Beach Boys singer Brian WIlson has announced he’s postponing his upcoming tour over concerns for his mental health.
Brian had been due to hit the road for his Pet Sounds And Greatest Hits jaunt later this year, but has decided to put off going on tour as he’s begun feeling “mentally insecure” after undergoing an operation on his back.
In a statement, the star said he’d been “living with mental illness for many decades” and was concerned about the effect the medical procedure had made on his mental health.
He explained: “There were times when [his mental health struggles were] unbearable but with doctors and medications I have been able to live a wonderful, healthy and productive life with support from my family, friends and fans who have helped me through this journey.
“As you may know in the last year or so I’ve had 3 surgeries on my back. The surgeries were successful and I’m physically stronger than I’ve been in a long time. However, after my last surgery I started feeling strange and it’s been pretty scary for a while.”
Brian continued: “I was not feeling like myself. Mentally insecure is how I’d describe it. We’re not sure what is causing it but I do know that it’s not good for me to be on the road right now so I’m heading back to Los Angeles.”
He also noted that during rehearsals he had been “struggling with stuff in [his] head” and “saying things [he doesn’t] mean”, adding: “It’s something I’ve never dealt with before.”
However, he assured fans he was determined to pick up the tour later this year, once he has made a recovery.
Brian has always been upfront about his mental health, including his diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder and mild manic depression.
He was initially diagnosed as having paranoid schizophrenia in the mid-1980s, though this was later retracted.
Useful websites and helplines:
- Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393
- Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill.)
- The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email: help@themix.org.uk
- Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0300 5000 927 (open Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on www.rethink.org.