1 week ago Greatest Hits Radio to recreate full Live Aid broadcast for 40th anniversary

The 10-hour special will be hosted by Simon Mayo.

Events

2 w. ago ‘His music documented an America that no longer exists’: Brian Wilson’s brilliance, by key collaborator Van Dyke Parks

Wilson bought Parks a Volvo when he’d barely met him – and together they brought sublime poetry to pop. He remembers the making of Smile, Surf’s Up and moreIt was the Beatles’ publicist Derek Taylor – who I met backstage at their first concert at the Hollywood Bowl – who first declared “Brian Wilson is a genius” as part of a [1966] publicity campaign. I knew that word would come back to haunt Brian and it did: from then on he was competing in a world of heightened expectations, but he did that very bravely all his life. He was basically forever competing against a previous version of himself, but as the great American beat poet Lewis MacAdams said: “If it’s not impossible, I’m not interested.” As for lyrics, you can’t beat “I’m a cork on the ocean” [in Til I Die] for a redux of thought from a Beach Boy. I will call that genius and I think the word does apply to Brian.He had so many gifts. One of them was mutual empowerment. He brought out the best in everyone around him. In the stud...

Culture

3 w. ago ‘The joy shot out of his voice’: Ray Davies, Graham Nash and others on Brian Wilson’s songwriting genius

With the innocence of a child and the vision of a god, his craft was astonishing. From Jessica Pratt to Jim James and Biffy Clyro’s Simon Neil, top musicians explain why he was like no other‘He taught the world how to smile’: Brian Wilson bandmates pay tribute along with Bob Dylan, Elton John and moreTwelve of Brian Wilson’s greatest songsFor all the sophistication that everyone talks about, Brian never loses the thread of the song: the emotion. They have this childlike quality. These days we’d probably say he’s on the spectrum – there’s a sort of Asperger’s type innocence. He makes the lyrics and the melody speak. It’s so welcoming and without edge; it’s not part of a cynical adult world. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Brian Wilson death: Paul McCartney, Keith Richards and John Cusack lead tributes to Beach Boys star

Bob Dylan and Wilson’s longtime Beach Boys bandmate Al Jardine also paid their respects

Events

3 w. ago Beach Boys genius Brian Wilson hailed as a 'true giant' by music legends

Beatles star Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John and Bob Dylan were among the famous faces paying tribute to Beach Boys frontman Brian Wilson following his death at the age of 82

Politics

3 w. ago Paul McCartney says ‘musical genius’ Brian Wilson was ‘bright shining light’

The 82-year-old Beatles bass player has previously cited Wilson’s work as an inspiration for his own.

Politics

3 w. ago AP PHOTOS: Beach Boys visionary leader and summer's poet laureate Brian Wilson

Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys’ visionary and fragile leader whose genius for melody, arrangements and wide-eyed self-expression inspired “Good Vibrations,” “California Girls” and other summertime anthems and made him one of the world’s most influential recording artists, has died at 82.

Politics

4 w. ago Bruce Springsteen fans treated to a gig they’ll ‘never forget’ as Paul McCartney joins him on stage in Liverpool

The Beatles star joined Springsteen for his second night at Anfield and played one of his biggest hits

Sport

4 w. ago Bruce Springsteen joined by Paul McCartney at Liverpool concert

The American musician was joined on stage by the 82-year-old Beatles star during the second of two shows at Anfield stadium on Saturday.

Politics

4 w. ago Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney reunite in Liverpool! Music legends greet students outside the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts

Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney reunited in Liverpool on Friday for a special visit to the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA). 

Society