Brian Wilson and Don Was on Prodigy

August, 1995



Moderator (Speaker)
BRIAN WILSON: I JUST WASN'T MADE FOR THESE TIMES is a documentary film that captures the dramatic highlights of Brian Wilson's extraordinary career both with and without The Beach Boys. Brian Wilson and Producer/Director Don join us for an online visit tonight... It is with great pleasure that we welcome Brian Wilson and Don Was to PRODIGY chat...

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
I'd like to wish everybody an early Merry Christmas.

Moderator (Speaker)
Glad to have you online, Brian!!

Moderator (Speaker)
Welcome. And a very special welcome to Don Was.

Moderator (Speaker)
OK... Let's get to the questions...

Dj Thunder (PRODIGY Member)
Hi Brian this is for you, Do you still sing with the BEACH BOYS? If so aren't you supposed to be in Ottawa Ontario tonight?

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
Yes, I still sing with the Beach Boys... in fact, I played two shows with them in Las Vegas earlier this year. No, I'm not supposed to be in Ottawa.

BudMan01 (PRODIGY Member)
Brian, what was your most memorable moment?

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
My happiest moment was in Sacramento, Calif., when we got mobbed at a concert.

JP in NJ (PRODIGY Member)
Brian and Don.... Thanks for coming online. What's the new movie about? And why did you make it? I'm looking forward to seeing it?

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
The movie is about my life and my career. I made the movie because Don Was asked me to do it... it took him about half a year to convince me to do it.

RADIOACTIVE (PRODIGY Member)
Since "Sweet Insanity" was never released, will any or all of those songs from that recording come out on any future release?

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
Probably not. Maybe "Rainbow Eyes" -- I like that one a lot.

mcon (PRODIGY Member)
What can you tell us about the song "Is There A Chance" on David Foster's River of Love CD from 1990?

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
We wrote it in one morning, working from 11:00 to 1:00 in the afternoon. We went solid for two hours... it took two hours to write. This was back in 1988.

Dj Thunder (PRODIGY Member)
Brian, you must know who the "BARENAKED LADIES" are right? They wrote a song about you on their first album. Is what they said about you true & did you give them permission to write a song

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
My life is more complicated than that song... but I heard it and I appreciated hearing it. And I'm glad that there are so many people out there that care about me.

Dj Thunder (PRODIGY Member)
Don, For some reason i'm not firmilliar of who you are. Can you please tell me where I know your name from?

Don Was (Speaker)
I was your high school English teacher.

Moderator (Speaker)
I like your style, Don...

Moderator (Speaker)
Grammy-award winning producer Don Was has worked with many of the giants in the music business...Bonnie Raitt, The Stones, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Willie Nelson, Jackson Browne and many others... His latest project marks his directorial debut. The documentary BRIAN WILSON: I JUST WASN'T MADE FOR THESE TIMES airs on The Disney Channel 9PM ET/PT Sunday. Please submit your questions to Brian Wilson & Don Was now.

mcon (PRODIGY Member)
How many unreleased songs are there from the Beach Boys Capitol years left in the vaults?

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
Just about everything that was unreleased we put on the box set or on the "two-fers". We're hoping to put out some more "sessions" CDs in the future. Please write Capitol Records and tell them you want more.

JP in NJ (PRODIGY Member)
Brian, How realistic was the made-for-tv movie that ABC aired about The Beach Boys?

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
I never saw it, so it's hard to say.

Dj Thunder (PRODIGY Member)
Brian, I'll be sure to watch your film this Sunday @ 9:00pm, Could you tell me a little about it though?

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
The faces in the documentary are incredible. It is a very well-produced documentary. I'm happy that you will get a chance to see the real Brian Wilson, especially my sense of humor. JP in NJ (PRODIGY Member)
Brian, How would you compare writing music and performing it live?

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
Writing music is a cinch. Anyone can write a song. Performing live is difficult for me.

JP in NJ (PRODIGY Member)
Don, Can you tell us any juicy stories about The Stones or Bonnie Raitt? Thanks for doing this tonight. I've been looking forward to it all week!

Don Was (Speaker)
I could tell you stories about the Stones and Bonnie that would make your head spin. But, as Richard Nixon told John Dean, "That would be wrong."

Moderator (Speaker)
Oh well .....

Kyler2 (PRODIGY Member)
Hey Brian, its great to have you back! My question is will you ever release any of the Smile sessions or the Sweet Insanity sessions, please say yes.

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
Yes. Yes. Yes and Yeah.

mcon (PRODIGY Member)
Are you planning to authorize the release of anymore SMiLE material?

Don Was (Speaker)
I'm not sure what Brian's plans are exactly, but recently Todd Rundgren and myself sat down with Brian to conceptualize about a way to release an interactive SMILE. In this format listeners could choose from a database of three hours of music and edit together their own versions of the record. We're working on developing this.

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
Yes we are.

Dj Thunder (PRODIGY Member)
What was it like working with Tom Petty & Paul Mcartney? Were they nice

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
So far I haven't worked with Paul, although if you listen to his radio show on Labor Day Weekend you'll hear our first collaboration. As for Tom Petty, he is a total rock-and-roll genius, and I hope to work with him someday. Tom had some great things to say about me in the documentary, and I'm really pumped up by that.

Don Was (Speaker)
Tom Petty was extremely nice and very generous with his time. He came to the set while he was in the middle of making his last album -- leaving everyone waiting for him in the studio. Clearly Brian's music has meant a great deal to him. Paul McCartney is not in the movie but I've spoken with him about the film. He told me that he was really moved by the movie and that he would like to work with Brian sometime in the future. I know him socially and he's a lovely guy.

pglazer (PRODIGY Member)
Hi Brian, The new album is great. I know touring is tough for you but it sure would be great to see you back on tour with the Beach Boys, or mabye a short solo tour. Any plans?

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
If the album is successful, we might do a solo tour. And I'm hoping to do some TV appearances in the near future.

mcon (PRODIGY Member)
Are going to be a guest on your daughter Carnie's new talk show?

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
We're talking about it and it may happen in the next two months.

RADIOACTIVE (PRODIGY Member)
Are there any future plans for the release of songs written and/or performed by Brian Wilson, Mike Love & Co.? If so, when? Brian Wilson (Speaker)
I hope so.

Doc107 (PRODIGY Member)
Whenever I want to "get up" or be alone, I love to go to my special place and listen to the Beach Boys. I had always thought how great it would be to sit alone in a room and listen to master tapes of "Brian Wilson developing his music." Thus, the boxed set was more than a dream come true for many of us. Is there any chance at all that more of that developmental material will be made available for those of us who are genuine connoisseurs of your musical genius?

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
Yes.

RADIOACTIVE (PRODIGY Member)
Don, Do you have any plans to start a record label?

Don Was (Speaker)
The release of Brian Wilson's "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times" marks the second and final release from my record label, Karambolage. Maybe someday I'll start another one.

Dj Thunder (PRODIGY Member)
Don, you worked with Bob Dylan, Elton John, Jackson Browne & much more, What was your experience like with them? Don Was (Speaker)
In the end, I'm just a music fan who gets to attend my own personal concerts in the recording studio. The people you've mentioned are all great artists and it was a thrill to watch them create.

mcon (PRODIGY Member)
If had your life to live over again, what would you change?

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
Yes, but that's a conversation for another day.

Kyler2 (PRODIGY Member)
Do you know if the Pacific Ocean Blue album by Dennis will ever be released?

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
I would like it to come out on CD. Write to Capitol and tell them that you want to have it, too.

Scorpio23 (PRODIGY Member)
hi, Brian and Don

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
Hi Scorpio23.

Dj Thunder (PRODIGY Member)
Brian, What would you say your best BEACH BOYS song is?

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
Without a doubt, "Surfer Girl". Its one of the nicest songs I've ever written. I was a 19 year-old kid when I wrote it.

Kirkster1 (PRODIGY Member)
First of all I'd like to say I respect both of you guys immensely.

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
Thank you Kirkster1.

Patricia F (PRODIGY Member)
Hi Brian! I met you in 1990 and 1991 and each time you were so kind to me! I wanted to thank you for that. I'm also the president of The Mike Love Fan Club and all the members think you're great!

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
Good. Thank you.

Dj Thunder (PRODIGY Member)
Brian & Don, Who were (are) your rolemodles? (I think the audience would like to know that too)

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
Phil Spector.

Don Was (Speaker)
Bob Dylan, Abbie Hoffman, and Ernest Tubb.

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
There are probably a half dozen at least. In my life, it's my wife Melinda, and my father. In music, it's Phil Spector.

Patricia F (PRODIGY Member)
I have read that you have been working with Mike Love again. What have you written and/or recorded with him so far?

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
We wrote a song called "Baywatch Nights", but I didn't record it with him. That's it so far.

Scorpio23 (PRODIGY Member)
Brian, are you going to appear at the Jones Beach, NY concert?

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
I was there 13 years ago, but I won't be there this time around.

Patricia F (PRODIGY Member)
Over the years, the press has written many things about you. What is the biggest misconception about you? What has been said over the years about you that is not true at all?

Don Was (Speaker)
Thank you. It's true that I've been the victim of vicious and mean-spirited innuendo. I would just like to reiterate that I never made any profit on that Whitewater Investment.

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
Probably the length of my hair (laughter). Actually, I don't read what they write, so I really wouldn't know.

mcon (PRODIGY Member)
I have always believed that your brother Dennis had great songwriting ability. What is your favorite song written by Dennis?

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
There are so many good songs written by Dennis. The one with the lyric "I'll never make the headlines or the evening news" comes to mind; also, "Slip on Through", and a song called "Little Bird" was a nice song... it had love in it.

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
One more song, "Cuddle Up". I love that one.

Kyler2 (PRODIGY Member)
Hey Brian its great to have something new from you. Will your documentary be released on video/laserdisc? I hope so.

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
Tape it when it's on the Disney Channel Sunday Night, and you'll have your own copy. It's a free Preview Weekend from Disney. Seriously, it will be out on home video.

JP in NJ (PRODIGY Member)
Paul McCartney once said that PET SOUNDS was somewhat responsible for many of his ideas for the SGT PEPPER album. Brian, can you comment on that? How did that make you feel?

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
It was great for someone from my own profession to say that. It was a very respectful thing to say, and it really pumped me up. There is a personal thing between Paul and me, so it means a lot to me when he says such nice things about Pet Sounds.

FLUG (PRODIGY Member)
Brian, you are the heart, soul and spirit of the "Beach Boys". I miss you on tour, but keep those "thoughts" running around in your brain. I've been seeing you/all for 25 years...God Bless...

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
Thank you very much.

Doc107 (PRODIGY Member)
A question I'm sure many folks have. I know you have experienced some pretty heavy struggles in your life. Sudden fame, sudden pain surely has its price. The question is: How are you doing, Brian?

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
I'm doing all right, thank you. Things are looking up.

Patricia F (PRODIGY Member)
Did you enjoy making "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times" and how did you like working with Don Was? Will you work with him again in the future?

Don Was (Speaker)
I would love to work with him again if he can spare some time from the beautiful work he is doing with Mother Theresa. The man is a saint. signed, Brian Wilson.

JayTea (PRODIGY Member)
Do you have any live dates for "I Just Wasn't Made for These Times"?

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
It starts airing on the Disney Channel on August 27, and then it will be on Sept 11, 21, and 30. It also is playing at the New York Film Forum, and it opens in San Francisco Labor Day Weekend.

mcon (PRODIGY Member)
I have had one wish for a long time; to hear a Brian Wilson album recorded, composed, arranged, and performed using the same techniques and instrumentation as the 60's. Could this happen?

Don Was (Speaker)
Buy Pet Sounds.

FLUG (PRODIGY Member)
Don: Can you get Brian to do the Garden States Arts Center on Sunday?

Don Was (Speaker)
Okay!

Doc107 (PRODIGY Member)
Is there any chance that you might record again with the Beach Boys, or is that chapter closed?

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
Yes, anything is possible.

DITTOE (PRODIGY Member)
For Don Was: I loved "What Up Dog" and still play it regularly. Liked the second album too--"Papa Was a Rolling Stone" has been one of my favorite songs since 1972. Was there a third Was Not Was album? Any chance of more? Was Not Was is such a cool combination of soul, funk and hippy rock. Humor and all that weirdness. I just gotta have more.

Don Was (Speaker)
Thank you very much. There were two albums before What Up, Dog. Both are very hard to find. Born To Laugh At Tornadoes was released in 1984 on Geffen Records and features our collaboration with Mel Torme, "Zaz Turned Blue". Our first album, Was Not Was was released on Island Records in 1981. Since I started charting-out Brian's music in 1989, I've been plagued by a severe case of writer's block. Each time that I get halfway through a song I ask myself, "Whats the point when Brian did this so much better 25 years ago." Perhaps if I can regain a shred of self respect we'll make a new record.

FLUG (PRODIGY Member)
Brian: Why are you doing this????

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
Because I love my fans.

Moderator (Speaker)
And we love having you here, Brian!

mercur (PRODIGY Member)
are u guys going on tour anytime soon

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
No.

pglazer (PRODIGY Member)
I read recently that you went back to visit the house you grew up in and it was torn down for the freeway. A few years back when visiting L.A., I too visited the site. The lot was vacant. The freeway was under construction. What was this experience like for you?

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
I felt disappointed. When I got out there, I said, "Where did the house go?" It was demolished for a freeway project.

DITTOE (PRODIGY Member)
Don: You've worked with so many different acts as a producer. Does anyone in particular stand out as the best to produce?

Don Was (Speaker)
They're all so different. It would be really unfair to single anyone out. I've enjoyed every record that I've made.

DITTOE (PRODIGY Member)
Brian: I've heard several different stories about "Good Vibrations," thattook months to record, that it was all done in one afternoon, that it was donebits and pieces over a year or so. What about it? Any truth in any of thstories?


Brian Wilson (Speaker)
There were five main sessions for "Good Vibrations", spread out over a perof months.

JayTea (PRODIGY Member)
Any thoughts on the book GLIMPSES by Lewis Shiner? (It speculates on whatyou had finished SMILE.)

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
I just did an interview with Lewis Shiner that will be in October's ToPulse magazine.

Giant George (PRODIGY Member)
hi

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
Hi back.

Vader123 (PRODIGY Member)
Peace OUt, I is up OUtiiii 5,000,000,-000

Don Was (Speaker)
Me too!

Moderator (Speaker)
Don, you've done this before....

mercur (PRODIGY Member)
how long have you been with the beach boys

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
Since 1961.

Heartbleed (PRODIGY Member)
Brian: What kind of music do you listen to now? Any new artists that drive out of your tree?

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
Rolling Stones, Willie Nelson, Perry Como, Kenny Rogers..

FLUG (PRODIGY Member)
Brian: With Van Dyke Parks and others working on new material, can we lforward to more of the "classics" like "Hero's and Villians"??????????????????

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
No, but Van Dyke's album "Orange Crate Art" is a wonderful album. I do the vocals on it. And it moves the music into the< present.

cabinessence (PRODIGY Member)
A dream album for me would be a collaberation between Brian and PMcCartney, considering there talents and mutual admiration, is there anyone in particuthat you Brian, would like to work with. If McCartney were intereswould you feel comfortable working wit h him?

Brian Wilson (Speaker)
Paul McCartney would be great... we spoke recently about doing something together.


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