Wilson, Brian and Ben Greenmen ( 2016) I am Brian Wilson, Boston:  De Capo Press, 254 pages.

This reviewer has read numerous books about the Beach Boys and Brian Wilson. Some even claim to have been written by Brian.  However, the co-author has given Brian more freedom in this one. The book is not sourced, so it is a basic memory retell.

Dr. Wilson says much less about the early golden years in terms of fame. On the other hand, you receive a number of accounts about his later  years. Brian basically stayed at home and wrote music. He was strongly encourage by this and wrongly treated by Dr. Eugene Landy.

The rest of the band tour and tour. About half of their profits go to Brian. The most bankable presentation is Mike Love’s Beach Boys Band. Bruce Johnston does not work for the corporation, but for Mr. Love. At this time, the former band mate who was fired by Love is back with Brian on  tours. That is Al  Jardine and his son Matt.

At present, the last album is called Pier Pressure and is Brian singing new songs along with other young artists. Their 50th reunion was overwhelmingly successful especially from the  profits earned in Asia and Europe.

This reviewer has recently read Mike Love’s book and found it both organized and sourced. Both have mellowed. They are a well known name in most households. Brian has an excellent discography at the end of his book and has  a neat list  of singles placed in alphabetically arranged order.

He still produces nearly every day and there are new songs that are stored until they are recorded if there is time.  In a number of ways the Wilson-Love collaboration is like the Lennon-McCartney duo. However, there are many others and Brian is sure to thank them.  He is especially fond of the Beatles and Rolling Stones.

He saves his best accolades to his first wife, Marilyn and his second Melinda. The reader encounters much information on the last album, many were completed by himself and his band.  Like Mike Love’s book , this is a good one. One wishes that the entire band could get together to reprise all the other songs that other groups did when they were imitating the Beach Boys. Much new information is enclosed and it is a good book to buy.

Prof. Joel Snell

Emeritus

Kirkwood College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa