Faculty: Dennis Wilson

-While the Beach Boys were defined by the songs they wrote about catching waves, Dennis Wilson was the only one who actually knew how to surf. Thus, his drowning death at the age of thirty-nine was about as ironic as John Denver's plane crash. Wilson was easily the most intriguing member of an already eccentric group, cavorting with Charles Manson and starring alongside James Taylor in Two-Lane Blacktop, one of the most underrated films of the 1970s.
-When I was in Brooklyn earlier this month, I came across Pacific Ocean Blue, Wilson's only finished solo album. I was drawn to the album initially by its iconic cover, but it quickly found a home in my summer rotation along with The Infamous, Love is Hell, Pt. 1, and various Nas records. Wilson himself claimed the record had "no substance", but he was clearly mistaken. Pacific Ocean Blue showcases the sincere pop that defined the Beach Boys, but without the pristine, unwavering perfectionism that Brian Wilson demanded. The record was reissued in June, and includes parts of Wilson's unfinished follow-up, Bambu.
-If you get a chance, see Two-Lane Blacktop. Though it was their only film, Wilson and Taylor are naturals. The film was recently re-released as part of the Criterion Collection, and
while it was often overshadowed by films like Easy Rider, some call Two-Lane Blacktop the best road movie ever made.