The Association, The Mamas & the Papas, The 5th Dimension, The Turtles, Buffalo Springfield, and
other members of Sunshine Pop were such wistful and lovely bands--but none could quite hold a candle to Wilson. I didn't listen much to the Beach Boys at first largely due to The Beatles and other British Invasion groups that were so popular. But fortunately I came around and realized what all the fuss was. 'Pet Sounds' is a top-ten member on my record list. The song 'Wendy' from 'All Summer Long' is a particular favorite.
As I have gotten older, I've listened more to The Beach Boys and believe it's largely due to nostalgia and recapturing my lost youth. But mostly it is because their music was so melodic and beautiful.
A lovely send-off for a true genius, whose lyrics and music also called to this geezer who left the deep-freeze East Coast in the '70s for the blissful paradise of California. Speaking of genius boomers, you're referenced in the last sentence of this book summary from John Shea's Father's Day gift column in the SF Standard; what's the story behind this?
“The God Squad: the Born-Again San Francisco Giants of 1978” chronicles a team with several born-again Christians including Gary Lavelle and Bob Knepper that was competitive through the season. When things went south in 1979, the so-called God Squadders were blamed. One of the chapters: “Understanding Lowell Cohn.”
While I had a different experience as a Brooklyn Jew in the 1960s than you did Lowell, and was not a particular fan of the Beach Boys music back then, I certainly and eventually BECAME a big fan of both the band and Wilson himself. Yes, he was a musical genius, sort of the Mozart of pop music in the 1960s (along with the Beatles). But even more so , I admire Brian Wilson's comeback. Oh, he was not much of a singer, but I really prefer his Pet Sounds concerts to the original album. Something about a man in his mid 60s, with his "every man voice" singing those songs. Made them more poignant to me. And he never gave up creating and looking for new roads. If you haven't heard one of his last albums, That Lucky Old Sun, you should ASAP. And I'm pretty sure his last album was ... Get this ... A freaking GERSHWIN ALBUM!!!!! Brian Wilson was truly one of a kind and will not be forgotten as his music will be listened to and enjoyed as long as people have ears.
i got to experience that; the fulfilliment of that longing with a girl back in 2001 when i met my wife. best summer of my life. we were just pups of 21 and 19. that summer we built a foundation that keeps us together today and will probably last a lifetime.
Tearing up as I read this. The Beach Boys was one of my mom’s favorite groups—she passed away a couple of years ago. A few years before she passed, we went together to see The Beach Boys in concert. While they certainly weren’t what they once were, it was cool to see those same sort of emotions that you’re describing now. Nearly 50 years later, I could see her transported right to her teenage years—where getting in the car to cruise was the norm & everything could be nice. Thanks for sharing, Lowell.
Growing up in Chicago, I did wish they all could be California girls. Living in Cali for the last 38 years I’ve come to realize that Chicago girls/women were/are prettier, more down to earth and easier to meet. Ah, the illusions of youth.
God Only Knows.....God help me, but I cannot listen to that song without silently sobbing, thinking of my late wife....encapsulates things so beautifully; I was fortunate to see Brian Wilson a couple of years ago at the Concord Pavilion - he opened for Chicago; my current wife had never really heard of Brian Wilson, who I described to her as America's greatest living songwriter - she only knew he was "one of the Beach Boys", and was there primarily for Chicago. It was hard to watch in a way - one of my heroes coming out with the aid of a walker, but it was also sheer joy, watching play with Al Jardine, Al's son, and Blondie Chapin.
Beautifully written, Lowell. One of your best.
The Association, The Mamas & the Papas, The 5th Dimension, The Turtles, Buffalo Springfield, and
other members of Sunshine Pop were such wistful and lovely bands--but none could quite hold a candle to Wilson. I didn't listen much to the Beach Boys at first largely due to The Beatles and other British Invasion groups that were so popular. But fortunately I came around and realized what all the fuss was. 'Pet Sounds' is a top-ten member on my record list. The song 'Wendy' from 'All Summer Long' is a particular favorite.
As I have gotten older, I've listened more to The Beach Boys and believe it's largely due to nostalgia and recapturing my lost youth. But mostly it is because their music was so melodic and beautiful.
Thank you, Brian Wilson.
Well said, contrast ca today sad………..
A lovely send-off for a true genius, whose lyrics and music also called to this geezer who left the deep-freeze East Coast in the '70s for the blissful paradise of California. Speaking of genius boomers, you're referenced in the last sentence of this book summary from John Shea's Father's Day gift column in the SF Standard; what's the story behind this?
“The God Squad: the Born-Again San Francisco Giants of 1978” chronicles a team with several born-again Christians including Gary Lavelle and Bob Knepper that was competitive through the season. When things went south in 1979, the so-called God Squadders were blamed. One of the chapters: “Understanding Lowell Cohn.”
https://sfstandard.com/2025/06/11/willie-mccovey-book-sf-giants/
The guy who wrote the book, Matt Sieger, interviewed me at length on the God Squad. Good book, good guy.
While I had a different experience as a Brooklyn Jew in the 1960s than you did Lowell, and was not a particular fan of the Beach Boys music back then, I certainly and eventually BECAME a big fan of both the band and Wilson himself. Yes, he was a musical genius, sort of the Mozart of pop music in the 1960s (along with the Beatles). But even more so , I admire Brian Wilson's comeback. Oh, he was not much of a singer, but I really prefer his Pet Sounds concerts to the original album. Something about a man in his mid 60s, with his "every man voice" singing those songs. Made them more poignant to me. And he never gave up creating and looking for new roads. If you haven't heard one of his last albums, That Lucky Old Sun, you should ASAP. And I'm pretty sure his last album was ... Get this ... A freaking GERSHWIN ALBUM!!!!! Brian Wilson was truly one of a kind and will not be forgotten as his music will be listened to and enjoyed as long as people have ears.
i got to experience that; the fulfilliment of that longing with a girl back in 2001 when i met my wife. best summer of my life. we were just pups of 21 and 19. that summer we built a foundation that keeps us together today and will probably last a lifetime.
Well done Lowell!
Excellent article, Lowell. For all of the people here, and other Beach Boys and Brian Wilson fans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVlSVkzbJDA
Tearing up as I read this. The Beach Boys was one of my mom’s favorite groups—she passed away a couple of years ago. A few years before she passed, we went together to see The Beach Boys in concert. While they certainly weren’t what they once were, it was cool to see those same sort of emotions that you’re describing now. Nearly 50 years later, I could see her transported right to her teenage years—where getting in the car to cruise was the norm & everything could be nice. Thanks for sharing, Lowell.
Thanks for your lovely note, Jerod
Growing up in Chicago, I did wish they all could be California girls. Living in Cali for the last 38 years I’ve come to realize that Chicago girls/women were/are prettier, more down to earth and easier to meet. Ah, the illusions of youth.
God Only Knows.....God help me, but I cannot listen to that song without silently sobbing, thinking of my late wife....encapsulates things so beautifully; I was fortunate to see Brian Wilson a couple of years ago at the Concord Pavilion - he opened for Chicago; my current wife had never really heard of Brian Wilson, who I described to her as America's greatest living songwriter - she only knew he was "one of the Beach Boys", and was there primarily for Chicago. It was hard to watch in a way - one of my heroes coming out with the aid of a walker, but it was also sheer joy, watching play with Al Jardine, Al's son, and Blondie Chapin.
You and I are in the same place
I saw the same show with my late wife. Al's son doing the high notes. Blondie jamming on his guitar.Good show.