Billboard: Mike Love: BBs planning new album

[Jay]

How did Stamos get involved with the group anyway? Does anybody know? I wonder if he has been around long enough to have met Dennis.

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

I'm guessing, but I think the Beach Boys did a guest spot on Full House, possibly at Stamos' instigation: being a huge fan. And it snowballed into Uncle Jesse doing Forever and someone asking "Hey, couldn't we use a new Dennis right about now"?

[Awesoman]

Actually the Beach Boys appeared on Stamos' short-lived sitcom with Jack Klugman in the mid-80's. Show was called You Again?.  Don't know if this was their first meeting.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCHPlAwBVZE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[hypehat]

Seriously could we stop it with the dumb poking-fun song titles? Please mods? I myself personally don't come to this board for the laughs. I come to have insightful discussion. And honestly if this happens, its a pretty big deal. It is the band that all of us here love really making an attempt to record a new studio album.

Who the hell do you think you are, anyway?

runaways, in case you haven't noticed, they're supposed to be awful 

FYI, I'd be a million, trillion, squillion pounds that nothing further than Do It Again has happened. Mike likes to say that he wants to write with Brian every so often.

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

They could always go and record:

Keepin An Eye On Our Blood Pressure

Wake The Ward

Chug A Lug That Prune Juice

Island Grandmother

Strange Things Happen When You Can't Remember

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

Actually the Beach Boys appeared on Stamos' short-lived sitcom with Jack Klugman in the mid-80's. Show was called You Again?.  Don't know if this was their first meeting.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCHPlAwBVZE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

I LOVE how Brian rushes in at the last minute: basically the day of the gig with "new arrangements"!!!! 

[desmondo]

I really hope this "album" doesn't come out - they just don't have enough quality in them these days to record a new album - they need to realise how important their legacy is and not wreck it

[Runaways]

ha which legacy?  taking the last 30 years of beach boys legacy, if it sucks, then taking a crap on a crap pile isn't really gonna do anything is it?

[desmondo]

ha which legacy?  taking the last 30 years of beach boys legacy, if it sucks, then taking a crap on a crap pile isn't really gonna do anything is it?

Legacy - 61 to 71ish, 20 Golden Greats, BWPS and Kokomo (sadly)

In essence I agree but its still crap compared to the above

[Jon Stebbins]

How did Stamos get involved with the group anyway? Does anybody know? I wonder if he has been around long enough to have met Dennis.

Ed Roach remembers Stamos, then a soap actor (I think), hanging around the BB's wanting to meet Dennis, and not exactly getting a warm reception from DW. Maybe Ed can fill in some details...I think the bottom line is Dennis had to be cajoled to give Stamos a few seconds of attention. Which is odd because Dennis was usually very approachable, unless he got some kind of bad vibe from you. Hmmm.

[seanmurd]

How did Stamos get involved with the group anyway? Does anybody know? I wonder if he has been around long enough to have met Dennis.

Ed Roach remembers Stamos, then a soap actor (I think), hanging around the BB's wanting to meet Dennis, and not exactly getting a warm reception from DW. Maybe Ed can fill in some details...I think the bottom line is Dennis had to be cajoled to give Stamos a few seconds of attention. Which is odd because Dennis was usually very approachable, unless he got some kind of bad vibe from you. Hmmm.

Hmmm ... Manson didn't give DW a bad vibe, but John Stamos did?

Actually, that sounds about right... 

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

I doubt Stamos approached him with a horde of nubile young, half naked, and willing girls

[seanmurd]

I doubt Stamos approached him with a horde of nubile young, half naked, and willing girls

Excellent point. I withdraw my sarcastic post above...

[southbay]

Actually the Beach Boys appeared on Stamos' short-lived sitcom with Jack Klugman in the mid-80's. Show was called You Again?.  Don't know if this was their first meeting.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCHPlAwBVZE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

You Again was 1986.  Stamos was actually with the group onstage (not sure if he guest drummed or not, although I do know that Mr. T DID) on July 4, 1985 in Philadelphia and Washington D.C.  This may have been his first appearance with the BB's, not sure. Also not sure why I know this...

[doc smiley]

IMHO

regardless of what they do... STOP with the shared lead vocals already....!
worst part of the tracks they did in the latter years was making every single  song (seems like) a
lead vocal share-a-thon...
its ok on occasion but it gets tiring in a hurry ( plus it seemed always someone's vocal lead spoiled the song)

[Jim V.]

IMHO

regardless of what they do... STOP with the shared lead vocals already....!
worst part of the tracks they did in the latter years was making every single  song (seems like) a
lead vocal share-a-thon...
its ok on occasion but it gets tiring in a hurry ( plus it seemed always someone's vocal lead spoiled the song)

The reason they probably did nonsense like this was that "corporately" they had to please all the egos in the room, because it became more of a corporation than a band, like on Still Crusin', where, as Mike Love mentioned, you have to have Al's song here, and Brian's song there or they wouldn't sign off or whatever. Honestly, chances are that if theres a new BB album, most of the music should be written by one B. Wilson. That's what made them great and that is what they should do.

The whole lead vocal share-a-thon also happened on "Free as a Bird" by that other band. Since when was there a Beatle track where John, Paul, and George all sang lead together? At least they didn't give Ringo a lead. Hah.

[Ed Roach]

How did Stamos get involved with the group anyway? Does anybody know? I wonder if he has been around long enough to have met Dennis.

Ed Roach remembers Stamos, then a soap actor (I think), hanging around the BB's wanting to meet Dennis, and not exactly getting a warm reception from DW. Maybe Ed can fill in some details...I think the bottom line is Dennis had to be cajoled to give Stamos a few seconds of attention. Which is odd because Dennis was usually very approachable, unless he got some kind of bad vibe from you. Hmmm.

Back in the early 80's Stamos was on General Hospital.  He had the same pr firm, Rogers & Cowan, that represented The Boys.  There was a girl that worked there that was close with both Dennis & I, (surprise, surprise!), and she said that all Stamos ever talked about was how much he wanted to meet Dennis.  Well, she threw a party one night, and made me promise that I'd get Dennis there.
Unfortunately, it wasn't one of his better nights...  He had been drinking quite a bit, and was also going through a weird period where he was wearing a knife on his side at all times, which he was constantly practicing throwing.  I knew it wasn't a time for him to attend a party, but heck, I promised...  It wasn't just Stamos that he was rude to that night, either; I don't think anyone was too pleased with him by the time we left.  After that, I think John felt it was safer to gravitate over towards Mike Love.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

IMHO

regardless of what they do... STOP with the shared lead vocals already....!
worst part of the tracks they did in the latter years was making every single  song (seems like) a
lead vocal share-a-thon...
its ok on occasion but it gets tiring in a hurry ( plus it seemed always someone's vocal lead spoiled the song)

The reason they probably did nonsense like this was that "corporately" they had to please all the egos in the room, because it became more of a corporation than a band, like on Still Crusin', where, as Mike Love mentioned, you have to have Al's song here, and Brian's song there or they wouldn't sign off or whatever. Honestly, chances are that if theres a new BB album, most of the music should be written by one B. Wilson. That's what made them great and that is what they should do.

The whole lead vocal share-a-thon also happened on "Free as a Bird" by that other band. Since when was there a Beatle track where John, Paul, and George all sang lead together? At least they didn't give Ringo a lead. Hah.

I seem recall that all the band members started writing songs back on the "20/20" /"Friends" albums.  And did so with great success on "Sunflower" and "Holland".  As far as shared lead vocals, one of my all time favorites is "All This Is That" - superb job of three leads:  Carl, Mike and Al.

A new album isn't gonna sound great unless they let Al sing most of the leads.  Everyone else's voice is shot  (with the exception of David Marks, who we know know has a wonderful, distinctive voice).  Brain certainly no longer sounds like Brian, Mike  has lost his range, who knows about Bruce.  Unless it's Al doing a full lead, better to trade lead vocals.  As the saying goes, "Lost in a crowd".  By trading leads, we won't fixate on how much Mike or Brian no longer sound the same.

By the by, George, John and Paul did the co-lead on "Sun King" from Abbey Road. (but yeah, it was a harmony lead).  And I think "Free as a Bird" is great!  It was a no win situation with John gone anyway.

[Jim V.]

IMHO

regardless of what they do... STOP with the shared lead vocals already....!
worst part of the tracks they did in the latter years was making every single  song (seems like) a
lead vocal share-a-thon...
its ok on occasion but it gets tiring in a hurry ( plus it seemed always someone's vocal lead spoiled the song)

The reason they probably did nonsense like this was that "corporately" they had to please all the egos in the room, because it became more of a corporation than a band, like on Still Crusin', where, as Mike Love mentioned, you have to have Al's song here, and Brian's song there or they wouldn't sign off or whatever. Honestly, chances are that if theres a new BB album, most of the music should be written by one B. Wilson. That's what made them great and that is what they should do.

The whole lead vocal share-a-thon also happened on "Free as a Bird" by that other band. Since when was there a Beatle track where John, Paul, and George all sang lead together? At least they didn't give Ringo a lead. Hah.

I seem recall that all the band members started writing songs back on the "20/20" /"Friends" albums.  And did so with great success on "Sunflower" and "Holland".  As far as shared lead vocals, one of my all time favorites is "All This Is That" - superb job of three leads:  Carl, Mike and Al.

A new album isn't gonna sound great unless they let Al sing most of the leads.  Everyone else's voice is shot  (with the exception of David Marks, who we know know has a wonderful, distinctive voice).  Brain certainly no longer sounds like Brian, Mike  has lost his range, who knows about Bruce.  Unless it's Al doing a full lead, better to trade lead vocals.  As the saying goes, "Lost in a crowd".  By trading leads, we won't fixate on how much Mike or Brian no longer sound the same.

By the by, George, John and Paul did the co-lead on "Sun King" from Abbey Road. (but yeah, it was a harmony lead).  And I think "Free as a Bird" is great!  It was a no win situation with John gone anyway.

I mean it's obvious that the other members started writing by '68/'69, but the splitting of writing and lead vocal credits by 20/20 thru Holland was brought about by necessity (Brian retreating) and creativity (Dennis, Bruce, and Carl for the most part). It just seemed more organic a process then it did by the late '80s and early '90s. I think this album's tracklist should be decided by who has the best songs. Therefore, if Brian brings in crap, and Mike brings in 3 emotional masterpieces, then Mike should get those 3 tracks on the album. So I guess I retract that the music should be by Brian. I'd prefer that is was, but the key is good songs. I just don't want there to be essentially 3 "Brian" songs, 3 "Mike" songs, 3 "Al" songs, and 2 "Brucies". I guess what I'm saying is i hope they don't play politics, and just try to get their best music out there that they can.

And as far as "Free as a Bird", personally i love it, but i was just pointing out that shared lead vocal thing was something they didn't really do before (except for harmonies).

And oh yeah, it seems totally insane that  we are really talking about the Beach Boys recording a new album. Yes, Carl and Dennis are no longer with us, but I think its great these guys are still up to doing something like this. I never thought we'd see this, or a release of SMiLE for that matter.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

IMHO

regardless of what they do... STOP with the shared lead vocals already....!
worst part of the tracks they did in the latter years was making every single  song (seems like) a
lead vocal share-a-thon...
its ok on occasion but it gets tiring in a hurry ( plus it seemed always someone's vocal lead spoiled the song)

The reason they probably did nonsense like this was that "corporately" they had to please all the egos in the room, because it became more of a corporation than a band, like on Still Crusin', where, as Mike Love mentioned, you have to have Al's song here, and Brian's song there or they wouldn't sign off or whatever. Honestly, chances are that if theres a new BB album, most of the music should be written by one B. Wilson. That's what made them great and that is what they should do.

The whole lead vocal share-a-thon also happened on "Free as a Bird" by that other band. Since when was there a Beatle track where John, Paul, and George all sang lead together? At least they didn't give Ringo a lead. Hah.

I seem recall that all the band members started writing songs back on the "20/20" /"Friends" albums.  And did so with great success on "Sunflower" and "Holland".  As far as shared lead vocals, one of my all time favorites is "All This Is That" - superb job of three leads:  Carl, Mike and Al.

A new album isn't gonna sound great unless they let Al sing most of the leads.  Everyone else's voice is shot  (with the exception of David Marks, who we know know has a wonderful, distinctive voice).  Brain certainly no longer sounds like Brian, Mike  has lost his range, who knows about Bruce.  Unless it's Al doing a full lead, better to trade lead vocals.  As the saying goes, "Lost in a crowd".  By trading leads, we won't fixate on how much Mike or Brian no longer sound the same.

By the by, George, John and Paul did the co-lead on "Sun King" from Abbey Road. (but yeah, it was a harmony lead).  And I think "Free as a Bird" is great!  It was a no win situation with John gone anyway.

I mean it's obvious that the other members started writing by '68/'69, but the splitting of writing and lead vocal credits by 20/20 thru Holland was brought about by necessity (Brian retreating) and creativity (Dennis, Bruce, and Carl for the most part). It just seemed more organic a process then it did by the late '80s and early '90s. I think this album's tracklist should be decided by who has the best songs. Therefore, if Brian brings in crap, and Mike brings in 3 emotional masterpieces, then Mike should get those 3 tracks on the album. So I guess I retract that the music should be by Brian. I'd prefer that is was, but the key is good songs. I just don't want there to be essentially 3 "Brian" songs, 3 "Mike" songs, 3 "Al" songs, and 2 "Brucies". I guess what I'm saying is i hope they don't play politics, and just try to get their best music out there that they can.

And as far as "Free as a Bird", personally i love it, but i was just pointing out that shared lead vocal thing was something they didn't really do before (except for harmonies).

And oh yeah, it seems totally insane that  we are really talking about the Beach Boys recording a new album. Yes, Carl and Dennis are no longer with us, but I think its great these guys are still up to doing something like this. I never thought we'd see this, or a release of SMiLE for that matter.

What did you think of Al and Brian trading lead on "Drivin'" from Postcard?  I'm thinking co-leads like this, with Mike. Dave and Bruce thrown in, would work.

I agree the co-leads of the 80's - early 90's "Problem Child", do suck!

[Rocker]

I just don't want there to be essentially 3 "Brian" songs, 3 "Mike" songs, 3 "Al" songs, and 2 "Brucies". I guess what I'm saying is i hope they don't play politics, and just try to get their best music out there that they can.

I totally agree ! In fact this is the utopian thinking that all my reunion hopes are built on

[MaxL]

IMHO

regardless of what they do... STOP with the shared lead vocals already....!
worst part of the tracks they did in the latter years was making every single  song (seems like) a
lead vocal share-a-thon...
its ok on occasion but it gets tiring in a hurry ( plus it seemed always someone's vocal lead spoiled the song)

The reason they probably did nonsense like this was that "corporately" they had to please all the egos in the room, because it became more of a corporation than a band, like on Still Crusin', where, as Mike Love mentioned, you have to have Al's song here, and Brian's song there or they wouldn't sign off or whatever. Honestly, chances are that if theres a new BB album, most of the music should be written by one B. Wilson. That's what made them great and that is what they should do.

The whole lead vocal share-a-thon also happened on "Free as a Bird" by that other band. Since when was there a Beatle track where John, Paul, and George all sang lead together? At least they didn't give Ringo a lead. Hah.

I seem recall that all the band members started writing songs back on the "20/20" /"Friends" albums.  And did so with great success on "Sunflower" and "Holland".  As far as shared lead vocals, one of my all time favorites is "All This Is That" - superb job of three leads:  Carl, Mike and Al.

A new album isn't gonna sound great unless they let Al sing most of the leads.  Everyone else's voice is shot  (with the exception of David Marks, who we know know has a wonderful, distinctive voice).  Brain certainly no longer sounds like Brian, Mike  has lost his range, who knows about Bruce.  Unless it's Al doing a full lead, better to trade lead vocals.  As the saying goes, "Lost in a crowd".  By trading leads, we won't fixate on how much Mike or Brian no longer sound the same.

By the by, George, John and Paul did the co-lead on "Sun King" from Abbey Road. (but yeah, it was a harmony lead).  And I think "Free as a Bird" is great!  It was a no win situation with John gone anyway.

Of course I can only speak for his voice in concert but Bruce has most definitely still got "it", almost seems a shame his lead vocals nowadays in concert are so limited (though when I saw M&B Bruce nailed "GOK" and "Do You Wanna Dance") and I bet a small amount of cash that some of his studio-sweetened would sound near-top-notch as a lead.

[Mark Dillon]

Actually the Beach Boys appeared on Stamos' short-lived sitcom with Jack Klugman in the mid-80's. Show was called You Again?.  Don't know if this was their first meeting.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCHPlAwBVZE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

You Again was 1986.  Stamos was actually with the group onstage (not sure if he guest drummed or not, although I do know that Mr. T DID) on July 4, 1985 in Philadelphia and Washington D.C.  This may have been his first appearance with the BB's, not sure. Also not sure why I know this...

According to Mike Love, that was indeed his first show with the band. Stamos' entree into the group was provided by Jeffrey Foskett, who was then playing with the BBs and had been Stamos' roommate.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

I just don't want there to be essentially 3 "Brian" songs, 3 "Mike" songs, 3 "Al" songs, and 2 "Brucies". I guess what I'm saying is i hope they don't play politics, and just try to get their best music out there that they can.

I totally agree ! In fact this is the utopian thinking that all my reunion hopes are built on

Problem is, it's evident, from AGD's recent posts, that Brian hasn't written new material for years.
I doubt Al has anything new or decent otherwise he would have put it on his solo album.

So what are we looking at? Using Mike's "Mike Love Not War" songs with new vocals?   Shoot me now please!  I'm sure Mike wants a Summer in Paradise Part II album.

Hopefully, Brian is looking at old stuff like Honey's and Spring songs never done by the Beach Boys.  As we saw with TLOS, Brian has lots of things he toyed with that never made it into full fledged songs.  That's a much better alternative than forced new songs.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

IMHO

regardless of what they do... STOP with the shared lead vocals already....!
worst part of the tracks they did in the latter years was making every single  song (seems like) a
lead vocal share-a-thon...
its ok on occasion but it gets tiring in a hurry ( plus it seemed always someone's vocal lead spoiled the song)

The reason they probably did nonsense like this was that "corporately" they had to please all the egos in the room, because it became more of a corporation than a band, like on Still Crusin', where, as Mike Love mentioned, you have to have Al's song here, and Brian's song there or they wouldn't sign off or whatever. Honestly, chances are that if theres a new BB album, most of the music should be written by one B. Wilson. That's what made them great and that is what they should do.

The whole lead vocal share-a-thon also happened on "Free as a Bird" by that other band. Since when was there a Beatle track where John, Paul, and George all sang lead together? At least they didn't give Ringo a lead. Hah.

I seem recall that all the band members started writing songs back on the "20/20" /"Friends" albums.  And did so with great success on "Sunflower" and "Holland".  As far as shared lead vocals, one of my all time favorites is "All This Is That" - superb job of three leads:  Carl, Mike and Al.

A new album isn't gonna sound great unless they let Al sing most of the leads.  Everyone else's voice is shot  (with the exception of David Marks, who we know know has a wonderful, distinctive voice).  Brain certainly no longer sounds like Brian, Mike  has lost his range, who knows about Bruce.  Unless it's Al doing a full lead, better to trade lead vocals.  As the saying goes, "Lost in a crowd".  By trading leads, we won't fixate on how much Mike or Brian no longer sound the same.

By the by, George, John and Paul did the co-lead on "Sun King" from Abbey Road. (but yeah, it was a harmony lead).  And I think "Free as a Bird" is great!  It was a no win situation with John gone anyway.

Of course I can only speak for his voice in concert but Bruce has most definitely still got "it", almost seems a shame his lead vocals nowadays in concert are so limited (though when I saw M&B Bruce nailed "GOK" and "Do You Wanna Dance") and I bet a small amount of cash that some of his studio-sweetened would sound near-top-notch as a lead.

Makes me feel a bit more optimistic!