Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys celebrates his 79th birthday on Sunday (June 20th)!!! Wilson co-founded the group in 1961 with his late brothers Dennis and Carl Wilson, his cousin Mike Love, neighbor David Marks, and high school buddy Al Jardine. It was Wilson's genius for arranging intricate harmonies that first set him apart from his peers, an ability made even more impressive because he is 97 percent deaf in his right ear. He is the sole-surviving member of his immediate family, with his father Murry dying in 1973, his brothers Dennis and Carl dying in 1983 and 1998, respectively, and his mother Audree passing on in 1997.
Between 1962 and 1967 Wilson produced a total of 22 Top 40 hits, including the group's classics "Surfin' U.S.A," "In My Room," "Little Deuce Coupe," "Surfer Girl," "Fun, Fun, Fun," "Don't Worry Baby," "I Get Around," "Help Me, Rhonda," "California Girls," "Barbara Ann," "Wouldn't It Be Nice," "Good Vibrations," and many more.
The new documentary on Wilson, titled Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road, just premiered at New York's prestigious Tribeca Film Festival to rave reviews. The film was directed by Brent Wilson — no relation — and features Brian Wilson talking at length with Rolling Stone editor Jason Fine, with appearances by Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, Jakob Dylan, Bob Gaudio, and My Morning Jacket's Jim James, among others. The title of the movie comes from the Beach Boys' 1971 track "Long Promised Road," which was written by Wilson's youngest brother Carl Wilson, and was re-recorded by Wilson for the new film.