Brian Wilson Talks About Jan Berry: "Encomium In Memoriam Vol. 1"

[Foxwagon1]

Listen to Fun Fun Fun and then listen to Johnny B Goode. Same tune. Record label gives credit to Chuck Berry for the tune. 

[Pibb99]

@Foxwagon1 The opening guitar intro for "Fun Fun Fun" was similar to Johnny B. Goode, but Chuck didn't receive any songwriting credit for that one. Chuck did get credit for "Surfin' USA" - which was the same tune as his own "Sweet Little Sixteen."

[bchbys]

@Foxwagon1 No, Chuck Berry got credit for "Surfin USA" not FFF

[NEWGUY562]

they shot him with whip cream...isnt dat funny? ^_^..(person the left nodding) yes brian that is funny yes brian.

[sheddski]

they never thought jan would sing again untill they went on tour and he was going to lipsink with a singer behind the curtain but he got mad and started to sing to prove he could to everybodys amazement he sang better then he talked so he didnot need any backup

[SeattleLA]

My aunt used to babysit Brian and his brothers, for a few years, when they lived in Hawthorne.

[GeorgeVreelandHill]

Real guys.

Real music.

What an era it was.

Please send me back in time.

George Vreeland Hill

[1967mustanggta]

Pretty darned interesting stuff. Thanks for putting this on here. It must have been agreat time in the day for these guys. Too bad the best of it was cut short.

[Sueezee1]

The best song writer of our generation.

[rockinrobintweets]

@Sueezee1 Best songwritter, Brian or Jan. I think they both are wonderful in thier own right. It s just my heart belongs to Jan..

[yrdsale]

Sadly Jan Berry speech problem is from his car accident which resulted in Brain Damage and physical injuries also. I saw Jan and Dean, LIVE at a show in Atlantic City, NJ and they did a great job.  It took Jan YEARS to get well but he fought back and made it. Their music will always live on.

[dozydoodles]

I met Jan Berry in Los Angeles in 1975. He was going to get involved with a musician friend of mine. He drove a 1968 brown Buick Special that was all twisted up from his poor driving. Along with his short memory it was very sad to see somebody of fame just doing his best to get by day by day. Very nice to have met him. From what I remember, the song was going to be called "Fun City " I don't think anything became of it.

[smiley66goodvibes67]

Jan and Dean should be in the R&R HOF.

[pmoyer50]

Now, I like Jan Berry even more after hearing about the shaving or whipped cream he sprayed on Mike Love's face. Jan and Dean cut some really good songs that I never heard before. And Dead Man's Curve was and always will be a classic. To those who criticize Wilson and Berry shame on you. Some of the comments I read were callous and heartless. How many gold records or timeless songs have they contributed for our ears?

[rockinrobintweets]

@pmoyer50 I agree with you. While I dont personaly have a problem with speach or brain injury I was born with 2 disabilities and SOME people are inhuman to put it nicely. I was born to love music and both The Beach Boys and Jan and Dean were, are, and will always be awesome. My heart will always love Jan Berry.... RIP my sweet Jan

[coolsweetgroovy]

I love Brian

[MikeBlitzMag]

Brian Wilson's solo output throughout the early 2000s is by far amongst the best in music at large. We are truly blessed to still have a genius of his calibre among us. And of course the late, great Jan Berry was likewise worthy of such accolades.

[Brainkid88]

problems or not, people putting down brian or jan is just stupid because theyre making music and have a good life, not sitting on the computer posting negative things

[wendydale1]

People-----Brian Wilson suffers from SCHIZOPHRENIA. Don't you know the effects of antipyschotic medication has a profound effect on a persons reactions and their demeanor?

You don't know what disease or affliction will strike you in your future and how it will affect you. So you shouldn't be so superior and cruel regarding someone else.

Brian Wilson is the genius that gave the world fabulous and unique music and he's brought immeasurable happiness to my life with that music. THANKS BRIAN!

[runeguldberg]

Obvious your not a psychiatrist. Your facts are wrong. He is a survivor of the rockstar lifestyle. Wilson's drug regimen is a mild combination of antidepressants.

He has been touring for years.

[rockinrobintweets]

@wendydale1 I agree with you. And before the car accident Jan not only, sang, wrote songs, produced reorders BUT he wa also a full time pre med student, talk about gennius. So, , al those viles people should, jump from a moveing train. And Jan did his very best every day of his life after the aciddent and he SANG again. How many people grip over a broken toe nail. Jan is my hereo, and my role model. There are reasons for that. RIP sweet Jan. I will always love you sweet music man

[wendydale1]

People--Be Kind!

Don't you know Brian Wilson is suffering from schizophrenia?! It's the real deal. Antipsychotic drugs have quite an effect on your reactions and your demeanor.

You may be there someday with the effects of any disease or affliction so don't be so superior and quick to criticize. Thanking you on that in advance.

Brian is a genius and had brought this world some of the best music that exists. The joy of the BEACHBOYS music has added immense quality to my life.

[M3town3]

That seems to be everything janer can say. Brian foerever!

[SEANFIR]

Sometimes you forget who was in the car accident, Brian Wilson or Jan Berry! Apparently SURF music eats your brain!

[BigChiefLtd]

Wow, I bet you thought that was really clever. Folks, ever notice it's the completely talentless fuckheads who think they have to trash others in order to make their pathetic selves look good? Seanfir is one such example. Go ahead, Seanfir. Defend your moronic drivel. Why are you even here? Knock them if it makes you feel better about yourself, but these two were responsible for some of the best American-to- mid-60s California Rock n Roll. What have YOU accomplished that qualies you to judge?

[Yeffaman]

shame on you patty and happyshit for brains.....you have NO idea what either one of these two artists went through in their lives.....there but for the grace of GOD go both of you.....have either one of you ever been on stage, performed? Crawl back under the rocks you came from, you fucking morons.....

[Yeffaman]

Well patty and happy.....there but for the grace of GOD go you two....you truly shrunken heads....no compassionate, no feeling, no sense of being.....quick to criticize....have EITHER one of YOU ever been on stage, or performed? Me thinks not.....go back under the rocks you crawled out from under.....you both SUCK OUT LOUD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ThePattycake1313]

Brian sounds like bobby the brain

[songbuff61]

In their biopic Deadmans Curve Jan Berry already injured is shown singing "little lovely lady she 's my lady . she's my baby during recovery period. I don't know that he finished that tune

[M3town3]

He sounds like a genius and he is. I think he and Spector were MUCH hell better in the sixties than jan å dan!

[happycpr62]

Wow, I would rather watch dogs pooping than Brian Wilson SLURRING through an interview

[runeguldberg]

That tells me a lot what a person you are.

Brian is the worlds most respected composer, producer and arranger. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame refers to Wilson on its website as "One of the few undisputed geniuses in popular music." In 2008, Rolling Stone magazine published a list of the "100 Greatest Singers of All Time, and Wilson was ranked at #52. Learn some history and you will change your attitude.

[M3town3]

Oh but they must've meant his voice. to me his at No. 1 because he sings from his heart.

[anitasseo]

@runeguldberg I don´t care at all what Rolling Stone says (specially if he´s in number 52!!!); he´s a genius and we love him aside from what the media indicates. I also think John Lydon is a genius too and he probably won´t be nominated on that list... Anyway, rock and roll hall of fame, Rolling Stone, billboard, the oscars... all media for the system. All related to commerce. Artists don´t need the system to be called "great artists".

[anitasseo]

@runeguldberg I don´t care at all what Rolling Stone says (specially if he´s in number 52!!!); he´s a genius and we love him aside from what the media indicates. I also think John Lydon is a genius too and he probably won´t be nominated on that list... Anyway, rock and roll hall of fame, Rolling Stone, billboard, the oscars... all media for the system. All related to commerce. Artists don´t need the system to be called "great artists".

[Souplesse000]

@runeguldberg yeah but he's crazy.

[sparwood8]

@happycpr62 You lack wisdom and have no understanding. Neither do you have love for others. In other words, U are a sad case indeed

[nomiclas]

@happycpr62 your going to get old at the very least and senile.if you had half his talent you might be a person worthy of the respect of your comment.

[riv4life618]

So sad, Jan was so talented. I don't know what's worse, how damaged Brian ended up or Jan before we lost him. And then there was Denny at the end=( The talent in those 3 tripled any of whats out there in the "music industry" now.

[chuckdee121]

In this clip they showed a Warner Bros. acetate of an Lp worth of interesting tracks. Is this something you can post?

[Johnk662561]

It's already been released under several incarnations...one of which was a double LP called "The Ledgendary Masked Surfers, Unmasked" on Blue Pacific Records back in the late 70's early 80's

[usmctanks1]

Wow, Jan shows the effects of his horrific crash (how did he survive?) and Brian also seems a little out of it, but Jan and Dean were on so many other bands recordings, Beachboys, Riventons, etc.. any stories from those who knew them? would be great to read

[ROCKSTARCRANE]

Jan bears an uncanny resemblance to John Candy when he's playing that little keyboard. Saddest thinng I ever saw was Jan standing alone at the corner of Sweetzer and Santa Monica Blvd with his dog...the cars passing by, and nobody having a clue as to who he was.

[narrowarrows]

dude these guys are fucking burned out. but not on hash. look at paul mccartney, he still smokes pot for breakfast and he's fine. brian was doing speed and coke for most of the 70's/80's

[greeniem]

yeah, he'd stay up for days on speed, in the pool

[chriskassel1]

I love how he's talking about a Jan prank, then the interviewer asks "He was quite a prankster, wasn't he?" and Brian goes, "Who? Jan?"

Way to remember what you're talking about, Brian.

[zebratangozebra]

I think you fried yourself on yer mommas breast milk

[zebratangozebra]

Burned out on HASH ?

You are a total retard.

[tossBONGSC]

fried himself on HASH? are u kidding?

[arbuddog]

brian, to much Hash in the late 60's. he blew it. Jan was in a major vette accident, his fault. but still. he was trying till the end.

[arbuddog]

Brian fried himself on HASH in the late 60's. This is whats left. he could have been a 2nd John Lennon. Jan was in a major vette accident 66-67. he was doing the best he could. GRHSOLE.

[MasonHellCat]

Brian was/is much better than John Lennon could ever have hoped to be. Simple as that. If anything, Lennon could have been a 2nd Brian Wilson if he applied himself a bit more.

[drdirocco]

I once kissed a total stranger in a bar because he looked so much like Jan.

[zebratangozebra]

Brian has always been a bit off

You can hear him in video's from the early 70's and he was like that then

Genius has it's price I guess

[Chrisdrumz]

Brian is definitely under the influence of SOMETHING in this vid. Probably prescribed meds.

[dg11306]

He reminds me of Ozzy. I guess when you're doing drugs, you don't think about what you'll be like when you're 50.

[johngalantini]

I think they should show brian wilson inteviews to young kids - This is the best anti-drug advert ever. If you think there are no consequences, think again people. Wilson is a maess thanks to his excessive drug taking. Shameful to see.

[ugle99]

It's more complicated than that.

Brian is also a victim of chilled abuse, mental

illness and excessive use of medicine.

[buskerbuoy]

You should loosen up a bit and drop a mushroom.

[IainB1511]

Was able to get Jan Berry back stage to see Brian after the millenium concert at Redondo Beach (Jan had the seat next to me and Brians ex wife was on the other side. Jan was grooving to a lot of the music that night.

[iowagirl1971]

met both of them in Charles City, Iowa 1995 maybe..Great Show at the fairgrounds..

[Cow1Moo]

I also met J&D and got autographs from them at a show they played at the Elkhart County Fairgrounds (Goshen, Indiana) in May 1987. Chantilly Lace (an oldies band from Mishawaka) and The Rivieras ("California Sun") opened for them. During J&D's set, Jan started pointing at folks in the audiences and signaling for them to come onstage and dance w/ him, Dean and the band! By the end of the show, a whole slew of fans were onstage dancing! Wild stuff!

[deepfreezevideo]

Brian suffered some drug induced trauma due to Landy's overprescription of tranqs. Landy needed Wilson to be tranquilized in order to make him pliable and acquiescent to his demands.

He is indeed doing much better now but the physical effects are marked and noticeable, in addition to his documented shyness.

But in any case Brian Wilson is in a much happier place than he's ever been simply because he has finally realized that his work is very much appreciated as a national treasure!

[HabibTh]

Brian's awkwardness in this interview must've been nervousness or just an off day, take a look at "Art That Shook the World," also from 2002, and he's much more comfortable..

[LSUcHamp606]

he's always been awkward....

Just a weird guy...almost like he lives in a dream world or a coma.  Oh well....he is a genius!

[selmer6player]

god bless you, Jan.

[ascrodin]

Brian occasionally slurs his words quite a lot, his voice doesn't sound that great because he's deaf in one ear, plus he gets really nervous when he does interviews. Jan Berry was talking slow because he suffered a major brain injury in a car accident.

[sixshootersteve44]

is it just me or do Brian wilson and jan berry look like theyre not doing too good?

its too bad that jan berry died...

[mozaricam]

does anyone know the title of the song play between 04:55 and 05:08? Thanks

[pjsman5252]

It's called The Aneheim Asusa and Cucumonga Sewing Circle Book Review and Timing Association.

Long title-one of Jan's best productions

[tennessee888]

one hell of a retard

[bohemethnemeth]

Proving once again that Brian Wilson is absolutely insane.

[caraphyllis]

Brian takes medication to control a long-standing mental illness which causes him to have frightening hallucinations. For a long time he was overmedicated and it caused the kinds of speech and thought problems seen in this video. He could not be doing all the touring he's doing these days if he were "absolutely insane." He has a mental illness, as do many people. He's also a genius. And by the way, regarding the comment from tennessee888, the term "retard" is just plain offensive.

[leroy214]

@caraphyllis dont worry too much about the remarks made teenagers and idiots make themselves obvious.

[pre9120]

@caraphyllis I grew up listening to these guys and jan and dean. Love them both. I am not sure but I think a little of the speech problem was related to a hearing problem as well. He wrote and composed so much outstanding music it is amazing, especially with the treatment he got from his father.

[sparwood8]

@caraphyllis Yep.

[ekocentric]

@caraphyllis Brian is suffering from a condition called tardive dyskinesia. Which happens when psychotropic drugs are too strong. Patients on some types of psychotropics are given are tested once every two or three months for this disorder. I don't know why but a nurse checks to see if their hands shake and to see if the can bend forward.

[MrJimmyboy1972]

@caraphyllis i agree, retard is one of the most offensive terms for a human being that anyone can say. there is a fine line from genius to mild insanity. i think brian is on the genius side.

[BeachGirlLaw]

Brian did a great interview; enthusiastic and animated, more than usual about Jan's work and how it influenced him. I give them both lots of credit for continuing in music after whatever health issues befell them. Brian is back, creating and touring better than 40 years ago!

[NoMoSpam]

Wow so that is what LSD abuse does to a person huh? Jan Berry had an excuse for becoming all goofy on stage due to his car crash with brain injuries and everything.

[scooter5572]

I wish I could confirm this But i had a Guy in my Cab in Portland Oregon in the late 90's he looked just like Jan & he had the same disabilities as Jan if that was Jan I'm privalidged Man he was a very nice Guy same Long hair and all!

[dannynar]

lsd doesnt do that to a person.

[damek666]

lol all these fucks got brain damage from LSD.

[pianorman]

Not condoning drugs here, but as far as Brian - he 'dealt' with a unique case of bi-polar disorder (undiagnosed for years)...not until the late '80s was he treated with proper medication. Jan Berry should have died from that car accident in '67, but miraculously came back. Do some research on these people before you criticize them.

[oceanstreat]

Thanks for your thoughtful response. They both produced some incredible music...I mean, "Warmth of the Sun"...just incredible.

They made some incredible music, both of them got through a nightmare not everyone would survive. I'd rather spend time appreciating the good they both gave us.

[OeditpusRex]

What caused yours?

[wildsmiley]

Brian's use of LSD in the '60s has been overblown quite a bit. He did some in the 1965-67 period or so and almost none after. His main drugs were mostly pot, speed and "uppers". Brian's speech is affected not so much by illegal drugs, but by prescription drugs that his controversial former therapist/Svengali Eugene Landy gave him WAY too much of back in the '80s.

Brian also talks towards his right ear a little because he is almost completely deaf in that ear, since childhood.

[wildsmiley]

Brian's use of LSD in the '60s has been overblown quite a bit. He did some in the 1965-67 period or so and almost none after. His main drugs were mostly pot, speed and "uppers". Brian's speech is affected not so much by illegal drugs, but by prescription drugs that his controversial former therapist/Svengali Eugene Landy gave him WAY too much of back in the '80s. Brian was too doped up for a long time. He's doing much better now.

[rainydaywoman43]

why does brian wislon sound retarded?

[BC1232]

Brian Wilson has had mental problems. Some of his speech problems can be side effects from the medications that he is taking. Some of his mental problems were brought on from taking drugs in the 1960s. Remember that the next time you might be tempted to take drugs.

[OeditpusRex]

Wilson suffered from clinical depression for much of his life and later bi-polar schizo-affective disorder. He was mis-diagnosed by Dr. Eugene Landy, Hollywood's "Psychologist to the Stars," who put him on a contra-indicated medication regimen that likely caused some neurological dysfunction. Then there was all the coke he did in the '70s and early '80s, which probably blew out his septum.

[koolbossjock]

God talk about courage,its hard to think anyone could survive that crash.Thnx to Dean for keeping his memory alive.

[chuckiewojo]

what a fascinating video

[qazwsx12369]

Wow Brian Wilson is such a Musical Genius! What puzzles people is that he doesn't even realize it! At least Mike Love does and steals the Beach Boys from him, hehehe what a bald talentless prick raking in all the money!!

[suparni]

YEAH Love is a total jerk.

[rob1tnt]

Jan & Dean where a wonderful duo. Love all of there material from surf city to batman. Awsome wonderful stuff. Miss ya Jan

[teacher694]

I once met Dean Torrance, but not Jan Berry. I knew Jan Berry's co-writer, Roger Christian. Roger never got the credit he should have for many of J&D songs.

[ascrodin]

Roger also wrote a ton of songs with Brian Wilson including "Don't Worry Baby".

[parkman35]

Jan accomplished a hell of a lot after that freakin crash...most people would've folded the tent and vegatated...not Jan he was too busy living free and easy! Rest In Peace Jan Berry.

[dlpine]

dean torrance had so much to do with jan berry's tent not being folded-up.

[rockinrobintweets]

@dlpine Yes, Dean was a true friend but Jan did the hard part, he lived and re learned every thing to the best of his ability.

[rockinrobintweets]

@dlpine Yes, Dean was a true REAL friend to Jan. But please dont ovelook all the hard work Jan went thru to be able to walk, read, talk again after the accident And finely to SING againAnd the day to day copeing of permenent disability........he worked HARD to get back on that stage let alone day to day liveing. . As a person born with disabilities I KNOW how hard he worked for every victory , big or small. I love Dean s devotion to Jan too. RIP Jan.

[GonzoNugent]

Awsome clip, thanks for posting.

[LadyGuenevere227]

Jan Berry was a pretty amazing guy and a wonderful producer. He was dealt a very difficult deck of cards and handled that really admirably. I never knew him personally, but wish I would have. Thanks for posting this.

[RoyFive]

What was Brian "Goddamned/goshdarned" about? That didn't come through very clearly.

[mark319u2b]

Jan & Dean's infamous drive through a sugarcane field in Hawaii in '64. Bruce Johnston was there.

[dickanddeedee]

Great video, guys. I have fond memories of touring with Jan and Dean all over the midwest in 1962. We were stuck in a car together for over a month. I wrote about it in my memoir, Vinyl Highway, Singing as Dick and Dee Dee. There's a whole chapter on Jan and Dean ( check out dickanddeedee on the web). Jan's a great talent and is deeply missed.

Dee Dee Phelps

[selmer6player]

My family and I have known Jan Berry for many, many years since my UCLA Med School days. One could never ask for a better friend, as Jan was a person whose character was exceeded only by his compassion for those less fortunate than himself. Jan was also DAMN smart and a compulsive prankster. God bless you, Jan. Great post.

[SierraKilo9]

Cool man. What are your recollections of the 'Dead Mans Curve' days?

[selmer6player]

God bless Jan! He was a longtime friend of my family; I've known him since my UCLA days. Great clip--thanks!!

[pjsman5252]

The Beach Boys backed up Jan & Dean on Surfin and Surfin Safari on the Linda album.Brian did some background vocals on Surf City.He may have done some background vocals on Drag City and Deadman's Curve,but I'm not positive.

It really wasn't as much as people say.The two groups really didn't sing on each others records as much as some books claim.I think Dean sang a little with the Beach Boys on a couple of late 60's songs.Not a lot though.

[SierraKilo9]

But Brian gave Jan and Dean a Song ... (name it) Plus there were covers reworded by J&D like sidewalk surfin which was a rip off of BB's Catch a Wave

[rockinrobintweets]

@SierraKilo9 It wasnt a rip off. For one thing they were all friends. And if you want to GO THERE try listening to Beach Boys SURFIN USA and Chuck Berry s SWEET LITTLE SIXTEEN.....here s a clue Chuck Berry s song came out years before the Beach Boys could DATE.

[rockinrobintweets]

@SierraKilo9 Listen to the Beach Boy s SURFIN USA and tell me that isnt Chuck Berry s SWEET LITTLE SIXTEEN. It wasnt uncomon practice intended or unintended to BORROW from another song / songwriter. It happened a LOT in the 1950 s and 1960 s. If you want to call it a rip off, the Beach Boy s did thier share too

[RoyFive]

Dean's on Barbara Ann from the Party album. Carl thanks him on the record. I read that he didn't want to sing on You Really Know How To Hurt A Guy, recorded in the same studio.

[hunterpinarello]

I like Brian Wilson and Jan & Dean. Can you tell me what J&D songs or albums that any member of the Beach Boys sang on? Can you tell me any BB songs or albums that Jan and/or Dean sang on? I read that Capital eventually stopped them, but I don't know what songs were involved except BarbaraAnn from the Party album.

[cmf1965]

R.I.P. Jan Berry...we miss you!!!

[rockngran]

Terrific!

[sfgiantsbeisbol]

Nice, thanks for posting.