoots and telephone calls with the late Beach Boy, to appraisals of his complex but pure music, Guardian readers pay tribute to a greatWhether wistful or euphoric, Brian Wilson made pop’s most overwhelmingly beautiful musicRay Davies, Graham Nash and others on Brian Wilson’s songwriting geniusEndless summer: how Brian Wilson soundtracked CaliforniaI remember the Christmas after my mother’s death in 1989 when I was 15, I purchased the best-of collection from Asda, interested to see what I would hear. It had the hits, of course, but also a few of the deeper cuts from Pet Sounds and onwards. To say this changed my life is an understatement – Brian’s music, harmonies and subject matters struck an incredible chord in me. It did exactly what he existed for, bringing comfort to a heart and soul that needs it. I’ve been a fan ever since – I saw him at the Royal Festival Hall on his first Pet Sounds tour, watched him perform Smile in utter disbelief and wonder in Liverpool, while finally introducing his amazing show to my beautiful wife at the Summer Pops in Liverpool. Quite simply the greatest musician to ever live, in my opinion. Stephen Woodward, 50, Liverpool Continue reading...

Comments

Culture

The Grammys tweak rules to create two new categories for 2026

Independent

Comments

Culture

The Grammys tweak rules to create two new categories for 2026

The 7 best ‘explosive’ Australian thrillers free to watch in UK

Barbie Ferreira on her life and career post-Euphoria: ‘We all have daddy issues – literally everyone’

13 worst songs by brilliant artists, from The Beatles to Taylor Swift

Royal Academy Summer Exhibition review: 'where is British art going?'

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, 'Jaws' 50th anniversary is here

Missed Glasto? 11 festivals you can still get tickets for

Blake Lively moves to stop Justin Baldoni obtaining Taylor Swift’s texts

Channel 4 star vomits as his girlfriend sleeps with another man on ‘unnecessarily graphic’ show

Marthe Cohn, a Wartime Jewish Nurse Who Spied for the French, Dies at 105

Air India black box recovered after crash that killed 241 onboard and several others on the ground

New Hampshire jury acquits consultant behind AI robocalls mimicking Biden on all charges

A letter demanding data on Cuban medical missions roils the Caribbean and the Americas

Rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, shows up for Sean 'Diddy' Combs' trial but can't get in

U.S. measles count nears 1,200 cases as Ohio officials confirm 3 outbreaks are over

Newly knighted Roger Daltrey said he ‘didn’t care’ about honour in 2022 interview

Law firm claims Pete Davidson and Colin Jost’s company stiffed them in deal to buy Staten Island Ferry

Prince William’s friend Sunjay Kapur dies after heart attack ‘triggered by swallowing a bee’ at polo match

The Simpsons creator says being ‘forbidden’ is ‘one of the best things that ever happened’ to the show

Strictly legend ‘almost missed deadline’ to accept honour in King’s birthday list

David Beckham says knighthood 'truly humbling' - as rock star and acting great also honoured

What if being Mr 305 was a state of mind?

It’s time to say goodbye to Not Going Out

Harris Yulin, Actor Who Perpetually Played the Bad Guy, Dies at 87

Foday Musa Suso, 75, Dies; Ambitious Ambassador for West African Music

West End star Elaine Paige ‘astonished’ to be given Damehood

The Who’s Roger Daltrey ‘very humbled’ by ‘dream come true’ knighthood

Kylie Minogue postpones string of concerts due to illness as singer issues statement

Nick Cannon replaces Will Arnett as Lego Masters host as fans slam ‘terrible news’

Bachelor star Grant Ellis announces breakup with fiancée Juliana Pasquarosa months after season 29 finale

These catchy old songs aren't as think as you drunk they are

Pope Leo XIV's fashion choices make waves, and many wonder what they mean

Study links marijuana legalization to increased opioid abuse in VA patients

Spaceballs 2: Son of original star set to join cast for sequel to Star Wars spoof

'Buy now, pay later:' a replacement for the millennial lifestyle subsidy?

I was a Sabrina Carpenter fan. Until I saw her new album cover

The Chosen season 5 cast, filming locations and episode guide

E. Jean Carroll Chronicles Her Legal Battles With Trump in a New Book

Arthur Hamilton, Who Wrote the Enduring ‘Cry Me a River,’ Dies at 98

Kylie Minogue postpones run of tour shows after ‘succumbing to viral infection’

Kylie Minogue forced to postpone tour dates after ‘viral infection’

Barbra Streisand on “The Secret of Life”

Call Me Izzy reviews: Jean Smart ‘dazzles’ critics in one-woman Broadway show after 25-year stage hiatus

Party of Five star’s estranged wife appears to be detained by police on livestream days after announcing divorce

Exhibitions celebrate 'Brummie icon' Ozzy Osbourne

Download mosh pits may cause hundreds of 999 calls

Pulp celebrates first number one album in 27 years

Glastonbury star cancels all his 2025 shows amid mental health crisis

‘Secret Glastonbury performers’ celebrate UK number 1 album weeks before festival

How To Train Your Dragon star lost ‘a chunk of chin’ during painful scene

Women’s Prize winner Rachel Clarke issues plea to Wes Streeting as NHS doctors face unemployment

CNN correspondent in tears as she reveals MTV VJ Ananda Lewis’ final text before her death

Donna Kelce joins cast of Traitors season four with reality TV stars, drag queens, and Olympians

The Simpsons creator says controversy was ‘one of the best things that ever happened’ to the show

One of TV’s ‘most shocking cliffhangers’ is still horrifying 15 years later

Squid Game boss confirms mind-blowing spin-off idea that has to happen

I was a Sabrina Carpenter fan. Until I saw her new album cover

Action Movies to Stream Now: ‘Exterritorial,’ ‘Fear Below’ and More

The Musical Mysteries Brian Wilson Left Behind

Kanye West Arrives at Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Trial in Support of Music Mogul