The co-founder of the band “The Beach Boys,” Brian Wilson, left us back in June.  He was 82 years old, but his music, remains timeless.

There is so much that can, and will, be said about this icon of music.  But let me tell you about of a couple of my personal brushes with this eccentric, pillar of American music.

Early in my music-biz career, I produced a few records for some upcoming artists.  One of them was a true budding country star.  I collaborated very closely with her and her parents and ultimately worked on a CD with some covers and originals.  The producer we used was a very good friend of Brian Wilson. 

From 1997-2001, Brian actually lived in St. Charles near The Arcada close to another old friend who is now gone.  Brian’s multi-million-dollar palace had an amazing recording studio in the basement, and we were able to record there!

I walked in and Brian was in California at the time.  But I saw gold records all over the walls, tens of guitars, a bunch of Marshall amps and an incredible sound board.  There was a platinum “Endless Summer” album on the wall, and it was magical to see, as that album along with “CHICAGO IX” were my two favorite albums at the time.

In 2008, after my first three years at The Arcada Theatre, I opened an Italian steakhouse in St. Charles called “The Onesti Dinner Club.”  It was a 160-year-old church-turned into a three-story restaurant formerly known as a local favorite, “The Old Church Inn.”

It was a great place with stained glass, candles and brownstone walls.  In the lower level we had the “Downstairs Room,” a dimly lit, quaint jazz club with super comfy couches.  People would come from everywhere to eat, drink, dance..and sit on those couches.

In January of 2011, we closed the restaurant.  It was a tough time for eateries, and I wanted to concentrate on The Arcada.  So I served up the last filet, poured the last cabernet and locked the doors.  I’m not gonna lie, it was tough to say goodbye.  It was an emotional experience, so I really didn’t take anything with me.  Not even the comfy couches.  But as one door closes, well, you know what usually happens!

So a HUGE score happened for me later that July 30^th.  Yep, the great Brian Wilson and his unbelievable band made a stop at The Arcada during his “Greatest Hits” tour!  “California Girls,” “In My Room,” ‘Surfin’ USA,” etc.  He did them all.

With many years of health issues, he stiff-walked in, and wasn’t very talkative.  His devoted wife Melinda was forever by his side, directing the show, and always looking out for Brian.

He slowly walked to his keyboard, the place went absolutely crazy, and his faced brightened up as he nailed tune after tune.

After the show, he was very friendly, and I had a great conversation with him.  We talked about how we saved the theatre, and he knew surprisingly more about us and The Arcada than I thought he would.

He then told me about how he let some of his furniture go to clear space for the studio in his basement.

“I think a restaurant around here got my favorite couches,” he said.

The color in my face left me.  Apparently, the “comfy couches” in my former nightclub were Brian Wilson’s!

I am not sure what couches go for on EBay these days, but I really think retirement for me could have come a bit sooner had I took the emotion out of it and kept the couches!

Here’s to a true great one.  He gave us music greatness, Surfin’ Safaris and Beach-Blanket Boogies.  The more you read about Brian Wilson, the more you realize how big his contribution to American pop culture truly was.  He wished they all could be California Girls.  We wish he would have lived forever.