STEVE LEVINE - ‘My reaction caused Brian Wilson to have sessions with a vocal coach’

[@richardcerbini3257]

What an incredible story. Steve seems like a genuine person and his love for Brian shows.

[@MikeGervasi]

He gave Brian exactly what he needed in a straightforward non aggressive manner.

[@brandonbreitkreuz1549]

That’s some great insight’ 1985 album.

[@DummyYEEEAAHHHHH]

What album did Brian do in 1985 ? His debut solo album came out in 1988...js

[@brandonbreitkreuz1549]

@@DummyYEEEAAHHHHH the beach boys self titled album came out in 1985. SL, in the above video produced it.

[@leopoldopetrieska6564]

good insight on 80's brian

[@wcassady]

I love this album!

[@richardcoreno]

The Beach Boys became an oldies act (outside of Brian Wilson's "The Beach Boys Love You") after Blondie Chaplin and Ricky Fataar left the band --- which had as much to do with the success of "Endless Summer" as the ease during the bloated arena rock era to play it safe for a max payday. And it has been well documented that the "Brian Wilson" sessions were often chaotic and could have crumbled (like other BB/BW projects). That a gem of an album was produced is a tribute to the professionals who kept the project moving artistically forward. The only solo album that delivered more of a inspired punch was "Brian Wilson Presents Smile".

[@simonb2109]

Shudda realesed oh lord

[@TheCraig8754]

What a great story. Thank you for sharing.

[@kpoleary1]

I have to wonder about the Landy "effect" during this period? Brian Wilson's music has ruled my life since Sept. 1963.

[@jmua8450]

Sounds like My Glove was the problem. Wow never saw that coming.

[@sandywinfield9406]

Hard to believe the man who sang In My Room and Surfer Girl needed voice lessons!

[@ms8596]

Brian literally set out in the mid 70s to destroy his beautiful former falsetto singing voice. He was quoted multiple times that, in retrospect, he thought he sounded like a girl. The cigarettes, drinking, and drugs (primarily cocaine) were destroying his voice, but the gruff growl was his goal. By '84 when this album was recorded, I can see, in order for them to get back to their former glory, it was expected of Brian to not just "wing it" with his vocals anymore.

[@steveclapham5587]

Love your video

[@allesanbro]

Great and insightful video.

[@SeamusMcGillicuddy0]

Hey Levine, you should have called your “loya!”

[@Wolfsky9]

I wonder just who Levine was referencing ??? Was it Mike Love ? I wonder just who it was.-----------------------Wolfsky9, 74 y/o

[@NOWtheband]

I reckon It could well have been any of the other members: I've read that all the members had bad-attitude days at various times, not just Mike (especially during the era he's talking about)

[@deanomandrums]

Story has it that it was Al Jardine

[@charliestoops8815]

I agree, I’ve heard that Mike, Al and Bruce were clashing with Brian professionally, and compared to (the by this point deceased) Dennis, Brian and Carl’s relationship was always pretty rocky, especially in the 80s and 90s.

[@whiteandright1958]

Come on. Let's get real. Steve levine was a one trick pony. His only claim to fame was 1 culture club record. I have that album. It's not good. The eighties were a terrible time for The Beach Boys, as they had no direction. Brian was controlled by Landy and there was no confidence within the group. Leave it to Bruce to go outside the BB.

[@charliestoops8815]

It’s definitely not their worst record, but not a favorite of mine. Steve Levine seems like a very nice man, and I don’t blame Bruce for trying to look outside the group for a new producer considering Brian’s unwillingness and inability, but I agree it was a failed experiment. It’s always been disheartening to me that outside of the back cover message, there’s no tribute song to Dennis or anything. I know he could be a bother, but he was a brilliant songwriter right until the end, and deserved more (professional if not personal, but then again he died so probably personal as well) respect from his family.

[@doorsfan48]

The vocals on that 85 record honestly all sound bad probably the worse of any of there records. Terrible production really

[@shawnuel]

It is, as Steve himself uttered about something else in this video, absolute shit. TERRIBLE sounding record.

[@Mozart1220]

Brian always had the singers around the same mic. All the outside producers had them sing separately. There is a strange "harmonic" that is lost.

[@tombjornebark]

No it is not the production, the songs are shit. Steve should have critiqued those instead of the vocals. But you do your best with what you got.