"Surf's Up" by Brian Wilson performed at Radio City Music Hall, March 29, 2001

[@susanhall4063]

Wow! Beautiful song! I’m a rocker and have never heard Vince Gill. My bad! What a voice!

[@leighgoldstein3119]

So sad....Foskett is gone now.. Crosby too....Gill....wow.....this is beautifully done. The most beautiful song ever written? Maybe!

[@barbaramonaco105]

Vince Gill said that he was terrified of doing this song live. He even tried to back out of doing it. So glad he didn't. Angelic voices. A Brian Wilson masterpiece.

[@jeremiahandmaggiegutierrez3261]

Vince said in an interview that Brian told him, right after this performance that this song was so difficult that they never performed it live.

[@notbraindead7298]

I've never heard Vince Gill sing that high before. What extraordinary vocal range he has.

[@RubyBandUSA]

angelic ... all but one ... David Crosby. He hasn't been good live since the Deja Vu album.

[@richardlandis2690]

@@RubyBandUSA Shut the front door.

[@louiserawle8999]

Vince Gill's voice is truly ethereal

[@kemfu]

Amazing all round but since it’s today (20/01/23), seeing David Crosby sing that so well and with such passion is a joy. RIP David Crosby.

[@lastrada52]

Vince Gill succeeded where he thought he would fail. He admitted in an interview that he didn't think he could sing Surf's Up -- thought about backing out -- and didn't expect a Beach Boy song to be that difficult. It was stunning.

[@karmafrog1]

He seemed nervous at first but that just added to the power.

[@BoneCK15]

I can remember the day I couldn't hit the "Domino" notes anymore. Was a sad day.

[@jamiekole3756]

I'm not a Vince Gill fan and had no idea he could hit notes like this. Impressive. Thanks for sharing that info. He did it justice

[@jamiekole3756]

@@BoneCK15 unfortunately Brian can't either if it makes you feel any better ☹️

[@tedbarsalou]

He probably figured he signed up for "Help me Rhonda"

[@aleckx123]

Master piece, pure jewel. Loving memory of David Crosby ❤

[@williamb2845]

People who say they don't like the Beach Boys because of the "surf" music, will sadly pass this one over because it's called Surf's Up. And tht would be a huge mistake on their part. Brian is a monster musical GENIUS!

[@notbraindead7298]

I think the word "Genius" is over used. But not in Brian Wilsons case.

[@zapkvr]

@@notbraindead7298 you're right. Genius is such a cliche now. Brian is in his own class.

[@terrydenney3516]

By far, Brian Wilson's best song. They did justice to the piece and honored Brian for the genius he is.

[@stevehobbs8130]

No question it's Brian's best song. I really feel cheated in life that that album wasn't finished properly

[@slimkickens]

It's the best song ever written. It's absolutely transcendental.

[@buddyblackmon7405]

yes…..Yes…..and YES!!!😁😎🥰

[@jennifertanner8164]

agree absolutely

[@metaphoria3]

Til I die

[@sifender56]

How GOOD is Vince Gill though!!! 😳😳🔥🔥

[@sewbizgirl]

Pretty darn!!

[@notbraindead7298]

Very, Very darn!!

[@susangoulding1110]

I had no idea what a master singer Vince Gill is. Such a beautiful tenor, such control.!❤

[@LG-kl3co]

Simply amazing...that word is so overused in everyday speech, but is the only one you could use for Vince Gill on this song.

[@raystargazer]

Holy crap! Gill killed it! What a voice! Great song and great artists.

[@dr.buzzvonjellar8862]

I just love this. Had no idea Vince Gill had such range and Crosby’s swagger is priceless

[@rogermarcus6317]

Sing with the angels David Crosby thank you for all you’ve given us 😪

[@codybolt4542]

To have Jimmy Webb, himself a master of popular songwriting, perform this, seems like possibly one of the greatest honors of all.

[@debbieswanson6057]

Met Jimmy Webb such a great guy warm down to earth guy!

[@brandonberg387]

The background singer with the sleigh bells is the unsung falsetto hero in at least two versions of this song that I’ve watched

[@ShelleeGraham]

Rest-in-Peace Mr. JEFFREY FOSKETT, a wonderful singer 🎤 and a very fine human being. ❤️

[@BobbyPrinceMusic]

Vince Gill is a wonderful guitarist, singer and entertainer. His voice range is amazing.

[@cutazabutton]

quite a range Gill has

[@michaelhelms9344]

A beautiful rendition of this song. Brian was making some remarkable music at that point in his life ( God Only Knows, Good Vibrations, Surf's Up ). Simply put, he was way ahead of his time!

[@conordoyle9481]

RIP David Crosby, legend

[@frankoshields6643]

I know Brian Wilson had to feel the love in the room when this beautiful rendition was played. And oh my how Vince Gill absolutely nailed it, I don't think anyone could have did it better. And of course to have Crosby with Jimmy Web there prefect.

[@maureenhorrigan7151]

Brian Wilson's Masterpiece

[@vata3688]

I have followed brian/beach boys for 60 years. There are no words that do justice. I have 2 autographed books by Van Dyke

[@msiggsjo4129]

Who ever orchestrated the three of them together on this stage was beyond brilliant in their selection!

[@shotgunrebels]

Vince owns this. Amazing vocal performance.

[@notbraindead7298]

Amen, brother.

[@gabrielsepulvedacorradini6058]

I always thought that the Beatle's "A day in the life" was the best song ever, till I heard "Surf's Up" . Now I couldn't make a choose

[@thamuddler]

Have you made your choose?

[@gabrielsepulvedacorradini6058]

@@thamuddler not at all. The indecition is even bigger, every day

[@miguelospina5276]

So i'm not the only one!!!!

[@Breshe]

Surf’s up 🏄‍♀️

[@magneto7930]

Wait a minute, isn't this country singer Vince Gill singing my favorite Beach Boys song? This is no easy song to pull off. I'm not even a fan of his, but I am now. He nailed it, fantastic job!

[@JoanneJaworski]

He's also sung a lot with The Eagles on tour! Very talented singer and guitarist!

[@magneto7930]

@@JoanneJaworski yes, I think he definitely stepped out of his comfort zone here with this particular song, but he did it beautifully!

[@johnbeard3733]

You could tell everyone involved in the performance knew they were part of something special.

[@trevordavies2829]

Vince Gil, the voice of a Welsh choirboy. Powerful to see Jimmy and David taking the lead, too

[@pmvoice88]

Brian Wilson's ballads make me want to grasp at the notes in the air...like bubbles. This one is a shining example of that.

[@michaelfrazia4569]

his songs are so ethereal...so melodically beautiful..its almost hard not to shed a tear...till I die gets me every time

[@TheWardBond]

The power and beauty in this is almost too much, breathtakingly beautiful 😍

[@joemack1060]

I always thought it was 'Right On, Right On'. In any case, a beautiful treatment. The verse, that classic verse, 'I heard the word/Wonderful Thing/A Children's Song,,,,,,' drives me to my knees in sheer wonder. All who would take the time to watch this, to read these comments, know those words come from the heart of the broken, gentle child who grew up to write wonderful music that is a gift to us all

[@ShelleeGraham]

Yes, I used to think the line was “My God, my God.” Now, we know it is “Bygone, bygone.”

[@MsJoybird1]

Many were surprised that Vince Gill could pull this off and he did it beautifully!!

[@jeffdawson2786]

This song is a masterpiece. Brian is a national treasure.

[@notbraindead7298]

What a tortured soul Brian was at that time and what beautiful music he created in spite of it.

[@austinpowers1700]

Agreed

[@magneto7930]

@@notbraindead7298 it's amazing some of the most beautiful things that he came up with under the most miserable circumstances of his life.

[@SpaceFlowerAesthetic]

​@@notbraindead7298Ironically tortured people have created the most beautiful works of art

[@davidyoung8576]

I'd never heard this song or this performance before, but when I saw Vince Gill speak of it as the hardest performance he'd ever done, and that he was VERY unsure he could pull it off, I had to find it. Now that I've heard the song and his AMAZING performance of it, I can perfectly understand why he was so leery of trying it......LIVE!?!? It just goes to further cement his legendary talents, and courage!

[@notbraindead7298]

Vince said that this song was "way over my head" and didn't want to do it. He nailed it, beautifully.

[@ctafrance]

Wow, Vince Gil CARRIED this performance. Wow.

[@wnewfmer]

And don't forget the beautiful harmony singing of Jeffrey Foskett.....

[@bruceallensullivan6532]

How Gill went up thru his nostrils and stayed in key is craftsmanship

[@heathercollins4432]

Yes...It almost makes me wonder if he worked with an opera teacher prior to this performance? The technique needed for reaching those upper registers would not necessarily come naturally, even for someone with Vince's amazing range...

[@beardown2489]

Heather Collins wouldn’t surprised if that were the case. Gill is obviously a brilliant vocalist and it’s sounds like his anxiety of performing this song could have easily made him learn some new tricks. Or he’s just that damn good in the first place… either way he’s darn impressive

[@heathercollins4432]

@@beardown2489 - Listening to this again...just staggering in it's difficulty and stunning beauty.....Just a work of art... (If you haven't heard this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/omKUoHasd92hh5I It's amazing as well..)

[@whatiwasgoingtosay]

@@heathercollins4432 that’s the product of growing up singing bluegrass. Vince is all self-taught, by ear, doesn’t even read music.

[@chrism1164]

Somebody said "Stunning"! Amen.

[@erikafreebird6449]

Vince Gill is amazing! I had no idea he could sing like an angel

[@TheRomeerome]

This is so ridiculously awesome. So beautiful !

[@marcushuber90]

I´m blessed to be able to hear this music so many genius musicians have made and performed - sorry for my english, i´m from germany

[@Jake-rp7wp]

I keep coming back to this vid, this is seriously one of the best covers I've heard in a long time. Vince killed it

[@heathercollins4432]

Same....it's a masterpiece....That "magical" harmony @ 4:09.....

[@philanthropist1241]

God bless Brian, lost to us all

[@djs3484]

Vince Gill is exceptional here and IMO his version of "Warmth Of The Sun", which is as hard or even harder to sing was flawlessly done, with a hand in his pocket... His did both effortlessly.

[@fredericlandemaine2425]

Extrêmement Impressionnant ! La voix bien sûr, mais surtout l Extraordinaire composition de Brian Wilson et de Van Dyke Park ....

[@coolmickey68]

this brought tears to my eyes...

[@heathercollins4432]

Same...beautiful...

[@magneto7930]

Me too, I wasn't expecting it. It was beautiful!

[@bobareebop]

Immeasurable talent on that stage...and in the audience.

[@MP-kv4tg]

Love this song. Brian is amazing and bring so much joy into my life

[@shelleyking8450]

This song, written so long ago... seems like it was made to make Vince meet the challenge of this performance. Simply magnificent

[@michaelsorchantte3857]

Vince Gill,what a legend!

[@robinsierra1029]

It’s so great that Brian and his group of musicians and singers finally got it together to do it tour of Smile and 2005 I think it was. Brian was in top form. you can find the performance on KZbin toured around Europe with it

[@keriford54]

Nice version. Kind of cool hearing them say in 2001 how SMiLE was never completed and then 3 years later Brian did complete it, that still strikes me as amazing.

[@gloriaswanson5346]

Fantastic. Crosby still sounds amazing...

[@Sammy_019]

Wow the song and lyrics are beyond genius as the men singing them. Oh thank you so!

[@debbieswanson6057]

WOW!!! Vince can really hit those high notes!!!! Always loved his voice never knew he had that high range!!!!

[@robertsanders7061]

Nobody is talking about Vince Gills guitar prowess, One of the best guitar players out there period

[@rmoore1686]

Vince Gill does a very good job singing this song.

[@YTbobo4u]

This sounds like Italian opera. Amazing.

[@marksoria6487]

A beautiful hymn that will touch people forever . . .

[@AGD55]

"The chorus "My God, my God" was unheard of in pop music in 1967" There's a very good reason for that: they're singing "bygone, bygone". :-)

[@jerrydreams267]

Or rather that's what they're supposed to sing, it does sound like they're indeed singing "My God, my God" in this version if you listen closely. Truly about the only fault I could possibly find with this rendition, what an amazing performance

[@jamesclendon4811]

I wonder if the commenter is confusing this with the minor controversy over "God Only Knows," from 1966, which was one of the first uses of "God" in a pop song and did upset a few people.

[@davepolley3947]

Never heard a live version previously..... absolutely awesome ..... so difficult, loved it

[@astari39]

Vince is a great person and artist!!

[@egadgo]

I never would have imagined that the mind behind Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul has such an angelic singing voice. A man of many talents.

[@Kedbuka]

What a performance. Vince is amazing here.

[@glasair]

He positions the microphone near his nose from his mouth during the high parts that emanate from his nose. A true master of his voice.

[@caroleshaw5370]

Stunningly beautiful🥰

[@Logan_Irrelevant]

The fact that this is so amazing and still pales in comparison to the original just goes to show that whole other level that Brian Wilson was on.

[@neilshenton1834]

Oh man, amazing version! Pure goosebumps when Croz sang... ✌️ ❤️

[@julieannemichelle]

That was beautiful!❤

[@Oscar3]

bass line is tremendous!

[@TugHillGuy]

This song reminds me of well known opera arias where a soprano or tenor sings several high notes and you hold your breath hoping their voice doesn't crack. It is incredibly difficult to play live and I commend all involved for their outstanding effort! I first heard this song back in the mid 1980s when I watched the Beach Boys documentary by the same name. I then found a used copy of the vinyl album Surf's Up at a used record shop in State College, PA in the late 1980s. When I heard that Brian Wilson was finally releasing Smile in 2004, 37 years after Brian abandoned the project in 1967, I pre-ordered a copy of the CD. After it arrived, I don't know if I ever played an album with so much eager anticipation! It didn't disappoint me in any way.

[@juan-mf9sp]

beautiful cover..

[@scottcyoung]

Brought tears to my eyes. Beautiful

[@billcowie]

Even Brian was impressed!

[@waynelevey3379]

Wow; fabulous performance for one of the best songs ever written.

[@davidveladosanchez]

Brian Wilson, el mayor genio de todos los tiempos muy por encima del resto...

[@kennyjohnson907]

Vince..you nailed it son.. great range

[@acooksla]

And, he is so handsome, seriously ❤

[@bluebottle3541]

This is a fantastic version of an amazingly complex song to perform.! Have always loved crazy David.........RIP David ......I also love Jeff Beck's version with Brian Wilson ! RIP Jeff..........Two irreplaceable talents lost within weeks of each other !

[@BonzJR]

How could it get any better. Greatness presents Sublime.

[@JoshHumble]

Epic memories for me - both this song, then hearing and seeing this when it was done.

[@ChrisCasadyanimation]

You were there? Can you share any impressions?

[@JoshHumble]

@@ChrisCasadyanimation Oh no - I wish :) The memories I had when I watched the televised event after it had just happened.

[@lifelong5425]

Chillingly beautiful....performed for, on behalf of a genius...by geniuses.

[@ChrisCasadyanimation]

Well,said!

[@missgoldie6257]

Aahhhhhhhhhhhhh, Vinnie......you are magical.

[@janfromnycsavesmoney8723]

This song forever reaches my soul--

[@onlyonemaui3840]

THIS WAS AND IS REAL HARMONY....(HITTING INTO OUR LIVING SOULS) WITH THIS MOST BEAUTIFUL GIFTED MUSIC......... (is the process by which individual sounds are joined together or composed into whole units or compositions)... WE NEED TO TRY AND ALL WORK BETTER TOGETHER INSTEAD OF AGAINST... BY REMOVING THE CONTROLS/STRINGS OF THESE 1% PER-CENT..TERS "PURE GREED".... (An EXCESSIVE desire to acquire or possess more than what one needs or deserves, especially with respect to ONLY material wealth). TO ALLOW "MORE HARMONY" BETWEEN ALL OF US.... IN THIS (MORE THAN EVER)... ONLY TEMPORARY LIVES...BECAUSE, IN THE END.... WE ALL BECOME "JUST MEMORIES"....... R.I.P. DAVID... I MET DAVID AND WAS INVITED BACK STAGE.....HERE ON MAUI.......IT WAS A SPECIAL TIME..... Saturday, July 9, 2016

[@sealevelbear]

Beautiful version ❤️❤️❤️

[@jerryfeigelson4728]

fantastic song,,,Vince awesome...!!!

[@julieannemichelle]

Outstanding!!!

[@williamwood3942]

Absolutely stunningly beautiful

[@danadicorpo3971]

Devine one of the best songs ever heard gods voices angelic

[@wink853]

Stunning!

[@RETV62]

Pure Magic! 😎

[@blueticecho5690]

Thank God that Mike Love never had a chance to contaminate this master piece..

[@1401minstrel]

Mike Love sang a fine bass part on the third and final segment of the version of this song that appears on the Surf's Up album.

[@amusicment4829]

Wonderful. (This song is such an unusual pop song-could be included in a classical tenor’s recital repertoire!)

[@marujo777]

The great moment in art is when you lift your feet off the ground. They did it.

[@thefilmandmusic]

I love this album…

[@SecsSells]

That was remarkable. BW fan for all these years I’m surprised I missed it somehow from 2001 I believe.

[@ChrisCasadyanimation]

You can get a DVD of the whole evening, that's what this is from. "A Brian Wilson Tribute" I believe it's called.

[@tommylawlor2857]

Absolutely tremendous

[@jerryp7721]

A song I expect I would hear if I am lucky enough to enter heaven.....

[@eoinwoods1202]

Well , that was an easy song to sing ! 👀. What a range Vince Gill has !

[@peteerickson1835]

Master class

[@GlobalMiles]

That’s insane.

[@WmRob]

My god, my god. Vince has how many octaves in his repertoire?

[@marciaflyte8978]

All of them!😊

[@alessandroamorena1044]

Musica del paradiso

[@robertanderson8965]

AND DONT FORGET JEFF FOSKETT, FANTASTIC VOICE AND GREAT BACKING