Long Promised Road (Paperback)

Kent Crowley

ISBN 10: 1908279842 / ISBN 13: 9781908279842

Published by Outline Press Ltd, London, 2015

About this Item

Paperback. Long Promised Road: Carl Wilson, Soul Of The Beach Boys tells the story of the youngest of the three Wilson brothers, a consummate musician and singer and a natural peacemaker.Robbed of a normal childhood by international stardom, Carl marked out his own territory by his devotion to the guitar, rock'n'roll, and rhythm & blues. His electric lead lines ensured the fledgling vocal group were able to ride the surf music wave-before redefining it altogether.Later, he would sing lead on two of the most admired songs in rock history, 'God Only Knows' and 'Good Vibrations.' Then, as Brian succumbed to mental illness and Dennis pursued the path of self-destruction, Carl kept the fractious Beach Boys show on the road-literally- while increasingly taking the reins in the studio. He would create a series of underrated albums, including two under his own name, and some wonderfully soulful songs.And all the while, Carl was the supreme family man, sheltering Dennis from the wrath of Charles Mansonand prising Brian from the clutches of Dr Eugene Landy. Fighting against conscription into the Vietnam War, then battling his own problems with drink, drugs, and marital breakdown, he achieved peace, only to be diagnosed with a terminal illness.In this wide-ranging and thoughtful book, Kent Crowley explores the life and career of the overlooked hero of the Beach Boys story. Drawing on new interviews with friends and colleagues, it provides a unique slant on one of rock's most enduring family sagas. A new perspective on the forgotten Beach Boy - the voice of 'God Only Knows', 'Good Vibrations', and more. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9781908279842

Bibliographic Details

Title: Long Promised Road (Paperback)

Publisher: Outline Press Ltd, London

Publication Date: 2015

Binding: Paperback

Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis:

No life in popular music touched on as many major musical milestones as that of The Beach Boys' Carl Wilson. While he is often unjustly overlooked as a mere adjunct to his more famous brothers Brian and Dennis, Carl was a major international rock star from his early teens.

The proud owner of one of the greatest voices in popular music--one that graced some of the most important records of the pop era, including 'God Only Knows' and 'Good Vibrations'--Wilson was also one of the first musicians to bring the electric guitar to the forefront of rock'n'roll. His musical skills provided The Beach Boys' entree into the music business, from which he then stewarded their onstage journey through the ups and downs of the 60s to their comeback in the 70s and into the role of 'America's band' in the 80s. Along the way, Carl quietly endured his own battles with obesity, divorce, substance abuse, and ultimately terminal cancer, all the while working to protect his family's business and legacy. This major new biography reveals the true story of modern rock'n'roll, lived from the center of the most important decades of popular music.

About the Author:

Kent Crowley writes about music for numerous publications, including Vintage Guitar and Shakin' Fever. He researched Bob Keane's The Oracle of Del-Fi and edited Hollywood Gold Star Studio founders Stan Ross and Dave Gold's Gold Star Album. He is the author of Surf Beat (Backbeat, 2011), and also consulted on Freak Out In Cucamonga, an upcoming documentary on Frank Zappa's Pal Studios/Studio Z.