Dennis Wilson

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Dennis Carl Wilson (December 4, 1944 – December 28, 1983) was an American rock and roll musician best known as a founding member and the drummer of The Beach Boys.

Though he sang few leads early on and was occasionally augmented or replaced by studio drummers, starting in the late 60s Dennis became a composer and multi-instrumentalist.

In 1977, he released a critically acclaimed solo album, “Pacific Ocean Blue”.

Dennis is purported to have been the only surfer in the Beach Boys, and suggested that the surfing craze be the topic of some songs. The advice paid off, and to this day “The Beach Boys” moniker is synonymous with sun, surf and what some have labeled the “California Myth”.

Dennis Wilson’s personal excesses and relationships are legendary in musical circles. This includes his odd association with Charles Manson; even co-writing a song with the would be musician turned cult leader. He appeared with James Taylor in the 1971 road movie “Two-lane Blacktop”.

Dennis was generally considered the ladies man of the group, and his solo rendition of Joe Cocker’s hit “You Are So Beautiful” (written by Dennis and Billy Preston) was a staple at many Beach Boys concerts, eliciting female audience member screams.

Off stage, his relationships included his co-band member and cousin Mike Love’s daughter (with the predictable friction), whom he was married to at the time of his death.
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  • buttcoffee

    Awesome! Dennis Wilson is on tour according to lastfm. When did he come back to life?

    Monday morning

  • cebadoh

    Pacific Ocean Blue é uma das coisas mais lindas que foram feitas por aqui.

    24 days ago

  • CDPETE01

    How can anyone say Obviously the best beach boy,the hits and volume of charttopping albums speak for themselves,Brian was the mastermind,the Beach boys were about done when he made this album,and its taken till the last few years to recognise its place.

    last month

  • Bejn23

    I'll identify with Dennis more than the rest of The Beach Boys.

    last month

  • meanmrmustard

    I didn't really appreciate Dennis's solo stuff until I started drinking too much.

    last month

  • Pinkerton-

    http://www.lastfm.fr/music/Dennis+Wilson/+images/74738376

    February 2012

  • ride_her

    god bless ya denny

    January 2012

  • Nakkinak

    it is written that one day Dennis Wilson will come back on a giant tsunami to save the music of this planet

    January 2012
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Let your readership know about the best reviewed CD of 2008

11 Jul 2008 | from www.pacificoceanblue.net

"A convincing case can be made that Dennis Wilson was the bona fide musical genius in the Beach Boys." - ALLMUSIC.COM "'River Song' and the rollicking 'What's Wrong' - two raw, …

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