Brian Wilson: NPR’s interviews, concerts and appreciations
The Beach Boys’ co-founder Brian Wilson has died at the age of 82, leaving behind a storied legacy as one of pop music’s greatest songwriters and producers.
“Grounded in dreams of an idealized youth, his songs reflected vast ambition enmeshed in the belief that pop could be a conduit to the sublime,” NPR’s Ann Powers wrote in her obituary.
Here are NPR’s best interviews, concerts and appreciations of the late artist.
Interviews
Producer And Arranger Brian Wilson, A Genius Of Rock, Fresh Air (2002)
Brian Wilson was most responsible for the Beach Boys’ unique sound that fused harmonious rock with the ethos of surfing. After the success of the Beach Boys, Wilson’s had a much-publicized 20-year struggle with drugs and emotional problems. In 1988 he produced his first solo album, Brian Wilson. Ten years later he recorded another solo album of new material Imagination.
‘I Feel Pretty Good’: A Moment With Brian Wilson, Weekend Edition (2016)
The songwriter and Beach Boys co-founder reflects on his family, his mental health and his plans for the future — and names his favorite Brian Wilson song.
The Beach Boys: The Harmony Is Endless After All, All Things Considered (2012)
Brian Wilson and Mike Love reminisce about the ’60s, Paul McCartney and getting back in the studio.
Brian Wilson Takes On George Gershwin, All Things Considered (2010)
The former Beach Boy’s new album is titled Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin. Here, Wilson talks about the iconic songwriter’s influence, and describes what it means to him to tackle Gershwin’s music.
Concerts
Brian Wilson On World Cafe (2015)
It’s not hard for the legendary musician and songwriter to pick his favorite Beach Boys song.
The Beach Boys In Concert (2012)
The band is currently on tour, celebrating its 50th anniversary and a new album called That’s Why God Made the Radio. Hear an hour of highlights from several of The Beach Boys’ recent shows.
Brian Wilson Sings A Love Letter To California, World Cafe (2008)
Four years after reviving and releasing his abandoned masterpiece, Smile, Wilson is back with a new album, That Lucky Old Sun. Between performances of songs from the new disc, the former Beach Boys singer shares what it was like to return to his old recording home at Capitol Records.
Brian Wilson’s ‘Smile’ Live In Concert (2005)
In this two-hour live recording, The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson plays his most ambitious album, Smile, at Carnegie Hall. Released almost four decades after its creation, the album has been reconstructed and reworked from original tapes and new recordings. Listen to songs from Smile, Beach Boys favorites, and excerpts from recording sessions in this Creator’s at Carnegie special.
Appreciations
‘Pet Sounds’ At 50: It Never Gets Old, All Songs TV (2016)
The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds is regarded as a seminal album now, but when it came out in 1966, not many noticed. Watch a mini-documentary by those who made the record.
The Story Of The Beach Boys’ ‘Good Vibrations’, All Things Considered (2000)
The Beach Boys classic, released in 1966, is the product of a revolutionary approach to songwriting.
The Beach Boys: 2062, All Songs Considered (2012)
It’s not so hard to imagine a completely new version of the iconic band on stage 50 years from now.
The Beach Boys’ ‘Aren’t You Glad’ Gets A Crystalline New Stereo Mix (2017)
Out of the frustrating Smile sessions came a reset: the Beach Boys’ deceptively simple Wild Honey. A new box set collects 54 rarities from 1967, including a new stereo mix of this under-loved song.
The Beach Boys: Deconstructing A Classic (2012)
A new box set offers a fresh look at “Heroes and Villains,” a Beach Boys classic worth taking apart and reexamining.
You’ve Never Heard ‘Pet Sounds’?!, All Songs Considered (2010)
It took All Songs Considered intern Sarah Ventre about everything she had to admit she hadn’t listened to The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds in its entirety. In this recurring series, she finally gives it a spin and tells us what she thinks.
Alabama Power seeks to delay rate hike for new gas plant amid outcry
The state’s largest utility has proposed delaying the rate increase from its purchase of a $622 million natural gas plant until 2028.
Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones announces run for Alabama governor
Jones announced his campaign Monday afternoon, hours after filing campaign paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office. His gubernatorial bid could set up a rematch with U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the Republican who defeated Jones in 2020 and is now running for governor.
Scorching Saturdays: The rising heat threat inside football stadiums
Excessive heat and more frequent medical incidents in Southern college football stadiums could be a warning sign for universities across the country.
Judge orders new Alabama Senate map after ruling found racial gerrymandering
U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco, appointed by President Donald Trump during his first term, issued the ruling Monday putting a new court-selected map in place for the 2026 and 2030 elections.
Construction on Meta’s largest data center brings 600% crash spike, chaos to rural Louisiana
An investigation from the Gulf States Newsroom found that trucks contracted to work at the Meta facility are causing delays and dangerous roads in Holly Ridge.
Bessemer City Council approves rezoning for a massive data center, dividing a community
After the Bessemer City Council voted 5-2 to rezone nearly 700 acres of agricultural land for the “hyperscale” server farm, a dissenting council member said city officials who signed non-disclosure agreements weren’t being transparent with citizens.
