SMiLE From the Inside, with David Leaf

“Y’know, I’m a fan. I just took it to extreme, what I’ve done in my life.” - David Leaf, on his new book SMiLE: The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of Brian Wilson

I'll let you in on a secret: this was very nearly called "SMiLE: The Addendum." But when a published author suggests you change a title, you listen!

I first heard of the “lost Beach Boys album” SMiLE through the Shake It Up: Great American Writing on Rock and Pop from Elvis to Jay-Z anthology. The essay in question was Jules Siegel’s “Goodbye Surfing, Hello God;” telling the myth of the then-shelved SMiLE...

...and the infamous “magic fire music” incident.

Five years after this anthology was assigned as my Writing 101 textbook in college, I devoted the Vinyl Monday season 2 finale to the greatest album never made. I explored the history of SMiLE and compared a handful of iterations of the album in my collection: a bootleg from the '80s, the SMiLE Sessions LP from 2011, and Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE. Part of me wanted to revisit Brian's SMiLE for its 20th anniversary last September, but I held off.

In December, the official Brian Wilson Instagram page posted about an upcoming book about the making of Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE. Specialized books like these are so important to Vinyl Monday research. I was very excited, but still doubted I’d get to talk about SMiLE again. I’d missed the 20th anniversary at this point, and Vinyl Monday will certainly be over by the time the 30th rolls around.

Oh well. I’d missed my chance.

...or so I thought. If there’s anything I should’ve learned by now, it’s that lightning does, in fact, strike twice. Back in February, I heard from the author of that very book I saw posted to Brian's Instagram. He said something along the lines of, “If you’re ever doing a 'Book Monday,' I’d love to chat with you.”

Today is not a Monday, but you don’t pass up something like this! Last week, I got to speak with author, director of Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of SMiLE, and educator David Leaf all about his new book, SMiLE: The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of Brian Wilson, due out today.

David and I spoke for over two hours about all things SMiLE (and more - you bet I asked him about producing Who Is Harry Nilsson And Why Is Everybody Talkin' About Him!) While yes, I live and die by art alongside its historical context, I really wanted to speak to him as a fan. He became a part of the history of his "north star" album. He did something all of us music fans dream of but very few are afforded the opportunity for doing. He lived a music fan’s dream and did incredible work while doing it.

Thank you David for your history of SMiLE and talking about your new book with me. I can’t wait until it's in my hands (...physically. I got a mondo PDF!) and in the people’s hands too.

david leaf smile

SMiLE: The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of Brian Wilson is available for purchase now

Buy from Amazon (US)

or from Amazon (UK)