God Only Knows, David Leaf
God Only Knows, David Leaf
List: $29.99 | Sale: $21.00
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God Only Knows
The Story of Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys & the California Myth

Author: David Leaf

Narrator: Alex Knox, David Leaf

Unabridged: 19 hr 37 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 03/21/2023

Synopsis

Originally published in 1978 as The Beach Boys and the California Myth, this groundbreaking study was both the first full-length book on the band and the first to recognize Brian Wilson as one of the most significant and influential artists of the twentieth century. Covering the turbulent family strife and internal conflicts as well as giving proper attention to the remarkable music, the book was an instant classic. An intimate look at Brian's rollercoaster of a life and career, it's told through the eyes of those who were there during Wilson's most legendary productions including Pet Sounds and Good Vibrations.

Revised and updated, God Only Knows covers the decades since the 1985 edition, including Brian's first acclaimed solo album, his startling return to live performing, the landmark Pet Sounds tour, the "All-Star Tribute to Brian Wilson" (which Leaf wrote and produced), and the triumphant and miraculous Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE world premiere in London.

Filled with surprising revelations, insight and behind-the-scenes detail, this indispensable book written by renowned Brian Wilson expert David Leaf begins with an overture from Sir Paul McCartney and includes essays from Sir Barry Gibb, Brian's wife Melinda Wilson, and an introduction by Jimmy Webb.

About David Leaf

David Leaf is an award-winning writer, director, and producer, whose feature credits include the Venice Film festival favorite The U.S. vs. John Lennon, the Grammy-nominated Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of SMiLE, The Night James Brown Saved Boston, and Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is 'Everybody Talkin' About Him?). As well as publishing the seminal The Beach Boys and the California Myth in 1978, David wrote the Bee Gees' authorized autobiography. Leaf is also a professor at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music in Los Angeles.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Paul

Put on your thigh-high wading boots, you are going to need them as you go slish-sloshing through the syrupy-sweet thick squelchy saccharine prose of this hefty volume (sample chapter title : “Beautiful Dreams and Beautiful Dreamer”) to find anything resembling a book about Brian Wilson. I count myse......more

Goodreads review by Vincent

3 stars for the original book, 1 star for the 2022 add on. David Leaf’s original book is certainly important in the canon of Beach Boys/Brian Wilson literature, being perhaps the first to introduce the ‘real’ Beach Boys and, in particular, the detail around the abandoned SMiLE. His youth at the time......more

Goodreads review by ruairi

This 3rd update is a strange fish of a book. It starts out an idealistic tale, trying to discover and make known the lost genius of Brian Wilson, but by its final iteration some 50-odd years later it becomes a tale about the author and his role in the piece. This isn't to downplay his role in the li......more

Goodreads review by Trevor

The story of Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys is arguably one of the most important in America pop music history. Products of an abusive home life, the Wilson brothers (Brian, Dennis, and Carl) teamed up with their cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine to form one of the most iconic bands in music h......more

Goodreads review by Aimee

At last… “the Myth” becomes a reality! God Only Knows: The Story of Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys, and the California Myth tells the story of Brian’s journey, from birth right up until today. Brian Wilson believes that “music is the voice of God.” I do, too. I became a fan of Brian Wilson just over thr......more

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