There’s a wintery chill in the air on this December 4, 2018 evening in Englewood, NJ. Outside the community’s gem of a theater — the Bergen Performing Arts Center — a beautiful black Mercedes-Benz sedan sits with its car stereo pumping out Beach Boys’ classics. Since tonight’s Brian Wilson concert is sponsored by Englewood’s own Benzel Busch Motor Cars, the music blasting from this sporty vehicle helps to set a festive mood for the crowd of fans waiting to see tonight’s special performance — a live rendition of Wilson’s 1964 recording, The Beach Boys’ Christmas Album, performed by Brian Wilson and his band.
Brian Wilson’s musical journey began in his family home in Hawthorne, California. Both his mother and father played the piano. As a child, Brian started singing harmonies with his younger brothers, Carl and Dennis.
As a teen growing up in the ’50s, Wilson become obsessed with the harmonic blend of vocal groups like The Four Freshmen. On his 16th birthday, he received a Wollensak tape recorder as a gift, a device which would allow him to experiment with recording songs and vocals.
While just barely out of his teens, Brian created some of the most beloved pop recordings of all time — “I Get Around,” “Don’t Worry Baby,” “Fun, Fun, Fun,” and “California Girls” — songs which he developed with his band, The Beach Boys. The group not only included Brian’s brothers Carl and Dennis, but also his cousin, Mike Love, and his friend, Al Jardine.
In the early ’60s, the group recorded ten albums including 1962’s Surfin’ Safari, 1963’s Little Duece Coupe, and the group’s 1964 effort, The Beach Boys’ Christmas Album.
In 1966, at the age of 23, Wilson sought to expand his artistic horizons with the creation of Pet Sounds, considered by many to be one of the greatest albums of all time. In the process of bringing this project to life, he rewrote the rules of what a pop record could be and how it could be created working simultaneously as a composer, arranger, producer, and performer. At the same time, he also created what many consider to be his masterpiece — his recording of “Good Vibrations” — widely acclaimed as one of the finest works of the rock era.
As Brian spent more and more time in the recording studio, The Beach Boys continued to perform on the road with a variety of musicians — notably Bruce Johnston — who joined the band. During the early 1970s, South African musician Blondie Chaplin joined the group as a guitarist and also sang lead on several Brian Wilson compositions including “Sail On Sailor.”
In 1988, Wilson recorded his first solo album, Brian Wilson. With the release of Imagination in 1998, however, he started to consistently perform live for the first time in decades. He teamed up with members of the LA band, The Wondermints — a combo which featured keyboardist Darian Sahanaja — to create his own group, The Brian Wilson Band. It was with members of this band that he recorded his solo 2005 Christmas album, What I Really Want for Christmas.
Although in 2012 Wilson performed with The Beach Boys on the group’s 50th Reunion concert tour, these days, he tours with a trio of different solo shows — a Pet Sounds show, a Greatest Hits Live performance, and a holiday tour. On Tuesday, December 4, 2018, Wilson and his band made a stop at BergenPAC in Englewood, NJ, for a performance of their Christmas Album Tour show featuring special guests Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin.
Inside the inviting BergenPAC auditorium, the stage is decked out for the holidays with five lighted wreaths which are hung between pleated drapes. The stage is also lined with Christmas lights and a pair of Christmas trees.
The house lights dim and the evening’s opening act, Beat Root Revival, takes the stage. The group consists of Andrea Magee from Belfast, Ireland and Ben Jones from Kent, England. Calling their genre of music “acoustic Americana,” Andrea plays an Irish hand drum known as a bodhrán and Ben plays guitar.
Highlights of their set include an original song, “Instincts,” where the duo’s smooth vocals contrast to the rockin’ rhythms of sequenced acoustic guitar — a la Ed Sheeran — and hand drum. Audience members cheer for the group’s energetic cover version of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams.” With his guitar, Ben adds layers of strumming sounds and the audience claps along as the duo sings the famous “Thunder only happens when it’s raining” chorus before Ben jams out and Andrea solos on the penny whistle.
Andrea keeps the bodhrán beat going on “Sit Me Down Them Blues” while Ben picks out a guitar solo which features elements of both the Batman TV theme song and The Beatles’ “Day Tripper.” Then, the duo scores with their imaginative cover version of The Beatles’ “Come Together.” Alternating between a bluesy feel and Ben’s rapid fire guitar picking and strumming, the two harmonize on this song with a timeless message. Audience members instinctively clap along to the infectious rhythm coming from the stage, ultimately expressing their approval via hooting and hollering while standing at their seats!
During intermission, we take a moment to chat with a Brian Wilson fan we happen to meet — David from New York City — who is wearing a T-shirt depicting Peanuts’ characters Charlie Brown and Sally bowing their heads to the slogan, “I Still Miss Carl Wilson.”
“I grew up in California as a fan of brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson,” says David. “I even had the first Beach Boys’ record, “Surfin’,” which was a hit in Los Angeles on the Candix label.”
“I’ve seen Brian Wilson perform between 30 and 40 times,” continues David, “and over the years, I’ve not only come to learn that Brian’s fans are truly wonderful people, but that he’s the greatest songwriter of all time.” Explains David, “He just goes deeper than the rest — his music resonates emotionally — it’s soul music.”
We also chat with Marcie from Teaneck who says, “I’ve been a fan of Brian Wilson since The Beach Boys’ ‘Surfin’ USA.’ For so long, Brian didn’t perform live at all. Now, he’s 76 years old — and in spite of all of his personal challenges — he’s out touring, so my friends and I are here to support him and thank him for all of the amazing music he’s given us all these years!”
The lights dim as the musicians of the Brian Wilson Band — Mike D’Amico on drums, Jim Laspesa on percussion, Bob Lizik on bass, Darian Sahanaja and Gary Griffin on keyboards, Nicky “Wonder” Walusko and Rob Bonfiglio on guitars, Probyn Gregory on guitar/brass, and Paul Von Mertens on sax/flute/harmonica — take their place on stage along with tonight’s special guest stars — former Beach Boy Blondie Chaplin and original member Al Jardine. In the center of the stage is a white baby grand piano which anticipates the maestro’s presence. The audience cheers, whistles, and leaps to their feet as they patiently wait while Brian Wilson is assisted to his piano seat.
Opening up with a festive version of The Beach Boys’ “Little Saint Nick,” band members — including Wilson’s son-in-law Rob Bonfiglio — add harmonized “oohs” and “run run reindeers” to Wilson’s lead vocal.
As colored lights cascade on stage, the easy beat of this ’60s Christmas classic brings many in the audience back to their younger years.
While Wilson sings lead on “The Man with All The Toys,” keyboardist Darian Sahanaja handles all the high parts.
With its twangy ’60s sound, Paul Von Mertins takes a tenor sax solo and the group ends with a vocal tag of “Let every heart prepare him room.”
Following another original number, “Santa’s Beard,” Al Jardine welcomes the crowd and introduces Blondie Chaplin to help sing, “Merry Christmas, Baby.” Joining in on a guitar solo, Al sings along much to the crowd’s delight.
Exclaiming, “This was my first vocal on a Beach Boys’ album!” Jardine thanks Brian, Carl, and Dennis Wilson for giving him that opportunity, and announces that today — December 4 — is Dennis Wilson’s birthday, before singing lead on “Christmas Day.”
Following a sleigh full of traditional holiday favorites from The Beach Boys’ Christmas Album including “Frosty the Snowman,” “We Three Kings,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” Chaplin asks, “How are you doing this festive season?” The audience replies in the affirmative as he performs a sort of reggae version of Elvis Presley’s “Blue Christmas” which features trombone and saxophone.
A highlight of this segment of the show is the ensemble’s performance of a song from Brian Wilson’s solo Christmas album, What I Really Want for Christmas — the Brian Wilson/Jimmy Webb penned “Christmasey.” With five-part harmonies supporting Brian’s lead, the group sings, “And the music’s so Christmasey/Percolatin’ inside of me/Like a little bit of rock ’n’ roll/Like a little bit of Chritsmas soul,” before a Paul Von Mertins’ harmonica solo sparkles on the tune’s catchy melody.
Following large applause, Wilson says, “Thank you, ladies and gentlemen,” before the band launches into another Wilson original, “On Christmas Day.” With its Phil Spector-influenced “wall of sound” arrangement, Wilson sings, “The bells are ringing on Christmas day/They wake up the children and they’re starting to play,” as an audience member calls out, “I love it!” and the audience chimes in with cheers and whistles.
Al Jardine takes the spotlight singing lead on “Winter Symphony” — a number from a 1998 Christmas compilation album entitled The Beach Boys’ Ultimate Christmas. The piece contains an extended instrumental interlude featuring keyboards, trumpet, and flute, and colorful lights energize the tune’s symphonic sound. Then, calling the group’s next number “the ultimate Christmas song,” Jardine takes the lead on another rockin’ number from that album which is based on Buddy Holly’s “Peggy Sue” — “Christmas Time is Here Again.”
Blondie Chaplin returns to dedicate the group’s next song to his “good buddy,” Dennis Wilson, on his birthday. Here, he performs a soulful rendition of another cut from What I Really Want for Christmas, “O Holy Night,” which features a rock guitar solo which has the crowd shouting its approval. The audience claps along on Chuck Berry’s Christmas classic, “Run Rudolph Run,” as lights flash. Chaplin’s vocal is commanding as the band rocks and rolls through this number which brings the audience to its feet.
After confessing that “a lot of this music has never been performed live before,” Jardine introduces the band, and the audience claps for each member before leaping to their feet for Brian Wilson!
With the holiday music behind them, Wilson and the band launch into the second segment of their show — a selection of Brian Wilson’s Beach Boys’ hits!
Ron Bonfiglio takes over Brian’s part from the original recording of “Wouldn’t It Be Nice?” while Brian sings Mike Love’s original part.
The audience responds with emphatic whistles and cheers to this Pet Sounds classic!
Brian starts out singing the lead on another Pet Sounds cut, “Sloop John B,” while Darian Sahanaja plays vibraphone. After Al takes over the vocal, he changes the song’s lyrics from “This is the worst trip…” to “This is the best trip I’ve ever been on.”
Following heartfelt applause, Jardine says, “Get ready for the next one. The maestro himself is going to sing!”
On this highlight performance of the evening, Brian performs “God Only Knows.” Even though his vocal is highly syncopated, it’s poignant and touching as he croons, “God only knows what I’d do without you,” on this song which is so closely associated with his late brother, Carl.
The vocal canon at the end surrounds the audience with so much harmony and love it elicits yet another standing ovation.
Brian says humbly, “Please be seated,” but the audience continues to cheer and applaud!
The band begins to play their live rendition of “Good Vibrations,” but the timing is off so Jardine stops the song, earnestly announcing, “This song is too great. It deserves to be done right. Let’s start again.”
After counting off and beginning once again, colored lights shine as the theater fills with good vibrations coming from the stage as well as from fans singing and dancing along.
As vocal harmonies swirl, heads can’t help but nod in time to the beat and audience members happily join in singing on the famous “Gotta keep those lovin’ good vibrations happening with her” coda.
Fog streams in as Al, Brian, and the rest of the musicians perform an audience favorite — a dynamic version of “Help Me, Rhonda” — which has the entire crowd singing, clapping, and dancing along!
There’s standing room only for “Barbara Ann,” where the audience is “rockin’ and a-reelin’” to this classic Beach Boys number which features a Paul Von Mertins’ jazz saxophone solo, and the good feelings grow even stronger when the guys segue into a soaring rendition of The Beach Boys’ early hit, “Surfin’ USA.”
Dueling guitars, a honking bari sax, and Brian’s and Al’s shared lead vocals take center stage on “Fun, Fun, Fun.” After the crowd rocks out, the band concludes the number with a “Joy to the World” melodic flourish on the ending. The audience stands and cheers for this iconic composer and his band!
For an encore, Ron Bonfiglio handles the lead on “White Christmas” — a number on which clarinet, French horn, and glockenspiel add to the holiday cheer. Lastly, the entire band gathers around Brian Wilson at the piano to sing an a cappella version of “Auld Lang Syne.”
As audience members make their way out of the auditorium, we chat with several in the crowd who share their opinions of tonight’s concert with us.
Rita from Demarest declares, “This show was sensational! I loved it!
States Mary from Weehawkin, “ It was so great to see Brian Wilson tonight — there was a lot of love for him in this room.”
Jane from Manhattan comments, “This show was spectacular — and nostalgic. I feel the musicians really supported Brian — it was a blessing. They show such respect for him. His music just feels like a part of history.”
Dina from Hoboken remarks, “I was tearing up during ‘We Three Kings’ — the vocal harmonies were beautiful,” before adding, “and it was wonderful to hear all the old Beach Boys’ songs again, too.”
Carol from Palisades NY, says, “I’ve seen Brian Wilson many times. I am so impressed with him and his band, and I loved hearing the Christmas music from the original Beach Boys’ Christmas Album.”
Continuing, “Brian wrote that music when he was at his peak — at a point when he had to come up with original songs so quickly,” Carol adds, “It was nice getting to hear so many songs I’ve never heard live before, and I loved listening to Brian’s son-in-law, Ron Bonfiglio, sing — he’s a great addition to the band.”
Lastly, we chat with Colin and Susan from Riverdale.
Comments Colin — a devoted Beach Boys and Brian Wilson fan — “It was nice to see they dedicated a song tonight to Dennis Wilson on his birthday. I was lucky enough to have seen Dennis many times — he was the spiritual heart of the band who added a special spirit to the group.”
Explaining, “I’ve been to 50 Beach Boys concerts and 45 Brian Wilson concerts,” Colin reveals, “I go to every Brian Wilson show because I never know if it will be my last chance to see him.”
Continuing, “He might not be in tip top shape right now, but his real fans don’t care. You just want to be in the presence of Brian Wilson. The fans pay tribute to him by attending his shows — you can see and feel the love pouring out for him from the audience.”
Colin’s wife, Susan, smiles and agrees before adding, “And why shouldn’t they? Brian Wilson is the Mozart of our generation.”
To learn more about Brian Wilson and The Brian Wilson Band, please go to brianwilson.com. For further information on future concerts at BergenPAC — including The Midtown Men on February 2, 2019, Gladys Knight on February 15, 2019, and Air Supply on March 23, 2019 — please go to bergenpac.org
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