SMiLE: The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of Brian Wilson [Hardcover]

"Brian Wilson. SMILE: Excellent! The man is my hero. I love him. I weep when I hear his band, I hear him sing. I love him."—Paul McCartney

The story of the Brian Wilson's legendarySMiLEalbum from Beach Boys authority David Leaf. The story ofSMiLEis a story without precedent, appropriate for music that was and remains groundbreaking.

This is the first book to tell the full story of Brian Wilson andSMiLE, including the details of the originalSMiLErecording sessions and their increasingly legendary status as well as the final release of the album, the accompanying concerts and film, and its afterlife.

With over two dozen new interviews as well as generous excerpts from his extended 2004 interviews with Brian Wilson andSMiLEcollaborator Van Dyke Parks, the book tells the story ofSMiLEby those who were there in 1966 and from the participants in its 2004 resurrection, including all the members of Brian Wilson’s band. It also features fan memories of what it was like to see Brian Wilson PresentsSMiLEand what it meant to them.

With a foreword by Melinda Wilson and an anthology of essays fromSMiLEhistorians, devotees, and music professors, this book promises to be the definitive word on the subject.

“If I had to select one living genius of popular music, I would choose Brian Wilson.”—George Martin

"He's a modern-day Stravinsky, the way he constructs his music."—Questlove

"I don't think there is anyone his equal in pop music."—Linda Ronstadt

"The only real pop genius in the world..."—Elton John