Rating: 
Summary: Loved Every Minute of This Book!
Review: I was only a casual fan of the Beach Boys...more of a Beatle, Byrd, CSN, Eagles-type musically, but as of late have become very appreciative of the middle era of the Beach Boys. I picked up this book because I like the "Real Beach Boy" title and because a friend of mine had meet Dennis one year while skiing up in Utah and said what a nice guy he was. Of all the Beach Boys, Dennis was the most colorful and the one who would make for the most interesting story. The author did a fabulous job making this such an enjoyable and well-researched read. I wish there was a way to hear some of the music that Dennis recorded, but I don't think they are on CD. Anyways, if you are a fan of surfing, music, or the California sound, then this is a book worth reading. The Beatle and the Stones got so much more adultation, when here underneath our noses in Southern California was a band (especially creatively) that was a near equal.
Rating: 
Summary: Fascinating and very well-written.
Review: In fact, it was hard to put down. The text included interesting insights into music marketing-even that fiasco which occurred when the Boys, at the advice of one of them attempted to partake of disco when it was popular. It also covered observations on the interrelations between Dennis, his brothers, and the other Boys. Why, then, only three stars? Well, I have little doubt that Dennis was more talented than it seemed, and was overshadowed by his older brother Brian. At the same time, I think that's true of many people who don't have the money and fame to overcome that obstacle. Dennis, however, did have those resources. He used them to drink and stone himself into a constant stupor, something that caused the rest of the band-including his brothers-to keep him away from their concerts, etc. Allow me to point out that I kind of identify with Dennis. He was the rebel that didn't fit in; he was a middle child; and on and on. Stebbins repeatedly rationalizes Dennis's behavior as inability to be tied down, to be constrained by norms-things generally praised by our culture and its alleged rugged individualism. But was the behavior in Dennis's case so commendable, or merely lack of self-control? Perhaps part of Dennis's problem was having been "spoiled" not necessarily by his parents. Indeed, if what the book says is true, he wasn't at all a spoiled brat at home. His father, Murry, wasn't at all tolerant of rebellious behavior. But Dennis was spoiled by success that took place too early. He was barely 20 when he found himself a multi-millionaire with an unlimited supply of women and wealth beyond most of our dreams. He crashed cars each of which was of more value than all of those most of us will ever own. That behavior did not change as he aged. (Brian had problems too, but those are not the primary subject of this book.) In any case, it's obvious that Stebbins had a thing for Dennis, one that was not necessarily unfounded. Dennis probably was worth more than he was given credit for, a better musician, a far better songwriter, and, if the text is accurate, he was sensitive and giving to a fault. But I hesitate to adore Dennis who died before he was 40 because of behavior he should have grown out of. To Stebbins' credit, I'll probably try to find Dennis's single album on CD. I am interested in it now, and if I'm as impressed as Stebbins with the music, I'll never regret getting it. But I am still hesitant to give carte blanche applaud to Dennis when, despite all the incredible wealth and associated resources, he drank and drugged himself to death.
Rating: 
Summary: What I Never Knew About Dennis Wilson!
Review: It is quite interesting to see a book that isn't a general overview of the Beach Boy plights but digs into the inner and outer beauty of a misunderstood as well as gifted young performer! He is referred to as a "dumb angel" with a heart as big as his passion for surfing, a man who would give his life and money to anyone who needed him, his rocky relationship with Christine Mc Vie, his "Jim Morrison-like" presence on stage, his dangerous link with Charles Manson, who claims that his"shadow killed the naive musician, his collection of cars. Dennis was more than just a member of a California group, he was a comet that burst onto this planet and exploded with talent, beauty, and sensitivity toward music and the world around him! I never knew he sang "Forever" until I heard John Stamos perform once on Full House. This book is a must!
Rating:
Summary: Endless Summer Quarterly Review (excerpt)
Review: John Stebbins has captured the essence of both Dennis Wilson the musician and Dennis the human being in Dennis Wilson: The Real Beach Boy. Stebbins relied on his personal interviews with Dennis, as well as the first-hand accounts of friends (such as Ed Roach, Fred Vail, and Stephen Kalinich), lovers (including Barbara Wilson and Karen Lamm), and other acquaintances to craft this biography. The author achieves the delicate balance of portraying Dennis honestly - warts and all - without resorting to tabloid style oversensationalization. There's something for every Beach Boys fan in this book. For the younger fans - the ones who may have come to know the band long after Dennis passed away - the book is educational, and serves to remind us just who was the real "Beach Boy" of the group. However, there are enough new revelations and interesting trivia to maintain the attention of even the most hard-core of fans. The book also contains a fine assortment of previously unpublished black and white and color photos - many courtesy of Dennis' close friend Ed Roach. The Real Beach Boy is advertised as a Dennis Wilson biography, but it really tells a broader story about America's band. There are at least two sides to every story, and Stebbins' book tells yet another fascinating side of the Beach Boys' multi-faceted saga. Lee Dempsey, Endless Summer Quarterly Magazine
Rating:
Summary: Best Book about Denny so far!
Review: Loved it. Jon Stebbins did a wonderful job capturing the true Dennis Wilson.
Rating:
Summary: Dennis Wilson's life is certainly an interesting study.
Review: Stebbins does an excellent job of painting a realistic picture of Dennis. Too often, authors either slam the subject or build him/her into the second coming. Stebbins walks a fine line and seems to equally present the postive and negative components of Wilson's personality. As you read on, you do clamour for more. This feeling helps reflect the thought that Denny's life was cut prematurely short; sadly though, the book reveals Dennis did not die during his prime. The events described made me picture Dennis in an adult body but with adolescent desires and a huge heart. Talented, but not taken seriously as a talent until it was too late. After reading the book, one can relate to some of the facts presented. I now understand why Dennis was the only member of the group to "no-show" at an autograph session I attended back in May 1979 (obviously he had tied one on). Secondly, I always wondered why the drumsticks I obtained from Dennis that evening were beat to hell; Stebbins accurately describes his style of drumming to a tee. This serves as a strong reminder as to how Dennis lived his life-- all out. Despite his weaknesses, Dennis comes across as a sympathetic figure, someone you feel for and most importantly, a person one would seem fortunate to have called a geniune friend.
Rating:
Summary: Mostly a short synopsis of other Beach Boy bios.
Review: This book is a good enough Beach Boy bio but for most of it all you get is a synopsis of the Beach Boy history with only a little extra detail paid to Dennis. Eventually the book turns more attention towards it's subject and then becomes the most interesting.
Rating:
Summary: Forever Young
Review: This book is well worth the money if you have an interest in Dennis Wilson and the Beach Boys. Sometimes I get it out and re-read parts of the book. Its too bad that someone couldn't help Dennis help himself, or force him to help himself. But how do you force someone to save themselves? You can only keep them locked up for so long (like Robert Downey, Jr.). If someone wants to kill themselves, is there any way to stop it? After reading and studying Dennis, I see a talented, restless young man who never really believed in himself at his core. He had movie star good looks with the requisite charisma. Dennis probably could have had a successful acting career if he had wanted it, but he was too restless, maybe too unsure of himself. Dennis was a California golden boy, a ray of sunshine, the epitomy of reckless youth, with a heart of gold underneath his bravado. If only Dennis could have loved himself as much as others loved him. We miss you Denny.
Rating:
Summary: Dennis Wilson: The Real Beach Boy
Review: This is a worthwhile read for both hardcore and casual Beach Boy fans. Most Beach Boys literature has focused on the travails of oldest brother Brian Wilson, however this book details the rise and fall of the charismatic, popular but consistently underrated Wilson brother, Dennis. I had known that Dennis was a big womanizer, but I never realized that he was in the same league as Wilt Chamberlain.(F-Troop's "Wrangler Jane" is mentioned as a dating partner. Was no actress untouched?) I also thoroughly enjoyed the author's description of long-lost Beach Boy appearances on such shows as Mike Douglas and Merv Griffin etc. Ultimately, the book is a very sad tale of unrealized talent and extreme self-destructive behavior.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book
Review: This is an excellent book about Dennis Wilson, the only thing is I wish it had been longer! Dennis had such a full, interesting life that I'm sure it could easily have been twice as long. One nice thing about it is it talks a lot about just what songs Dennis actually wrote, co-wrote, and sang on. There are many more than most people are aware of, and this book highlights them all. It would have been nice to have them listed in the back, but at least the info is in there. If you're a Dennis fan, or a Beach Boys fan, this is a must read. Dennis was the ultimate beach boy and he was a warm, caring human being. This book presents that side of him beautifully. And while he was only with us for a short time, he crammed a lot of life in 39 short years.
|
