Latest news with #CarlWilson
CBC
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
What Bruce Springsteen's lost albums reveal about him as an artist
Today, Bruce Springsteen decided to grace fans everywhere with not just one album, but seven albums of previously unreleased music. The box set, Tracks II: The Lost Albums, contains 83 new songs which showcase the Boss's love of country and orchestral music. Today on Commotion, host Elamin Abdelmahmoud chats with music journalists Carl Wilson, Vish Khanna and Niko Stratis to discuss the massive new release from Springsteen. We've included some highlights below, edited for length and clarity. For the full discussion on Serge Fiori's legacy and Lorde's new album, listen and follow Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud on your favourite podcast player. WATCH | Today's episode on YouTube: Elamin: Niko, this is a box set that spans from 1983 all the way to 2018, the vast majority of it recorded in the 1990s. Where was Bruce in this era? Why did he have so much music stockpiled, but not released out to the public? Niko: The '90s are such a funny period for Bruce. He has referred to people saying that that's his lost decade. He has very few records come out in the '90s. He has two come out at the same time, Human Touch and Lucky Town. Lucky Town comes out in '92. He does Streets of Philadelphia in '93. And then Ghost of Tom Joad comes out in '95. And that's kind of it. It's not until The Rising comes out in 2002 that we get anything new from Bruce. So it is this lost period. He's moved to California at this time. He's in Los Angeles, he's having kids, he's having a family — and he's made a lot of music, we just never heard it. Listening through this now, it is interesting to hear: where was Bruce in this era that we didn't really hear a lot from him? What did he sound like? What was he doing? What was he trying to do? And how would this have felt if it came out in the years that he recorded them? Had he put a country record out in '95 when he also did Ghost of Tom Joad, would people have been into it? And it's impossible to know the answer to that question. But now we have 83 tracks through which to wonder: what would have happened if Bruce was just throwing spaghetti at the wall his entire life? Elamin: Suddenly, you get this moment, Vish, where you are not confronted with, but blessed with, shall we say, a gigantic flood of new Bruce Springsteen songs that range in their styles. We have a country-style album. We have some orchestral stuff. He's working with a lot of different styles. What's it like waking up and being like, "Oh my gosh, look at all this, the Bruce bounty?" Vish: I think those of us who follow older artists are becoming accustomed to people putting out outtakes or unreleased material collections. In my memory — and I might be wrong — I can't think of anything like this. I can't think of any artist of his calibre being like, "Here's seven complete albums I made. I put out other stuff instead of this. So here you go." So when these collections come out, one thing beyond just marveling at the music that we get to hear, fans have to reckon with what our favourite artists' decision making processes are, their indecisiveness, their contemplation, the fact that they really think about these things. This particular set had me thinking: what if Bruce and Dylan — Bob Dylan, by the way, is who I'm referring to there — what if Miles Davis, Neil Young, all these people had Bandcamp or SoundCloud? Can you imagine? These days everyone's just like, "Hey everyone, I made a record last week, here you go." These folks sit on these things and I think it's kind of interesting because we're like, "OK, you didn't put this out? It's perfect. This is great." And I think the other thing we wrestle with as fans is: the stuff that did come? I don't know if it's as good as this now. I just think it's fascinating that Bruce and some of the other people I mentioned are able to provide us these alternate histories, while they're alive. That's really unusual to have all these people be like, "Here's what I did, here's what I could have done, here you go." Elamin: Carl, when you look at this box set, what does it tell you about what Bruce Springsteen wants us to know about him right now? Carl: It doesn't tell us anything we don't already know after the last 15 years or more of outtake albums and bonus discs. We're aware that Bruce produced work like a MF at all times. There is this project, I think, in the last decade of really putting the archives in order, alongside telling his story and his autobiography, alongside doing the Broadway show based on the autobiography, alongside making these documentaries. Bruce Springsteen wants to tell the Bruce Springsteen story. And the interesting thing is that he's willing to tell it now in a broader way. When Vish was talking about the choices that were made to put these albums out or not, I think a big part of it is that a lot of those projects here didn't suit the story that Bruce wanted to tell about Bruce Springsteen at particular times. They're not the heroic man of the people, masculine Bruce Springsteen at all times. They're kind of the weird artist Bruce Springsteen, obsessively making stuff in the garage studio. At various points, he veers away from putting out the orchestral pop album, from putting out the synthesizer album, from putting out the more mainstream country album instead of the Woody Guthrie-esque country album. So all of those choices show up here. And there's a romance to the idea of lost albums. And there is also the indications of strategy and fears about public perception and all of those kinds of things that are the backside to all of that.
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Brian Wilson's cause of death revealed days after Beach Boys icon's shock passing aged 82
Beach Boys icon Brian Wilson's cause of death has been revealed publicly two weeks after his passing at 82. Wilson's children announced his death on the singer's official Instagram page on Wednesday June 11 - a year after it emerged that he had been diagnosed with a neurocognitive disorder similar to dementia. Per a death certificate obtained by TMZ, Wilson died from respiratory arrest - which occurs when the heart is still beating, but the lungs stop functioning, making it impossible for the person to get oxygen. Wilson was also suffering from a litany of other health issues at the time of his death, with infections sepsis and cystitis also listed on the certificate. Associated factors include neurodegenerative disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic respiratory failure and chronic kidney disease. The God Only Knows hitmaker shot to fame as the frontman of the Beach Boys, for which he served as the principal songwriter as well as the co-lead vocalist. Wilson formed the Beach Boys in 1961 with his brothers Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love and their friend Al Jardine. The original name of the band was the Pendletones, and they exploded onto the scene with their 1961 song Surfin', written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love. Over the course of the 1960s the group became one of the most beloved in America, releasing albums like Surfin' Safari, Surfin' U.S.A. and Surfer Girl. Their 1966 hit God Only Knows was branded 'the greatest song ever written' by Beatles legend Paul McCartney. Along with their pioneering musical style, the band also conjured up an intoxicating image of a carefree California lifestyle of sunshine, palm trees and sea air. However Wilson's involvement with the Beach Boys shifted dramatically when he suffered a nervous breakdown in 1964, followed by two more in the next couple of years. He promptly withdrew from touring but retained his backstage control of the band as a writer and producer, masterminding their 1966 magnum opus Pet Sounds and providing lead vocals on many of the tracks. Pet Sounds struggled commercially at first, but ultimately earned a reputation as one of the most acclaimed pop albums ever created. Melinda, his second and final wife, married Wilson in 1995, and he credited her as his 'savior' in his devastated statement on her death last year; the couple are pictured in 1995 Last February, shortly after his wife Melinda's death, Wilson's family filed to obtain a conservatorship of him, announcing his diagnosis with a dementia-like condition. They said he often made 'spontaneous irrelevant or incoherent utterances,' had a 'very short attention span and while unintentionally disruptive, is frequently unable to maintain decorum appropriate to the situation,' in documents obtained by The Blast. Melinda, the family argued, had been attending to Wilson's 'daily living needs' and her absence had left him 'unable to properly provide for his own personal needs for physical health, food, clothing, or shelter.' The last time Wilson was seen in public was April 2024, when he emerged looking frail in a wheelchair to attend a Los Angeles Lakers game. News of his death provoked an outpouring of grief from his fans, including Elton John, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, Mick Fleetwood, Micky Dolenz, the Backstreet Boys, Randy Bachman and John Lennon's sons Julian Lennon and Sean Lennon. Wilson's survivors include his daughters Carnie, 57, and Wendy, 55, whom he had with his first wife Marilyn, as well as the five children he adopted with Melinda, who are called Dakota Rose, Daria Rose, Delanie Rose, Dylan and Dash.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Brian Wilson's cause of death revealed days after Beach Boys icon's shock passing aged 82
Beach Boys icon Brian Wilson's cause of death has been revealed publicly two weeks after his passing at 82. Wilson's children announced his death on the singer's official Instagram page on Wednesday June 11 - a year after it emerged that he had been diagnosed with a neurocognitive disorder similar to dementia. Per a death certificate obtained by TMZ, Wilson died from respiratory arrest - which occurs when the heart is still beating, but the lungs stop functioning, making it impossible for the person to get oxygen. Wilson was also suffering from a litany of other health issues at the time of his death, with infections sepsis and cystitis also listed on the certificate. Associated factors include neurodegenerative disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic respiratory failure and chronic kidney disease. The God Only Knows hitmaker shot to fame as the frontman of the Beach Boys, for which he served as the principal songwriter as well as the co-lead vocalist. Wilson formed the Beach Boys in 1961 with his brothers Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love and their friend Al Jardine - The Beach Boys are pictured in 1964 Wilson formed the Beach Boys in 1961 with his brothers Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love and their friend Al Jardine. The original name of the band was the Pendletones, and they exploded onto the scene with their 1961 song Surfin', written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love. Over the course of the 1960s the group became one of the most beloved in America, releasing albums like Surfin' Safari, Surfin' U.S.A. and Surfer Girl. Their 1966 hit God Only Knows was branded 'the greatest song ever written' by Beatles legend Paul McCartney. Along with their pioneering musical style, the band also conjured up an intoxicating image of a carefree California lifestyle of sunshine, palm trees and sea air. However Wilson's involvement with the Beach Boys shifted dramatically when he suffered a nervous breakdown in 1964, followed by two more in the next couple of years. He promptly withdrew from touring but retained his backstage control of the band as a writer and producer, masterminding their 1966 magnum opus Pet Sounds and providing lead vocals on many of the tracks. Pet Sounds struggled commercially at first, but ultimately earned a reputation as one of the most acclaimed pop albums ever created. Last February, shortly after his wife Melinda's death, Wilson's family filed to obtain a conservatorship of him, announcing his diagnosis with a dementia-like condition. They said he often made 'spontaneous irrelevant or incoherent utterances,' had a 'very short attention span and while unintentionally disruptive, is frequently unable to maintain decorum appropriate to the situation,' in documents obtained by The Blast. Melinda, the family argued, had been attending to Wilson's 'daily living needs' and her absence had left him 'unable to properly provide for his own personal needs for physical health, food, clothing, or shelter.' The last time Wilson was seen in public was April 2024, when he emerged looking frail in a wheelchair to attend a Los Angeles Lakers game. News of his death provoked an outpouring of grief from his fans, including Elton John, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, Mick Fleetwood, Micky Dolenz, the Backstreet Boys, Randy Bachman and John Lennon's sons Julian Lennon and Sean Lennon. Wilson's survivors include his daughters Carnie, 57, and Wendy, 55, whom he had with his first wife Marilyn, as well as the five children he adopted with Melinda, who are called Dakota Rose, Daria Rose, Delanie Rose, Dylan and Dash.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Was The Beach Boys' 1966 the Greatest Year for an American Band in Pop History?
Last week (June 11), the brilliant writer, producer, composer and singer Brian Wilson died at age 82. Wilson leaves behind a singular catalog of pop and rock music, which is of course headlined by his work in the '60s and '70s with The Beach Boys, alongside his brothers Carl and Dennis, cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine. The Beach Boys cruised to pop stardom from 1963 to 1965 with a string of smash hits about surfing, cars and girls that grew increasingly complex as Brian rapidly developed as a songwriter and studio wizard. In 1966, all the group's artistic ambitions were realized, with perhaps both the Boys' most beloved album and most beloved single — though it all came at a tremendous cost to Wilson, and to the band's long-term future. On this week's Vintage Pop Stardom episode of the Greatest Pop Stars podcast, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard executive digital director, west coast Katie Atkinson, to talk about the greatest year by the ultimate west coast pop band. We talk about everything that led up to the Beach Boys' singular legacy year in 1966 — which ultimately resulted in the LP masterwork Pet Sounds and the unanimously acclaimed pop smash 'Good Vibrations' — as well as why the group was ultimately unable to reach those commercial or artistic heights again. More from Billboard Young Singer Wins Over 'AGT' Judges With Ed Sheeran Cover Ozzy Osbourne's DNA Will Be Sold in Limited Edition Liquid Death Cans Kneecap Launch London Billboard Takeover Ahead of 'Witch-Hunt' Court Appearance And of course, along the way, we ask all the big questions about the Beach Boys' greatest (and in many ways last) year in the sun: Why did Brian Wilson enlist an ad man he barely knew as his primary collaborator on Pet Sounds (and why did that guy end up hating working with him so much)? Is 'Sloop John B.' secretly the album's perfect thematic centerpiece? Is 'Good Vibrations' really more head than it is heart? Would 1966 Brian have dealt with f–kboy or industry plant allegations in 2025? And of course: Is this the greatest year in pop music that any American band has ever had? Check it out above — along with a YouTube playlist of some of the most important moments from The Beach Boys' 1966, all of which are discussed in the podcast — and subscribe to the Greatest Pop Stars podcast on Apple Music or Spotify (or wherever you get your podcasts) for weekly discussions every Thursday about all things related to pop stardom! And as we say in every one of these GPS podcast posts — if you have the time and money to spare, please consider donating to any of these causes in the fight for trans rights: Transgender Law Center Trans Lifeline Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Forbes
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
The Beach Boys Debut On A Billboard Chart For The First Time
Following Brian Wilson's passing, Sounds of Summer debuts at No. 20 on the Top Streaming Albums ... More chart, earning the band its first hit. MAY 12: Rock and roll band "The Beach Boys" performs onstage in the movie "The Girls On The Beach on May 12, 1965. (L-R) Al Jardine, Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Mike Love, Brian Wilson. (Photo by Michael) The world is currently mourning the loss of Brian Wilson, one of the most innovative musicians in pop music history. The Beach Boys' frontman left behind an incredible body of work that spans well over half a century and includes some of the catchiest tunes in pop-rock history. As is often the case when a superstar of his caliber passes, Wilson's music has seen a surge in popularity as millions of people reconnect with him through his art. The Beach Boys have experienced two strong weeks on the Billboard charts as consumption of the group's catalog increases. Sounds of Summer: The Very Best of The Beach Boys has become the focal point for many fans who have recently turned to the band's music. It's common for compilations to skyrocket following the death of a group member, and as Sounds of Summer returns to one list and rises on others, it also debuts on one tally. Sounds of Summer Becomes a Streaming Win Sounds of Summer launches on the Top Streaming Albums chart at No. 20. Its arrival marks the band's first appearance on Billboard's list of the most successful full-lengths and EPs on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and others. The ranking itself was introduced only a relatively short time ago, so it's not shocking that it took such a drastic event for the Beach Boys to score an inaugural placement. Sounds of Summer Reaches a New High As Sounds of Summer earns the Beach Boys a debut on the Top Streaming Albums chart, the collection also reaches a new high on the Billboard 200. Last week, the compilation sat at No. 52. Now, it rockets to No. 14, 356 frames into its tenure on the tally. The Beach Boys Climb Multiple Billboard Charts The same gathering of the Beach Boys' most familiar tunes appears on two other Billboard lists, in addition to the Billboard 200 and the Top Streaming Albums roster. The compilation surges from No. 33 to No. 17 on the Top Album Sales chart and reappears at No. 22 on the Vinyl Albums ranking. The band manages to fill a pair of spots on the Top Album Sales ranking as Pet Sounds reaches a new high of No. 18, coming in just one slot beneath Sounds of Summer.
