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Two master craftsmen of pop/rock, born two days apart; both possessing a good number of commonalities as well as some major diverging paths. My returning guest, journalist Glenn Greenberg (Paul McCartney at 80) and I discuss their friendship and rivalry, as well as what each learned from the other.
Here’s the 1967 CBS TV special, Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution:
The Brian Wilson/”Surf’s Up” sequence appears 50 minutes in, but the earlier “debate” between Graham Nash and Peter Noone is worth the price of admission alone.
God only knows, how much I enjoyed this podcast, Robert. I too was “possessed” when I first heard “Surf’s Up” and the rest of the completed Smile album in 2004. I’m not one for astrology, but Gemini has certainly given us 3 of the best in my lifetime.
As a Pet Sounds/Smile fan I eventually found myself getting into the post-Brian/early 70’s Carl-era Beach Boys stuff, Wild Honey, Surf’s Up, the song “Feel Flows” is such a wonderful example of the brilliance of this era, if you haven’t heard it check it out…I always wondered how much Brian was involved on that and other songs of the era, either by passive influence on Carl or direct involvement, either way I imagine it’s Carl trying to to maintain the high bar Brian had set, it’s such a great song, beautiful vocal, and what a guitar solo! Anyway, great episode as usual, really enjoyed your guest’s contribution, thanks for doing these, big fan!
Great topic and show!! Pet sounds sequencing is hard on me: the album starts up a groove only to snuff it out in the next song, then starts up a fast groove again and repeats. its a jerky ride. The Beatles had some of the best sequencing for sure… a real part of their magic. Just look at how they removed Paul’s Her Majesty ditty from the Abbey Road Medley to glue it to the very end.
Great topic as always – a real tale of two cities … awesome guest and interview! really enjoyed his cool insights and sense of humour…you both made me laugh too. I’ve always been a John guy and we in the cult are always told Sri John had a Buddha heart of gold under the rough, while Paul was all calculating charm and surface… but your podcast emphasizes what bs that viewpoint is – it shows Paul as a generous nurturing good man. Where John gave praise like glass chewing, Paul’s lifelong public support and open praise for a major competitor like Brian was so moving and pure. (By the way, you weren’t alone: I always felt the same about Mike Love before I knew how abusive he was, just seemed like a domineering big boss man and spotlight hog. Wish Brian had ran away from his damn family).