AL JARDINE, LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM AND MORE PAY TRIBUTE.

AL JARDINE

The Beach Boys' high tenor

Before Brian passed, I suggested we get the Brian Wilson band back together, as a tribute to Brian, and call it The Pet Sounds Band. I had no idea he would not be there to enjoy it. I’m still sorting it out, deciding what songs to do. Each has a story, it’s so emotionally charged. We’re particularly taking from The Beach Boys Love You, that has some of Brian’s quirkiest and most uplifting songs, from 15 Big Ones, and Brian’s unreleased Adult/ Child material. It’s all going to be on a new Beach Boys box set.

In the studio, Brian was very dynamic and sure of himself. He was a man of action, and he could deliver a part from heaven, just pull it out of the air. When it all came together, it was like a miracle. Heroes And Villains, God Only Knows, Good Vibrations, Wouldn’t It Be Nice – holy mackerel! He’d sit down at the piano, next to the microphone, and we’d gather around. He was like a card dealer, doling us each a part, right off the piano. He was a man of the moment. He was extremely impatient to get the vision out of his head and onto tape, and we were up to the task. We were really good! Hear the a cappella versions of Pet Sounds and Smile, boy oh boy.

Brian was a taskmaster, cracking the whip, but he was open to feedback. Like, on Surfin’ USA, I suggested we put a seventh chord on the keys, and Brian said, “Well, OK.” Carl or Dennis suggested using a cello on Good Vibrations, and Dennis played an organ part that he’d thought up, stufflike that. Brian was always open to ideas that might work, and you’d try it out.