In what could have been a dream collaboration between two musical legends, George Harrison reportedly expressed interest in working with Brian Wilson in 1988. According to Wilson himself during a rare interview that year, the former Beatle approached Brian’s controversial therapist-turned-manager, Eugene Landy, during the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, suggesting a potential musical partnership.
At the time, Wilson was experiencing a long-awaited solo resurgence, having released his self-titled Brian Wilson album in 1988. A collaboration with Harrison—then riding high on the success of his Cloud Nine album and fresh off launching the iconic Traveling Wilburys—would have been a monumental moment in pop-rock history. However, as fans now know, nothing ever materialized.
The reason? Eugene Landy.
Landy, who had been court-mandated to oversee Wilson’s health and career, had notoriously tight control over every aspect of the Beach Boys co-founder’s life. From songwriting to studio access, Landy dictated who Wilson could work with and how. Given George Harrison’s fiercely independent creative streak, it’s almost certain he wouldn’t have tolerated Landy’s meddling in any collaborative process.
Brian Wilson himself seemed enthusiastic about the idea. A partnership with Harrison could have boosted his solo career tremendously at a pivotal moment. Harrison’s presence on Brian Wilson would not only have added major commercial appeal but could have also provided a powerful artistic spark. Unfortunately, Landy’s authoritarian grip stifled what might have been one of the most intriguing pairings in modern music.
This missed opportunity serves as yet another example of how Landy’s control ultimately hindered Brian Wilson’s creative freedom during one of the most critical periods of his solo career. For fans of both The Beach Boys and The Beatles, the thought of what could have been still lingers with disappointment.
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