12/26/2025
The New York Times: “Beloved Objects Left Behind …”
Whether he was performing in front of thousands or at home, surrounded by his family, Brian Wilson often felt overwhelmed. “He always wanted to be in the middle of what was going on,” says Jerry Weiss, Wilson’s longtime personal assistant and friend. “But he would get nervous.” As the creative force behind the Beach Boys, Wilson inspired David Bowie, the Beatles and Crosby, Stills & Nash, among many others, but he also struggled with his mental health.
For Wilson, a plush, worn recliner became a place where he could feel calm. There was a black one he took on tour, transported from venue to venue. Before shows, he would sit offstage, watching the audience find their seats from the comfort of his.
“One of the first things we did when we got into the venue was to ask, ‘Where is Brian’s chair going to be?’” Weiss says.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/magazine/objects-they-loved-2025.html?unlocked_article_code=1.9U8.XjdG.8wHVIIIxWzSA&smid=url-share
