Brian Wilson on "Late Night With David Letterman" (1988)

[@Skizze37]

All I want in life is to give Brian Wilson a hug and tell him how much his music means to me. I fucking love this man.

[@scottt.455]

I had that very pleasure. One of the great moments of my life.

[@yaniingham-thomas5001]

I have the same feeling about Mike Love

[@dickrichards9650]

@@yaniingham-thomas5001 Suum ciqque.

[@michaelfrazia4569]

me too...so much happy beautiful hopeful music he has given the world and the poor man was fighting a constant war within his own head...I have so much affection for the man. ....not only his genius writing but that voice ....that falsetto in those songs was like floating in the clouds. love the guy .

[@acooksla]

Me too, I adore him

[@brucew3641]

His anxiety disorder back then just screams out here, coupled with the excessive meds Landy shoved into him unnecessarily. You can tell how he immediately went to the piano without shaking hands at first. Kudos to him for toughing it out when it was probably terrifying in his mind.

[@jimjones6901]

Sad time in his life, but MAN WAS HE HANDSOME. I'm straight, but I have such a man crush on late 80s Brian

[@jamesblames]

@@jimjones6901 I think you're gay, can't blame you, it is Brian after all.

[@jmaguire2232]

My man had full-blown schizophrenia. As someone with an anxiety disorder myself I can honestly say that I’ve never felt a fraction of the psychiatric distress he must have experienced as someone with schizophrenia. It’s debilitating.

[@TELEVISIONARCHIVES]

Landy was a jerk but if he didn't treat him Brian wouldn't be alive today. All of the Beach Boys said that

[@JustinEdwords]

@@jmaguire2232 I believe he has schizoaffective disorder. Landy had him medicated as a paranoid schizophrenic

[@moamoapunch]

Brian. Wherever you are right now, I hope you can really FEEL the love we have for you. You touched our lives with great music and we are grateful. I dont just want you to know it...I want you to feel it. You may be the most loved man in America.

[@jonathanshulman3140]

Did anyone else catch Brian’s “surf the bathtub” comment? Brian’s a very funny guy, actually.

[@marymagdalene3004]

and, really, really smart! Superior intellect.

[@JackieTalbott]

he has the sweetest wit I've ever heard

[@jaggass]

In 1984 he said being single was like liking a Phil Spector record saying there's no separating between the 2. In another interview he said to the interviewer ''Give me a handshake'' ''No a better one that''

[@owenwilberforce6138]

The long and winding road back to clarity was epic for Brian. His heart always seemed pure, even if substances had once clouded his head.

[@Beefy-Cheese]

I think you mean "long promised road"

[@owenwilberforce6138]

@@Beefy-Cheese - Maybe so, but since Brian was such a Beatles fan I thought the reference was fitting. He made many twists and turns getting to a sober place. He completely disavowed drug use later but for so long through the 60’s and 70’s he was pretty much loaded on substances a lot of the time. Maybe staying in bed for years at a time ultimately helped save him too.

[@DOMinatorxXx42]

The dude was a schizophrenic who believed he was possessed. There was one band member, Dennis I think who said Brian had told him he stopped hearing the voices, and now he couldn't sing. He was also involved in witchcraft. I don't mean to totally dump on the guy but because he did have it rough, especially with his dad. But these people, mega band members aren't all pure or innocent. They always have a chance to redeem themselves I believe however.

[@mike2462]

I love this man. I wish I could tell him how much his beautiful music with the beach boys has helped me through a lot of sadness in my life.

[@califcamper]

THANKYOU Brian for not quitting!!!

[@dingosmith9932]

THIS!

[@_keato]

brian has always been and will always be the sweetest soul on earth. ♥️

[@patricias5122]

Cute, too. So endearing. (Unlike Mike Love).

[@_keato]

@@patricias5122 mike who? 💀💀 eff that guy.

[@GaylaSmith-nl8ll]

Was honored to meet this amazing gentleman at a Beach Boys concert decades ago. He was so kind and seemed to appreciate my comments. I then saw his long-awaited "Smile" tour several years ago. He is brilliant!

[@inspirationalbalance5974]

Wow... I am reviewing his 80s stuff again and it is so amazing. Every decade this guy was producing the most beautiful music I could never dream! Love him!!!!!!!!!

[@scottlombardi4603]

Check out That Lucky Old Sun album.

[@NateRuvin414]

Imagine if Brian was interviewed on Letterman’s new show... that would be awesome

[@_keato]

someone, make this happen.

[@mattyodotcomchannel]

@@_keato I suspect that it would be thoroughly uncomfortable to watch.

[@SMUS16475]

"You dropped a lotta weight, haven't you?" "Yeah. 130 pounds, actually." He makes it sound like that's nothing, but that's clearly some MAJOR weight loss.

[@ronfowlermusic]

@Pixie oh hush your mouth! He's a modest man, that's all.

[@michaelfrazia4569]

@Pixie yup..Dr Landy days.

[@dmer-zy3rb]

That 600 calorie diet...wasnt healthy weight loss at all. They treated as if he was 600 pounds before lol

[@coldacre]

@@michaelfrazia4569 pre- Doctor Landy days. Brian was basically sedentary from 67-73 and ballooned in weight, doing nothing but snorting coke and eating for 6 years.

[@xray7908]

I love that last frame, if you pause it, where Dave is trying to shake Brian's hand, and Brian is oblivious.

[@robbyblack2699]

There is NO musical genius EVER, that’s better than Brian Wilson. Mentally, he’s on a totally different planet. God have him a heart and mind that is second to none. God bless Brian Wilson.

[@paulsolon6229]

Tough in that condition to get out there on a national show But this man did it

[@holyspacemonkey]

I just love Brian Wilson so much. ❤️

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

Brian Wilson. You’re looking at a musical genius.

[@coldacre]

Dave Letterman isnt a musical genius!! not that he was looking at him much, anyway

[@HEADLINEZOO]

Actually a good song. Despite the comments on here this album and appearance marked a great comeback for Brian personally and professionally. He’s stayed on the right track since.

[@ronfowlermusic]

at least one person gets it, thank you

[@kaydgaming]

The Patrick Bateman-esque monologue really sold this comment

[@JohnPrepuce]

It wasn't that bad, really. I mean it's got a hook. Even the underwhelming stuff by Brian still has his touch of genius on it.

[@kb50-i1o]

Yeah! This was a great album, albeit with some over the top production.

[@dmer-zy3rb]

"night time" despite being undeniably catchy like alot of his music was the low point of his self titled album from 1988.

[@dmfj1980]

Don't let the worst Brian Wilson song I've ever heard distract you from the fact that homeboy slaying the sax back there has one of the most epic mullets in recorded history! The shit is legendary

[@macclunkey6161]

For real! Couldn’t take my eyes off >.

[@joe22589]

Yes, epic mullet! But all members of this band came out of the local freak house. Worst BW song ever

[@Fuchsia_tude]

Also Dave Coulier playing lead guitar over on the left

[@gailneedham9930]

hahaha!

[@scottallen8071]

Lol. Yes, awful song!

[@Shikta-poobah67]

I was going to discuss Brian, until I witnessed that sax player and his absolutely *STUNNING* mullet. That thing is mesmerizing, even by late 80’s standards. 🤣

[@josephharnett5075]

Lets not forget that love and Mercy came out of that album great effort still had the ability even considering his condition

[@ameerordimly1449]

Shouldve did MELT AWAY

[@brownieboy401]

@@ameerordimly1449 Or Meet Me In My Dreams Tonight. Or any song from that album but Night Time, which is probably the weakest song on it!

[@ameerordimly1449]

@@brownieboy401 so true - probably picked it cause it was soo simplistic and easiest to sing live and he was terrified of performing lead for the first time in years. He also did it for another show while promoting the album - probably that same week. -it was some Dick Clark show -it comes up if u search - B.W. NIGHTTIME

[@bernardbaker6803]

Sorry - It's just a Dennis Wilson 'Forever' rewrite

[@vKarl7]

@@bernardbaker6803Not remotely similar. Different chord changes, melodies, feel, everything.

[@rickt1951]

2020 still going strong. He's such a gentile soul.

[@dogpd3]

It’s 2022 and Brian Wilson is really struggling now. decades of drug use has made him stare off into space and sit at the piano at his concerts and he can’t sing full songs anymore. So sad

[@rickt1951]

@@dogpd3 Wow, I believe that he's in his 80's.

[@timsanderson5572]

RayRay He specifically has a non-Jewish soul?

[@jadenwaz9585]

@@timsanderson5572technically not wrong lol

[@Johnny1Reggae]

I love this version. It suits his voice at this time in his life.

[@mickdeleon5072]

Very interesting to see this again so many years later. Looks like Landy had Brian on uppers.

[@jimreal3840]

Sad...one of most talented guy we ever produced..glad to see he came back from this..... genius.

[@Marc-dj5fk]

it must have taken so much courage for him to get up there and also i totally get the sand box thing. For a long time i used to lie down, close my eyes, sipping pineapple and coconut cocktails while listening to hawaiian music and i was immediately transported a beautiful beach in maui with a tropical sunset....and ive never even been there in my life! The mind is an awesome thing

[@GoodGamer3000]

6:02 Brian's just looking at the camera like, "Let me outta here please..."

[@kevanchicago4664]

David Letterman: Surprisingly this is this man's first talk show appearance. KZbin: Up Next "Brian Wilson Interview on the Mike Douglas Show 1976"

[@JoeCooper-b4t]

That's narcissist Dave for you.

[@LessThree]

I don't think the bass player is getting quite enough credit in this comment section for his epic look. Tragically overshadowed by the sax player's glorious mullet

[@downsphile]

Brian was twitchy here but perfectly coherent. And a joke! About Dave in Indiana having to surf in the bathtub.

[@kande6916]

We love you Brian!!!!

[@jaggass]

This interviewed disappeared from YT ages ago. It looked like Brian was very unstable due to him being heavily medicated.

[@nataliarobinson9514]

Why was he like this

[@jaggass]

@@nataliarobinson9514 Drugged up to the eye balls on anti psychotics.

[@ronfowlermusic]

@@jaggass oh hush. He looks fine here. Brian's never been Mr. Generic Adult.

[@danielfisch389]

Heavily medicated thanks to Dr Landy which allowed him to control Brian, as we know today

[@genethebeatlesfan2359]

Dude, the girl screaming made my day!

[@TosinNumberFive]

Brian Wilson he is my favourite person

[@bretvyon2336]

Brian looks so young but so old at the same time

[@hasselett]

He had some spectacular hair for his age. What was he, like 46 here? Damn good mullet, no doubt.

[@bretvyon2336]

@@hasselett Yeah he was blessed in that area

[@JustinEdwords]

Dropping that much weight the way he did it is pretty unhealthy

[@paninovevo1162]

​@@JustinEdwords of course, but also the previous 20 years of drug abuse

[@graciasholmes8346]

No such thing as quitting in life..... just blew right by everybody including Dave.

[@seanb7909]

Two legends right there 🍻

[@MarySmith-l8i]

I absolutely love Brian Wilson 💯🥰❤️

[@Jeph629]

The guy is beyond a legend. Lennon, McCartney, Dylan his only debatable competition.

[@justincasarrubias2001]

You have spoken the truth

[@theledebb]

Agreed except for Lennon, hes wasnt that good. You can only name a handful of good beatles songs written and composed 100% by him (the other ones where mainly with McCartney's music). His garbage solo career proves it, 1 or 2 good songs the rest sucks.

[@countof3everybodyOD]

Maybe add Paul Simon and Billy Joel. But in my heart all those guys combined don’t equal Brian. Very few things have touched me the way his music has

[@countof3everybodyOD]

@@theledebb yeah personally I’d have said Harrison, but Lennon didn’t SUCK

[@marcusbradly5982]

@@theledebb I don’t think McCartney’s solo career is great either. 5-6 great albums and some good singles but ALOT of crap too. I much prefer Lennon personally.

[@jeffdawson2786]

How they got him to do the show is a mystery.

[@JustinEdwords]

Landy got paid

[@dmer-zy3rb]

i mean he was an artist he did quite a few appearances in the late 80s. he even was on full house! (despite funnily him denying he was there)

[@bullseyecello]

⁠@@dmer-zy3rb Maybe he meant mentally he wasn’t there

[@BlueEyes-gp8lg]

Actually, I think Dave was the one who seemed terrified and couldn't wait to wrap the interview. Brian was seriously weirding him out.

[@jaggass]

Brian did seem out of control through no fault of his own.On other interviews in 1988 he seemed more like himself after not being drugged up as much.

[@stevegaines1]

Google Eugene Landy. You'll understand. He was Satan.

[@imtired2531]

Most musical guests only talk for a couple minutes after performing. I don’t think Dave was scared of him, he did seem like he picked up that something wasn’t right with him though

[@rossriver75yukon27]

@@imtired2531 I think Letterman was prepared not to put out his sarcastic witty remarks on Brian. Just to congratulate him for his career in a short civil interview.

[@JoeCooper-b4t]

@@rossriver75yukon27 Maybe Dave was told to lay off or else, lol.

[@judy-wl8dr]

This song makes me feel like nothing is that bad anymore 🤣

[@Harley_Gazzard]

I haven't heard anyone mention this but when he says how much weight he lost and the audience claps you can see Brian's face drop, this man has been abused so much in his life. He's pretty much still being abused with all of the live shows he's forced to do

[@jaggass]

600 calorie diet.

[@BlueSky...]

Under the influence of Landy----very dark years.

[@jonathanshulman3140]

Yes. Some very good music, though.

[@ronfowlermusic]

maybe you would have preferred he stay 300 pounds and lie in bed all day out of his mind on cocaine and other substances

[@Onio_]

@@ronfowlermusic No one would prefer that, but "Dr" Landy was undeniably manipulative and drugged Brian out of his mind himself with numerous anti-psychotics.

[@brucew3641]

@@ronfowlermusic I'd rather be fat than brainwashed, misdiagnosed and have permanent ticks because of the excessive meds that weren't necessary. That kook Landy would be in jail if he did that in today's world. Freaking Richard Simmons should've been called instead 😂

[@slimkickens]

@@ronfowlermusic Landy did far more damage than cocaine or heroin ever could. Even at his worst in the 70s he was still lucid. No one is denying that him getting sober and losing weight was good for him. But that doesn't excuse the abuse he suffered under Landy

[@tosinoparinde9563]

I love Brian WILSON

[@niftygreencap]

great performance. I loved the band. However, I saw this episode when it originally aired at 12 years old and it freaked the shit out of me.

[@yosserhughes5418]

And a special appearance by Joe Dirt on the saxophone!

[@ronfowlermusic]

Def Leppard sucks!

[@raymondee100]

' God only knows ' why Mr. Wilson is such a musical genius.

[@CantTellYou]

2:00 the absolute KILLER mullet, the saxophone… this could not possibly be more *of the* era.

[@titletowntim]

Dave was nice & gentle with him.

[@nataliarobinson9514]

Yes he was 🥰

[@roydagger]

But he still brang up all the cliché bullshit. Poor interview meant for the masses.

[@dskywalker3397]

Dave is a dick. Period. Hell, that’s his whole schtick.

[@joechiricosta4004]

I was gonna say the same. He was respectful.

[@fshoaps]

Because Brian is broken.

[@lowspark68]

NOT first talk show appearance. He was on Mike Douglas talking about his drug use in 1976!

[@ChristopherCudworth]

I saw his first live performance in St Charles IL that year

[@libelulaojo]

Brian WIlson Love

[@channelchenes4541]

The mullet on that saxophonist, though!

[@jonirwin7316]

A true legend.

[@BartholomewCounty]

Dave had his own troubles, so I'm sure he felt something just being int he same room with Brian.

[@bitcomkid]

Elora...great interview, you are amazing

[@soysoneromayor]

0:22 that girl screaming!!

[@YesOkayButWhy]

That must have scared the F out of Brian

[@jameswayne707]

I live you Brian.

[@samnewton9568]

Some epic mullets in that band

[@vasiliosagio3127]

Yeah Brian looked spaced out but physically , I never seen him so healthy ajd good looking

[@neilryan9301]

I thought the exact same thing.

[@kidwaryodproduction]

Scott Page on Saxophone. He's always lively and energetic like this :)

[@connievino4226]

Awesome interview and Dave was good to him.

[@Guy-lo3ld]

He's a very seet guy! Awesome full head of hair too! 😂

[@memalley]

Imagine sitting with Brian Wilson and only being able to ask him about "the sandbox" and being overweight. Such a bummer to see a genius being patronized by a plebian.

[@dskywalker3397]

Thank You. Brian knew this and handled it with class.

[@alramone1]

I thought they were decent questions for only having a couple minutes with him... Like he's going to start asking him about the creation of Smile or something? Also I think the song is kind of funky and catchy.

[@TheHYPO]

I mean, usually these interviews are planned out in advance... Perhaps this is the subject matter Brian or his management asked Dave to talk to him about... Brian was very mentally fragile then (and frankly even now) - it took him a minute to even get the Indiana surfing joke and it would be atypical of a musician to acknowledge in an interview that their single did poorly. He was not a seasoned interview pro. Finally, this was a late night show in the 80s. Those shows aren't known for their deep dives or hard hitting questions. I don't see anything to chastise Dave about.

[@nickholland6537]

I’m not sure that Dave could’ve done much different really. I agreed that the questions were banal but Dave’s audience isn’t the right one for any sort of in depth deep dive questions and the amount of time he had would’ve made it pointless. I’m assuming that any questions about the conservatorship or Landy were off the table and, looking at Brian, I’d say at this point he wasn’t ready for anything too deep or meaningful in terms of questioning. He looks nervous and a bit bewildered and bearing in mind the previous 10 years he’d had I think it was a safe play by Dave. Brian did really well to do the performance and interview by himself and I suppose that the subject picked was one that he would easily respond to. I do agree though, as a Brian fan it’s frustrating but 99% of those watching most likely weren’t as big fans as us 😀

[@nicholaspierce483]

There's no reason to go at Dave.

[@jacobcope2740]

That mullet though

[@justinherbert9146]

Brian seemed surprised at how quickly the interview ended

[@alanpartridge4681]

If you want an explanation for the "dodgy sax", here it is! kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5ipd4yMZpxrfJY

[@izg93027]

Bro, thanks a LOT!!!

[@avanti6058]

great!

[@jasnostj]

That's hilarious. You gotta love Scott Page!

[@gottabecrazy29]

the Mullet man played with Pink Floyd over their 1987-1988 tour.

[@ronwilliams357]

Only singer in history to recruit his middle-aged neighbor friends to sing backup.

[@Unsung_Earth]

Lool

[@RichardMNixon-zh6uz]

Scott Page on sax, right after the Momentary Lapse Of Reason tour.

[@GEricG]

Business on top, party at the back.

[@jaggass]

If Brian was to look at this now he would probably be so upset.

[@volumedogs6422]

Why?

[@jaggass]

@@volumedogs6422 Because he was very controlled by Dr Landy as and was drugged up all the time.

[@ronfowlermusic]

@@jaggass he's not drugged up here, other than being on some meds to control his ups and downs. I don't know if you've ever suffered from depression; it's hell. I am thankful we have medicine that can help balance us out now.

[@thomaspappalardo7589]

@@ronfowlermusic Yes, he is. Landy was overmedicating Brian when this interview took place.

[@masterman7166]

Is all about that mullet

[@AntonioBarsanio]

He is right, surfing must be a very dangerous sport your board can become your own deadly weapon. I admire the people who can do it with amazing dexterity as if it was the easiest thing in the world.

[@knockedoutloaded279]

Hope they reunite at Grammys 2023...

[@ELFUEGO-kv5iq]

HE WAS A MUSICAL GENIUS

[@MooseCall]

Is.

[@maryyoung1602]

Still Is 🎤🎹👍!

[@chuckkirkpatrick6712]

Watching this is so creepy....especially when you realize what you are seeing is not Brian Wilson but a robot created by Doctor Eugene Landy.

[@ronfowlermusic]

that's what his current handlers would like you to believe

[@NATDENNEY]

He is the beach boys the brains the genius and the head honcho

[@KeizerHedorah]

The mullet guy is jammin, he recieves extra power from his mullet that the others dont have.

[@gabrielsepulvedacorradini6058]

Brian es hermoso

[@Armentitron]

There's such a weird detail during this phase where he Haskins of an underbite or sticking out his lower jaw a lot

[@EmilyHartley25989]

It’s weird, looks like it’s not him somehow.

[@coleward4208]

He’s always talked out of the side of his mouth since he’s almost completely deaf in his right ear

[@jeffkaufman9875]

@con Who the F is Haskins?…

[@alicethewalice9482]

He really looks like Mike love in the thumbnail

[@user-uh6lm5wv6n]

@4:13 anyone notice his fingers movement?

[@EmilyHartley25989]

@2020 I’m crap at noticing details like that but now you mention, I do exactly the same thing when I get ataxia. Combination of inner ear injury, drug use whether recreational in the past and/or administered by Landy fucks up your nervous system and senses. Assuming that’s what it is at least. When I do the same thing it is because I don’t sense that part of the body enough to feel like I control it.

[@tedallison1627]

That mullet. Just... WOW!

[@Payton20ADZ]

I appreciate how Dave was pretty polite (love dave) with Brian knowing he had some mental disabilities.

[@marymagdalene3004]

Brian should have never done this show. He was not well enough for it. Landy did him bad, but in the beginning I guess you could say that he saved Brian's life. Divine Intervention came when he met Melinda who saw what Landy was doing to Brian. God protects his children when they have had enough and need to be saved. Looks like Dave did not want to continue that interview beyond a few cursory questions and can't say that I blame him.

[@ronfowlermusic]

oh hush, Brian is looking at sounding great here. I guess you never saw him at his worst, in the early 80's. 300 pounds, unshaved, unwashed, singing with a ravaged voice. Landy got him in shape again, got him to put away the hard drugs and the smoking that was destroying his voice. There was nothing unusual about this interview - that's all the music people ever got on this show.

[@imtired2531]

Every performer sits and talks with Dave for just a couple minutes after if at all

[@dmer-zy3rb]

not well enough? the album was great and obviously his singing voice was permanently damaged, nothing much you could do he needed to work within the vocal range he still had.

[@paninovevo1162]

Just look at Brian's left hand while talking to Letterman 😔

[@dmer-zy3rb]

i noticed that too in other interviews from the time Brian was shaking severely during interview - poor guy.

[@MichaelWarchol]

Say what you will about Landy. Brian seems alert and confident, here.

[@YesOkayButWhy]

Man, this Bill Pullman guy is a genius.

[@NOWtheband]

This band needs That sax player!

[@Covert_Smalls]

But the only thing worse than a guy with a mullet, is a dancing, sax playing guy with a mullet

[@maidservantofgod]

I just want to hug him and tell him about Jesus. His soul is in turmoil. I know the Lord can deliver him because He did it for me.

[@bobtownsend9674]

Sax guy totally got that *razzmatazz*

[@MrLemmy2000]

He looks good in 2022 to

[@XpatNjapan]

"Dodgy " sax player just came off a world tour with Pink Floyd right before this appearance.

[@sharonlee4773]

Wow,I didnt know he was ever slender!

[@bradleylowden558]

Kooky song lol

[@deanneewan3294]

Always

[@huss03]

Well, description under the title says: "includes a performance of night time, with some dodgy sax from a very strange backing band - and an interview with brian!" Nothing wrong with the sax. The only thing dodgy was Brian's singing.

[@AtomicHobo1]

This wasn’t even his first talk show appearance lol