Editing Brian Wilson (section)

==1975–1982: "Brian's Back!"==

===''15 Big Ones'', ''Love You'', and ''Adult/Child''===
Wilson's increased consumption of food, cigarettes, alcohol, and other drugs—including [[heroin]]—strained his marriage to Marilyn, who threatened divorce or institutionalization.{{sfn|Carlin|2006|p=198}} His weight reached {{convert|240|lb|kg}}.{{sfn|Gaines|1986|p=277}}{{sfn|Badman|2004|p=360}} In 1975, to address his declining health, band manager Stephen Love appointed his brother [[Stan Love (basketball)|Stan]], a professional basketball player, as Wilson's bodyguard, trainer, and caretaker.{{sfn|Carlin|2006|p=199}}{{sfn|Badman|2004|p=347}} A family intervention involving the band's lawyers and accountants was arranged to remind Wilson of his contractual obligation to write and produce for the Beach Boys.{{sfn|Carlin|2006|p=199}} According to Stan, Wilson's growing resentment had led him to frequently announce his withdrawal from the Beach Boys, but his bandmates persisted.{{sfn|Carlin|2006|p=199}} Although Stan improved Wilson's health over several months, he soon returned to his [[NBA]] commitments.{{sfn|Carlin|2006|p=199}} Wilson entered psychologist Eugene Landy's intensive 24-hour therapy program in October.{{sfn|Carlin|2006|pp=198–199}}{{sfn|Gaines|1986|p=284}}

[[File:Brian Wilson 1976 crop.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Wilson producing ''[[15 Big Ones]]'' in early 1976]]

Under Landy's care, Wilson stabilized and became more socially engaged, renewing his productivity.{{sfn|Carlin|2006|p=201}}{{sfn|Gaines|1986|p=286}} In 1976, the slogan "[[Brian's Back]]!" was widely used to promote the Beach Boys' concert tours and the July release of ''[[15 Big Ones]]'', the first album since ''Pet Sounds'' to list Wilson as the sole producer.{{sfn|Carlin|2006|pp=202, 215}}{{sfn|Badman|2004|pp=358, 364}} Recording sessions were tense, as his bandmates opposed his proposal for a covers album and questioned his readiness to lead studio proceedings.{{sfn|Badman|2004|p=358}} The album ultimately featured a mix of covers and original material.{{sfn|Badman|2004|p=358}}

Beginning on July 2, 1976, Wilson resumed regular performances with the band for the first time since 1964, singing and alternating between bass guitar and piano.{{sfn|Badman|2004|p=363}}{{sfn|Carlin|2006|p=215}}{{refn|group=nb|Some reports erroneously state that this was his first appearance since 1964.{{sfn|Badman|2004|p=363}}}} In August, he toured outside California for the first time since 1970.{{sfn|Badman|2004|p=366}} [[NBC]] premiered a [[Lorne Michaels]]–produced television special, titled ''[[The Beach Boys: Good Vibrations Tour|The Beach Boys]]'', featuring recent concert footage, interviews, and a comedy sketch with Wilson alongside ''[[Saturday Night Live|NBC's Saturday Night]]'' cast members [[Dan Aykroyd]] and [[John Belushi]].{{sfn|Badman|2004|p=365}}{{refn|group=nb|Other television appearances included a September guest-presenter role on [[Don Kirshner]]'s ''Annual Rock Music Awards'', where he was nominated for the Hall of Fame category but lost to the Beatles, and a November feature on ''[[The Mike Douglas Show]]'' and ''NBC's Saturday Night'', marking his first solo TV appearances since the ''Inside Pop'' special in 1966.{{sfn|Badman|2004|p=367}}}} Despite the promotional success of "Brian's Back!", the campaign was controversial. Wilson's remarks in interviews implied he had not fully recovered from his addictions; on one occasion, he remarked that he "felt like a prisoner."<ref name="AstonishingGenius2011"/> A concert reviewer noted that he "seemed uncomfortable on stage" and contributed "nil".{{sfn|Badman|2004|p=364}}

{{Quote box|align=
|quote= That's when it all happened for me. That's where my heart lies. ''[[The Beach Boys Love You|Love You]]'', Jesus, that's the best album we ever made.
|source=—Brian Wilson, 1998{{sfn|Carlin|2006|p=290}}
|width = 25% }}

From October 1976 to January 1977, Wilson produced a collection of recordings largely on his own while his bandmates pursued other creative and personal endeavors.{{sfn|Badman|2004|pp=367–371}} Released in April 1977, ''[[The Beach Boys Love You]]'' was the band's first album to feature Wilson as the primary composer since ''Wild Honey'' in 1967.{{sfn|Matijas-Mecca|2017|pp=83, 85}} Originally titled ''Brian Loves You'',{{sfn|Leaf|1978|p=182}} the album showcased Wilson playing nearly every instrument.{{sfn|Badman|2004|p=368}} Band engineer [[Earle Mankey]] described it as Wilson's effort to create a "serious, autobiographical" work.{{sfn|Carlin|2006|p=213}} In a 1998 interview, Wilson listed ''15 Big Ones'' and ''Love You'' as his two favorite Beach Boys albums.{{sfn|Carlin|2006|p=290}}

At the end of 1976, Wilson's family and management dismissed Landy after he raised his monthly fee to $20,000 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|20000|1976|r=-3}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}}).{{sfn|Gaines|1986|p=290}} Shortly afterward, Wilson told a journalist he considered the treatment successful.{{sfn|White|1996|p=319}} Landy's role was immediately assumed by his cousins, Steve Korthof and Stan Love, and professional model [[Rocky Pamplin]]—a college friend of Stan.{{sfn|Gaines|1986|pp=291–293}} Under their supervision, Wilson maintained a healthy, drug-free lifestyle for several months.{{sfn|Gaines|1986|p=311}}

In early 1977, Wilson produced ''[[Adult/Child]]'', intended as the follow-up to ''Love You'', but some bandmates voiced concerns about the work, leading to its non-release.{{sfn|Carlin|2006|pp=222–223}} In March, the Beach Boys signed with [[Sony Music|CBS Records]], whose contract required Wilson to compose most of the material for all subsequent albums. According to Gaines, Wilson was distraught at the prospect.{{sfn|Gaines|1986|p=295}} In reference to the sessions for ''[[M.I.U. Album]]'' (October 1978), Wilson described experiencing a "mental blank-out".<ref name="Benci">{{cite magazine|first=Jacopo|last=Benci|title=Brian Wilson interview|magazine=Record Collector|date=January 1995|issue=185|location=UK}}</ref> He was credited as the album's "executive producer".{{sfn|Carlin|2006|p=225}} Stan noted that Wilson was "depressed"{{sfn|Gaines|1986|p=305}} and reluctant to write with Mike, though Mike persisted.{{sfn|Carlin|2006|pp=223–224}} Around this time, Wilson attempted to produce an album for Pamplin that would have featured the Honeys as backing vocalists.{{sfn|Gaines|1986|p=317}}

===Hospitalizations and "cocaine sessions"===
[[File:Brian Wilson 1977.jpg|thumb|Wilson in a 1977 publicity shot]]

After a disastrous Australian tour in 1978, Wilson regressed and began secretly acquiring cocaine and barbiturates.{{sfn|Badman|2004|p=370}}{{sfn|Gaines|1986|p=317}} In mid-1978, following an overdose, he hitchhiked in West Hollywood, eventually arriving at a gay bar where he played piano for drinks.{{sfn|Gaines|1986|pp=317–318}} A bar patron then drove him to Mexico, after which he hitchhiked to San Diego.{{sfn|Gaines|1986|p=318}} Days later, police found him in [[Balboa Park (San Diego)|Balboa Park]] without shoes, money, or a wallet, and he was taken to [[Alvarado Hospital]] to detox from alcohol poisoning.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sanford|first1=Jay Allen|title=The Day Beach Boy Brian Wilson Got Busted in Balboa Park|url=http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2007/sep/18/the-day-beach-boy-brian-wilson-got-busted/|newspaper=San Diego Reader|date=September 18, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Sanford|first1=Jay Allen|title=Will Brian Wilson Film Depict 1978 Balboa Park Vagrancy Bust?|url=http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/big-screen/2011/jun/26/will-brian-wilson-film-depict-1978-balboa-park-vag/|newspaper=San Diego Reader|date=June 26, 2011}}</ref> Wilson rejoined his bandmates for the recording of ''[[L.A. (Light Album)]]'' (March 1979), but after producing demos and early recordings, he asked that Bruce Johnston take over the project.{{sfn|Gaines|1986|pp=319–320}}

With his marriage unraveling, Wilson left his mansion in Beverly Hills for a modest home on Sunset Boulevard, where his alcoholism worsened.{{sfn|Gaines|1986|p=321}} After attacking his doctor, he was institutionalized at Brotzman Memorial Hospital{{sfn|Gaines|1986|p=322}}{{sfn|Carlin|2006|p=228}}—initially admitted in November 1978 for three months, discharged for one month, then readmitted.{{sfn|Love|2016|p=443}} In January 1979, while hospitalized, his caregivers Stan Love and Rocky Pamplin were dismissed.{{sfn|Gaines|1986|p=323}} Wilson was released in March.{{sfn|Wilson|Greenman|2016|p=17}} He rented a house in Santa Monica and was cared for by a "round-the-clock" psychiatric nursing team.{{sfn|Gaines|1986|p=330}} Later, he purchased a home in Pacific Palisades.{{sfn|Gaines|1986|p=332}} Although his bandmates urged him to produce their next album, ''[[Keepin' the Summer Alive]]'' (March 1980), he was unable or unwilling to do so.{{sfn|Gaines|1986|p=337}}{{sfn|Carlin|2006|pp=231–232}}

[[File:Dennis Wilson 1983.png|thumb|left|Dennis (pictured) collaborated with Brian on unreleased material in the early 1980s]]

Wilson continued his overeating and drug habits.{{sfn|Gaines|1986|p=331}} To motivate Wilson in his musical endeavors, Dennis occasionally provided him with [[McDonald's]] hamburgers and cocaine.{{sfn|Gaines|1986|p=331}}{{sfn|Stebbins|2000|p=209}} [[Jon Stebbins]]' biography of Dennis describes clandestine recording sessions between the brothers, which were hidden due to efforts by "certain members of the Beach Boys clan" to keep them apart. Discovering their collaboration often led to a halt in the proceedings.{{sfn|Stebbins|2000|pp=208–210}} Bootlegged tapes of the brothers' collaborations—produced in 1980 and 1981 at the [[Venice, Los Angeles|Venice Beach]] home studio of musicologist and film executive Garby Leon—later became known among fans as the "[[The Cocaine Sessions|cocaine sessions]]" or "hamburger sessions".{{sfn|Stebbins|2011|p=221}}

In early 1981, Pamplin and Stan Love were convicted of assaulting Dennis after learning he had been providing Wilson with drugs.{{sfn|Gaines|1986|pp=333–334}} In early 1982, Wilson signed a trust document granting Carl control of his finances and voting power in the band's corporate structure, and he was involuntarily admitted for a three-day stay at [[Saint John's Health Center|St. John's Hospital]] in Santa Monica.{{sfn|Wilson|Gold|1991|p=268}} By the end of the year, his weight exceeded {{convert|340|lb|kg}}.{{sfn|Carlin|2006|p=242}}