Watch Brian Wilson Attend Premiere of Beach Boys Documentary

On Tuesday, May 21, the surviving members of The Beach Boys, including Brian Wilson, gathered at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood for the premiere of their new self-titled documentary. This event marked Brian Wilson’s first public appearance since being placed under conservatorship following the death of his wife, Melinda, in January 2024. Wilson, who attended in a wheelchair, was joined on the red carpet by his bandmates and former members Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, David Marks, and Blondie Chaplin.

The premiere included a Q&A session with Love, Jardine, and the documentary’s co-directors, Frank Marshall and Thom Zimny. The film is set to make its TV debut on Disney+ this Friday, May 24. Wilson received a standing ovation from the audience as he was wheeled to his seat.

On Wilson’s Conservatorship and His Daughters

Earlier in May, Wilson’s family’s request for his business manager, LeeAnn Hard, and his publicist, Jean Sievers, to serve as his co-conservators was approved. This followed Wilson’s recent diagnosis of a neurocognitive disorder.

Carnie and Wendy Wilson, Wilson’s daughters from his first marriage and members of Wilson Phillips, also attended the screening. They shared updates on their father’s well-being with ET. “He is doing great!” Carnie enthused. “Every day he is in physical therapy. I’m cooking for him, he’s spending a lot of time with his children now, his family. I’m so happy he’s here tonight.” Wendy echoed her sister’s sentiments, adding:

“I think he’s doing really good under the circumstances that he’s going through right now. But, you know, he’s a survivor. That’s my dad. He’s very tough, a very strong person.”

Inside the Documentary: Exclusive Details and A Special Reunion

The documentary showcases previously unseen archival footage and new interviews with Wilson, Love, Jardine, Marks, Johnston, and Chaplin. It also features commentary from notable musicians including Lindsey Buckingham, Janelle Monáe, Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic, and producer Don Was.

A highlight of the film is the reunion of the surviving members at Paradise Cove, the iconic California beach where the photo for The Beach Boys’ 1962 debut album, Surfin’ Safari, was taken. “We got the original surfboard from that shoot,” Marshall reveals in a promo clip. He adds, “The fact that this group came along and put lyrics and harmonies to surf music… The Beach Boys sound is the sound of joy, so I thought it would be sort of poetic with The Beach Boys getting together where it all started. The whole day was so joyful and memorable. It was really like a family reunion.”

2024 Tour Dates Set

In addition to the documentary, The Beach Boys continue their extensive touring schedule. Led by Love and Johnston, the band has more than 70 dates lined up for 2024, beginning with a concert in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on May 24, and concluding in Ocean City, New Jersey, on September 28.