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Full Sail: Remembering The Beach Boys’ Carl Wilson

In celebration of the late Beach Boys singer, a look back over some of Carl’s greatest performances.

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Carl Wilson - Photo: Chris Walter/WireImage
Carl Wilson - Photo: Chris Walter/WireImage

Carl Wilson is one of the most-loved and much-missed vocalists and musicians of his generation, whose glorious voice and authoritative guitar graced scores of great recordings. In celebration of the late Beach Boys singer, born on December 21, 1946, here are some of Carl’s greatest performances, chiefly comprising his work with the Beach Boys, but also featuring some solo outings and guest appearances. His premature death at just 51, on February 6, 1998, robbed us of many more years of his fine work.

Born in the Californian town that the Beach Boys made famous, Hawthorne, Carl was four and a half years younger than his brother Brian, and two years the junior of his other sibling, Dennis. He was close to six years younger than the other mainstay of the group’s sound and personnel, his cousin Mike Love, so Carl had his work cut out to be taken seriously, at least as a vocalist.

Surfin' Safari (Mono/Remastered 2012)

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He was, however, established in the role of lead guitarist for the group from their very first album, 1962’s Surfin’ Safari. His Fender solo, halfway through the hit single title track and in between Love’s verses, sets the template for the customisation of Chuck Berry’s lead lines that was Carl’s first hallmark as a guitarist. His bold introductory line on “Surfin’ USA” was another memorable motif, and occasional instrumentals also put him centre stage, such as the affectionately- titled rock’n’roll shuffle “Carl’s Big Chance” on 1964’s All Summer Long.

Carl's Big Chance (Stereo)

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Carl’s early vocal leads on Beach Boys songs were often in the Berry-influenced rock’n’roll idiom that partly defined their early sound, and he was in the spotlight on early album versions of “Summertime Blues,” “Louie Louie” and others. But gradually, his pristine voice started to imprint itself on some of the group’s most memorable sides.

As Brian’s songwriting became more sophisticated, Carl’s voice grew with it, developing a distinctive, supple soulfulness that makes a song like “Girl Don’t Tell Me,” from 1965’s Summer Days (And Summer Nights!) such a pleasure. By now, he was also expanding as a guitar player, using the 12-string Rickenbacker that he and other figureheads such as Roger McGuinn and George Harrison helped to popularise.

Then, in the mid-1960s period, came the two most indelible of all Carl’s vocal performances. To this day, many casual listeners probably don’t realise that it’s the often unsung Carl who gives life to his brother Brian’s incredible melodies and lyrics on either of them: “God Only Knows,” the 1966 masterpiece from the Pet Sounds album was followed by another work of genius before the end of the year, “Good Vibrations,” on which Carl does the lion’s share of the vocal work, augmented by Brian and Mike.

God Only Knows (Remastered 1996)

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Carl also showed himself a fine interpreter of the complex lyrics of Van Dyke Parks, as on the mesmeric “Wonderful” from Smiley Smile. As the group’s work became more influenced by the experimentation of the later 1960s, there was still room to rock out, with a soulful lead on their cover of Stevie Wonder’s “I Was Made To Love Her,” and to helm chart hits like “Darlin’” and another cover, “I Can Hear Music.”

Wilson’s voice helped ease the Beach Boys into the 1970s on Surf’s Up, on whose title track he plays a major role. The group’s next album, Carl and the Passions – So Tough, was even named after an early group of his. As Brian’s involvement lessened, Carl’s musicianship grew ever more important, and his lead vocals on some of their less successful albums of the late 1970s remain very charming, notably “Sweet Sunday Kinda Love” from the M.I.U. Album.

Sweet Sunday Kinda Love (Remastered 2000)

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Carl was the main featured vocalist on 1979’s return to acclaim, the L.A. (Light Album), singing and co-writing the fine “Good Timin’” with Brian and steering the lovely “Full Sail,” among others. As the 1980s dawned, the group’s momentum ebbed, even if they were, as Carl sang, trying to keep the summer alive; but 1985’s self-titled album provided the ballad “She Believes In Love Again,” which he co-sang with its writer, Bruce Johnston.

Listen to the best of The Beach Boys on Apple Music and Spotify.

Carl made two solo albums, a self-titled 1981 set and Youngblood in 1983. One of the highlights of that solo debut, now sadly out of print, was “Heaven,” while the latter included “Of The Times.” Then there’s the marvelous “Since God Invented Girls,” Elton John’s excellent tribute to the Beach Boys on which Carl and his brothers sang backing vocals. Listen for Carl’s beautiful, unmistakable voice in particular at 3’10” into this much-underrated track from Elton’s 1989 album Reg Strikes Back.

Since God Invented Girls

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Like A Brother was the album Carl made in the 1990s with Gerry Beckley of America and Robert Lamm of Chicago, released after Carl’s death under the trio name Beckley-Lamm-Wilson. Among his other guest vocals was an appearance on Chicago’s gorgeously harmonised “Wishing You Were Here,” and let’s not forget “Don’t Fight The Sea,” which features Carl and his bandmates in a posthumous contribution to Al Jardine’s solo album A Postcard From California. A talent such as Carl Wilson’s comes along all too rarely.

Al Jardine - Don't Fight The Sea ft. The Beach Boys

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Buy or stream the Beach Boys’ Sail On Sailor – 1972 collection.

9 Comments

9 Comments

  1. Rock Singer

    February 6, 2015 at 10:25 pm

    I remember Carl’s song Heaven and listening to it now after reading your article brought a tear to my eyes…Carl Wilson…The voice and soul of the Angles…RIP

  2. Frank Henderson

    February 6, 2015 at 10:34 pm

    Always have been a Beach Boy fan even when some went solo. Carl and Dennis are always missed. Love the music in the 60’s and I still love it today!

  3. Bruce Katz

    February 7, 2015 at 2:05 am

    Carl was a brilliant singer and song writer who’s voice brought happiness to the millions of Beach Boys fans. Rest in peace, Carl

  4. Linda Girouard

    February 7, 2015 at 10:39 pm

    I always love the Beach Boys they were all terrific, but I love the song that Carl Wilson sang ” Heaven” it is so beautiful .

  5. Peter Wilson

    June 11, 2015 at 7:44 pm

    There will never be another singer like Carl Wilson. His vocal style and quality will never be duplicated. His wonderful voice just got better with age. I listen to him every day.

  6. Mike M.

    December 21, 2015 at 10:13 pm

    I’ve long thought that Carl’s vocal on the Beach Boys’ late, and often overlooked masterpiece, “Darlin’, was one of the finest performances in the group’s history. That sighed “ohhh” is unforgettable.

  7. Mike mcloughlin

    December 22, 2016 at 4:51 pm

    Carl was a great vocalist and the soul of the band! Rock on Carl

  8. Anthony Rodrigues

    February 7, 2021 at 7:03 am

    He was a really talented guitarist early on and then he became the backbone and stage leader of the group. I love his voice and I’m glad they include Sweet Sunday Kinda of Love because that’s my favorite song from the MIU album. I never knew why it didn’t take off.
    The complexities of the back round vocals with him and Jardine are best demonstrated from It’s Ok with it’s unique almost screeching but just perfect vocals, which they could reproduce live. I just feel that was amazing

  9. Jerri Lee George

    March 12, 2024 at 4:28 am

    Peter, I’ve seen you comment in many places. Are you a member of the family?

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