No life in popular music touched on as many major musical milestones as
that of The Beach Boys' Carl Wilson. While he is often unjustly
overlooked as a mere adjunct to his more famous brothers Brian and
Dennis, Carl was a major international rock star from his early teens.
The proud owner of one of the greatest voices in popular music--one that
graced some of the most important records of the pop era, including 'God
Only Knows' and 'Good Vibrations'--Wilson was also one of the first
musicians to bring the electric guitar to the forefront of rock'n'roll.
His musical skills provided The Beach Boys' entree into the music
business, from which he then stewarded their onstage journey through the
ups and downs of the 60s to their comeback in the 70s and into the role
of 'America's band' in the 80s. Along the way, Carl quietly endured his
own battles with obesity, divorce, substance abuse, and ultimately
terminal cancer, all the while working to protect his family's business
and legacy. This major new biography reveals the true story of modern
rock'n'roll, lived from the center of the most important decades of
popular music.