The Beach Boys - “I Can Hear Music” Live 1997 (Carl Wilson’s last performance on camera)

[@StatusQuonald]

Keeping that voice after 35 years of heavy smoking is nothing short of a miracle Rest in peace, gentlest of the Beach Boys

[@hansgordy]

My favorite singer of all-time. RIP Carl.

[@davidnissim589]

His lung cancer couldn't take his golden voice. What a phenomenal musician Carl was

[@avanti6058]

I can't believe he was sick here, his voice sounds amazing. What a talented singer & good soul he was.

[@rideon77]

One of the best singers ever!!!

[@michaellazzeri2069]

RIP, CARL WILSON . THE ONLY BEACH BOY I REALLY EVER CARED ABOUT. IN '76, I HAD THE CHANCE TO MEET HIM FOR ABOUT 4-5 MINUTES. HE WAS A GENTLEMAN ALL THE WAY. ------------------MJL, 77 Y/O

[@axiomist4488]

It breaks my heart, watching him sing so beautifully and knowing that, as he sings, he is dying . RIP, Carl, thank you for your beautiful sounds .

[@stuartb3609]

Wow. He had that great voice till the end. Forever missed.

[@MeLoNHeAd00]

Best voice in rock n roll ! So much range and soul !

[@NewzjunkyVids]

Thank you for posting this. I was 9 years old in 1997 and obsessed with The Beach Boys. As a birthday gift that year, my mom took me to see them at New York State Fair in Syracuse on August 21. That ended up being the last week Carl would perform live again. I remember he was very heavy, dressed in a black suit, sitting for the entire show, and constantly wiping his face off as he was sweating heavily, but played very well. He got a huge standing ovation after "God Only Knows" and I remember crying after the show when my mom told me the reason he looked so sick. I'm so thankful that, for my first concert ever, I got to see Carl Wilson perform live.

[@matthewclark7952]

That’s a beautiful memory, thank you for sharing it. Carl Wilson was the beating heart and the glue that held the Beach Boys together. Peace. 🙏🏻💫✨

[@cs54721]

I saw the Beach Boys around the 4th of July that same year in Lewes Delaware. I also remember he sat on a stool the whole show, except when he sang God Only Knows.

[@gerrydooley951]

yes, very sad, we all loved Carl. God bless the boy

[@luminurse]

Lovely share, thank you. So, did you get impression that most fans knew he was sick?

[@richardcarlisi7242]

So jealous. My first was their 2012 reunion, but I’m thankful to have seen at least 5 original members perform together

[@gemini8npg]

It's become kind of cliché when people say that Carl Wilson "had the voice of an angel". But I want to elaborate and give my complete and unbiased opinion: without any uncertainty, this man had the absolute voice of an angel. We miss you Carl ❤️!

[@welshieallovertheplace]

Carl Wilson & Denny Doherty, who's voice also got better with age.

[@deanomandrums]

Let us also not forget the late great Mike Meros (on keys behind Carl)

[@petestaint8312]

Agreed! Another talented musician. Love both. 😎

[@albertodominguez65]

It's incredible the way he sang this song till the end. In fact, I think this is one of the best live performances of this song. Carl always sang it great but in this gig his voice sounded so similar to the recording version. Carl, I wish you are in a great place called Heaven with Dennis and your dear ones. I miss you as if I had known you, everybody said and says you were a good man. See you when my time expires.

[@tanyasowden]

Carl was my DME patient & his wife was so lovely. ❤ Such a loss to the music community 💔.

[@shawnabear6756]

Such a flawless voice..

[@melissajohnson9878]

Carl always had the voice of an angel. He and Dennis are forever missed, and will always live on through the sweet, sweet music...❤😢

[@larrywoody7167]

Carl’s voice is the iconic Beach Boys sound.

[@dbmabe]

He kept that amazing voice right to the end. His voice is almost otherworldly and definitely every bit as good as Roy Orbison. Thanks for sharing this.

[@fshoaps]

Even better.

[@boxeolocopunch762]

​@@fshoaps not better

[@fshoaps]

@@boxeolocopunch762 Way, way better. Listen to "God Only Knows". Roy Orbinson doesn't touch that.

[@AllThisIsThat]

I attended a show on this tour shortly before Carl was no longer able to perform. When he sand this and especially God Only Knows there was not a dry eye in the house. Carl is missed every single day.

[@gsw_music]

It’s fitting that I’ve never had to watch an ad before this rendition of such a beautiful song.

[@gsw_music]

Welp, KZbin is onto this video. I just saw an ad.

[@JoyneFreedom]

Don't forget that Carl was an AWESOME guitarist!

[@karmafrog1]

Dang. Not just OK. Outstanding vocal. Peak Carl. Amazing.

[@fshoaps]

I think Carl knew his time in the material world, was coming to a close. He never let down any fans, and was a beautiful angelic man until the end.

[@MrMindmist]

My favourite singer of all time... irreplaceable. He could stand up and sing with ANY of the greats and hold his own. Wonder / Mercury / Cooke / Sinatra / Dion / Carey / Gibb / Houston. He would not be out of place singing alongside any of them. in my opinion he was that good. Blessed to have seen him in Shefield in England 1993. he was the star of that show. Sung God only knows in a green neon lazer surrounding him - it was other worldly.

[@elliotmann8882]

He had such a fantastic voice. I saw the Beach Boys in concert 6 times over the years.

[@Frenite]

I’ve been looking a long time for a video of Carl’s last tour in 1997. Though I have found audio recordings, I’ve never found a video recording of Carl Wilson in 1997. I can definitely see the cancer and the treatment took a great toll on his body, but not his voice. Carl looked like he gained a lot of weight, and his face looks much puffier. His voice, however, sounds great and right on point. I can see why people only wanted to upload audio of Carl from 1997, and not video. Even while fighting a disease that would soon take his life, Carl still continued to tour with The Beach Boys and gave it all he had. Sometimes I wonder if Carl hadn’t toured with The Beach Boys in the summer of 1997, would he have beaten the cancer? If he had stayed home, rested, and focused exclusively on healing, could he have beaten the cancer? I certainly don’t know, but what I do know is that Carl refused to give up and continued to give it his all with The Beach Boys while he was fighting for his life. I give Carl so much credit for that. He was definitely the glue that held the band together. Soon after Carl died, Al Jardine left the band and Brian Wilson just never returned. I know Brian was not a full time member with the band in the 90s, but he would perform with The Beach Boys here and there. After Carl died, Brian just never returned until the 2012 reunion tour. Carl truly held the band together. Once Carl died, the band just essentially broke up. Though Mike got the naming rights, he’s no more “The Beach Boys” then Al or Brian is. Carl Wilson was the glue of the band, and the band was never the same after he passed.

[@gerrydooley951]

I believe that Carl became very bloated from the treatment he was undergoing. I still can't believe he's gone.

[@99somerville]

You summed it up beautifully. Without Dennis and Carl there was nothing left.

[@theblueblood4396]

Very sad!

[@steveskouson9620]

You don't want me to post my feelings about Mikey "love!" (Let's start with that last name.) steve

[@sheatiller2465]

I think the only reason ppl didn’t post more video of this tour is probably that there isn’t much and that audio bootlegs are way more common tbh.

[@lynntempleton9640]

I saw Carl in a small club in Seattle in 1983 (?). He had released his solo album, Youngblood. "What You Do To Me" was getting some airplay. Myrna Smith shared the vocals. I sat at a small table about 20 feet from him for a 90 minute performance.

[@darrelltiencken2413]

The voice of an angle!…..is voice live was stunning!……very nice person also, I talked to him twice.

[@davidcarroll3947]

Thanks for this...Despite being gravely ill his singing is still gorgeous

[@OszcarRosas]

I truly believe that Carl was the Beach Boys heart

[@fshoaps]

Strong until the end, Carl Dean Wilson!

[@nickplakoris3149]

I saw him on that tour several times. Miss him.

[@johnscialfa7391]

amazing never lost his amazing gift.

[@robsmithadventures1537]

He really had a voice that was destined for greatness. There's a hell of a land of bands with mediocre singers, Carl created a standard that can't really be surpassed.

[@mitchcooley6404]

That sweet tenor as great as always. The illness must have hit hard toward the end very quickly, which I suppose is a blessing. He is so missed.

[@TheCraig8754]

I know some people are hesitant to post videos of Carl during this time and I understand their feelings. However I was at his very last show and I have to tell you he sounded GREAT it's true he sat for the whole show. I was in the first row directly in front of him he stood for God only knows. He did not look bad at all and I don't think he would go out and perform if he was embarrassed by his appearance . He was heavier and I could tell he wore a hair piece I didn't know he was sick I just thought he was losing his hair.Sadly I have no videos or pictures from the show. I was lucky enough to have met him several times. He always made you feel like it was his pleasure to meet you rather than you meeting him.

[@cs54721]

I only saw the Beach Boys once, it was the summer of 1997. We were visiting my husbands relatives in Rehoboth Beach Delaware. The concert was at a small airfield in Lewes, DE. I'm sure it was around the 4th of July. I didn't know Carl was sick, but he did sit on a stool for the whole show except when he sang God Only Knows. I'm grateful I got to see them with Carl.

[@legendaryTMNICO]

He put on so much weight.

[@stratplayr6997]

I first saw the Beach Boys in 1978, when I was 10 years old. Carl was my favorite Beach Boy, since I am a fellow guitarist as well. From the end of the 60's until his death, he was the glue that held the Beach Boys together and kept them on track. The Beach Boys as a band were never the same after he died. The 50th anniversary tour was good but missing his magic. Good guitarist and voice of an angel. RIP, Carl and thank you for the music and memories.

[@legendaryTMNICO]

That’s the year I was born and I grew up in Carl’s hometown in Hawthorne, ca.

[@susanlenihan584]

There will never be another to compare with that incredible voice. I loved him from the very beginning.

[@lassepettersson1061]

I saw The Beach Boys with Carl in the summer of 1993, and with just Mike and Bruce in 2001. I saw Brian with his band in 2005 and again in 2017 - this time with Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin, and I saw The Beach Boys (Al, Brian, Bruce, David & Mike) live in 2012. I have all their autographs. I feel very grateful.

[@reggieluckman]

What a voice! A travesty that he and his brother died so young. RIP Carl and Dennis Wilson 💔💔💔

[@Flapperdame16]

You wouldnt guess he was sick, his voice was so angelic. God bless you Carl

[@SlickNickVids]

When I watch this it makes me feel like Carl’s still alive.

[@Tigerrfeet]

sang beautifully by Carl Wilson, effortless. R.I.P

[@Frenite]

I’m just waiting for Wolfsky9 to comment

[@chriscianciolo5823]

LOL

[@JasonKTerry]

@@chriscianciolo5823 Me too lol....where is he?

[@Zak_Edington]

Who is Wolfsky9 lol

[@JoshHumble]

Just AMAZING - so tragic the loss of this legend. Thank you for posting.

[@Lambert1386]

The GREAT Carl Wilson! Thanks for posting!

[@debbiebayles1706]

Tremendous voice

[@deanomandrums]

Many thanks for uploading, BLESS YOU CARL XX

[@husseinbaghdad]

RIP Carl 😢

[@jimilee4609]

Carl had such a great voice and was so kind ! I think Brain really loved Carl a lot

[@lawrence142002]

They were actually not getting along all that well in the mid 90s. Carl had been the Best Man at Brian's wedding to Melinda, but not long after they had a falling out over the Andy Paley sessions, Carl not wanting Brian to restart working on Smile for fear of his mental health, and then over Carl wanting to get Brian together with the High Llamas, while Melinda wanted him to work with Joe Thomas. Melinda won out and Brian said some pretty nasty things about Carl around this time... They did get back together because Brian had adopted his daughter Daria and he wanted Carl to meet her before he died. Carl originally didn't want anyone seeing him like that, but he relented and they watched the Super Bowl together and Daria, who was normally afraid of men with beards, instantly warmed up to Carl and hugged him and that was the last visit they had. Brian's second book (the one much more true to reality) has him discussing Carl a lot. Not so much Dennis, but Carl comes up constantly. They were extremely close for most of their lives, had this bump in the road, and at least said goodbye on a positive note.

[@fshoaps]

Not really actually. Carl was more aligned with Mike/Bruce then Brian/Al. Though he was usually in the middle.

[@deborahhenderson5219]

Omg..THIS is my all time FAVORITE song of the Beach Boys, I used to listen to this album/ song over and over. I met Brian Wison, by himself, he did have a body guard out side this amazing house, at a party in La Jolla in 1970, I was a senior in high scbool..we talked for a while...he gave me a hug! After that I was convinced that hit "Surfer Girl" was really about ME lol!!!!!!

[@ulrikafrodin5913]

😭 miss u Carl...

[@gt197]

What a voice..

[@ariesmercurio1869]

Hard to Believe this was his last show sounds incredible

[@benjaminperez1149]

Carl had a very happy marriage with Dean Martin's daughter.

[@helencrane5034]

i got to see carl july 4th of 97 had to stand house of blues for concert i left 3 red roses for 3 brothers and a note mike love got them when carl left the stagemiss this sweet man this was myrtle beach sc

[@lala5732]

Thanks for this. What a beautiful man right til the end!

[@elmiguel6725]

An amazing performance knowing he wasn't well. RIP Carl.

[@glicmathan1771]

I saw them perform with Chicago in June 1997 and wish I could have known it would be Carl’s last tour. Great show. Chicago was the other band.

[@marioa.8131]

Thank you so much for uploading this.

[@renatobianchi3060]

This song is pure magic

[@lawrence142002]

Carl was the best singer in the group. Fucking shame he had to go so soon.

[@paulk9985]

He certainly was.

[@davidclay2339]

What a man!

[@naturalmax8474]

All BBs were talented... Carl was the most. Grateful i was able to see him/them live in 1978 at the SF Cowpalace with Jan & Dean and Papa Doo Run Run backing them up. GREAT SHOW in front of 30,000 people

[@jadenwaz9585]

I’d say Brian, then Carl

[@stevesnellgrove1518]

Good land what an ethereal voice 👍😎❤️👍🔥👍

[@AprilShowers1955]

Would love a tribute performance or tribute video to Carl Wilson! ❤wish someone in the group would put a video that reminisces about Carl. Not enough out there on him!

[@dubworldvwadventures]

Wow, just wow. So happy and so sad to see this. Strong and beautiful to the very end. Miss you Carl. I was able to find the video of the concert this was taken from. Here’s the link. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHK7noJqZ9OZgbc

[@gemini8npg]

Thank you so much for posting this! By chance do you have any more videos from this concert?

[@jaywhofan]

Do you have any more of this show?

[@pauldash6069]

i saw this tour in reno nv..1997.. 2 nights outside ..hot august nites...the stage had no amps on stage facing audience''. sounboard was at stage keft..... BB WERE ON TOP OF THEIR GAME.. singin + playin.. very well.... very well audience gig from audience..CW%.. sat on a chair singing.. except when he sang lead.. middle of show.. CW sang.. sailor + ICHM... very good...i asked board guys how he was doin... they said very good... BUT.. he was wearing a wig and growin his beard back out...and gained some weight... he was having FUN NO DOUBT... thx GOD...a month later.. he left the tour...l so sad... it hurts to think f he had stayed home and did what doctors orded.. he might still be here...CW was a true musician...took it to the end im sorry to say... GOD BLESS CW

[@dianescotter8089]

♥️just love♥️x

[@tonyguadagno6917]

WOW!

[@thechuckster6838]

I saw them that summer at a theme park and Carl was wearing a wig and was really weak to a point that he alternated standing while playing or sitting on a stool where the roadies would help him position himself. He spoke to the audience about his ailment and told them that the tumor was getting smaller. I didn't know that he was sick until I saw him onstage.

[@theblueblood4396]

❤️💔😢

[@livestreamingcentralcoast8956]

Amazing voice, so sad

[@mfnpjparty]

wow.

[@thehelllord4458]

Do you have a recording of God Only Knows performed aswell?

[@pooky1959]

Why do people go to concerts and talk over the performance??????

[@katerichardson8523]

Very sad when I heard he died

[@glasair]

Thank God we had Mike Love on tambourine. Song would never have been the same. LOL

[@erinwilson9706]

When, specifically, was this recorded? He's dressed similar to the show I attended in June of that year.

[@tomjones5650]

Last show was Labor Day weekend Resorts casino in Atlantic City 1997.

[@bradleyallen533]

I love music. I have always sided with the British invasion (namely the Beatles). Lately, I have been viewing the Beach Boys excessively. I always liked them, but underestimated them. It's a tie! In my opinion, they were as great as the Beatles which is a strong statement for me. They affected California culture immeasurably and their wall of sound was equaled by nobody, not even my beloved fab 4.

[@theblueblood4396]

Very sad!

[@karlkovach8647]

I just can't bear to watch this. Sorry.

[@marypapak5759]

In my own humble opinion, as a lifelong Beach Boys fan, Carl was indeed the soul of the group. I think Brian was jealous of Carl.

[@davidengel7995]

Or Embraced him 😊

[@Zak_Edington]

Can you name just one thing that makes you think Brian was “jealous” of Carl lol? I feel like they both just loved and embraced each other. If anything I’d say Brian was really proud of him for taking over production when he couldn’t.

[@Urlocallordandsavior]

When was this?

[@ulrikafrodin5913]

if I had a date with a foreign celebrity, it would be with you every day of the week. we would sing "i can hear music" all day. really love that song. but my neighbors probably hate it nowadays. Lol XXX

[@willkitchen9079]

Paul McCartney said Brian Wilson had the best voice he ever heard. RIP Brian an American great.

[@pooky1959]

You mean Carl. Brian is still alive.

[@theresaheyer537]

oh well i can hear it anyway

[@ShaNaNa242]

Wasn't David there?

[@chriscianciolo5823]

As far as I know, not til later in ‘97

[@nickplakoris3149]

Carl and Mike were gone too early in their lives.

[@Mr_Lemon4813]

Carl and *Dennis

[@gemini8npg]

Should've been Mike lol

[@avanti6058]

@@gemini8npg bad weed never dies.