2020s
2020 started off with the Cayamo Cruise Tour, feautring dynamic performances by Brian, along with Al Jardine, Blondie Chapin and band. Unfortunately, due to the worldwide pandemic COVID-19, Europe, Japan and United States tours were cancelled. In the down-time, Brian left updates with fans on social media, was featured on the first episode of Rolling Stone’s In My Room series, and made in-house TV appearances singing classic songs.
2021 saw the award-winning Brent Wilson-directed documentary Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road, which included the original song “Right Where I Belong” Brian wrote with My Morning Jacket’s Jim Jones. Brian also released a new studio album Brian Wilson At My Piano,
featuring Brian playing some of his greatest songs solo. The busy 2021 also concluded with a 2022 U.S. Summer Tour with co-headliner Chicago.
For Brian’s 80th birthday on June 20, 2022, some of the greatest musicians and performers of our time wished Brian a happy 80th birthday. Included were Elton John, Smokey Robinson, Barry Gibb, David Crosy, Graham Nash, John Fogerty, Carol King and Bob Dylan.
2023 saw a Beach Boys 60th reunion with a CBS Grammy special, featuring top artists performing their classics, with original members Brian, Mike, Al, Bruce and David looking on.
The Albums
BRIAN WILSON AT MY PIANO: 2021
BRIAN WILSON - LONG PROMISED ROAD: 2021
2020: Brian is featured in Apple Music’s “Lyrics to Live By'“ series
In My Room
As the COVID pandemic effectively shut down live music, Rolling Stone created a new series In My Room, that featured top musicians performing at home for an audience at home. Brian was the first performer in the series, as shown in the following promo clip.
Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road
The 2021 Brent Wilson-directed documentary Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road made its premiere at New York City’s Tribeca Festival in June and was available in theaters and streaming by December. In the film, Brian delves into his childhood, his contentious relationship with dad Murry, the nine-year “prison sentence” under the “guidance” of Dr. Landy, his struggles with depression and mental illness, his love for brothers Dennis and Carl.
Weighing in are admirers including Bruce Springsteen, Elton John and Linda Perry. Punctuated with memorable concert, studio and interview footage and graced by the new song “Right Where I Belong,” recorded specifically for this film, it provides a first-hand, intimate look into Brian’s storied life and further inspiration to anyone who has been touched by his music.
Brian Wilson – At My Piano
“We had an upright piano in our living room and from the time I was 12 years old, I played it each and every day. I never had a lesson, I was completely self-taught. I can’t express how much the piano has played such an important part in my life. It has brought me comfort, joy and security. It has fuelled my creativity as well as my competitive nature. I play it when I’m happy or feeling sad. I love playing for people and I love playing alone when no one is listening. Honestly, the piano and the music I create on it has probably saved my life.”
– Brian Wilson
Brian’s 2021 At My Piano is a collection of much-loved Brian Wilson and Beach Boys hits performed by Brian on solo piano. Included are gorgeous version of classics including “God Only Knows,” “Love & Mercy,” “California Girls,” “Surf’s Up,” as well as rarities including “Mt. Vernon Farewell” and “Sketches of Smile.”
Brian Wilson At My Piano debuted at #1 on the Amazon Classical Music Albums Chart.
Happy 80th Birthday Brian!
Some of the greatest musicians and performers of our time wished Brian a happy 80th birthday on June 20, 2022. A video of Brian’s contemporaries and younger musicians greatly touched Brian when it was played at his Kansas City, MO. show that night.
Thanks to the following for their messages: Elton John, Smokey Robinson, Barry Gibb, Carole King, Graham Nash, David Crosby, John Fogerty, Mickey Dolenz, Danny Hutton, Stephen Bishop, Joe Walsh, Jeff Bridges, Cameron Crowe, John Cusack, Don Was, Lyle Lovett, Al Jardine, Blondie Chaplin, Brian’s band, Chuck D., Jim James of My Morning Jacket, Zoey Deschanel and Matt Ward of She & Him, Questlove, Robin Pecknold and Fleet Foxes, and ending with Bob Dylan.
A 60th Anniversary Beach Boys Reunion
A Grammy Salute to The Beach Boys – taped at the Los Angeles Dolby Theater February 8 2023, was a two-hour tribute special featuring a star-studded lineup of artists who performed Beach Boys classics. Featured artists and special guests included John Legend, Brandi Carlile, Beck, Tom Hanks, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, and LeAnn Rimes performing a stunning “Caroline, No” (see below), as well as the Beach Boys themselves.
