This week we lost the genius that was Brian Wilson. While I was surprised by certain radio presenters claiming to be the biggest fans of the Beach Boys this week, while never playing their music, I was honoured to have actually saw the man perform the entire Pet Sounds album when he performed at the Kendal Calling festival back in 2017.

I do remember we had a student teacher during my time in primary school teaching us to sing the Sloop John B when we were at primary school. So I reckon that was my first introduction to the Beach Boys’ music.

Having said that I am rather cynical when a certain BBC radio DJ, who this week claimed to be a massive fan of the band despite never playing any of their music on any of their shows in recent years, which I found quite disingenuous.

When he was at Kendal Calling the disadvantage we snappers had was that he was sat behind his keyboards (which was similar to when Seasick Steve also performed seated) and we were in the pit with a limited view. I always thought the stage was too high to get decent shots.

Needless to say the shots were basically headshots of his performance during the three songs which we were allowed but that was enough for what I required to get the shots I needed.

I was pleased to witness his performance of such a classic album but I have to admit he looked old and, if I am being honest, quite ill and frail. But hats off to him he still was able to perform the tracks.

Interestingly he was joined by Al Jardine, who co-founded the Beach Boys and, according to the BBC, the musician was diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic in 1984, according to Forbes, when doctors found evidence that his use of psychedelic drugs had potentially damaged his brain and in February 2024 it was revealed he had dementia.

And Wilson lost his wife Melinda in 2024. The couple had been married for 24 years, and adopted their children Dakota Rose, Daria Rose, Delanie Rose, Dylan and Dash together. Wilson also had two daughters, Carnie and Wendy, from his first marriage.