The Beach Boys - Don't worry baby live 1981

[musicmatty67]

Great job...at least he had the balls to do it when the chips weren't in his favor during those dark days..but he's back..not 100%..but good enough to make this a distant memory with the new Reunion tour.

[bent2]

The lesson is; Don't do drugs. Wilson nearly escaped, Syd Barrett didn't.

[TheCactusBoi]

Aww Brian :(

[RankielGuitar]

I feel soooo bad for Brian, they should have let it to carl

[christophj87]

@RankielGuitar usually they did, but carl was not there

[grahamycracker]

@RankielGuitar I think everybody here should show some respect to Mr. Wilson. From day one, live performance disagreed with him. I think he did a great job considering his issues. I was happy when I heard this in 1981 to see that he still had his wonderful falsetto. As far as I'm concerned, he can sing that song however the f* he wants. He already did the masterpiece 20 years befor. I'll bet there's nobody here that can even sing near this live performance, so shut up y'all.Brian rocks always!

[RankielGuitar]

@grahamycracker Are you serious? Brian is the man that deserves the more respect from me. If this vid is on my favorite list there is a reason! I couldn't agree with you more.

[ketchelright]

This is awful.

[CLEVERDEVICES]

shame on the Beach Boys for this and before I get a thousand hate mails, understand that I LOVE THE BOYS!

[pmoyer50]

@CLEVERDEVICES : It could have been much worse - Mikey could have been singing lead. Brian was going through bad times. He's a musical genius. That being said, I'm glad that you're a big Beach Boys fan. Face it - in all their greatness Brian was the Beach Boys.

[CLEVERDEVICES]

@pmoyer50 Brian sure was! I used to cringe when they would bring him out onstage waving like a trained bear, the guy was hurting and clearly didnt want to be there....but they needed him to put asses in the seats. That being said, the Beach Boys have a chance this summer to make stuff like this go away. I hope they deliever!

[pmoyer50]

@CLEVERDEVICES : I've cringed myself a few times and it wasn't so much on this video - so I know what you mean. I'm hoping they deliver, too and am anxious to hear new Brian Wilson compositions. From what I understand, the tour starts in New Orleans. It will probably take a number of shows for them to get tight. I have a feeling they will.

[joenaccomusic]

I like how he realized the falsettos were off and then just switched to a whole new melody that was perfectly in key. It is extremely hard to sing falsetto live over a band regardless of who you are.

[musicmatty67]

This is the very reason NO one should be celebrating the 'Smile' sessions. The LSD that Brian took during the Smile sessions had taken it's toll. Brian himself said his biggest regret was all the LSD he took during that period of Smile..he said it tore his head off..And it did.

[Mozart1220]

@musicmatty67 Nonsense. The toll it took on Brian is exactly why we should celebrate that music. Another good reason is that it's GREAT music. If he sacrificed his "head" for this music (and I don't think it was just LSD) then let that sacrifce mean something.

[pmoyer50]

@musicmatty67 : Blame his abusive father and all the flak Mikey was giving him for that. Go back to Sunday School you obnoxious prude.

[musicmatty67]

@pmoyer50 Merry Christmas !

[pmoyer50]

@musicmatty67 : In a futile attempt to keep the spirit alive - right back at ya!

[RankielGuitar]

they should've let this to al or bruce

[NickMotown]

Jeeezz I have nothing but respect for the Beach Boys, and Brian in particular. But WOW this is hard to listen to. Just a fact - not trying to be mean.

[sgtBilko75]

Unbelievable what bad parenting can do: Brian losing his sanity while trying to outshine competition and live up the impossible expectations and Dennis dealing with committing himself to a normal relation, always looking for thrills and extremes.

It's hard to listen to Brian on songs/performances recorded after 1976...... He hasn't recorded/penned anything extraordinary since. No wonder the Beach Boys slowly but surely turned into the Golden Oldie band. Way too soon, but understanble

[runnersdialzero333]

@sgtBilko75 someone hasn't heard "midnight's another day", among other things.

[DavelovesRealMusic]

um...didnt they rehearse and hear Brian cant hit the notes,,,do a diffeent song,.,,Jesus.

[axlpier77]

0.30: look at Dennis encouraging Brian :)!!! probably the best moment in the concert :)

[worschtee1919]

I wonder who Brian was looking up at for most of the performance?

[justinkendle]

DONT SMOKE CIGERATES!!! 

[AllThisIsThat]

I loved seeing this again. The night this was on originally, the casual fans were disappointed with Brian's performance. To me and many other long time fans, this was so touching and fulfilling. Brian realized he couldn't hit the higher notes and adapted. Look at Dennis giving his brother the "fist up" early in the song, he was so happy for Brian. Thanks for posting.

[ganjarjati]

It's allright brian. I love your version, cheerful in a mysterious way. haw-haw!

[JuxtaposeMystery]

the like bar is the brian wilsons penis

[boobaloo009]

Brian Wilson has problems / limitations, but talent /gift is not included. If he can't reach a note here , he harmonizes / fills, and makes it work out. TALENT!

[gdj064]

Brian Wilson has a drug problem?

[jchapman1975]

Found Al on lead from '69

Search beach boys olympia 1969

[Alibabble]

@jchapman1975 Thanks for the tip! Wow, he was pretty good at singing "Wouldn't it Be Nice".

[gsgeek540]

@jchapman1975 al and carl duet

[brilliantos]

Nice to see Bruce Johnston give Brian a helping hand at 2:06-223...this is how bandmates should treat other bandmates if they are not on par...don;t see much of that these days, it usually results in the band member getting fired! Way to go Bruce!!

[mkqp]

@brilliantos Except Bruce should have been singing it in the first place! Brian didnt have the range to sing lead on Don't Worry Baby.

[Okiemom50]

@brilliantos

I so agree. Bruce saw Brian struggling and tried to help on the falsetto. The only problem was that Bruce's mic wasn't on loud enough. All we could hear was Bri. I still loved this version, though. Brian always rules! :o)

[alexandertarangerkin]

Al always did this, couldnt he just do this?

[jchapman1975]

@alexandertarangerkin I've never seen Al sing lead on Don't Worry Baby

[alexandertarangerkin]

@jchapman1975

through the entire 1970-1977 period Al did the lead, and Carl did the chorus, very nice combo, just check Beach Boys In Concert version

[jchapman1975]

@alexandertarangerkin Ok, I guess I haven't seen any footage from that era. I think of Knebworth, but it was 1981 by then. Later in the 80's I've seen footage of Foskett and Carl singing DWB. It is amazing to think of all the combos over the years of all the songs. Makes being a fan great.

[malpakoza]

It wasn't the greatest but I just love how tragic it sounds at the end it's amazing. Such a good ending

[love4music64]

This may not be the best - but it's Brian F***ing Wilson man!! Notice how he drops his vocal at 1:26 to a more comfortable level - nice! It's HIS song and he can sign it however he likes - good or bad - great song. Love you Brian!!

[jchapman1975]

@love4music64 I'm with you on this. This actually kicks ass. Brian changed the song mid-way through to make it an epic performance. Nothing like laying it all on the line and singing this song balls-out, no matter what.



[jamaral81]

I'm sorry, but Brian sounds horrible in this clip, im not sure if his voice was shot by then but this is not the Brian Wilson we've come to love

[mdefil23]

Christopher; I think its from this show...do you have SURFIN'. I've seen it on Youtube before from Long Beach but it's long gone. You post some amazing stuff! Especially Imagine and Runaway from Seattle! Please keep posting more stuff. Fans do appreciate all new material.

[mkqp]

After the guitar break, you can see Brian look up to others for help. Grim stuff.

[Javier23gol]

After the 60's Brian's vocals are very strange.

[alexandertarangerkin]

@Javier23gol

in 73-75 he lay in bed doing cocaine, heroin and neglected his voice, + smoked 5 packets of cigarettes a day, no wonder ^^

[Javier23gol]

@alexandertarangerkin Drugs ruin people's life everyday :(

[mrvidiot]

I think the band even yells out Carl's name right before Brian starts singing. LOL

[TeamGoldRush1]

WOW! The guitar even screamed out for Carl LOL!