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Post by ironhorseapples on Feb 1, 2024 2:40:27 GMT -5
If there is a time and place for Mike-bashing, I'd humbly suggest this thread isn't it. No thread is for Mike bashing on EH. We don't do that here. Good way to get booted out. I agree, and sorry if my words seemed ambiguous. I'm actually really worried for Brian, and I hope he takes advantage of Mike's heartfelt offer of support. At times like this we all need our family around us. In some ways its a shame Brian is no longer touring, as he had a close knit system of support around him. I hope his close friends have rallied around him. A Brian Wilson fan is a strange thing to be, as it is usually linked with a deep compassion for the man who created the music. We know all the details surrounding his years of suffering, and were happy that he had someone in his life who could help him on a very personal level. With Melinda's sudden and shocking passing, suddenly all bets are off. I feel Mike's words also voiced that concern. I know this sounds silly, but I feel incredibly helpless. I wish all the love being shown on all the BB message boards could somehow reach him. I'm thinking of that moment in Beautiful Dreamer, where Brian takes a major dip, and ends up hospitalised. Melinda knew exactly how to cut through that in a no-nonsense manor, and have him in a restaurant eating steak a few hours later. Does anyone know him that profoundly to be able to do that? And the kids as well. That's no age to lose a parent. I hope they, and Brian are able to support each other.
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Post by AGD on Feb 1, 2024 3:03:44 GMT -5
No thread is for Mike bashing on EH. We don't do that here. Good way to get booted out. I agree, and sorry if my words seemed ambiguous. I'm actually really worried for Brian, and I hope he takes advantage of Mike's heartfelt offer of support. At times like this we all need our family around us. In some ways its a shame Brian is no longer touring, as he had a close knit system of support around him. I hope his close friends have rallied around him. A Brian Wilson fan is a strange thing to be, as it is usually linked with a deep compassion for the man who created the music. We know all the details surrounding his years of suffering, and were happy that he had someone in his life who could help him on a very personal level. With Melinda's sudden and shocking passing, suddenly all bets are off. I feel Mike's words also voiced that concern. I know this sounds silly, but I feel incredibly helpless. I wish all the love being shown on all the BB message boards could somehow reach him.I'm thinking of that moment in Beautiful Dreamer, where Brian takes a major dip, and ends up hospitalised. Melinda knew exactly how to cut through that in a no-nonsense manor, and have him in a restaurant eating steak a few hours later. Does anyone know him that profoundly to be able to do that? And the kids as well. That's no age to lose a parent. I hope they, and Brian are able to support each other. It will. Maybe not right now, but it will.
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Post by John Manning on Feb 1, 2024 3:35:29 GMT -5
Matt Jardine on FB:
I’m so sorry to hear about Melinda’s passing. Thinking of you Brian Wilson and sending you and your family peace and love during this time. Rest easy Melinda.
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Post by John Manning on Feb 1, 2024 3:48:25 GMT -5
Taylor Mills on FB:
💔 We had so many amazing experiences traveling the world together. You will be so missed, Melinda. Sending all our love to Brian and the whole family during this time.
Todd Suchermann on FB:
Taylor and I extend our deepest condolences to Brian, the kids and the extended Wilson/Ledbetter family on the passing of Melinda Wilson. We share in your time of sorrow, and send all our love.
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Post by John Manning on Feb 1, 2024 4:00:23 GMT -5
Fred Vail:
It is with a heavy heart that I share the sad news of the passing of Melinda Wilson, beloved wife of my lifelong friend and hero, Brian Wilson, earlier today. Brian and Melinda were married 28 years and her love and support played a major role in Brian’s return to the studio and the road. Debbie Vail, Taylor and I send our love and prayers along to Brian, their children, including Wendy and Carnie, family and extended family during this time of reflection and mourning. Please join Debbie, Taylor and I in our love and support for Brian And his family. RIP Melinda Ledbetter Wilson. ❤️🙏
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Post by John Manning on Feb 1, 2024 4:03:04 GMT -5
Spud:
Very sad to hear this news about Brian Wilson's beloved wife Melinda and sending my condolences to Brian, his family and close friends. Think I'll watch Love & Mercy again now ❤️
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Post by KenWorthing on Feb 1, 2024 4:44:44 GMT -5
Awful news. Like a bolt from the blue. Thinking about Brian and family right now. What a life Brian has had.
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Post by John Manning on Feb 1, 2024 5:11:35 GMT -5
Nelson Bragg on FB:
Devastating. I feel for Brian and hope he's OK. Melinda helped him so much. I am grateful for her role in my tenure with the band. Forever grateful. A very sad day. N
Nelson posted again soon after but I’m not sharing that here, out of respect. Love the guy.
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petsite
Author/Historian/ Researcher
Posts: 1,980
Likes: 3,255
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Post by petsite on Feb 1, 2024 8:43:26 GMT -5
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Post by AGD on Feb 1, 2024 9:00:12 GMT -5
Even if Melinda had never contributed anything else to Brian's life post-Landy [disclaimer: of course she did, I'm being disingenuous], she deserved major, major props for two things:
one, getting Brian together with Wondermints (can you imagine him achieving all he did without them, and the others? No sir, you cannot)... and two, saying after the success of Pet Sounds live when someone asked what was next, "well, got to be Smile, hasn't it?". The latter might have been a throwaway remark... but just look what happened.
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Post by Awesoman on Feb 1, 2024 9:46:21 GMT -5
Even if Melinda had never contributed anything else to Brian's life post-Landy [disclaimer: of course she did, I'm being disingenuous], she deserved major, major props for two things:
one, getting Brian together with Wondermints (can you imagine him achieving all he did without them, and the others? No sir, you cannot)... and two, saying after the success of Pet Sounds live when someone asked what was next, "well, got to be Smile, hasn't it?". The latter might have been a throwaway remark... but just look what happened.
Agreed. Although in some fan circles Melinda has been considered a *tad* polarizing in her hands-on involvement with Brian, there's no doubt that Brian's solo career would have fallen flat without her. A handful of solo albums, some noteworthy tours (especially early on when the Wondermints entered the picture) and helping Brian mostly achieve being a high profile legacy artist. Here's hoping Brian and his family get through this okay.
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Post by jay on Feb 1, 2024 22:33:25 GMT -5
Even if Melinda had never contributed anything else to Brian's life post-Landy [disclaimer: of course she did, I'm being disingenuous], she deserved major, major props for two things:
one, getting Brian together with Wondermints (can you imagine him achieving all he did without them, and the others? No sir, you cannot)... and two, saying after the success of Pet Sounds live when someone asked what was next, "well, got to be Smile, hasn't it?". The latter might have been a throwaway remark... but just look what happened.
The more I think about it, I'm not all that sure we would have had "That Lucky Old Sun" if "Smile" hadn't been completed.
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Post by dauber on Feb 2, 2024 10:04:43 GMT -5
Who's "Spud"?
(BTW, a bit off-topic --- who's that person in Nelson's latest FB profile pic??)
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Post by Mikie on Feb 2, 2024 10:24:07 GMT -5
Who's "Spud"?
(BTW, a bit off-topic --- who's that person in Nelson's latest FB profile pic??)
"Spud Driftingsand" is a surfpop singer, keyboardist, digital media manager, and personal assistant to Al Jardine. He's a cool guy who lives in the S.F. Bay Area. Get on his e-mail list and you'll have your thumb on the pulse of what's going on in the Beach Boys world! I believe Spud's written some things for ESQ too.
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Post by John Manning on Feb 2, 2024 10:28:52 GMT -5
Great friend and accomplice of Al Jardine. Christinna Guzman: a little searching around tells me she was mother of Nick Guzman who is a member of the Wild Honey Orchestra, and genuinely loved by all the Wild Honey family.
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Post by Stephen W. Desper on Feb 3, 2024 9:12:33 GMT -5
Comment: Brian, My sincere condolences. I am so sorry that you must revisit such a dreadful place in your heart, but this too will pass. I know you to be a strong-minded person, who has overcome much adversity and will again find the inner strength to move onward. My love to you and your children as this dire time marches into the past, leaving a void in everyone's heart. ~ Stephen W. Desper
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Post by Matt H on Feb 4, 2024 21:47:26 GMT -5
The Grammy’s included Melinda in the In Memorium section. Jeffrey Foskett was also included.
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Post by Matt H on Feb 5, 2024 17:32:18 GMT -5
On Wikipedia, it shows what appears to be Melinda's yearbook picture:
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petsite
Author/Historian/ Researcher
Posts: 1,980
Likes: 3,255
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Post by petsite on Feb 5, 2024 19:24:44 GMT -5
From my collection. Melinda from her modeling days.
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Post by bessieboporbach on Feb 5, 2024 21:24:55 GMT -5
On Wikipedia, it shows what appears to be Melinda's yearbook picture:
It only just occurred to me now that Melinda was actually a couple of years older than Marilyn. It's a reminder, in a roundabout way, of how young Brian still was in the era when he and Melinda first met, how much of the tumultuous "Brian Wilson story," the entire arc from the highest highs to the lowest lows, unfolded over such a relatively brief span of years. The peace and safety he found with her in his 50s, 60s, and 70s truly was a blessing almost too great to contemplate after the horrors of much of his 30s and 40s.
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Post by longtime lurker on Feb 5, 2024 21:41:02 GMT -5
On Wikipedia, it shows what appears to be Melinda's yearbook picture:
It only just occurred to me now that Melinda was actually a couple of years older than Marilyn. It's a reminder, in a roundabout way, of how young Brian still was in the era when he and Melinda first met, how much of the tumultuous "Brian Wilson story," the entire arc from the highest highs to the lowest lows, unfolded over such a relatively brief span of years. The peace and safety he found with her in his 50s, 60s, and 70s truly was a blessing almost too great to contemplate after the horrors of much of his 30s and 40s. Any man would be, in my estimation, the luckiest bastard on Earth if he was ever to find a woman who was even HALF as caring, kind, and supportive as Melinda was.
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Post by Mikie on Feb 5, 2024 21:46:05 GMT -5
J.C. Fogerty also found a wife like Melinda, and he's living happily ever after.
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Post by Sam_BFC on Feb 5, 2024 22:20:50 GMT -5
According to Wilson's cousin and former bandmate Mike Love, the group's 50th anniversary reunion tour involving all original surviving members ended prematurely...
I dare say there will be disagreement with that part of the Wiki entry.
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Post by lonelysummer on Feb 5, 2024 23:16:36 GMT -5
J.C. Fogerty also found a wife like Melinda, and he's living happily ever after. You can add M. A. Lindsay to that list.
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Post by bessieboporbach on Feb 6, 2024 13:41:12 GMT -5
Has this full roll of wedding photos ever been shared before? They are incredible. Brian looking as happy as I have ever seen him. Al beaming. Marilyn and Wendy (I think?). Carl (looking magnificent) and Audree at the head table. Billy H., Mike, Carl, and Audree all together. My God, it does my heart good. Today would have been their 29th anniversary. www.brianwilson.com/melinda
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