The story of Brian Wilson and Eugene Landy inspired a Hollywood movie – with Wilson opening up about the affects of the manipulation before his death after a battle with a neurocognative disorder
Co-founder of the Beach Boys has passed away at 82 after suffering a battle with a neurocognative disorder similar to dementia.
Brian Wilson’s life was filled with many highs and lows – from a difficult relationship to his life almost being thrown off course due to a psychiatrist. The latter inspired a film titled Love and Mercy. At the beginning, Wilson experienced a nervous breakdown in 1964 and resigned from touring, but stuck with the band to mastermind their greatest work, including Pet Sounds and the Good Vibrations single.
However, things seemed to get worse with his mental health and in the 70s, he became a recluse. It was then he was introduced to controversial psychologist, Eugene Landy.
Wilson’s first experience seemed like a positive change. After the so-called “24 hour therapy” treatment, Brian’s state seemingly improved.
Then, Wilson rejoined the Beach Boys and was the producer of 1976’s 15 Big Ones – the first time he had sole production credit on a Beach Boys album since Pet Sounds a decade earlier.
However, things with Landy seemed to get worse, as he started getting involved with the band’s business – and pushed his ideas onto them.
“Brian and I did that together,’ Landy claimed of 15 Big Ones. “Right after that, I had to leave the situation. … I was interested in making Brian a whole human being; they were interested in getting another album done in time for 1977.”
Landy’s intensive therapy didn’t come cheap, either.
Wilson and Landy stopped working together at the end of 1976, after the doctor raised his monthly fees to a whopping £14,771 (£73,855 in today’s money).
He improved – but in 1982 he had a relapse after years of drug abuse. Feeling lost, his management to pushed him towards Eugene Landy again. This time, Dr Landy insisted on effectively taking over Brian Wilson’s artistic and personal life – and he didn’t try to hide it.
Asked in 1984 if he contributed to Brian’s songs, Landy told California magazine: “Why not? I influence all his thinking. All the Beach Boys contribute, and I’m practically a member of the band.”
When Wilson released his self-titled solo debut in 1988, Eugene Landy’s name was credited multiple times. Landy also forbid Willson from spending time with his loved ones.
“Dr Landy doesn’t like me to be in touch with my family too much,” Wilson said around that time. “He thinks it’s unhealthy.”
Eventually, Landy’s allegations of misconduct caught up with him and the State of California Board of Medical Quality revokedhis professional licence in 1989.
One of the reasons was Wilson’s psychological dependency on Landy and the doctor eventually admitted wrongfully prescribing drugs to Brian.
But it didn’t stop him from seeing Wilson. Landy even ghost wrote Wilson’s book, ironically called Wouldn’t It Be Nice: My Own Story.
The pair eventually parted in 1992, the year after Landy was given a restraining order banning him from contacting Wilson.
His family had discovered that Wilson’s will had been changed to make Landy the main beneficiary.
Asked in 2015 about his time with Landy, Wilson told CBS that he remembers: “Unhappiness. Being tortured. All that stuff”
Despite this, he tried to remain positive and thankful for what Landy had taught him.
After he lost his licence in California, Landy continued to work in New Mexico and Hawaii until he died in 2006 from pneumonia, while suffering from lung cancer.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
