Brian Wilson hints at Beach Boys reunion

Brian Wilson is currently touring an album of George Gershwin covers

Brian Wilson has hinted that the Beach Boys could reunite in the recording studio for their 50th anniversary.

"I'm considering it," the songwriter told BBC 6 Music. "I don't know yet, but I am considering it."

"Nothing's really holding me back," he added. "I just don't know if I want to be around those guys, you know? They're zany guys. They're crazy."

Wilson last worked with the Beach Boys on the 1996 album Stars and Stripes Volume One, which he co-produced.

The record featured country versions of the band's best-known songs, including I Get Around and Little Deuce Coupe.

The Beach Boys were Brian, his brothers Dennis and Carl, cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine. They formed in 1961 in California and are considered to be one of the most inventive bands of the 1960s.

Renowned for their close harmonies, surfing fixation and Brian Wilson's groundbreaking use of recording studio techniques, they scored hits with the likes of Good Vibrations, California Girls and Surfin' USA.

Brian Wilson was considered one of the greatest songwriters of his era, but succumbed to psychological problems in the 1970s and 80s.

In 1983 his brother Dennis drowned while swimming in the sea off California, while younger brother Carl died in 1998.

The Beach Boys in 1979 (clockwise from top left): Brian Wilson, Al Jardine, Dennis Wilson, Carl Wilson, Mike Love

After a long recovery, he has in the last decade forged a solo career - finishing off the long-abandoned sessions for The Beach Boys' Smile album, and overcoming his stage fright to tour records like That Lucky Old Sun.

He is currently promoting an album of George Gershwin covers, Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin.

The record also contains two "new" songs, in which the 68-year-old completes two unfinished Gershwin piano compositions.

"They [Gershwin's estate] sent us over 104 unfinished Gershwin songs," he explained. "They wanted us to narrow it down to two, and then take it and try to write a song around the chords.

"I grew up to him. He's one of my main music heroes. I was three years old and my grandma played it for me on her hi-fi set.

"She made me lie down on the floor by the speakers, and she played Rhapsody In Blue real softly to me."

Wilson added that the Gershwin project had given him space to rejuvenate his creative impulse.

"About five years ago, I wrote 18 songs in one month," he told 6 Music. "18 good ones, not throwaways. 18 good songs."

"It's slowed way down. I exhausted my creativity. The need to make music isn't in me yet.

"I need for that need to come back in me."

You can listen to the full interview with Brian Wilson on the 6 Music website.