Band Still Interests Brian Wilson

Beach Boys fans may be curious about the new songs from the group’s current “Summer in Paradise” album, but the issue most inquiring minds will be wondering about at tonight’sPacific Amphitheatre concert is the one that has hung over the group’s shows for most of its career: Will Brian Wilson be there?

“There was some indication that he was interested in playing with us,” is all that Beach Boys front man Mike Love would say of his cousin, the troubled and reclusive songwriter who created the Beach Boys trademark sound in the 1960s. Since 1964, Wilson has appeared only rarely at Beach Boys’ concerts.

“He called me the other day, and we spoke for a few minutes. He’s excited about getting together and resolving some outstanding issues,” said Love, who has become the Beach Boys’ principal songwriter.

In recent years Brian Wilson has been pursuing a solo career. In 1988, he recorded “Brian Wilson,” his first album apart from the Beach Boys.

Love co-wrote eight of the 12 “Summer in Paradise” tracks--seven new songs and a re-recording of the Beach Boys’ first chart single, “Surfin’,” which Love wrote with Wilson in 1961.

Love hinted that Wilson--whose reported domination by psychologist Eugene Landy has alienated him from his family and band mates--may be ready to work with the Beach Boys again.

Wilson “has an arrangement of a song he wants us to hear and possibly do,” Love said. “It looks good for collaboration again in the near future.”

Scheduled to perform tonight are Love, Carl Wilson and Al Jardine, who were original members of the Beach Boys when the group began in 1961, Bruce Johnston, who joined in 1965, and backup musicians. Founding member Dennis Wilson died in 1983.