Carl Wilson – The Music's Over

Died On This Date (June 4, 1973) Murry Wilson / Beach Boys Manager

themusicsover June 4, 2010 1 Comments

Murry Wilson
July 2, 1917 – June 4, 1973

Murry Wilson was a songwriter, musician, record producer, and most importantly, the father of Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson and Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. Wilson began as a songwriter during the ’50s, having a couple of his songs covered but never gaining much success. All the while, he was teaching his own sons how to write, sing and play music. The brothers eventually added cousin Mike Love and schoolmate, Al Jardine to become the Beach Boys. The Beach Boys would soon become one of the most popular bands in rock history by almost single-handedly defining a musical genre. While managing the boys’ career, Murry was known to be a fierce negotiator, and was reportedly just as ruthless at home. He and his sons had a tough relationship that may have actually fueled their creativity and drive. Murry Wilson died following a heart attack at the age of 55.

Musician Rock Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (February 6, 1998) Carl Wilson / The Beach Boys

themusicsover February 6, 2010 0 Comments

Carl Wilson
December 21, 1946 – February 6, 1998

Carl Wilson was the youngest of three brothers who formed the Beach Boys. With Dennis Wilson, Brian Wilson, cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine, Wilson helped create one of the best-selling and most influential bands in pop music history back in 1961. Some have called them the “American Beatles,” a band with which they had a friendly rivalry during their early years while actually strongly influencing each other. Carl was the lead guitarist for the band while handling an occasional lead vocal. It was he who sang lead on “God Only Knows,” “Good Vibrations,” and “Darlin’.” Carl released a handful solo albums during the ’70s and became the first Beach Boy to mount a solo tour. The turbulent goings-on within the band as well as at the Wilson home have been well documented. What many don’t know is that Carl was seen as the peacekeeper within the group. It was he who generally tried to keep the peace within the family and band. In 1997, Carl was diagnosed with brain cancer. He died less than a year later at the age of 51.