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Dennis Wilson

Personal Profile

Dennis Wilson
  • Birth Name:
    Dennis Carl Wilson
  • Common Name:
    The Beach Boys
  • Nickname:
    Denny
  • Date of Birth:
    December 4, 1944
  • Zodiac Sign:
    Sagittarius
  • Place of Birth:
    Inglewood, California, USA
  • Place of Death:
    Marina del Rey, California, U.S.
  • Date of Death:
    December 28, 1983
  • Cause of Death:
    Drowning
  • Height:
    5' 9"
  • Sex:
    Male
  • Hair Color:
    Brown
  • Eye Color:
    Brown
  • Nationality:
    American
  • Religion:
    Christianity

Family

Dennis Wilson
  • Father:
    Murry Wilson
  • Mother:
    Audree
  • Brother:
    Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson
  • Spouse:
    Shawn Marie Love
    Karen Lamm - Divorced
    Karen Lamm - Divorced
    Barbara Charren - Divorced
    Carole Vanerstrom - Divorced
  • Son:
    Carl B Wilson, Michael, Gage, Scott
  • Daughter:
    Jennifer

Career

Dennis Wilson

Trivia

Dennis Wilson
  • He and the Beach Boys were awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 1500 Vine Street in Hollywood, California.
  • At his last concert in 1983, lovingly hugged brother Brian Wilson after a song, causing Brian to exclaim "This my brother Dennis, you remember Dennis!" A barely audible (due to years of drug use and alcohol) yet vibrant Dennis said to the audience "You know folks, if you knew what it was like to be singing, and playing...thank you so very much. You are so beautiful to me." It was the last time he appeared in public.
  • Is portrayed by Bruce Greenwood in Summer Dreams: The Story of the Beach Boys (1990) (TV).
  • Is portrayed by Christopher Jacobs in Helter Skelter (2004) (TV).
  • Was the last member of the Beach Boys to learn to play an instrument; their first single had brother Brian improvising drum sounds with a piepan. Also had to give up his drums for awhile in the 1970s, after shattering one wrist in an accident.
  • While the other Beach Boys objected to the material brother Brian recorded for their (never-completed) "Smile" album, Dennis brushed back tears listening to the rough tracks, telling Brian "It's beautiful... don't change a thing."
  • Had the most in common with father 'Murry Wilson' of any of the Wilson brothers, including his temper; while Brian and Carl usually submitted to their father's bullying, Dennis fought back. Later, Dennis was the one who spent the most time with Murry, before his death.
  • Dated Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac, after her split from husband John McVie.
  • Only learned after falling in love with last wife Shawn that she was actually his cousin Mike Love's illegitimate daughter. Despite their distant blood relationship, Dennis and Shawn could legally marry - and doing so capped off for Dennis the hatred he'd felt for Mike, since the early Beach Boys days.
  • Was the only member of the Beach Boys who could actually surf.

Quotes

Dennis Wilson
  • "They say I live a fast life. Maybe I just like a fast life. I wouldn't give it up for anything in the world. It won't last forever, either. But the memories will."
  • "There will always be a Beach Boys. Being a Beach Boy is like being in love."
  • "The thing I wonder about is where does Brian's creative spark come from? Not his subjects or anything, but his spark. What makes it so great for me is that I really don't know. There's a mystery behind Brian, even to me."
  • "The one thing that kept our family together was the music. The only thing that our family would share emotionally was to have our dad cry over something the kids did with music."
  • "The Beach Boys are not a superstar group. The music is the superstar of the group."
  • "My mom had to beg the guys to let me play. I couldn't even play the drums right - Brian had to show me."
  • "My dad was a tyrant. He used to physically beat the crap out of us."
  • "I made a dollar a day sweeping a laundry out. Then we made a record that was number two in Los Angeles. We got so excited hearing it on the radio that Carl threw up."
  • "I can tell you the day The Beach Boys will no longer exist - never. We'll be on stage in wheelchairs."
  • "He just had a very unique way of expressing himself physically with his kids."
View all Quotes: Dennis Wilson

Biography

Dennis Wilson
Last Updated: Saturday, August 22, 2009

dennis wilsonDennis Carl Wilson was an American rock and roll legend best known as a founding member and the drummer of world renowned band ‘The Beach Boys.’ He was a member of the group from its formation until his death in 1983, though he was often supplemented in the studio by session drummers and on stage by a backup drummer. The band included his brothers Brian and Carl along with his cousin Mike Love. Dennis sang infrequently, often not singing backup vocals at live performances, though he commonly did so in the studio. He was commonly seen as the sex symbol of the band. His prominence in the group increased as their careers went on, more commonly singing lead, and writing towards and into the 1970s.

The Beach Boys formed in August 1961 under the guidance of father Murry Wilson and met with immediate success. Wilson became far and away the most popular member of the group becoming its box-office sex symbol, and his emerging musical talent took a back seat. He eventually developed a personal musical style and taste divergent from the Beach Boys’ known style to that of soulful, even bluesy music. This was different compared with the group’s famous high harmonies.Dennis Wilson’s first major released composition was ‘Little Bird.’ Their famous album Sunflower included the track ‘Forever’ which made him immensely popular with fans all over. His other hits include ‘Sound of Free’ ‘Lady’ and ‘American Spring.’

He soon gained popularity as a solo artist post which came movies and of course, stardom! Dennis starred alongside James Taylor and Warren Oates in the critically acclaimed film ‘Two-Lane Blacktop’ (1971) as The Mechanic. His debut album ‘Pacific ocean blue’ followed by album ‘Bambu’ met with critical and mass success hailing him as the latest music heartthrob of the time. Described to be hyperactive and rebellious, Dennis Wilson always looked for something to fill his life with happiness. With music he not only filled his own life and heart with contentment and joy but also the hearts of millions all over the world!

Filmography

Dennis Wilson

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