Beach Boy Wilson wins Grammy, says no new reunion
Musician Brian Wilson arrives at the 55th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013, in Los Angeles. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
LOS ANGELES – Beach Boy founder Brian Wilson won a Grammy on Sunday, but said the iconic 60s band would probably not get back together, after last year’s 50th anniversary reunion.
“I doubt it, no, I don’t think so,” the frail-looking veteran star told reporters backstage, after winning the Grammy for best historical album for “The Smile Sessions” from 2011.
The 70-year-old, who has long suffered with health problems, looked extremely weak as he was helped on stage during the Grammys pre-show to receive the Grammy for 2011 album “The Smile Sessions.”
He had to sit down during the backstage interview, and did so again in a corridor between media appearances. A Grammys source told reporters that he had recently had back surgery.
The legendary California surf band reunited to sing “Good Vibrations” at last year’s Grammys show, the first time they had played together live for over two decades.
The band, famous for their close vocal harmonies, was formed in 1961 by the three Wilson brothers, their cousin Love and friend Jardine, while Johnston and Marks joined later. Dennis and Carl Wilson have since passed away.
Their 1966 album “Pet Sounds” is widely seen as one of the most influential rock records of all time, and their other hits include “Wouldn’t It Be Nice?” “Barbara Ann,” “California Girls” and “God Only Knows.”
But while making increasingly pioneering music, the band – wracked by drug-taking and musical differences – ever regained the peak of their 1960s heyday, while money wrangles also exacerbated their divisions.
Wilson said Sunday’s Grammy was a “great honor,” adding: “I feel great, I really do.”
Asked what the inspiration was for the Beach Boys’ original sound, he said: “California girls,” prompting laughter in the press room, which unusually applauded him as he left.
