Since The Beatles are the most successful bands in history and the iconic multi-instrumentalist, singer, and composer Paul McCartney sold around 50 million records throughout his solo career globally, he is one of the best-selling artists of all time. They are thought to have sold more than 600 million records all over the world. He is one of the most influential songwriters who has ever lived, is able to play practically any instrument, and can create amazing melodies that endure through the ages. McCartney, though, is still awed by other musicians, and he even cited an American musician who, in his opinion, is a master composer. Paul McCartney described the performer as an incredible composer. The Beatles were active for about 10 years and only put out 12 studio albums, yet it was enough time for their music and lyrics to bring about a true musical and cultural revolution. Without the Liverpool-based band, the world undoubtedly wouldn’t have been the same for the past 60 years. If John, Paul, George, and Ringo hadn’t been musicians, rock & roll undoubtedly would have been substantially different.
However, the 1960s were undoubtedly a very creative decade for music, with many other fantastic bands competing to be heard by millions of music fans. Paul and John are undoubtedly two of the most common responses when someone asks who the greatest songwriters of all time are. But according to Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson, the iconic Beach Boys co-founder and musical genius, is a fantastic composer who merits greater recognition. The Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood commended Wilson and recalled how moved he was when he finally had the opportunity to perform “God Only Knows” with the American singer in an interview (transcribed by Rock and Roll Garage) in 2013. “You know, Brian Wilson kind of demonstrated that he is a really wonderful composer. At the time, I was into harmonies, chords, and other things. We ultimately developed this form of conflict. When we released a song, Brian would respond by recording one. Which, you know, is great, like John and I. We constantly try to outdo each other. But ‘God Only Knows’ was the song he ultimately released. On “Pet Sounds,” that was a sound stomper. It’s just a terrific tune, in my opinion. Words, melody, and harmony. I think the music is fantastic. My fave Beach Boys song is this one.
McCartney went on to say
“We once sang it together at a benefit concert, and I got to sing it with Brian. At the performance, I managed to keep it together and did okay. But because this song is so passionate, I lost it during the soundcheck and rehearsal. Oh my god, I’m singing with Brian, I was thinking, and it just got to me; I couldn’t. And all it is—all it is little vibrations, little phrases, and little things—is little vibrations reaching your music. You know, it has this really strong effect,” McCartney stated.
Brian Wilson was enshrined in the Songwriters Hall of Fame by McCartney.
In 2000, Brian Wilson was honored once more by Paul McCartney when he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. (Rock and Roll Garage transcribed) He wrote certain music, especially in the 1960s, that I couldn’t quite explain why it made me cry when I listened it. Wasn’t necessarily the music’s lyrics; there was just something profound about it. But only a select few musical compositions have this effect on me. Just go deep within of me to find it. To be able to do it with a lot of words and a lot of notes, in my opinion, is a sign of great genius.
He continued:
“This man definitely deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for me, sir. For your ability to make me cry and for the way your music can move me. You simply join those sounds and harmonies. Paul McCartney once quipped, “Put a few words over it and you’ve had me any day. The Beach Boys debuted in 1961, one year after The Beatles. Wilson wasn’t always a member of the band because of his struggle with schizoaffective disease, but they have stayed active ever since. They have reportedly sold more than 100 million records globally.
