I think Brian Wilson, Pet Sounds and his influence are way overrated. Genius? Lot of hype. I like his stuff but it’s not even close to being in the same league as the Beatles.
I’m a huge Beatles fan, but I recall reading an article where Brian Wilson would compose a song and he could sit at a set of drums and lay down the track for it. He would then come in and lay down the guitar, piano etc. tracks and it would perfectly line up.
I get that....but I have the exact opposite opinion. I have always believed that with the exception of McCartney, the Beatles are way over hyped.
Besides that and more to the point, the idea that Brian’s music influenced Sgt pepper does not come from Brian or fans. It comes from the Beatles directly and their manager.