Wilson Phillips

Wilson Phillips, the offspring of two Calif, musical dynasties made second-generation harmony; Membership: Chynna Phillips, voc. (b. Los Angeles, Feb. 12,1968); Carnie Wilson, voc. (b. Los Angeles, April 29, 1968); Wendy Wilson, voc. (b. Los Angeles, Oct. 16, 1969).

If The Beach Boys and the Mamas and the Papas were the preeminent purveyors of Calif, vocal harmony in the 1960s, the daughters of Brian Wilson and John and Michelle Phillips developed the sound into one that worked in the 1990s, at least for a little while. Being well related, they attracted attention just by working together, and it wasn’t long before songwriters like Glenn Ballard and producer Richard Perry came aboard. With bright close harmonies and videocentric good looks (although the camera tended to shy away from the more heavy-set Carnie), they were primed to become stars. The group became an early signing by SBK Records, and generated one of the label’s chart topping hits, “Hold On.” This was followed by two other #ls “Release Me,” and “You’re in Love.” A fourth single from their eponymous debut, “Impulsive,” rose to #4. The album hit #2 and went quintuple platinum.

Where the trio’s debut was full of bright bonhomie, the follow-up used the signature harmonies to illuminate much darker topics, like growing up with fathers who were notorious for their problems. The album debuted at #4 and went platinum out of the box, but radio couldn’t seem to find anything to play from it. The planned tour was scrapped and the group didn’t so much break up as dissipate.

Chynna Phillips recorded a solo album, Naked and Scared, and appeared on Broadway and on MTV. The Wilson sisters made a Christmas album in 1993 and in 1997 recorded with their father as The Wilsons.

Discography

Wilson Phillips (1990); Shadows & Light (1992).

—Brock Helander