Entertainment lawyer John Mason reveals in his memoir ‘Crazy Lucky’ how Dr. Eugene Landy’s control over Brian Wilson’s life and career decisions led to one of Wilson’s greatest regrets: being excluded from the creation of the Beach Boys’ biggest hit, ‘Kokomo.’ Mason explains that Landy’s strict oversight of Wilson’s personal and professional life prevented him from contributing to the iconic song, which became a massive success without his input, leaving Wilson with deep regret.
Wilson’s struggles began in 1968, when he quit performing and devoted himself to songwriting instead. While Wilson was determined to make the greatest music, his mental health began to deteriorate. His experiments with drugs, specifically LSD and cocaine, had ‘diminished his mental capacity.’ He rarely left his bed, and would go without brushing his teeth or showering for weeks. He eventually became so bizarre that he would sit at the piano in his living room surrounded by actual sand that had been dumped in big piles in a sort of playpen.
Mason details how Landy was initially successful in helping Wilson overcome his fears of everything. He padlocked Wilson’s fridge, put the star on a diet, and shooed away drug-enabling pals. However, Landy’s strict methods worked initially, but in 1976, he was fired over a dispute involving fees. When Wilson was regressing into drugs and obesity, Landy was rehired six years later, and the 24-hour therapy resumed from 1983 to 1986. Landy said he was paid $35,000 a month.
Despite some progress, Landy continued to control every aspect of Wilson’s life. Wilson was controlled by both prescription drugs and the ‘Landy handlers’ who ‘secretly or openly recorded everything Brian and anyone else said’ for the doctor. No decision was made without Landy’s approval, leaving Mason bewildered and frustrated. Eventually, Mason had to fire Landy, which led to a rift in their relationship.
After Mason was fired in 1990, Landy continued to tighten his grip. At one point, he was co-credited as a songwriter on several tracks. Wilson was ‘an obsession’ to Landy, Mason wrote. But in 1991, the Wilson family took legal action to appoint an independent conservatorship, aiming to stop Landy from further influencing Wilson both personally and financially. In 1992, Landy was barred by court order from contacting Wilson. Ultimately, Landy’s license to practice psychotherapy in the state of California was revoked.
Despite the challenges, Wilson continued to perform and write. His health improved, and he felt good. He passed away in June of this year at the age of 82. Mason, who has spent time with Wilson since his time as his lawyer, notes that Wilson did not entirely regret his association with Landy. ‘I don’t think there was a better outcome,’ Mason explained. ‘Had Landy not become involved, Brian would have become an ineffective vegetable. He was taking too many drugs and couldn’t find focus.’ Mason believes that Landy’s intervention saved Wilson’s life, even if it came at a personal cost.