Brian wilson biography smile

A new book, Smile: The Rise, Fall & Resurrection of Brian Wilson, written by veteran Beach Boys biographer—and close friend of the musician—David Leaf, will be published by Omnibus Press on April 15, 2025.

The book, as its subtitle notes, charts the inception and ultimate failure to materialize of the Beach Boys’ planned 1967 SMiLE album, which was originally scheduled to follow the group’s landmark Pet Sounds.

Brian wilson biography smile

Instead, due to various circumstances including Wilson’s fragile mental health, the artist abandoned the project midway and it became the source of countless rumors until, nearly four decades later, Wilson revived the project and released it as a new solo album.

Since then, music from the original SMiLE sessions has been released when Wilson successfully returned to recording and performance. The book is available for pre-order in the U.S. here and in the