Paul McCartney And Hanson Pay Tribute To Brian Wilson

06/17/2000 10:00 AM, Yahoo! Music
Craig Rosen

(6/17/00, 10 a.m. ET) - Brian Wilson was inducted into the Songwriters' Hall of Fame at a ceremony in New York City on Thursday (June 15). The question on everyone's mind that evening was who was going to speak on behalf of Wilson for the induction, since the organizers were keeping it a surprise. During the evening, when it came time for Wilson's presentation, the house announcer asked the crowd to welcome "England's biggest Beach Boys fan," and as the house band played a bit of "Hey Jude," Paul McCartney took the stage to a thunderous standing ovation.

In his speech, McCartney told the audience how Brian Wilson's music has affected him. "In the '60s, particularly, he wrote some music that, when I played it, it made me cry, and I don't quite know why. It wasn't necessarily the words or the music; there was just something so deep in it. There's only certain pieces of music can do this to me -- it just reaches right down in me," he said. "I think it's a sign of great genius to be able to do that with a bunch of words and a bunch of notes. I think, personally, he's one of your great American geniuses."

McCartney closed his speech by saying, "Thank you, sir, for everything you've done for me -- for making me cry, for having that thing you can do with your music. You just put those notes, those harmonies together, stick a couple of words over the top of it, and you've got me any day."

After another standing ovation, Wilson stepped to the microphone and proceeded to tell everyone what a crowning achievement he thought induction into the Songwriters' Hall of Fame is. "When I was a very little boy, my grandmother and my mother used to play 'Rhapsody in Blue.' That piece of music has kind of been my life's theme, but I sure never ever dreamed I would one day be part of an organization that includes the great George Gershwin and so many other wonderful songwriters, as well as some of my personal favorites like Carole King, Burt Bacharach, Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, and, of course, John [Lennon] and Paul [McCartney]. Music is my life, and tonight, what you're saying is that my life has been well spent."

Wilson then thanked the Beach Boys -- especially his late brothers Carl and Dennis -- as well as all the musicians he's worked with over the years, the Hall of Fame, and McCartney.

Wilson was genuinely moved by McCartney's appearance on his behalf, as well as by the honor itself. However, that didn't mean he was overwhelmed or that he left his sense of humor in his hotel room. With his tongue firmly in cheek, Wilson told LAUNCH what went through his mind when he first learned about his induction into the Songwriters' Hall of Fame. "Actually, I was so surprised," he said. "When I heard about it, I almost dropped dead. Then I thought it was just the most brilliant idea to put me in the Hall of Fame."

In addition to McCartney, Hanson was on hand to pay musical tribute to the one-time Beach Boys leader by performing the song "God Only Knows." Before things got underway, the Hanson brothers told LAUNCH how big an influence Wilson and the Pet Sounds album have had on pop music.

"We just felt like Pet Sounds is such an influential album -- not necessarily the biggest-selling Beach Boys album, but as a landmark in music, I think, we had to say that," Taylor said.

Added Isaac, "As an artistic work, it was a really amazing thing. And also, it really inspired a lot of other artists to do a lot of other things."

"Sgt. Pepper's is a result of Pet Sounds, in a lot of ways, " Taylor continued. "I think that's really a credit to him, that album. We're just really, really glad to be here."

-- Bruce Simon, New York

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