The famous 1990s band Wilson Phillips got back together for a rare reunion over the weekend.
The band consists of Chynna Phillips, Wendy Wilson and Carnie Wilson.
Wendy and Carnie are related to The Beach Boys and Chynna is linked to The Mamas & The Papas.
They posed side by side at the Aspen Snow Ball Gala benefiting Children’s Oncology Support Fund (COSF) held at The St. Regis Aspen Resort on March 21.
The three singers also performed some of their greatest hits.
The group achieved rapid commercial success in the early 1990s with hits including Hold On, Release Me and You’re in Love.
This comes after Brian Wilson’s complex relationship with his daughters has resurfaced after his death.
The famous 1990s band Wilson Phillips got back together for a rare reunion over the weekend
The band consists of Chynna Phillips, Wendy Wilson and Carnie Wilson; seen in the 1990s
The Beach Boys icon’s passing aged 82 following a long dementia battle was announced in June at the age of 82.
He had daughters Carnie Wilson and Wendy Wilson with his first wife Marilyn Wilson, a singer with 1960s girl group The Honeys.
Carnie and Wendy’s parents divorced in 1979 after a turbulent marriage marked by Brian’s struggles with substance abuse and mental health.
He also had a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder.
The breakdown of the relationship led to years of estrangement between the musician and his daughters, with limited contact during their formative years.
They had several smash hit albums and were in the film Bridesmaids with Melissa McCarthy
Brian remarried in 1995, wedding Melinda Ledbetter.
Together they adopted five children – Dakota Rose, Daria Rose, Delanie Rose, Dylan and Dash.
While his younger children remained out of the public spotlight, Carnie and Wendy went on to form the pop trio Wilson Phillips in 1989.
Their band mate is Chynna, daughter of John and Michelle Phillips of The Mamas & The Papas.
Despite their fame, Carnie and Wendy’s personal relationship with their father remained strained.
Brian Wilson (L) performs with his daughters Carnie (2nd-L) Wendy (R) and China Phillips (C) of Wilson Phillips during the conclusion of an all-star tribute concert for the former Beach Boys great at New York’s Radio City Music Hall in 2001
If You Can Believe Your Eyes And Ears, The Mamas & The Papas. Photography by Guy Webster
In a 1992 interview with the Los Angeles Times quoted by the Daily Mail, Carnie said: ‘We can’t call him up and we can’t see him. I guess we could, but we’re so afraid of each other. I don’t know what I would say to him.’
That same year, the sisters addressed their estrangement through a track titled Flesh and Blood, featured on Wilson Phillips’ second album Shadows and Light.
The song was written as an emotional outreach to their father.
Their lyrics included the lines: ‘If you never plan to come out of your shell / You’re never gonna get well… For years I’ve been following your case / It’s the only time I see your face.’
They posed side by side at the Aspen Snow Ball Gala benefiting Children’s Oncology Support Fund (COSF) held at The St. Regis Aspen Resort on March 21
Carnie also told the Los Angeles Times she was unsure how Brian would respond to the tune: ‘He’s either going to cry real hard, or else just stare at something and get (mad.)’
A reconciliation between Brian and his daughters began in 1994, when the family reunited after years of minimal contact.
Speaking to People at the time, Carnie said: ‘Wendy and I are doing demo tapes for our debut album as a duo, and I hope Daddy will provide background harmonies. I know that one day we’ll all work together.’
The connection strengthened in later years, particularly through music.
Carnie also told UsWeekly in 2024 Brian had become one of Wilson Phillips’ biggest supporters.
She said: ‘He also loves Wilson Phillips. He really does.
The three singers also performed some of their greatest hits
From left, Wendy, Chynna and Carnie on stage
‘He’s always asking me, ‘How’s Wilson Phillips?’ I go, ‘We’re great, Dad.’ He’s funny. He’s very proud.’
Even after being diagnosed with a neurocognitive disorder similar to dementia, Brian continued to share musical moments with his daughters.
Carnie told UsWeekly: ‘We love to sing Surfer Girl and In My Room.
‘Sometimes a little California Girls, (which is) his favourite, and sometimes we do Be My Baby.’
Though the Wilson sisters largely avoided trading on their famous surname early in their career, their eventual musical collaborations with their father marked a shift.
Carnie said of their family connections in the Los Angeles Times: ‘We didn’t want people to think that they were (the reasons for) our success. Because they weren’t.’
