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Post by carllove on Feb 6, 2023 23:52:42 GMT
Twenty Five Years ago today, Carl Wilson passed away at age 51. He will be forever missed.
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Post by Kapitan on Feb 7, 2023 0:19:43 GMT
Considering he had a 35+ year career, it seems odd to say this, but I still don't feel like I know Carl Wilson's music, and I wonder what else he had within himself. He dedicated so much time to the Beach Boys, largely executing the work or visions of Brian and Mike. Yes, he stepped up in the late 60s and early 70s, then stepped back a bit again ... then up again with LA and his solo material and even 85, and then back almost entirely.
Such an amazing talent. I really do wish he had been alive to see (and participate in?) the later arc of Brian's solo career, the 50th reunion, etc. One can't help but wonder what might have gone the same and what might have gone differently.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Feb 7, 2023 1:39:52 GMT
I literally just got home from the hospital. I had deviated septum surgery, and my nose was packed in gauze. I sank into a recliner, turned on CNN, and the news of Carl's death came on. I was stunned. The last thing I remember reading was from a fan club magazine, and it said that Carl was optimistic about a full recovery. How could this be? I immediately called my Beach Boys' buddy, who I still attend concerts with today, and we commiserated for awhile, telling Carl stories, and saying over and over how sad this was. Not to be insensitive, and I know you'll understand what I mean, but this wasn't fair. Carl wasn't supposed to die this young. Yeah, Dennis was one thing, and if it was Brian it would've been...less surprising. But not Carl. Not the baby brother. Not at age 51. He gave almost his entire life to the band, and now was prevented from enjoying the fruits of labor - and as fun, exciting, and fulfilling the journey might've been - it was labor. Carl went through a lot of tough times with the Wilson family and with the band, and it appeared that he was stronger for it. He remarried, was a distinguished middle-age rocker, and was still at the top of his game.
And that's how I still feel today. Carl was so young. 51. Damn. He came through the fire and seemed so happy. I also think he was close to getting more recognition as not just one of the legendary Beach Boys, but as Carl Wilson, one of the best singers in the business. I also felt sorry for myself. Why do all of my favorite artists/bands have to have these tragedies, these deaths. Really, almost all of them - The Doors (Jim Morrison), The Beatles (John Lennon), and now two Beach Boys. Things would never be the same. I can't even begin to make specific predictions as to what would've happened with The Beach Boys - and Brian Wilson - had Carl lived (though I think we did speculate on some thread on this board), so I'll just say that I think things would've been very, very different in many, many ways.
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Emdeeh
Pacific Coast Highway
Posts: 520
Likes: 532
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Post by Emdeeh on Feb 7, 2023 5:02:51 GMT
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Post by jk on Feb 7, 2023 11:06:29 GMT
The day of Carl's passing coincides with a birthday in my immediate family, which obviously I prioritize.
But I do echo everyone's thoughts here. I recall reading the sad news in our Dutch daily paper but I'd largely lost touch with the Boys and their music by then. It would be another five years before I reconnected in a big way.
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Post by lonelysummer on Feb 7, 2023 20:57:58 GMT
Seeing that pic of Dennis and Carl with Myrna Smith makes me so sad - all three of them are gone now. I'd like to think that if Carl had lived, there would have been a Beckley/Lamm/Wilson tour; or at the very least, the Beach Boys shows would have included a couple of those songs. And maybe he would have continued to do side projects like that (if the group was no longer interested in recording together). 51. That's just far too young. And the shocker is that Carl didn't dabble in drugs nearly as much as his brothers. Something was going to happen to Dennis eventually - if he hadn't drowned that cold December day, there would have been something else along the way. Brian? Well, people won't like me saying this, but without Dr. Landy, Brian probably wouldn't be here, either. But Carl...Carl was the level-headed brother, the one who, for the most part, didn't succumb to his demons. And I guess that's why people find that Australia 1978 footage so interesting - because Carl was not the one to go on stage intoxicated, cussing and looking like he was gonna fall down. I do have a theory about the people who have to be "the strong one". My manager at work is that kind of person. Outwardly, she's smiling, cheerful, and supportive of everyone around her. Inside, though, she's got things eating her up - worries, concerns, things she finds difficult to deal with. Now she's out on leave, battling cancer that has spread to the majority of her body. It's awful. But I just have to wonder if that is a reaction to suppressing all the "negative" emotions. And I wonder if Carl was doing the same thing, because he was the one everyone expected to be dependable and handle everything. Just a theory. As a song says, "I miss you everyday, come back to me and stay..." Whatta guy!
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Post by jk on Feb 7, 2023 22:30:51 GMT
Agreed about that picture, LS. And about Brian and Landy. Your "strong one" theory is interesting. I don't know... That's awful news about your manager.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Feb 11, 2023 18:03:32 GMT
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Post by lonelysummer on Feb 12, 2023 21:55:51 GMT
I loved Marilyn McCoo. Beautiful face and voice.
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