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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