Last year, one of the greatest American composers of the second half of the twentieth century paid tribute to one from the first on the album Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin. This week, fabled Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson salutes George Gershwin in a three-night run at New York’s Highline Ballroom beginning June 11 as part of the Blue Note Jazz Festival. In this exclusive interview, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer sounds off on his musical legacy, his next album, and “Kokomo.”
You’ve said that “Rhapsody in Blue” is one of your all-time favorite pieces of music. What do you like most about it?
The violin section and pretty harmonies.
What kind of an influence has Gershwin’s music and the jazz genre had on you as a songwriter throughout your career? What was the first song you wrote or recorded that was linked to these qualities?
He inspired me to write good music. “Heroes and Villains” was completely inspired by that.
At your upcoming shows at the Blue Note, do you plan to reinterpret any of your Beach Boys or solo works in jazz arrangements? One of my favorites is your song “Melt Away,” which I always imagined would sound great in that style.
I love “Melt Away.” We will be reimagining Gershwin and playing some Beach Boys tunes.
Who are some of your favorite pianists?
Billy Joel and Paul McCartney.
Let’s talk about future projects. Your next album will be a collection of classic Disney movie songs. Which ones are you most excited about recording? Will you be tackling any rarities that you hope people will rediscover?
Yes. “When You Wish upon a Star” is my favorite. We have some gems in there…songs from Toy Story, The Lion King, just great!
What other “standards” albums would you like to record in the future?
None, you can't top Gershwin.
Last year, Mike Love said that you wouldn’t be rejoining the Beach Boys for a 50th anniversary tour, but that there was talk about writing or possibly recording together. What can you tell us about those plans?
We don’t have any plans secured yet for the 50th Anniversary Celebration.
Out of curiosity, what was your opinion of “Kokomo,” the only Beach Boys song to reach number one that was not written by you?
Loved it!
If you’ve happened to listen to the other Beach Boys albums they recorded since you stopped recording with the group in the late 1980s, were there any other songs that you really enjoyed that you’d like to mention?
No.
Will we ever see an official release of Sweet Insanity, which was recorded as a follow-up to your first solo album but was rejected by your record label at the time? What reason did they give you for deciding not to release it?
No, not interested.
Capitol Records is also planning to release The Smile Sessions, an unreleased collection of works the Beach Boys originally recorded for the Smile album, which you completed and released on your own in 2004. What kind of involvement do you have with this project?
I'm involved. I have listened to all of the tapes—it's going to be a great box set. People will finally get to hear what these sessions were really like.
It was also said a few years back that you might be working on a studio album with Paul McCartney and other superstar guests. What’s the status with that?
Nothing at this time.
Who else would you like to perform or record with that you haven’t had the chance to yet?
Nobody, really.
For you, which Beach Boys songs that were not big hits are the ones you would consider among your best work? How about for your solo career?
“The Little Girl I Once Knew.” Solo would be “Love and Mercy.”
England has always been the Beach Boys’ second home outside of California, with many of today’s biggest artists there pointing to albums like Pet Sounds as a touchstone. What would you say is the reason for this broad appeal?
They appreciate American music better than Americans.
Do you have any favorite cover versions of your Beach Boys or solo songs?
David Lee Roth’s version of “California Girls.”
In your opinion, what’s the most beautiful song you ever wrote? The strangest? The best collaboration you had with another writer?
“God Only Knows,” “Break Away,” and “Heroes and Villains” with Van Dyke Parks.
If you hadn’t grown up in California, what direction do you think your life in music would have taken?
I wouldn’t know.
What does your musical legacy mean to you?
Proud.
After a half century in music, what inspires you to write today?
Everybody and everything!
Brian Wilson performs at Highline Ballroom, 431 West 16th Street (between 9th and 10th Avenues), June 11-13. General admission tickets are $125. Go to www.highlineballroom.com for more information. Visit Brian online at www.brianwilson.com.
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