Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys is one of the most prolific songwriters in American music history.

Questlove of the hip-hop group The Roots called Wilson a modern-day Stravinsky, and Leonard Bernstein praised Wilson's song “Surf’s Up” as “poetic, beautiful even in its obscurity.”

When the Beach Boys released their first four albums in 1962 and 1963, Wilson wrote songs about Southern California culture, setting the tone of California pop music and the soundtrack of the early ‘60s. In the years since, no other performer or musical group has been able to top his level of composition or production.

As the ‘60s raged on, rock 'n' roll was changing and Wilson felt the need to be more experimental. In 1966, the Beach Boys put out “Pet Sounds,” which Wilson produced and arranged himself. The songs referencing spirituality, depression and many personal themes were a departure from innocent love songs and having fun on the beach. Many music critics consider it to be the band's best album, but it did not receive a warm reception when released.

A year later, the Beach Boys released “Smiley Smile” as an unfinished album — also produced and arranged by Wilson — which has become a cult and critical favorite.

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By 1973, Wilson showed signs of mental health issues and became reclusive. He stopped touring with the band, and started using drugs and alcohol, Later, he came under the care of Eugene Landy, a psychotherapist with controversial treatment methods who he says overmedicated him, and cut off his relations with family and friends. Wilson's family intervened and the singer was removed from Landy’s care in 1992.

The Beach Boys continued under co-founder Mike Love. Wilson made sporadic appearances in the ‘80s and ‘90s.

In 2012, Wilson reunited with the Beach Boys for their 50th anniversary album “That’s Why God Made The Radio." A successful tour followed but frontman Love dissolved the reunion lineup when it ended.

Last year, Wilson had three successful surgeries on his back. In June, he postponed dates during his 50th anniversary “Pet Sounds: The Final Performances” and “Greatest Hits Live” tours, citing longstanding mental health issues. To make things worse, his guitarist Nicky Wonder died in his sleep at age 59 on Aug. 6, one night before Wilson was scheduled to resume his tour in Lewiston, New York.

Wilson will perform selections from his 1968 album “Friends” and his 1971 album “Surf’s Up” on Sunday night at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio on a double bill with the pioneering ‘60s psychedelic rock band The Zombies.

He spoke by phone to The Desert Sun about the current tour. The following interview was edited for length and clarity.

THE DESERT SUN: What made you decide to go on tour with The Zombies?

BRIAN WILSON: It wasn’t my decision, but I like them and their song “She’s Not There.”

How did it feel to tour playing “Pet Sounds” in its entirety?

It was quite an experience and a lot of fun, but we wanted to get away from “Pet Sounds” for a while, so we’re doing “Friends” and “Surf’s Up.”

You postponed some tour dates recently and said that you weren’t feeling like yourself. What did you do during that time to recuperate?

I did a lot of rehearsing with the band. I feel a lot more comfortable now.

Was it hard to participate in the 2012 Beach Boys reunion without your brothers Carl and Dennis?

That tour was fun, but I miss Carl and Dennis very much.

Are you working on any new material?

I’m writing songs and arrangements. I don’t know if I’ll record another album, I haven’t decided yet.

After having three back surgeries last year, do you ever feel like you might have to stop touring at some point?

I might have to, yes. But my back is doing ok now.

Desert Sun reporter Brian Blueskye covers arts and entertainment. He can be reached at brian.blueskye@desertsun.com or (760) 778-4617.

If you go

What: Brian Wilson and The Zombies

Where: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Pkwy, Indio

How much: $49 to $89

(760) 342-5000