God Only Knows how Brian Wilson does it
MUSIC icon Brian Wilson has revealed how he keeps himself going in the midst of an epic world tour that performers half his age would struggle with.
After spending much of his life battling drug addiction and mental health problems, the genius songwriter behind Beach Boys hits such as Good Vibrations and God Only Knows claims his resurgence is down to simple food and a good night’s sleep.
He told Metro: ‘I can’t believe I’m 75. I wish I was 45. I feel healthy, though.
‘I’ve been exercising for a long time now, mainly long walks. And I just eat good food — lots of protein. Bananas and apples. I get 6-8 hours sleep every day. That’s the secret.
‘Also playing with my kids keeps me young.’
Wilson has seven children in all — two are now grown up from his first marriage to Marilyn Rovell, and he has five more aged between seven and 20 that he adopted with current wife Melinda Ledbetter.
‘When I’m back home I play softball with them’, Wilson said. ‘My kids actually listen to my music and they seem to like it. I’d love for them to sing with me — maybe soon.’
But when it comes to his own leisure time Wilson is still firmly rooted in the ’60s and ’70s.
‘I still listen to the oldies’, he said. ‘The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Elton John. I love the British stuff.
‘Of all the Beatles albums I really loved Rubber Soul. I listened and listened to that record and it inspired Pet Sounds — an album I’m still incredibly proud of.’
Wilson’s current tour sees him performing Pet Sounds — considered by many music critics to be the best rock album of all time — from beginning to end.
During an eight-day mini-tour of the UK he will take to the stage at Camp Bestival in Dorset on Sunday.
To see all the dates in his Pet Sounds 50th Anniversary World Tour go to www.brianwilson.com
Author: Simon Garner
