by Brian Wilson
First published 2016
Brian Wilson helped create the Beach Boys in the 1960s and wrote some of pop music's most innovative songs. He expanded what popular songwriting could accomplish. Mental illness and drug use derailed him in the 1970s as the band's success declined. Wilson fought back repeatedly over the following decades. He survived his darkest periods and eventually found success again. In this memoir, Wilson examines what sparked his creativity and describes his battles with inner turmoil. He discusses his childhood experiences, his relationships with bandmates, and his personal demons. Wilson tells his story directly, in his own voice and style. His account reveals the person behind the famous songs. He worked through chaos and conflict to find peace at last.
Genres: biography, autobiography, biography-memoir, music
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, overcoming-adversity
Period: 1960s, 1970s
312 pages · Hardcover · Da Capo
Content warnings: addiction, mental-illness