Carl Wilson is one of the great, underestimated people in the history of music.

It's without a doubt that brother Brian was responsible for creating the Beach Boys sound, but when he became incapacitated in the late sixties it was Carl, still a teenager, who stepped up to take the creative and managerial reins. And, except for a brief spell in the early eighties, that's where Carl remained for 30 years, leading a group of talented but temperamental musicians whose relationship issues with each other were a roller coaster ride throughout their career. Managing, keeping the peace, often compromising his own ideals for theirs - and at the same time penning some pretty amazing songs of his own.

Carl, who was playing guitar solos in the recording studio at age 14, mastered virtually all keyboard instruments, and by studying Brian in the studio, became highly skilled in mixing and producing records. In spite of a debilitating back injury, he supported brother Dennis in his solo projects.

And, of course, his voice...one of the most beautiful and ethereal in the history of music, his versatility ranging from blues to rock n roll as well as harmony. In addition to being the mainstay of the Beach Boys until his tragic death at the age of 51 in 1998, many of the most respected and successful artists in the music industry had their songs enriched by his sublime backing vocals.

Carl would have been 75 in December. There has never been an appropriate tribute to his life and career. His extraordinary body of work, his spirituality, personality and humanity merit much more than just the cursory mentions he gets in the many Brian Wilson/Beach Boys publications and documentaries produced over the years.

Long overdue is: 

1. A detailed documentary.

2. A biography.

3. A re-release of the songs he wrote for the group, his two solo albums and the Beckley/Lamm/Wilson 'Like a Brother' LP.

Please take a moment to support this petition, (which will be sent to Iconic Artists Group and Brother Records Inc.) by adding your name. Carl deserves to be recognised as the outstanding musician and wonderful person that he was!