The night Jersey rock royalty, including Bruce Springsteen, saluted Brian Wilson at PNC
Brian Wilson, the visionary leader of the Beach Boys, passed away at the age of 82, his family announced Wednesday, June 11.
Wilson's career included reaching unmatched creative heights of rock 'n' roll artistry, and decades of prolonged bouts of mental illness, where Wilson's public persona was shrouded in mystery.
Wilson, who played bass for the Beach Boys' live shows in the early 1960s, successfully returned to concert stages in his later years. His shows with the Beach Boys and solo were always events at the Jersey Shore. None more so than 10 years ago on July 1, 2015, at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel.
Wilson and his backing band, which included Beach Boys Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin, played band classics and two new Wilson songs, "No Pier Pressure" and "Runaway Dancer," that summer night.
Matt Jardine, Al's son, enchanted with his rendition of "Don't Worry Baby," a song closely associated with Wilson's late brother, Carl Wilson.
Wilson introduced "God Only Knows" by saying, "People say it's the best song I ever wrote."
He then sang, from behind his keyboards, in a halting, clipped style, which compellingly contrasted against the beautifully lush arrangement of the song.
Then the Boss came: Bruce Springsteen sang harmony for "Barbara Ann," and played guitar on "Surfin' U.S.A."
He was met by a chorus of "Bruuuuces" by the surprised crowd, which included Pat DiNizio, Jim Babjak and Dennis Diken of the Smithereens.
After Springsteen left, Wilson at his white piano performed "Fun, Fun, Fun" and "Love & Mercy" to close the show.
"The songs he created with the Beach Boys still give me tears of joy," said Babjak Wednesday afternoon on social media.
He greeted Wilson backstage that night.
"I'm so glad he created music in my lifetime," Babjak said.
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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact Matt Jardine, Al's son, enchanted with his rendition of "Don't Worry Baby," a song closely associated with Wilson's late brother, Carl Wilson.him at cjordan@app.com
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey rock royalty saluted Brian Wilson, PNC Bank Arts Center
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