Brian Wilson hears Ronnie Spector's "Don't Worry Baby"

KROQ DJ Rodney Bingenheimer plays Ronnie Spector's version of Brian Wilson's "Don't Worry Baby" for Brian. Brian wrote the song with the intention of having Ronnie sing it in 1964 before he recorded it with the Beach Boys. Ronnie finally recorded it in 1999.

[@salvamelavida2005]

He wrote the song for the Ronettes, Phil refused it and the Beach Boys ended up recording. Brian really does get the last laugh on this, must've been a dream come true for him.

[@us-Bahn]

Male ego gone wrong, again. Probably the 2nd biggest mistake in Spectors life.

[@plasmaearth1796]

@@us-Bahn It may have been a mistake for Spector, but it was a good thing in the end since we got the Beach Boys' version.

[@us-Bahn]

@@plasmaearth1796 Watching Brian Wilson sink into a reverie while listening to Ronnie sing ‘Don’t Worry Baby’ tells me all I need to know.

[@williamratcliffe7794]

I felt the same. Wished the clip was longer but Brian's facial expression was worth many words@@us-Bahn

[@canuckster24]

Probably why Be My Baby's opening riff is so similar. Although I remember reading Brian saying Be My Baby was one of his favourite songs.

[@gracemallory1594]

Brian is too pure and sweet for this world. My heart.

[@hermanblume275]

You're spot on... the guy is an angel.

[@leokimvideo]

This is like a dream come true for Brian

[@deanengson2565]

You can see that when Brian closes his eyes and enters the music is where he still looks like the young Brian!

[@KingsOfSpins]

totally. Well said.

[@ricomerrell]

I KNOW RIGHT???

[@ronnieperry7847]

God the way he closes his eyes and just enjoys and listens to every aspect of her version of the song, it amazes me every time. I love seeing him so passionate for music, he's never lost that and it's just always magnificent to see.

[@vectr0nmusic]

he hasn't lost that lovin' feeling

[@the90salways]

I don't think Brian understands how great he really is.

[@bobkovach1426]

Humble as hell.

[@jimet409]

He knows. 👍🏻

[@Paul-dw2cl]

End the fed!

[@cobrajetter]

Look at Brian. What a pure and happy expression. A moment of joy for a man who's seen more pain than many of us can imagine. Brian Wilson is the living God of Harmony!

[@morpher44]

And Ronnie too, had pain... held captive by Phil.

[@guardian67]

Jan 12, 2022 - Ronnie Spector has left us and this is the first place I come to. Brian was really in love with Ronnie’s talent and this clip exemplifies that. It has to be a hell of a thing knowing that your #1 fan is a musical genius. Thank you, Ronnie. We will forever miss you 🙏🏽🕊

[@HonkifriedCoyote]

i LOVE how Brian Wilson sometimes gets tickled and elated at things as if he is a 9 year old school boy experiencing the magic of the world as if new... he is so young at heart and a joy to watch in an interview as well as hear his songs. what an amazing man. THANKS BRIAN!

[@neilraymond3304]

please pull out all the stops and let me and millions see the full clip asap.

[@thelightinlife]

full original source(?) clip: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYmtZIqbYs6ejK8 ( note that original source is unknown, but ? attributed to 'The Bob Hanes Collection' via yt chan: #DanTackett ) anyone: please ensure you credit properly if you repost it #BrianWilson #KROQ

[@danielprice9046]

Wow this actually made me cry. I know how much this guy loves these singers. To see him enjoy that jam I thought would make me smile, but I cried . God bless you Brian Wilson

[@nathanielcorcoran63]

This brought me to tears. This meant so much to him 😭❤️

[@philippevalois381]

For me too : I understand his feeling at this moment and every time I try to not cry.

[@KennyConundrum]

WOW thanks for posting this. The look on Brian's face when he starts litening to Ronnie's vocal is BRILLIANT you can see his mind working....

[@AlexDeLarge1]

This is one of my favorite Brian videos. It's his original intent for the song coming true and it's cool to see him get so happy about it. I really feel bad for him most of the time because of all the crap he went through and because he never seems to be all there, and when I see him digging something as much as he does here, it just brightens my day.

[@satomiwa]

I love this. I wish it was longer because I think I've watched this clip a dozen times already today.

[@DummyYEEEAAHHHHH]

His smile, reaction,and laugh was great... He idolized her and Spector...and LOVED Be my baby... He's said he listened to it repeatedly...kinda like how i do with alot of his songs lol

[@JukeBoxJunkie10]

The Ronettes only had one big hit because Phil Spector wrecked them after he fell for Ronnie. He pulled her out of the group and locked her in his house for their entire marriage. After he pulled her out he stopped focusing on them and they fell apart. Then he destroyed her singing career by not letting her record and then blackballing her at every turn. He is a very vindictive man.

[@jonbecker03]

@lovewalk101 i'll come right out and say it. it's hormonal. ronnie spector was one of the sexiest show business figures of her time (of all time?). and she had the sexiest voice. that's why she made such a perfect fantasy figure. a large percentage of american males of wilson's generation (and succeeding generations) WANTED her. (in brian wilson's case, i'm sure having her sing one of his songs was the next best thing to possessing the woman herself.)

[@joellara8152]

He wrote the song for her, she was forced to decline at first (wont even mention by whom)... so the Beach Boys recorded it themselves. After years, she recorded the song for him, Ronnie and Brian had been friends from so long... It was overdue. Between friends there's no place for royalties, only honor.

[@JeffSwopeMusic]

Joel Lara by whom?!?

[@superice1234]

@@JeffSwopeMusic phil spector

[@DJ-bj8ku]

There’s such a deep sadness in Brian’s music that makes it so beautiful.

[@LOOKN450]

Forget the effects of drugs. In his day, this guy was under the kind of unfathomable celebrity pressure that would have killed 99 out 100 mere mortals. Going head to head with the Beatles, and doing it all by himself. Writing, arranging, performing, producing, mastering, promoting, etc. His accomplishments are monumental. It's a wonder he can still form a sentence. He was one tough sucker !!

[@gerrydooley951]

very true. It's amazing that someone as sensitive as Brian was able to hold on as long as he did. By 1968 it was really over for Brian. He was hardly involved in anything until he was forced into 15 Big Ones.

[@lovewalk101]

IT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SOUND OF RONNIE'S VOICE THAT INFATUATES PEOPLE. IT'S RARE, UNIQUE, AND INTRIGUING...obviously some of you here don't get that. but! for those of us who do, there is no apparent reason to question brian's reaction to hearing her voice.

[@alburtise]

@Desiree50 Hard to imagine Brian is "acting". One thing everyone seems to agree on, the guy is absolutely guileless.

[@gerrydooley951]

he is not acting,

[@dovsamuel4344]

The look of transcendence on his face at the end is amazing.

[@ostrich67]

This is such an awesome moment captured on video. Brian hearing his song as it was meant to be, for the first time. Wow. He loved her music so much.

[@egbun]

Ronnie’s voice is clear, powerful, and sensual.

[@ChrisHansonCanada]

I've never understood why Brian and Ronnie Spector have never collaborated. He is obviously a fan and I'm sure they could come up with a great project together.

[@cottonceena]

@kissmyARToxo Agreed. I like Ronnie fine, and she sounded OK back in the day. But now, her vibrato attempt is way too pronounced: sounds like she is gasping for breath. Nor is the tonal quality pleasant. Sounds like she ruined her voice.

[@thatluckyoldsun]

Brian's reaction made me almost cry. This guy is so pure. Hero, for sure!!

[@nickpalmer3076]

Brian Wilson loved Ronnies voice.

[@yesiambatman]

Holy crap, that made my day!

[@phobosent]

He seems Flattered. What an awesome artist. Brian you're the man. Roland from Montebello said it.

[@Contrasoma]

Pretty sure Joel means Phil Spector. There are stories of Brian visiting Phil's studio to try to give the song to him and Ronnie, and Phil locking the door in Brian's face. Phil was paranoid that Brian was going to "steal" Ronnie from him.

[@gerrydooley951]

not true, Phil was ok with Brian

[@sandyjuntunen4088]

Lorrie Morgan did this with them, she's so country I didn't expect much, but it was amazing. Absolutely perfect for her, and the boys seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves.

[@jctorontojctoronto]

Brian Wilson,Ronnie Spector.. (I hear they're pretty important people in the history of pop music) another piece for the history books thanks for the quick hit. jctoronto

[@Contrasoma]

It's taken from the film "Mayor of the Sunset Strip". While there are some other bits with Wilson on the DVD extras, this is as much as there is as far as "Don't Worry Baby" goes.

[@spendingtimetogether8428]

Thanks, wanted to see more. Nice video!

[@LudwigVonSpeedking]

He was kind of flip until he heard that voice-then he knew- he had be owned. She schooled him on his own song!!!

[@PolythenePam0451]

i could watch brian be happy about things forever

[@chrometanned]

Supposedly the EP this is from was produced by Joey Ramone (punk rock ICON) who was a huge fan of Ronnie.

[@OnTheRunSinceBirth]

Its a shame Phil claims Wilson has no talent whatsoever which to me is just jealousy. But I hear ya man when he closes his eyes he's just picturing it in his head, Ronnie singing his own masterpiece.

[@chrislancaster6456]

OnTheRunSinceBirth I don’t think Spector went as far as to say Brian Wilson had no talent. He has said he’s not a genius and by putting that label on him when he couldn’t live up to it is damaging. Someone who knows as much about making great records as Phil Spector couldn’t ignore a song like ‘God Only Knows’. It’s a masterpiece.

[@LettuceJuiceStudios]

If Brian is happy, I’m happy.

[@qasanoba]

This changed my life

[@gerrydooley951]

Brian is such a pure and kind soul. With everything he's been through he's not jaded. The world will be a lesser place when he's gone

[@henry-lee-music]

He had been waiting for decades!

[@unabonger777]

this is cool because wilson wrote this song for the Ronettes and Spector rejected it.

[@gerrydooley951]

not true, Brian wanted to write a song like Be My Baby, it was not for the Ronettes.

[@WInnerwinnerchickendinner.]

Ronnies Spector is PERFECTION.

[@scandal101]

I've also wondered why they never got together romantically!

[@BooNube]

Brian's got such a good heart.

[@trollercoaster17]

he couldn't be prouder!

[@susietigger2280]

He looks like a kid getting the present he has always wanted. I love the way he is when he hears his music... it is always like it is the first time.

[@garymichael1950]

@frankydank Mink DeVille did a good take on it

[@SgtBilby]

I wonder how Brian feels about Hair Bear (Phil Spector) now

[@Shepthebassman91]

Brian is one of those treasures you almost never find in this world! What dear soul and geniusly brilliant man he is! Love ya Brian!

[@snoops71]

Wow, I've got to hear the whole song! Her voice sounds terrific, and Brian... He was so deeply moved to hear her sing it. That was so very touching to watch. Lovely, lovely clip! Thanks for posting...

[@wakinunu]

i always wished brian and ronnie had got together :)

[@99somerville]

I wish this video was longer. Brian is really into it at the end.

[@delzorros]

As good as it gets… Don't Worry Baby

[@sharonramone7186]

A lovely, legendary man.

[@someone481]

I love when Brian hears a cover of his song, he hears sweet music. When Mike Love hears a cover, he just wants his money

[@Nockturnmortem]

He feels proud and happy you van see it from miles away, this man a genius sincerelly

[@douglasj53]

Brian listens. Interview over.

[@whiteandright1958]

Spector's music always carried a bit of angst and anger... .... whereas Brian's music was always upbeat and positive. Brian beat Spector hands down.

[@DummyYEEEAAHHHHH]

His smile and laugh was enough to make that interview great.

[@MrAMO73]

Fantastic - PLEASE someone upload the full clip.

[@glen-scott]

Here’s the full version of the song: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3W4q4dniamSiK8

[@squirrelguy2195]

You gotta love how relaxed and happy Brian is here.

[@SeahorsesJay]

Rodney Bingenheimer is a radio host who did his research and got his shit together. Well done!

[@gerrydooley951]

Yes, Rodney really loves Brian

[@MarcV8888]

That is so beautiful. Why cant we hear the whole song. Let me search......

[@jolinkarlsson8569]

His reaction is everything protect this man at all cost ❣️🥺

[@alanoneill3065]

I find it hard to believe that Brian didn't know about this

[@chrislikeit]

Man is finally hearing his song the way he always heard it in his head

[@philippevalois381]

Tu vois Anna, je comprend ce que ressent Brian Wilson en écoutant Ronnie...

[@suzannegaglie6146]

I just got goosebumps watching this

[@ostrich67]

"Chuffed" is good, right?

[@adamturner8732]

Perfect written song. Just no question

[@iknowthisone6844]

how did he not know... fake video

[@ChrisHansonCanada]

Has Brian ever stated that he wrote the song for The Ronettes? It clearly has lyrics intended for a male singer.

[@morpher44]

when Brian focuses on how great Ronnie is singing vibrato, he is blown away. Very cool. RIP Ronnie.

[@TaylorConrad8098]

I agree, I don't believe drugs were what messed him up, I think it was it was long standing mental stress that was capsulated by using lsd, if you've ever had a bad trip you know what thats like. I think he was functional and normal only manically depressed until landy gave him drugs he wasn't supposed to take and thats why he acts strange now. If you watch his interview from the 70's he's fine just a bit shaky and paranoid, but still doesn't seem like a zombie

[@Wulfdane]

WTF?? That’s it?? Where’s the rest?

[@JukeBoxJunkie10]

Not just the 60s, every era has that one person who did drugs and fried their brains out. Ozzy (70s) Boy George (80s) Take any body from Celebrity Rehab (60s-00s). Its ashame. All that talent wasted. At least we got what we got from em while they were capable.

[@joyceyt6722]

This is so freaking cute

[@alburtise]

@wilsondylanmccartney I hear your pain. I love him too, and have asked myself this question a hundred times. I also can't get it how much his face kept changing, he's almost unrecognizable from one decade to the next. Except for a few extra pounds, Ronnie looks exactly the same. Carl Wilson always looked like Carl, at 15 or 40, fat or thin. Check out Brian after the weight loss in the late 70's and you don't even know who it is. I think this happens to people with inner turmoil.

[@runeguldberg]

Brian: It was. Yeah, it was very competitive in the '60s. And everybody caught the bug, y'know? It was like a competitive bug. And, as far as I could see, everybody was turning everybody on. The heyday was 1963-66. And when Phil Spector was around, that was a heyday [laughs]. I still think he was the law on production. He could be the one that got it all going! I just sorta picked up on what was happening and started trying to do my own thing.

[@frankydank]

@Desiree50 what? is there a guy version of that song? I've only heard Mixed Up Shook Up Girl by Patti Labelle and The Emblems, did they do it like... without her.. orr before they were with her maybe?

[@cgrogers96]

God bless Brian ❤

[@brianwilsonisgod]

You don't need an author's permission to record one of their songs, but you do have to pay them royalties. But Brian would be paid all of his royalties in bulk through his record company, so with his vast catalogue of recordings (including the huge number of people who have covered his songs), there's no reason he would be aware of every version he was receving royalties from.

[@mwp62]

I don't know, I think mangoshakess makes a good point, but my heart goes out to him, he's doing the best that he can, he's creating/ performing music, and he's happy. I'm glad he made it through and I'm glad he's alive!

[@Sticks-of-TNT-tf1tn]

He said Ronnie’s surprise backstage visit just before he was set to perform in NY was “the biggest thrill of my life.” That’s how much she meant to him. 🧨

[@jolsonator]

I'm going to start using British slang in America just to be funny and/or mess with people. who's with me? Likewise Brits should do the same

[@Funny4450]

LOVE THIS MAN.

[@kation]

I've watched this so many times!! He's so effing adorable. I've never seen him so happy in his post-Landy years

[@caiovolcoff]

why not? he is just enjoying it. I think he loved it!

[@chrometanned]

Just bought the EP. Wow, you can really hear Joey's influence on it... He lends vocals as well as producing. I can hear a lot of resemblance between it and his solo album. He was a good producer. This EP rocks by the way.... not RnB or pop.

[@us-Bahn]

If ‘Don’t Worry Baby’ had been released as a song sung by Ronnie it would have been number 1 for 12 years.

[@KarenBH]

Powerful ❤️❤️

[@ostrich67]

What should come around is the business end of a prison shank.

[@jsproductionsltd]

Great Video!! He Loved It,The look Is On His Face!!! God Bless JS

[@joltjolt5060]

He loved her.

[@unabonger777]

@al853 I can hear that. In any case, I don't think Spector appreciated it.