Book Review - I Am Brian Wilson by Brian Wilson

In America it is heard that there are no second acts, and the third act is something almost unheard of. This is what makes the story of Brian Wilson so astonishing.

Back in 1960s, Wilson was the co-founding member of the Beach Boys. A band that created the most timeless and groundbreaking popular music that was ever recorded. Wit wide-eyed lyrics, symphonic structures and intricate harmonies, the music from the Beach Boys explored the deepest sorrows and transcendent joys of life.

The possibilities of writing pop songs were expanded forever with songs like “Good Vibrations”, “God Only Knows” and “In My Room”. In 1970s, the career of Wilson was derailed due to drug use, mental illness and shift in fortunes of the band.

Setbacks like these did not stopped Wilson as he came back over and over again in the next few decades. He was able to survive and finally able to thrive.

Now, for the first time, Wilson tells us about his struggles, and from where he got the inspirations for his creations. He also tells about the debilitating lows and exhilarating highs.

In the self revealing book “I Am Brian Wilson”, the man talks about how he found his way back to creativity and stability. We get to know as to how he turned out to be a mesmerizing live artist and he completed the legendary unfinished record from Beach Boys, “Smile”, that were features of his genius abilities and destabilization.

Today, the old Brian Wilson, is much more calm, forgiving and filled with perspective. Whether you read about the childhood days of Wilson, his own inner demons or his band mates, the book, “I Am Brian Wilson” is written in his own unique way.

The book brings to limelight the man that was behind the evergreen music, who worked through all the turbulent times and was finally able to achieve harmony in life.

Book Editorial Reviews

KR

This book reveals a troubled yet hopeful life of a musical mad scientist. Like it was shown in the movie, Love & Mercy, Brian Wilson suffered a panic attack which forced him to stop touring with his boy band, the Beach Boys. He did not step back; however, as he kept thinking as to what kind of songs he wanted to write.

Blame it on his genes, Wilson was fighting from mental illness all the time. This was not all, as Wilson was also abused by his psychiatrist, his father and those unwanted voices in his head. This book is the true story of a music legend in his words.

Book Author

Brian Wilson became famous with the band the Beach Boys and is one of the deeply revered figures in the world of music. He is considered as one of the most influential composer of the last century and the man behind the most cherished recordings in rock history.

Ben Greenman is a New York Times bestselling author and has written in both fiction and non-fiction form. The most recent works from Ben is The Slippage.