You drop into this episode walking side-by-side with David Leaf as he revisits the moments that shaped his life around Brian Wilson’s genius. You hear how Brian needed unconditional connection to create, how Leaf found himself driving tour vans, sitting in private Sinatra rehearsals, and realizing he had to earn his place in those rooms. From LA trips with legends to the spark that made him pack up, move west, and chase Brian’s story head-on, you feel the lesson hit hard: keep moving forward and Always Be Performing.

You also get a front-row view into the musical engine behind Brian Wilson’s world. Leaf breaks down the jazz-rooted harmonies, the devotion of Brian’s touring band, and the emotional work that helped Brian reclaim his confidence. You learn how Pet Sounds floored Lennon and McCartney, why Paul might be the biggest Beatles fan alive, and why Leaf argues Brian deserves solo induction into the Rock Hall. Along the way, you’re guided through The Reel Beatles class, the making of Smile, and the books that document it all, leaving you with the sense that loving music isn’t passive… it’s a craft you show up for every day.

• 00:00:00 Gig Gab 509 – Monday, November 24th, 2025
  
  
  
  • November 24th: Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day
  
  
  • Guest co-host: David Leaf
  
  
  
  


• 00:02:16 Brian Wilson calls… I need “friends” in the room.
  
  
  
  • Brian Wilson needed to be loved unconditionally
  
  
  • David drove for the tour
  
  
  • The Beach Boys and The California Myth (re-released as God Only Knows)
  
  
  
  


• 00:07:20 First Trip to LA…with Nelson Riddle and Frank Sinatra
  
  
  
  • And there’s a Sinatra classic right in front of him
  
  
  • David Leaf and the Twigs
  
  
  • Getting a private concert from Frank Sinatra and had the thought: “this is where I want to be. What do I need to do to earn my spot in this room?”
  
  
  • The BeeGees
  
  
  • Jimmy Webb
  
  
  • Herb Alpert
  
  
  • The Reel Beatles
  
  
  • Docs that Rock class by David Leaf
  
  
  
  


• 00:11:04 In college he became obsessed with Brian Wilson


• 00:11:50 The band for Brian’s 1999-2000 tour, Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE
  
  
  
  • The band was devoted to recreating the moments
  
  
  
  


• 00:12:24 If you’re obsessed with Brian Wilson, why dont you do something about it
  
  
  
  • Why don’t I move to California, meet Brian Wilson, and write a book about him and help him finish SMiLE
  
  
  • My parents told me I was special, and I believed them.
  
  
  
  


• 00:13:58 Walked up to Dennis Wilson and told him he was going to write a book about his brother
  
  
  
  • Lesson: Keep moving forward!
  
  
  
  


• 00:15:37 Brian and I were friends


• 00:16:33 Brian loved to do casual singing
  
  
  
  • Singing along to the oldies with Brian Wilson
  
  
  • Going to the Church of Brian Wilson
  
  
  
  


• 00:19:08 His musicians gave him the unconditional love he needed to play this music
  
  
  
  • …and eventually release Smile
  
  
  • Brian Wilson saw Wild Honey… “If I had this group back in the 1960s, I could have taken Smile on the road!”
  
  
  
  


• 00:22:47 The technical complexities of Brian Wilson’s harmonies
  
  
  
  • Brian came from jazz
  
  
  
  


• 00:25:42 Brian Wilson’s relationship with Sir Paul McCartney
  
  
  
  • When Pet Sounds came out, John and Paul told him how much they loved the album
  
  
  • Recording Artists were Song Monkeys in the old days
  
  
  
  


• 00:29:08 SPONSOR: Surfshark. Go to https://surfshark.com/giggab4 or use code giggab at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!


• 00:31:29 SPONSOR: Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/giggab #rulapod


• 00:33:29 Brian Wilson singing Brian Wilson


• 00:38:45 Brian Wilson had initial confidence, and then it was beaten out of him


• 00:39:44 Managing The Pressure of First Fame
  
  
  
  • Finally, Brian: “I have emotional security”
  
  
  • Tips for Avoiding Internal Pressure
  
  
  
  


• 00:46:03 Meet The Reel Beatles, a 10-week class
  
  
  
  • Guests: Peter Asher, Michael Lyndsay-Hogg, Peter Jackson
  
  
  
  


• 00:51:39 Paul McCartney is the world’s biggest Beatles Fan


• 00:53:36 Brian Wilson
  
  
  
  • Brian Wilson And the Story of SMiLE
  
  
  • David Leaf posits that Brian Wilson should be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist
  
  
  
  


• 00:56:32 David’s Books
  
  
  
  • SMiLE: The Rise fall and Ressurection of Brian Wilson
  
  
  • The Beach Boys and the California Myth
  
  
  
  


• 00:57:58 The candor captured Brian Wilson, Live at The Roxy


• 01:00:59 Gig Gab 509 Outtro
  
  
  
  • Find David Leaf
    
    
    
    • At LeafProd.com
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • Contact Gig Gab!
  
  
  • @GigGabPodcast on Instagram
  
  
  • feedback@giggabpodcast.com
  
  
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