section_path: 1967–1973: Decline/Sea of Tunes sale and Reprise signing
section_name: Sea of Tunes sale and Reprise signing
paragraph_text: Sea of Tunes sale and Reprise signing
  
  Early in 1969, the Beach Boys commenced recording Sunflower (August 1970). Wilson contributed numerous songs, though most were excluded from the final track selection. He co-wrote and produced the single " Break Away " with his father in early 1969, after which he largely withdrew from studio work until August. The group faced difficulties securing a new record deal, attributed by Gaines to Wilson's diminished standing in the industry. In May 1969, Wilson disclosed the band's near-bankruptcy to reporters, which derailed negotiations with Deutsche Grammophon and nearly jeopardized their upcoming European tour. That July, he opened a short-lived health food store, the Radiant Radish, with cousin Steve Korthof and associate Arny Geller.
  
  In August, the Beach Boys' publishing company, Sea of Tunes, sold their song catalog to Irving Almo Music for $700,000 ($ 6 million in 2024). Wilson signed the consent form under pressure from his father. Marilyn later stated that the sale emotionally devastated him: "It killed him. Killed him. I don't think he talked for days. Brian took it as Murry not believing in him anymore." During this period, Wilson reportedly engaged in self-destructive behavior, including an attempt to drive off a cliff and a demand to be buried in a backyard grave he had dug. He channeled his despondence into writing " ' Til I Die ", later calling the song a summation of "everything I had to say at the time".
  
  Later in 1969, Wilson produced poet Stephen Kalinich 's spoken-word album A World of Peace Must Come. That November, the Beach Boys signed to Reprise Records, a subsidiary of Warner Bros., with contractual terms requiring Wilson's active participation in their albums. In March 1970, Wilson briefly substituted for Mike Love on tour. In April, he attempted to produce a country and western album for co-manager Fred Vail, later known as Cows in the Pasture.
  
  Early in 1969, the Beach Boys commenced recording Sunflower (August 1970). Wilson contributed numerous songs, though most were excluded from the final track selection. He co-wrote and produced the single " Break Away " with his father in early 1969, after which he largely withdrew from studio work until August. The group faced difficulties securing a new record deal, attributed by Gaines to Wilson's diminished standing in the industry. In May 1969, Wilson disclosed the band's near-bankruptcy to reporters, which derailed negotiations with Deutsche Grammophon and nearly jeopardized their upcoming European tour. That July, he opened a short-lived health food store, the Radiant Radish, with cousin Steve Korthof and associate Arny Geller.
  
  In August, the Beach Boys' publishing company, Sea of Tunes, sold their song catalog to Irving Almo Music for $700,000 ($ 6 million in 2024). Wilson signed the consent form under pressure from his father. Marilyn later stated that the sale emotionally devastated him: "It killed him. Killed him. I don't think he talked for days. Brian took it as Murry not believing in him anymore." During this period, Wilson reportedly engaged in self-destructive behavior, including an attempt to drive off a cliff and a demand to be buried in a backyard grave he had dug. He channeled his despondence into writing " ' Til I Die ", later calling the song a summation of "everything I had to say at the time".
  
  Later in 1969, Wilson produced poet Stephen Kalinich 's spoken-word album A World of Peace Must Come. That November, the Beach Boys signed to Reprise Records, a subsidiary of Warner Bros., with contractual terms requiring Wilson's active participation in their albums. In March 1970, Wilson briefly substituted for Mike Love on tour. In April, he attempted to produce a country and western album for co-manager Fred Vail, later known as Cows in the Pasture.