Brian Wilson on Another Beach Boys Reunion: ‘Doubt It’

It might be easy to assume that a legend like Brian Wilson has multiple Grammys cluttering his mantelpiece, but during Sunday’s ceremony the Beach Boy accepted just his second. The deluxe boxed set of The Smile Sessions won for Best Historical Album.

In the press room after accepting his award, a short-spoken but enthusiastic Wilson sat in a chair due to recent back surgery. He doesn’t expect to reunite with the Beach Boys again anytime soon: “No, I don’t think so. Doubt it,” he said. During the Beach Boys’ 50th anniversary reunion tour this summer, Mike Love (who holds legal control of the band’s name and brand) contractually dismissed Wilson as well as two other original band members, Al Jardine and David Marks.

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Wilson also answered questions about the recently deceased Paul Tanner, who added the iconic theremin line to “Good Vibrations,” as well as his favorite Beach Boy song. It’s “California Girls,” though he added that “God Only Knows” is a close second.

When a reporter asked if Wilson knew, during the recording of Smile, that his band was ahead of their time, he said they did. How does it feel to be honored for those forward-thinking instincts? “I feel great, I really do. It’s a great honor.”