The Carl Wilson Foundation, founded by Beach Boy member
Wilson’s sons Jonah and Justin after their father died of
cancer, is having its annual benefit this weekend.
On Saturday Oct. 5, which has been officially named Carl Wilson
Day by the city of Los Angeles, there will be a 5-kilometer walk
and casual beach party, culminating with a concert Sunday
night.
The show, to be held at Royce Hall, is billed as “Brian
Wilson and Friends,” and friends include Van Dyke Parks,
Sugar Ray, Eric Clapton, as well as Justin Wilson’s band. And
this is all in the name of cancer research and the man who sang,
“Good Vibrations.”
“It shows how timeless their music is,” Jonah
said.
The Beach Boys was originally a small group of family and
friends. Led by oldest Wilson brother Brian on bass, piano, and
other instruments, the group featured two more Wilsons: Dennis on
drums, and lead guitarist Carl. The group was rounded out by Wilson
cousin Mike Love as the occasional lead vocalist, and friend Al
Jardine on guitar.
This originally tight-knit group had more than its share of
rocky times, thanks to domineering Wilson father Murray and
Brian’s personal instability, but what the public, and Jonah
and Justin remember most are the good times.
They remember the beauty of the music, and the fun they had
growing up on the road, watching their dad make people happy.
“Just being a kid and running around, and experiencing
everything that’s there,” Justin said. “Getting
your backstage pass, and just running around and go wander around
the fair if it was a fair, or walk around the arenas, I used to
like to collect all the beach balls.”
Carl Wilson was the youngest Beach Boy, who looked and sounded
most like Brian. He sang the lead on such landmark songs as
“God Only Knows.” After Brian’s gradual removal
from the group’s forefront, it was Carl who became the de
facto musical director. He made sure everyone practiced enough to
give it their all at shows, according to Jonah.
Carl’s death in 1998 was a major blow to everyone in the
group, and according to his sons, everyone has been supportive. The
annual benefit show has continued to grow each year. Last year it
was held at the El Rey theater, and thanks to Brian’s
connection to director David Sefton, they’ve got their most
talent-filled show yet coming to Royce.
Brian’s participation with the Carl Wilson Foundation has
brought him closer to Justin and Jonah. Earlier this year, Brian
went out on tour, performing the Beach Boys classic album
“Pet Sounds.”
“We’re just so happy for him that he’s finally
going out and getting to see firsthand how much he really means to
these people,” Justin said. “Which maybe all these
years he didn’t tour, he didn’t get to experience that
exchange of energy.”
The Beach Boys was best known for creating songs that generated
a sense of nostalgia among listeners. And there will probably be
plenty of those moments Sunday as Brian and his friends play in
honor of his younger brother. The concert is going to close with
the opportunity for each “friend” to perform a Beach
Boys song of their choice with Brian.
“I’m going to do a song called “˜Time To Get
Alone’ off “˜20/20.’ It’s a more obscure
song, but it’s always been one of my favorite,” Justin
said. “It’s a song our dad sang.”
“˜Brian Wilson and Friends’ will be held Sunday 7
p.m..at Royce Hall.