Jokermen Podcast: David Leaf on "An All-Star Tribute To Brian Wilson"

Date: January 30, 2026
Guests: David Leaf (producer, writer, Brian Wilson biographer)
Hosts: Ian & Evan
Theme: A deep dive into the making, meaning, and legacy of the 2001 “All-Star Tribute to Brian Wilson”—marking its 25th anniversary, with firsthand insight from executive producer and Beach Boys historian David Leaf.

Episode Overview

This episode celebrates the 25th anniversary of the 2001 “All-Star Tribute to Brian Wilson” at Radio City Music Hall. Host Ian (with Evan) interviews David Leaf, the event’s producer, acclaimed Beach Boys/Brian Wilson biographer, and close friend of Wilson. The discussion covers:

The genesis and hurdles of creating the tribute
The cultural importance for Brian Wilson and his career
Behind-the-scenes insights on securing superstar guests and presenters
How the show helped resurrect the mystique of “Smile”
Notable moments, serendipities, and aftereffects of the event

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Origins and Purpose of the Tribute (03:16–10:27)

Inspiration: As Brian Wilson emerged from a difficult period in the 1990s—what he called “nine years in prison”—Leaf felt a tribute was needed so Wilson could “see with his own eyes exactly how beloved he and his music are.”
Industry Skepticism: At the time, the Beach Boys’ legacy was considered nostalgic, and few industry figures were supportive.
Partnerships: Leaf credits Chip Racklin, a concert promoter and Beach Boys insider, for connecting with key people at Radio City Music Hall and for knowledge of the music world.

“No one I spoke to in the 90s thought this was a good idea…But Chip really knew a lot of players in the world.” —David Leaf (05:45)

Landing Big Names: Radio City and TNT (the broadcaster) required two major stars. Elton John immediately accepted (“I don’t care who else is going to be there. I will be there.”), which helped secure Paul Simon and Billy Joel after Phil Ramone (respected producer) agreed to be musical director.

2. Assembling an All-Star Lineup (10:27–13:14)

Additional Performers: Other notable guests included Anna and Nancy Wilson (Heart), David Crosby, and a mix of pop and rock luminaries.
Presenters: Talent producers booked Sir George Martin and Dennis Hopper. Leaf warmly recounts securing Martin’s appearance with British wit (“wild lorries couldn’t keep me from being there”).

“Everybody wanted to say hello to George Martin... for so many of the people on the show, the reason they were in the business were the Beatles.” —David Leaf (12:40)

3. Emotional Honesty & Celebrating Brian’s Struggles (14:54–16:53)

Confronting the Dark Side: Dennis Hopper introduced a segment that candidly referenced Brian’s struggles with mental health and industry pressure, just before Wilson’s standing ovation entrance.

“The whole point of this joyous music... is where did it come from? So there was no question that I wanted to include it.” —David Leaf (15:47)

Significance for Brian: Leaf stresses the emotional transformation for Wilson—recognition not just by fans but by peers and heroes, especially after a lifetime of being “beaten down by people who wanted him to be their version of Brian Wilson.”
Standing Ovation: Wilson’s entrance onto the Radio City stage elicited immediate, emotional applause—an affirmation of his place in music history.

4. Key Musical Highlights & Surprises (16:53–29:32)

The “Pet Sounds” & “Smile” Moments

Full “Pet Sounds” Live: The concert included a rare full-album performance—unexpected at the time (years before Wilson would tour it).
“Smile” Material: Leaf insisted on including music from Wilson’s once-mythic “Smile” project. The pivotal inclusion of “Heroes and Villains” came about by chance at a Christmas party, when Wilson agreed to play it for Leaf’s wife, Eva, leading to it being performed live.

“When Brian opened his mouth with that first note of ‘Heroes,’ it’s in his regular voice... Paul Schaefer’s in the audience, and he leans forward and he’s like, ‘Wow, Brian’s doing Heroes and Villains.’” —David Leaf (21:46)

Vince Gill’s “Surf’s Up” and “The Warmth of the Sun”: Despite not knowing the material at first, Gill delivered staggering performances, according to Leaf.

Show Stopper Performances & Pairings

Paul Simon’s “Surfer Girl”: Stripped-down, re-imagined rendition—treating the song as his own.
Go-Go’s “Surf City”: Lyrics adapted to suit the all-girl group.
Harmonies & Collaborations: Phil Ramone orchestrated several inspired pairings—e.g., Carly Simon, Jimmy Webb, and David Crosby on “In My Room.”

5. Who Was (and Wasn’t) There—No Beach Boys (30:42–32:39)

Deliberately Brian-focused: For the concert, Leaf intentionally avoided inviting surviving Beach Boys. He wanted focus to be on Wilson’s unique compositional genius and not a Beach Boys reunion narrative.

“If they came on stage, the headlines would have been Beach Boys Reunite Right for Tribute. And... Paul McCartney knew that if he had been there physically, it would have been ‘Paul McCartney shines at Brian Wilson Tribute.’ He didn’t want to take any attention away from Brian.” —David Leaf (31:11)

Paul McCartney: Contributed via video for similar reasons.

6. The Show’s Impact—Breaking the “Smile” Curse and Brian’s Revival (48:12–49:20)

Aftereffects: The tribute emboldened Wilson to begin playing “Smile” material live, breaking an unspoken curse and paving the way for the 2004 “Brian Wilson Presents Smile” concerts and album.

“Songs from Smile were performed live, and the world didn’t come to an end. Brian had been told this is going to be the end of the Beach Boys... so this is their reemergence.” —David Leaf (49:20)

7. The Musical Legacy & Moments of Joy (44:15–51:59)

Memorable Encounters: Stories include Brian’s reaction to the Boys Choir of Harlem’s rehearsal, Billy Joel’s dedication to his daughter, and Elton John’s “easy peasy” attitude.
Finale: All-stars dancing and celebrating together during the encore, highlighted by the sight of Elton and Billy Joel “dancing hand in hand.”

8. The Special Magic of Place—Why New York (40:00–43:38)

Geographical Resonance: Leaf discusses how Brian’s music uniquely resonated in New York and London—even more so than in California, perhaps owing to the aspirational fantasy of surf and sun.

“The further you got from the Pacific Ocean, the more the myth and the fantasy and the joy of the sun and the sand and the surf resonated... Pet Sounds and then Good Vibrations just had a resonance in the Northeast.” —David Leaf (40:00)

Notable Quotes & Moments (By Timestamp & Speaker)

On Elton John’s Commitment:
“[Elton John] said, 'I don’t care who else is going to be there. I will be there. You can tell Brian I'll be there.'”
—David Leaf (06:53)
On Sir George Martin:
“Wild lorries couldn’t keep me from being there. I will be there.”
—Sir George Martin, recounted by Leaf (12:15)
On Dennis Hopper & Emotional Truth:
“His instinct was, okay, we’ve heard enough. There’s nothing more I need to say. Let’s get the guy out here.”
—David Leaf, on Dennis Hopper’s intro (15:47)
On Heroes and Villains' Return:
“Brian opened his mouth with that first note of ‘Heroes’... it sounds like the record. Paul Schaefer’s in the audience, and he’s a big fan. He leans forward... they knew what a big deal it was that, you know, he wasn’t just coming out here and doing hits.”
—David Leaf (21:46)

Timestamps of Major Segments

00:00–03:16 – Episode Setup, Introduction of David Leaf
03:16–10:27 – Origin of the Tribute, Assembling Key Players
10:27–13:14 – Booking Presenters, The Story of Sir George Martin
14:54–16:53 – Dennis Hopper Segment, Acknowledging Brian’s Struggles
16:53–29:32 – Musical Highlights: Pet Sounds, Smile, Notable Performers
30:42–32:39 – Deliberate Exclusion of Other Beach Boys, Paul McCartney’s video
36:43–39:08 – Who Couldn’t Make It, Notably The Bee Gees
40:00–43:38 – Why New York and London “get” Brian Wilson
44:15–51:59 – Magic Moments, Joyful Finale, Show's Enduring Impact
51:59–56:05 – Closing Stories, Lasting Legacy

Notable Closing Reflections

Historical Impact:
The tribute was both a celebration and a turning point—it publicly reaffirmed Brian’s genius, led to his personal confidence resurgence, and directly paved the way for the completion and live performance of “Smile.”
Enduring Joy:
“Watching the show, there are so many moments... I don’t think anybody walked out of there and said, boy, that wasn’t great... it just shows how much fun this was.”
—David Leaf (44:15)

Memorable Ending

Poetic Recitation:
The episode closes with a poetic reading of the “Surf’s Up” lyrics, emphasizing the enduring mystique and magic of Wilson’s legacy (52:32–56:05).

Takeaway

For Beach Boys/Brian Wilson fans and music history enthusiasts, this episode is an indispensable oral history from someone who not only chronicled but engineered one of Wilson’s most profound “comeback” moments. Leaf’s stories—equal parts affectionate, awestruck, and honest—paint a vivid picture of a night that changed lives and music history, not least of all Brian Wilson’s own.

Jokermen Podcast: David Leaf on "An All-Star Tribute To Brian Wilson"

Episode Overview

The genesis and hurdles of creating the tribute
The cultural importance for Brian Wilson and his career
Behind-the-scenes insights on securing superstar guests and presenters
How the show helped resurrect the mystique of “Smile”
Notable moments, serendipities, and aftereffects of the event

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Origins and Purpose of the Tribute (03:16–10:27)

Inspiration: As Brian Wilson emerged from a difficult period in the 1990s—what he called “nine years in prison”—Leaf felt a tribute was needed so Wilson could “see with his own eyes exactly how beloved he and his music are.”
Industry Skepticism: At the time, the Beach Boys’ legacy was considered nostalgic, and few industry figures were supportive.
Partnerships: Leaf credits Chip Racklin, a concert promoter and Beach Boys insider, for connecting with key people at Radio City Music Hall and for knowledge of the music world.

“No one I spoke to in the 90s thought this was a good idea…But Chip really knew a lot of players in the world.” —David Leaf (05:45)

Landing Big Names: Radio City and TNT (the broadcaster) required two major stars. Elton John immediately accepted (“I don’t care who else is going to be there. I will be there.”), which helped secure Paul Simon and Billy Joel after Phil Ramone (respected producer) agreed to be musical director.

2. Assembling an All-Star Lineup (10:27–13:14)

Additional Performers: Other notable guests included Anna and Nancy Wilson (Heart), David Crosby, and a mix of pop and rock luminaries.
Presenters: Talent producers booked Sir George Martin and Dennis Hopper. Leaf warmly recounts securing Martin’s appearance with British wit (“wild lorries couldn’t keep me from being there”).

“Everybody wanted to say hello to George Martin... for so many of the people on the show, the reason they were in the business were the Beatles.” —David Leaf (12:40)

3. Emotional Honesty & Celebrating Brian’s Struggles (14:54–16:53)

Confronting the Dark Side: Dennis Hopper introduced a segment that candidly referenced Brian’s struggles with mental health and industry pressure, just before Wilson’s standing ovation entrance.

“The whole point of this joyous music... is where did it come from? So there was no question that I wanted to include it.” —David Leaf (15:47)

Significance for Brian: Leaf stresses the emotional transformation for Wilson—recognition not just by fans but by peers and heroes, especially after a lifetime of being “beaten down by people who wanted him to be their version of Brian Wilson.”
Standing Ovation: Wilson’s entrance onto the Radio City stage elicited immediate, emotional applause—an affirmation of his place in music history.

4. Key Musical Highlights & Surprises (16:53–29:32)

The “Pet Sounds” & “Smile” Moments

Full “Pet Sounds” Live: The concert included a rare full-album performance—unexpected at the time (years before Wilson would tour it).
“Smile” Material: Leaf insisted on including music from Wilson’s once-mythic “Smile” project. The pivotal inclusion of “Heroes and Villains” came about by chance at a Christmas party, when Wilson agreed to play it for Leaf’s wife, Eva, leading to it being performed live.

“When Brian opened his mouth with that first note of ‘Heroes,’ it’s in his regular voice... Paul Schaefer’s in the audience, and he leans forward and he’s like, ‘Wow, Brian’s doing Heroes and Villains.’” —David Leaf (21:46)

Vince Gill’s “Surf’s Up” and “The Warmth of the Sun”: Despite not knowing the material at first, Gill delivered staggering performances, according to Leaf.

Show Stopper Performances & Pairings

Paul Simon’s “Surfer Girl”: Stripped-down, re-imagined rendition—treating the song as his own.
Go-Go’s “Surf City”: Lyrics adapted to suit the all-girl group.
Harmonies & Collaborations: Phil Ramone orchestrated several inspired pairings—e.g., Carly Simon, Jimmy Webb, and David Crosby on “In My Room.”

5. Who Was (and Wasn’t) There—No Beach Boys (30:42–32:39)

Deliberately Brian-focused: For the concert, Leaf intentionally avoided inviting surviving Beach Boys. He wanted focus to be on Wilson’s unique compositional genius and not a Beach Boys reunion narrative.

“If they came on stage, the headlines would have been Beach Boys Reunite Right for Tribute. And... Paul McCartney knew that if he had been there physically, it would have been ‘Paul McCartney shines at Brian Wilson Tribute.’ He didn’t want to take any attention away from Brian.” —David Leaf (31:11)

Paul McCartney: Contributed via video for similar reasons.

6. The Show’s Impact—Breaking the “Smile” Curse and Brian’s Revival (48:12–49:20)

Aftereffects: The tribute emboldened Wilson to begin playing “Smile” material live, breaking an unspoken curse and paving the way for the 2004 “Brian Wilson Presents Smile” concerts and album.

“Songs from Smile were performed live, and the world didn’t come to an end. Brian had been told this is going to be the end of the Beach Boys... so this is their reemergence.” —David Leaf (49:20)

7. The Musical Legacy & Moments of Joy (44:15–51:59)

Memorable Encounters: Stories include Brian’s reaction to the Boys Choir of Harlem’s rehearsal, Billy Joel’s dedication to his daughter, and Elton John’s “easy peasy” attitude.
Finale: All-stars dancing and celebrating together during the encore, highlighted by the sight of Elton and Billy Joel “dancing hand in hand.”

8. The Special Magic of Place—Why New York (40:00–43:38)

Geographical Resonance: Leaf discusses how Brian’s music uniquely resonated in New York and London—even more so than in California, perhaps owing to the aspirational fantasy of surf and sun.

“The further you got from the Pacific Ocean, the more the myth and the fantasy and the joy of the sun and the sand and the surf resonated... Pet Sounds and then Good Vibrations just had a resonance in the Northeast.” —David Leaf (40:00)

Notable Quotes & Moments (By Timestamp & Speaker)

On Elton John’s Commitment:
“[Elton John] said, 'I don’t care who else is going to be there. I will be there. You can tell Brian I'll be there.'”
—David Leaf (06:53)
On Sir George Martin:
“Wild lorries couldn’t keep me from being there. I will be there.”
—Sir George Martin, recounted by Leaf (12:15)
On Dennis Hopper & Emotional Truth:
“His instinct was, okay, we’ve heard enough. There’s nothing more I need to say. Let’s get the guy out here.”
—David Leaf, on Dennis Hopper’s intro (15:47)
On Heroes and Villains' Return:
“Brian opened his mouth with that first note of ‘Heroes’... it sounds like the record. Paul Schaefer’s in the audience, and he’s a big fan. He leans forward... they knew what a big deal it was that, you know, he wasn’t just coming out here and doing hits.”
—David Leaf (21:46)

Timestamps of Major Segments

00:00–03:16 – Episode Setup, Introduction of David Leaf
03:16–10:27 – Origin of the Tribute, Assembling Key Players
10:27–13:14 – Booking Presenters, The Story of Sir George Martin
14:54–16:53 – Dennis Hopper Segment, Acknowledging Brian’s Struggles
16:53–29:32 – Musical Highlights: Pet Sounds, Smile, Notable Performers
30:42–32:39 – Deliberate Exclusion of Other Beach Boys, Paul McCartney’s video
36:43–39:08 – Who Couldn’t Make It, Notably The Bee Gees
40:00–43:38 – Why New York and London “get” Brian Wilson
44:15–51:59 – Magic Moments, Joyful Finale, Show's Enduring Impact
51:59–56:05 – Closing Stories, Lasting Legacy

Notable Closing Reflections

Historical Impact:
The tribute was both a celebration and a turning point—it publicly reaffirmed Brian’s genius, led to his personal confidence resurgence, and directly paved the way for the completion and live performance of “Smile.”
Enduring Joy:
“Watching the show, there are so many moments... I don’t think anybody walked out of there and said, boy, that wasn’t great... it just shows how much fun this was.”
—David Leaf (44:15)

Memorable Ending

Poetic Recitation:
The episode closes with a poetic reading of the “Surf’s Up” lyrics, emphasizing the enduring mystique and magic of Wilson’s legacy (52:32–56:05).

David Leaf on "An All-Star Tribute To Brian Wilson"

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Summary

Jokermen Podcast: David Leaf on "An All-Star Tribute To Brian Wilson"

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Origins and Purpose of the Tribute (03:16–10:27)

2. Assembling an All-Star Lineup (10:27–13:14)

3. Emotional Honesty & Celebrating Brian’s Struggles (14:54–16:53)

4. Key Musical Highlights & Surprises (16:53–29:32)

The “Pet Sounds” & “Smile” Moments

Show Stopper Performances & Pairings

5. Who Was (and Wasn’t) There—No Beach Boys (30:42–32:39)

6. The Show’s Impact—Breaking the “Smile” Curse and Brian’s Revival (48:12–49:20)

7. The Musical Legacy & Moments of Joy (44:15–51:59)

8. The Special Magic of Place—Why New York (40:00–43:38)

Notable Quotes & Moments (By Timestamp & Speaker)

Timestamps of Major Segments

Notable Closing Reflections

Memorable Ending

Takeaway

Summary

Jokermen Podcast: David Leaf on "An All-Star Tribute To Brian Wilson"

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Origins and Purpose of the Tribute (03:16–10:27)

2. Assembling an All-Star Lineup (10:27–13:14)

3. Emotional Honesty & Celebrating Brian’s Struggles (14:54–16:53)

4. Key Musical Highlights & Surprises (16:53–29:32)

The “Pet Sounds” & “Smile” Moments

Show Stopper Performances & Pairings

5. Who Was (and Wasn’t) There—No Beach Boys (30:42–32:39)

6. The Show’s Impact—Breaking the “Smile” Curse and Brian’s Revival (48:12–49:20)

7. The Musical Legacy & Moments of Joy (44:15–51:59)

8. The Special Magic of Place—Why New York (40:00–43:38)

Notable Quotes & Moments (By Timestamp & Speaker)

Timestamps of Major Segments

Notable Closing Reflections

Memorable Ending

Takeaway