25th Anniversery in Hawaii---what went wrong?

[stack-o-tracks]

What went wrong? That whole decade was what went wrong. The 80s were dark, dark times, similar to what we're going to be experiencing this upcoming decade.

[Awesoman]

What went wrong? That whole decade was what went wrong. The 80s were dark, dark times, similar to what we're going to be experiencing this upcoming decade.

Can only speak for myself, but I had no problem with the 80's.  :-)

[Iron Horse-Apples]

What went wrong? That whole decade was what went wrong. The 80s were dark, dark times, similar to what we're going to be experiencing this upcoming decade.

 , and then on reflection.....

[punkinhead]

What went wrong? That whole decade was what went wrong. The 80s were dark, dark times, similar to what we're going to be experiencing this upcoming decade.

You think so? What makes you say that?

[Aegir]

If this turns into a huge argument about how Obama is the new Reagan I'm never posting here again.

[Iron Horse-Apples]

So, what are everyone's thoughts on Obama being the new Reagan then?

[Rocker]

So, what are everyone's thoughts on Obama being the new Reagan then?

The actor ?! 

[stack-o-tracks]

What went wrong? That whole decade was what went wrong. The 80s were dark, dark times, similar to what we're going to be experiencing this upcoming decade.

You think so? What makes you say that?

Look at the current young peoples' culture. Trends in music and fashion are just so bad. I honestly kind of wish we'd go back to brightly colored parachute pants and relying heavily on bad sounding synthesizers. People are going to be looking back in 20 years going "man, what the f*** were we thinking?"

[hypehat]

You're all crazy, Obama is the new Al Green

[Runaways]

I think this age will be more viewed for the technology boom.  Hopefully anyway.  The pop culture of this time is horrible

[stack-o-tracks]

Maybe the last decade. The 2010s are going to be full of civil unrest and revolutions.

[Phoenix]

I agree!  I keep saying it won't be a zombie apocalypse or the rise of the machines but a new Civil War, at least in America.  I encourage everyone to be themselves but once upon a time it was considered impolite to discuss politics or religion in mixed company, whereas now people define themselves by how they vote, who they sleep with, what they worship, etc, etc, etc.

No one can change (without a physically altering operation) their sex or race or where they were born.  THAT is who you are.  Beyond that, everything else is just ASPECTS of who you are.  But now people keep self-segregating themselves into groups based on anything and everything (their diet, sports team affiliation, etc.) to the point that sooner or later everyone will wind up in a class by themselves and we'll all be alone.

...But as a straight, white male, it seems I'm not allowed to talk about this stuff.  I've been saying that my getting gender and race reassignment surgeries (making me a gay, black woman) will be the only way I'd be allowed to express my concerns without being called a racist, homophobic misogynist 

[OGoldin]

I don't know -- civil unrest is on the way to be sure, but that can be good.  I really felt a breath of fresh air at the Madison protests against Walker and the Occupy march I was at.  No other phrase but Good Vibrations comes to mind. 

The process will be bumpy but I think good changes are on the way.  And there's a part of me that thinks that it's not a co-incidence that the Beach Boys are working their magic again, at the same time.

[Wirestone]

...But as a straight, white male, it seems I'm not allowed to talk about this stuff.  I've been saying that my getting gender and race reassignment surgeries (making me a gay, black woman) will be the only way I'd be allowed to express my concerns without being called a racist, homophobic misogynist 

I would say it would depend on what those concerns were. Because for a lot of straight white guys, the concerns seem to be that the unearned societal privilege that they took for granted for centuries is being questioned -- not even taken away, but merely questioned! -- by others.

Things are changing.

[Lonely Summer]

Off topic, but this special was not bad. Yeah, the guys made it obvious they cannot read cue cards, but have you ever seen Brian in better physical shape? Carl also looks slimmed down, maybe it was all that sand and surf  I'm an Everlys fan, so seeing them onstage with the Beach Boys was a thrill (and, no, those were not wigs, the Evs are just extremely hairy guys). I enjoyed Three...uh...Two Dog Night (you wanna talk bad blood? The Beach Boys have got nothing on Chuck, Danny and Cory). Too many medleys, though, too many songs cut short, and Good Vibrations was constantly interrupted with "Happy 25 Beach Boys". Probably would've been a better show if they'd just taped a Beach Boys concert, inserted some interviews and backstage footage, and forgotten the guests, but this was prime time tv, 1987. "Surf In the USA" anyone?

[Phoenix]

...But as a straight, white male, it seems I'm not allowed to talk about this stuff.  I've been saying that my getting gender and race reassignment surgeries (making me a gay, black woman) will be the only way I'd be allowed to express my concerns without being called a racist, homophobic misogynist

I would say it would depend on what those concerns were. Because for a lot of straight white guys, the concerns seem to be that the unearned societal privilege that they took for granted for centuries is being questioned -- not even taken away, but merely questioned! -- by others.

Don't look at me.  I don't know the answers but some of my Liberal friends (a very loud few, specifically) want to crucify me for even asking questions because, as you also seem to imply, "I" was in charge for long enough.  First off:  As stated, I'm just trying to get insight on why the Pride of one's in divduality doesn't sometimes go a little too far.  To quote one of my more Conservative, Gay friends, "What's next, an Anger Parade?"  And second:  "In charge"?  I can assure you, *I* have NEVER been in charge of anything outside of my own stores/businesses and personal well being.  I'm just trying to get by like everyone else. 

[adamghost]

Many of the prevailing political messages we hear are carefully calibrated to play to peoples' hidden resentments...making it very, very difficult to get past our own sense of grievance to see the other person's point of view, and reach an agreement.

Which, of course, is exactly the point.  Most of my extremely right-wing friends don't realize how identical they sound to their mortal enemies, my extreme left-wing friends.  They're concerned about a lot of the same things, but think the problem lies with the other. 

My personal opinion is it's a wonderful shell game, and a very few people are getting rich while we all point fingers at each other, get angry and beat each other up with silly-ass petty grievances and slogans.

[stack-o-tracks]

The bottom line is that the government needs to spend less money. Neither party can see that, apparently. So much cash is wasted by Washington on things that have absolutely nothing to do with running the country. We're fighting people that pose little to no threat to us on the other side of the world while completely ignoring the anarchy in Mexico caused by our insatiable appetite for drugs. Are we gonna do anything about it before the violence starts spilling over the border?

And then there's stuff like this: http://www.greenfieldreporter.com/view/story/e4be66d5b23a46bd9d9ee84fc9406123/US--Panetta-California-Commute

The defense secretary has flown from DC to his home in California 27 times since July, each flight costing the government $32,000. "Panetta, in turn, has reimbursed the government about $630 per roundtrip for the personal flights, based on longstanding formulas dictated by federal policies."

It's a drop in a bucket compared to the amount of money being spent but there is SO FREAKING MUCH good that you can do with that "small amount" of money. So much food, so much shelter, so many books, so much medicine, so many roads you could pave or forests you could replant.

...and that is what went wrong with the 25th anniversary show.

[punkinhead]

Off topic, but this special was not bad. Yeah, the guys made it obvious they cannot read cue cards, but have you ever seen Brian in better physical shape? Carl also looks slimmed down, maybe it was all that sand and surf  I'm an Everlys fan, so seeing them onstage with the Beach Boys was a thrill (and, no, those were not wigs, the Evs are just extremely hairy guys). I enjoyed Three...uh...Two Dog Night (you wanna talk bad blood? The Beach Boys have got nothing on Chuck, Danny and Cory). Too many medleys, though, too many songs cut short, and Good Vibrations was constantly interrupted with "Happy 25 Beach Boys". Probably would've been a better show if they'd just taped a Beach Boys concert, inserted some interviews and backstage footage, and forgotten the guests, but this was prime time tv, 1987. "Surf In the USA" anyone?

I agree...good review!

[HeyJude]

Off topic, but this special was not bad. Yeah, the guys made it obvious they cannot read cue cards, but have you ever seen Brian in better physical shape? Carl also looks slimmed down, maybe it was all that sand and surf  I'm an Everlys fan, so seeing them onstage with the Beach Boys was a thrill (and, no, those were not wigs, the Evs are just extremely hairy guys). I enjoyed Three...uh...Two Dog Night (you wanna talk bad blood? The Beach Boys have got nothing on Chuck, Danny and Cory). Too many medleys, though, too many songs cut short, and Good Vibrations was constantly interrupted with "Happy 25 Beach Boys". Probably would've been a better show if they'd just taped a Beach Boys concert, inserted some interviews and backstage footage, and forgotten the guests, but this was prime time tv, 1987. "Surf In the USA" anyone?

Definitely not off topic! A much more elegant TV show could have been put together. But I think you’re right that some of it has to do with the era. In 1987, that’s kind of what that type of show would have to look like and sound like.

I’m actually surprised at how there are still so many unpolished aspects to the TV special considering it’s not like it went out live; it was pre-recorded and mixed and edited.

And yeah, the cutaways to the people on the beach clad in their 80’s beach wear is pretty annoying. Amusing for a bit as a funny time capsule, though.

[southbay]

The Wilson Project offers a good read into the filming of this special as Gary Usher was there.  He described the politics involved in getting the Spirit of R&R recorded the day before the tv taping.  Since Landy was involved in the writing and producing it was a huge band controversy. As he explained it, all songs were being recorded the day before taping.  To get R&R on the show, the Beach Boys had to pre-record it.  That meant 3 Beach Boys.  It was up to the last minute whether 3 would show up based on the Landy issue. Ultimately, Mike and Bruce (who is a Beach Boy for performing and recording purposes) showed up and they and Brian were the only vocalists on the song.  Al and Carl did not participate in a stand against Landy and their vocals were not on that song on the show.

[Tony S]

Interesting....a piece of Beach Boy history of which I did not know. Those were very strange times.

[punkinhead]

Off topic, but this special was not bad. Yeah, the guys made it obvious they cannot read cue cards, but have you ever seen Brian in better physical shape? Carl also looks slimmed down, maybe it was all that sand and surf  I'm an Everlys fan, so seeing them onstage with the Beach Boys was a thrill (and, no, those were not wigs, the Evs are just extremely hairy guys). I enjoyed Three...uh...Two Dog Night (you wanna talk bad blood? The Beach Boys have got nothing on Chuck, Danny and Cory). Too many medleys, though, too many songs cut short, and Good Vibrations was constantly interrupted with "Happy 25 Beach Boys". Probably would've been a better show if they'd just taped a Beach Boys concert, inserted some interviews and backstage footage, and forgotten the guests, but this was prime time tv, 1987. "Surf In the USA" anyone?

Definitely not off topic! A much more elegant TV show could have been put together. But I think you’re right that some of it has to do with the era. In 1987, that’s kind of what that type of show would have to look like and sound like.

I’m actually surprised at how there are still so many unpolished aspects to the TV special considering it’s not like it went out live; it was pre-recorded and mixed and edited.

And yeah, the cutaways to the people on the beach clad in their 80’s beach wear is pretty annoying. Amusing for a bit as a funny time capsule, though.

The cutaways are extremely annoying when you're trying to listen to the recording on cd. 

[punkinhead]

The Wilson Project offers a good read into the filming of this special as Gary Usher was there.  He described the politics involved in getting the Spirit of R&R recorded the day before the tv taping.  Since Landy was involved in the writing and producing it was a huge band controversy. As he explained it, all songs were being recorded the day before taping.  To get R&R on the show, the Beach Boys had to pre-record it.  That meant 3 Beach Boys.  It was up to the last minute whether 3 would show up based on the Landy issue. Ultimately, Mike and Bruce (who is a Beach Boy for performing and recording purposes) showed up and they and Brian were the only vocalists on the song.  Al and Carl did not participate in a stand against Landy and their vocals were not on that song on the show.

Odd how they didn't support Brian (Al and Carl), even though in the end, it supports Landy. It'd be nice if this kind of stuff was in a documentry. The Wilson Project is one of few BB/BW books I've not had a chance to read because I can't find it anywhere!  What was Gary Usher's purpose for the show? Just to help with Brian and/or Spirit of R&R?

[Autotune]

The Wilson Project offers a good read into the filming of this special as Gary Usher was there.  He described the politics involved in getting the Spirit of R&R recorded the day before the tv taping.  Since Landy was involved in the writing and producing it was a huge band controversy. As he explained it, all songs were being recorded the day before taping.  To get R&R on the show, the Beach Boys had to pre-record it.  That meant 3 Beach Boys.  It was up to the last minute whether 3 would show up based on the Landy issue. Ultimately, Mike and Bruce (who is a Beach Boy for performing and recording purposes) showed up and they and Brian were the only vocalists on the song.  Al and Carl did not participate in a stand against Landy and their vocals were not on that song on the show.

Odd how they didn't support Brian (Al and Carl), even though in the end, it supports Landy. It'd be nice if this kind of stuff was in a documentry. The Wilson Project is one of few BB/BW books I've not had a chance to read because I can't find it anywhere!  What was Gary Usher's purpose for the show? Just to help with Brian and/or Spirit of R&R?

Usher was Brian's main collaborator at the time, and a co-writer and producer of Spirit of RR.

The leads were done live over pre-recorded everything else.