What did Elvis think of The Beach Boys?

[maccafan1985]

I am a big Beach Boys/Brian Wilson fan and just wondered if Elivs like any BB's music or if he ever met any of them. I know Brian really likes Elvis' music.

[Albert]

I am a big Beach Boys/Brian Wilson fan and just wondered if Elivs like any BB's music or if he ever met any of them. I know Brian really likes Elvis' music.

Great to hear that you're also a BEach Boys fan. I'm a huge fan. I particularly like the albums starting with "BEach Boys Today!" until the "Summer In Paradise" (1980) album. They really made some amazing music. A real shame that they are mostly remembered for the surf&beach music (and Good Vibrations), while there's so much more to enjoy.

Elvis met Brian Wilson once during a studiosession in 1975. Elvis was recording for the Today album, while Brian was recording for the "BEach Boys love you" album in another part of the studio. Then all of a sudden Brian (that's during the "Brian Is Back" period) comes in Elvis' studio. Elvis didn't know who this wildlooking, bearded guy was, but Elvis' entourage did. The disturbance even ended the session for Elvis.

Jerry Schilling later became the roadmanager of the Beach Boys.

[maccafan1985]

Albert,
Thanks for that great story! I can't blame Elvis for not recognizing Brian as he did look pretty srcuffy in the late 70's. I totally agree about your opinion on their records. I own all their studio CD's and some outake CD's and while the surf music is great, I think albums like Friends, Sunflower, Surf's Up, and Love You are just as good. And I personally think Pet Sounds is in the top 5 albums ever made. Just my opinions though.

[Albert]

What I also like about the Beach Boys is that all bandmembers are used as main vocalist on many tracks. There are plenty of great tracks where (for example) Dennis did the lead vocals. This way they have a wide range of sounds and styles.

Listening to albums like "Surf's Up" or "Sunflower" really makes you wonder why they are so under-appreciated. Beach Boys is so much more than "Surfing USA" and "I Get Around".

[RockaHulaBaby]

I dont think The Beach Boys were given enough credit for their music and song writing. In my opinion, it was on a par with The Beatles.

As Paul McCartney recently remarked, "Pet Sounds was my inspiration for making Sgt. Pepper's...the big influence. That was the big thing for me (in 1966). I just thought, 'Oh, dear me. This is the album of all-time. What are we going to do?'" At the end of 1966, a year-end poll in one of England's music papers found The Beach Boys topping The Beatles as the #1 vocal group in the world.(y)

[joanne]

Apparently when Elvis met one of the Bee Gees he didn`t recognise him and it was the guys around him that had to tell him who it was. I think it was Maurice Gibb but I`m not too sure anyway Elvis then told him how much he loved their song Words.

[nashville cat]

Big Beach Boy/Brian Wilson fan here. Love most all the 60s and 70s albums. Got the live at Knebworth 1980 DVD for Christmas and that was an interesting watch. Also own many of Brian's solo work, including the Smile DVD and CD. That is a brilliant piece of music.

In Brian's autobiography there's some funny anecdotes about his meeting Elvis (he places in 1969 rather than 1975), namely that he tried some karate moves out on EP, which he apparently did not appreciate. Also stated Elvis kept calling him "Duke". Brian later claimed to have not written the book, so it's hard to say if those stories were true or not. Still, it's funny to think about. :)

[maccafan1985]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I loved the story about Brain doing the karate moves on Elivs, that sounds like something Brian would do, especially in the 70's! I am glad to hear that Brian got to meet Elvis, as he really admired him, maybe not to the Phil Spector level which you always hear about, but I've read many place he really loved Elvis. I agree all the styles, as I type this I am listening to the California Saga trilogy on Holland. Mike and Al should done more together.

[Vincent]

Any photo of Elvis/Brian Wilson together?