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Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Press Play with Madeleine Brand

'Love & Mercy' Tells Brian Wilson’s Story

The classic Beach Boys album Pet Sounds came out in 1966. Soon after that Brian Wilson, the main composer and driving force behind the Beach Boys, began hearing voices. He had a mental breakdown, which led him to spend three years in bed.

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By Madeleine Brand • Jun 4, 2015 • 1 min read

The classic Beach Boys album Pet Sounds came out in 1966. Soon after that Brian Wilson, the main composer and driving force behind the Beach Boys, began hearing voices. He had a mental breakdown, which led him to spend three years in bed. Later, in the 1980s, he came under the control of a corrupt psychologist, Eugene Landy, who became a kind of svengali figure who took over every aspect of Wilson’s life. A new film coming out this week, Love & Mercy, tells the story of Brian Wilson during those two periods of his life. We hear from the director.

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    Madeleine Brand

    Host, 'Press Play'

  • KCRW placeholder

    Jolie Myers

    Managing Producer, 'Press Play'

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    Matt Holzman

    Producer, 'The Document'

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    Anna Scott

    Former KCRW Housing and Homelessness Reporter

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    Bill Pohlad

    film producer and director

    News
Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand