The Therapist Who Saved Brian Wilson: Inside the Controversial Life of 'Monster' Eugene Landy
The Dark Side of Paradise: The Bizarre Relationship Between Brian Wilson and His Controversial Therapist
It's one of the most infamous relationships in pop history - the tortured tale of Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson and his controlling therapist, Eugene Landy. While the 2015 movie Love & Mercy painted a damning picture of Landy as a manipulative monster, his son Evan is now speaking out to set the record straight.
Evan, who was just 21 when he got caught up in the drama surrounding his father's work with Wilson, claims that Love & Mercy is nothing more than "revisionist history" - a biased portrayal of the events by Wilson's second wife Melinda. In an exclusive interview with The Scholarly Note.com, Evan reveals a side to Wilson that fans never saw, and sheds new light on the complex web of relationships between his father, Wilson, and the infamous psychotherapist.
The Tragic State of Brian Wilson
In 1982, Wilson was at rock bottom. Grossly overweight, addicted to drugs, and struggling with mental health issues, he was a shadow of his former self. Landy, who had previously worked with Wilson from 1975-76, was brought back in as part of his care team, and Evan's father put him in charge of the music legend's rehabilitation.
"We were basically on deathwatch," Evan recalls. "Brian was so incapacitated he would light cigarettes and drop them off the edge of the bed, urinate and defecate... He was just reverting to being a baby." Landy had been tasked with saving Wilson's life, and his methods were unorthodox to say the least.
The Infamous 24-Hour Therapy Regime
Landy's treatment plan for Wilson included a strict 24-hour therapy regime, which involved dousing him with cold water in the morning, padlocking the fridge, and enforcing a rigid diet and exercise routine. The goal was to exert complete control over every aspect of Wilson's life - physical, personal, social, and sexual environments.
Evan, who was part of Landy's team, witnessed firsthand the extremes to which his father would go to help Wilson. "It was like nothing I'd ever seen before," he admits. "My dad was charging $420,000 a year, plus expenses, and he had a whole army of helpers, carers, and bodyguards looking after Brian around the clock."
A Bond Forms Between Evan and Brian
As Evan spent more time with Wilson, a close bond formed between them. The two would go to movies together, eat sushi, visit amusement parks, and even throw joint birthday parties. It was a side of Wilson that few people got to see.
"I think Brian loved the attention," Evan says. "He's an incredibly sweet guy, kind, generous of spirit... He had this exuberance that you only seem to find in incredible youth." Despite the controlling nature of Landy's methods, Evan is convinced that his father genuinely cared for Wilson and wanted to help him.
The Backlash Against Landy
While Landy's unique approach may have won him a host of famous clients, including Alice Cooper and actors Richard Harris and Gig Young, it ultimately backfired. The backlash against him was fierce, and he eventually lost his license amid allegations of abuse and exploitation.
Love & Mercy, the 2015 movie based on Wilson's life, depicts Landy as a menacing figure, violently grabbing food from Wilson and shouting at him to stop eating. But Evan is adamant that this portrayal is unfair.
"I think my dad loved Brian," he insists. "I don't think he would have invested that much time, energy with him if he hadn't." While acknowledging his father's flaws, Evan believes that Landy had Wilson's best interests at heart - even if his methods were misguided.
A Legacy of Love and Controversy
Brian Wilson passed away this week at the age of 82, leaving behind a legacy that is both historic and complex. His relationship with Eugene Landy remains one of the most infamous in pop history, but as Evan's story reveals, there may be more to it than meets the eye.
As fans mourn the loss of a music legend, they are also reminded of the darker side of the industry - where fame, wealth, and power can lead to exploitation and abuse. Wilson's children announced his passing on Instagram, alongside a photo that appears to show him in recent years.
"We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away," they wrote. "Please respect our privacy at this time as our family is grieving." The world of music will miss the unique talent and creative genius of Brian Wilson - but it may also need to confront the dark secrets that lay beneath his shining star.