Brian Wilson: Generous Genius

BRIAN WILSON SALUTING PHIL SPECTOR DURING CONCERTS
Former Beach Boy Brian Wilson is currently on tour, performing about two dozen Beach Boys hits during concerts. In addition to showstoppers such as "California Girls," "Good Vibrations," and "I Get Around," Wilson also performs his recently completed Smile album in its entirety. So far, on every night of the tour, Wilson has also been tipping his hat to his musical mentor, legendary "Wall Of Sound" record producer Phil Spector, by performing Spector's 1963 hit for the Crystals' "Then He Kissed Me" -- which Wilson sings as "Then I Kissed Her." Wilson performs tonight (August 23rd) in Milwaukee at the Pabst Theater. His tour wraps up September 4th in Los Angeles.

Wilson told New York magazine that listening to Spector's work with groups such as the Ronettes and the Crystals made him realize that the possibilities while recording three-minute singles was endless, explaining that, "When I heard Phil Spector's productions, I realized, 'A-ha! I see -- you can use echoes on the drums, and you can combine three guitars together to get one sound, add pianos to that, and you can get one big wall of sound!'" Wilson added: "Spector influenced me, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Eagles, and Motown -- quite a lot of people."

Beach Boy Bruce Johnston, who produced several of the group's late '70s albums, told us that he picked up the subtleties of record production from watching good friends Brian Wilson and Phil Spector work in the studio: "They were fine-tuning their talent and I happened to be around it. Just like Sonny Bono was around Spector all the time, y'know you pay attention."


Brian Wilson produced the Beach Boys' cover of "Then I Kissed Her," from their 1965 Summer Days (and Summer Nights!!!) album.