Heroes and Villains

by Steven Gaines

Book Overview

Through candid interviews with close friends, family, and the Beach Boys themselves, this biography portrays and evaluates all those who propelled the California myth, and the group who sang about it, into world-wide prominence. With dozens of photos, this book recounts the bitter saga of the American dream realized and distorted, and the music that survived. 66 photos.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0453005195
• ISBN13: 9780453005197
• Release Date: October 1986
• Publisher: Dutton Books
• Length: 374 Pages
• Weight: 1.55 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Read this one first, then read "Wouldn't It Be Nice"

I read this book recently and thoroughly enjoyed it - Looks like Steven Gaines did a good job, extensively researched, and it reads well...but I don't believe some of it after reading Brian's book. I just finished Brian's version, "Wouldn't It Be Nice," and enjoyed that even more, especially after the preparation from the other book - I recommend reading both in that order. I grew up in this time period, enjoyed the music and some of the adventures that went with it - I believe anybody else who did also will really enjoy this book, and Brian's book as well. The title fits well - The father was definitely a villian, sometimes others, sometimes certain Beach Boys themselves. The Manson family, the "Love" family, and Murry, no doubt about them being villians - and one of the managers in particular, the con artist who claimed to be a newscaster who had won the Pulitzer Prize! It must've been frustrating, maddening when Brian refused to tour and got so whacked out from drugs...Their attempts to FORCE him to recover were extremely brutal and stupid...People have talked about Dr. Landy's methods being "controversial," but the "Love" family continued Murry's psychological torture and drove Brian right over the edge... Dennis' story is particularly interesting, but THEN there is Brian...the mysterious, reclusive fellow who quit touring EVEN BEFORE the drugs...fascinating story, introduced several times in "Heroes and Villians," then told by Brian in "Wouldn't It Be Nice," in greater detail. Fascinating! Back to Dennis. "Heroes and Villians" opens with the episode just before he drowns, leaves you hanging (I cheated and went to the index, found it continued on page 350)...Then the book goes back to their childhood, continues with the formation of that great, wonderful rock'n'roll group, The Beach Boys. Think about it: Dennis Wilson comes home from touring, finds Charles Manson and "family" have moved into his house, Manson cons him, and Dennis thinks Manson's a great guy, hangs out with him awhile, survives THAT, then later drowns in a similar manner to the way Brian Jones (Rolling Stones founder) died: Too much drinking, too much drugs, too much recklessness, too much overconfidence...a CLASSIC alcoholic - I know, I quit drinking myself 12 yrs ago and his story reminds me of MANY others... And what about this therapist, Dr. Landy? Before I got these books I read some of the reviews posted and noticed that Dr. Landy was perceived as a villian, a 'Svengali,' but look what he accomplished with Brian - I'm not even talking about Brian's story yet, even in "Heroes and Villians" the story is told of how Brian, after spending, what, 3 years, in bed, paranoid, unable to face the world or function normally...Brian's ex-wife, Marilyn DESERVES CREDIT AS ONE OF THE HEROES (at first) - instead of leaving Brian to rot she gets Dr. Landy to take Brian as a patient. AND HE GETS CURED! What a great story - the short version (some

Interesting, Well-Written

I don't agree with some reviews that this book just trashes the Beach Boys. It doesn't white-wash them either, but I think Steven Gaines mostly wanted to tell it like it was. Only once or twice did I think Gaines seemed alittle hostile towards one or more of the group members. The book starts out with Dennis Wilson and the last month of his life. I remember hearing about Dennis drowning but never knew much of the details, only that he had been diving where his boat had been docked. I think it was very smart to start the book out this way because I was hooked from then on. Gaines ties up any loose ends about the day Dennis died towards the end of the book. Of course this book is not current with regard to Carl Wilson's death since it was published in the mid-1980s.What really gives this book credibility is all the people closely associated with the Beach Boys who talked with the author, even the Beach Boys themselves. After finishing the book, I have wondered if any of them regretted it. Its no tip-toe through the tulips. I gave this book 5 stars because I didn't get bored once while reading it. Its interesting from beginning to end.

Most informative, entertaining book on the band.

This was a great read, so insightful and well-researched! Gaines actually got a handle on a very unwieldy, difficult subject. While some of the material is unflattering to the embarrassed principals, I appreciate the unvarnished facts being revealed. I know some of the insiders personally and can say that this accurate, comprehensive work resonates with the ring of truth. Having read Gaines' earlier work on the Beatles, I was expecting a lot and this fine author did not disappoint. Bravo.

No wonder this book is controversial.

I loved this book. It told everything. Now I understand why it upsets people so much. I thought Steven Gaines was kind to the Beach Boys, considering. It's also well written . I was never bored, and there was a surprise on every page. Even if you're not interested in the Beach Boys, this is a worthy tale. My only problem was there wasn't enough about the music. Warning, though, this isn't a book for whiners.

Terrific book you wont want to put down

This is an incredibly well-researched book. I've read them all and none of them has all the interviews and insider information that this book has. Especially all the ex-wives, including Brian's ex-wife Marilyn. There's not enough music information for my taste, but damn, what a great book about this legendary group! (This book really makes hard-core Beach Boy fans angry because it tells more of the truth than they want to know.)