Brian Wilson

Brian Wilson is a keyboard and bass player and was the founder of The Beach Boys.

His work during 1966 with Pet Sounds, "Good Vibrations", and Smile which he would eventually release in 2004 were pure examples of psychedelic, progressive, and baroque rock.

After a panic attack on an airplane in 1964, Brian Wilson decided not to tour with The Beach Boys, but instead work on new material. At that time, he would team-up with Van Dyke Parks which would lead to the 1966 album Pet Sounds. The album would go from surfing, women, and cars and would be more focused on love and life. Though the album was criticized at the time, it popularity in The United Kingdom, even threatening The Beatles at that time.

Pet Sounds would contain non-rock instruments such as the accordion, electric mandolin, harpsichord, classical string quartet, flutes, clarinets, french horn, english horn, and the theremin which would be used on "Good Vibrations". After the release of Pet Sounds, Brian Wilson would work on what he called a pocket symphony which became "Good Vibrations". Like Pet Sounds, most of the instruments used weren't used in rock music such as flutes, harmonicas, double bass, and the theremin which gave the song a unique sound. "Good Vibrations" went to #1 on the Billboard charts. It's also one of the few songs that didn't follow the ABAB or ABABCAB form.

But while Brian Wilson was working on the next album Smile, which he called "the teenage love symphony to God", Van Dyke Parks left, Capitol Records threatened to sue The Beach Boys, and Mike Love wanted to return to Surf Rock. This would all lead to a minimalist album Smiley Smile. It wouldn't be until 2004 when Brian Wilson would release Smile.