Should They Call It A Day After This Tour?

[southbay]

Other than (possible) increased revenues due to larger audiences for the shows , do Al and Brian get more $ when they with the Beach Boys than when they don't?  That is, do they get a performance share in addition to a BRI corporate share of the concert revenue? As BRI corporate members, Mike, Brian, Al and Carl's estate share in Beach Boy revenue, including concert revenue. Of course, this year the concert revenue is much higher.  Next year, if Brian goes back home and the Beach Boys continue touring with, say, Mike, Bruce, and David...does Al get any more cash if he tours with that group than if he stays home?

[Alan Smith]

End on a high.

As much as it pains me to say so.

I just don't get why people on here (obviously Beach Boys fans) would want the group to quit. It makes no sense. As they are my favorite group, and they are putting out great material, why would I want that to stop? If they wanna keep making more songs and putting out more new material, then I'm all for it. If they don't want to, then that is fine, but seeing as how they have more new songs coming out on the 'hits' album it doesn't look like they are done quite yet.

Cool comment, I dig what you're saying.  As the BB's are my favourite group, and have gone all carpe diem on our fan asses with this album - Yay!!!, I'd love to think they could do this forever.

They've gone and put the sparkle back into a fizzled legacy, but at the same time (re)set a high bar for themselves.  

Hence, the thing for me (in my opinion) is can they keep putting out "Great" material - key word is "Great" - that honours their history and retains their artistic integrity and dignity?  

Our Boys have paid their dues many times over and now cleaned the lost year's slate - I'd hate to see it all for nought should the clink of coin, familial politics or unrealistic expectations of concerned onlookers (record company suits, media types, fans) spoil what's been a most excellent party.

[SloopJohnnyB]

The one thing that's missing from the new material so far is a proper balls-out rocker.  Not something midtempo like "Beaches In Mind", but one with the tempo and energy of a "Don't Back Down" or "Fun Fun Fun".  A chance for Dave to lay down some blistering surf licks -- the spotlight at last -- and Mike and Al to show just how young they still are.

Until I heard just how good they still are, I wouldn't have even imagined such a song would be possible.  But now...  I want them to stick around long enough to show just how much they haven't lost it.  A dignified and melancholy farewell is one thing, and the end of the last album is lovely...  but I'd rather have them hit one more high note before they go.

Cheers,
Jon Blum

Agreed! I know I'm in the minority here but "Summer's Gone" is no way for the Beach Boys to go out. Way too sad of a song to end this way. Melancholy is a good word for it.

Do the Rock n Roll album. Give us one more "Good Vibrations" or "Fun, Fun, Fun" to end the final album. Give us a whole album like that. (a lot to ask for I know)

Remember how you felt after just seeing the Beach Boys LIVE in concert? THATS HOW I WANT TO FEEL when I listen to the last studio track on the last album.

Maybe thats part of the reason why Brian wants to do a Rock n Roll album next. I hope it gets done.

[Musketeer]

Just wondering aloud.....what would you (or anybody) consider the last 'rock and roll" song Brian Wilson wrote?

To answer the question: I think if they so decide, this would be an excellent time to leave on a high. A good and top selling album and a very successful tour. However, if they want to continue recording and touring that would be great just as long as they can keep up with the current standard they have set this year.

[Quzi]

Let's not pretend we have a flawless track record to defend here. I think there's no dire need to play it safe. Brian's sitting on (based from what we've sampled) a pretty decent batch of songs and even if by some diabolical twist of fate they turn out to be the nadir of the band's career, I think that if the boys were to fuck it up for the upteenth time, people would honestly laugh it off. It's gotten to the point that the public almost expect them to f*** up, and if they do, I don't think it would really cheapen or detract from their past successes imo. When I first started getting into The Beach Boys, I was in awe of how such a fractured, dysfunctional unit could have produced such amazing music. Some of those stinkers really make the gems in the catelogue shine.

[Outtasight!]

Just wondering aloud.....what would you (or anybody) consider the last 'rock and roll" song Brian Wilson wrote?

To answer the question: I think if they so decide, this would be an excellent time to leave on a high. A good and top selling album and a very successful tour. However, if they want to continue recording and touring that would be great just as long as they can keep up with the current standard they have set this year.

Going Home on TLOS was definitely Rn'R. Morning Beat rocks too.

[Emdeeh]

I know I'm in the minority here but "Summer's Gone" is no way for the Beach Boys to go out. Way to sad of a song to end this way. Melancholy is a good word for it.

I'm with you, and go one further -- I don't think "Summer's Gone" works as an effective end for the album itself. As I've said before, it feels like a false coda, which gives me no closure for the album, let alone a career.

I'd love to have that rock 'n' roll album too -- let's give Dave a chance to play some blistering leads!

Also, it looks like the tour may be continuing into the fall. An October date in Texas has leaked in the press. EDIT: The date has been pulled and may be a Mike & Bruce date. Oh, well....

[Magic Transistor Radio]

I have heard the pending title of their next album is Nursery Home USA!

[donald]

Deep Thoughts from Jack Handey;

I don't think they can continue to command the current high ticket prices indefinitely.  There is an element of "specialness" in the reunion that is driving attendance here.

Of course age is a factor.

They have a HUGE touring act to support.

I have wondered also if Mike feels obliged to Christian et al and Al to his son and band to return to those previous arrangements.

I wouldn't mind a few more good studio tracks

Want a new box set.

Want a good recording of this tour.

Wouldn't mind a Grammy nod

I think they must be getting tired

I want them to have a happy and prosperous retirement

[Disney Boy (1985)]

End on a high.

As much as it pains me to say so.

I just don't get why people on here (obviously Beach Boys fans) would want the group to quit. It makes no sense. As they are my favorite group, and they are putting out great material, why would I want that to stop? If they wanna keep making more songs and putting out more new material, then I'm all for it. If they don't want to, then that is fine, but seeing as how they have more new songs coming out on the 'hits' album it doesn't look like they are done quite yet.

One of the reasons the Beatles are held in such high esteem is because they quit at exactly the right time, ensuring an almost perfect legacy. The Beach Boys unfortunately refused to quit and thus we were subjected to a tidal wave of reputation-damaging dross throughout the eighties and early nineties. Against the odds however it seems they may now be able to end their career on a high, with a well-recieved album and a success tour. It is precisely because i love the group so much that i want them to call it a day once this tour is over, so that they can end their career on a positive note! Of course there's the possibility that they may go on to release another album (or two) better than TWGMTR, but i doubt they will and i'd rather they bowed out with grace rather than spoil things...

(Personally i would always, always, always rather hear unreleased material from the 60's-70's then any newly recorded material.)

[Disney Boy (1985)]

I know I'm in the minority here but "Summer's Gone" is no way for the Beach Boys to go out. Way to sad of a song to end this way. Melancholy is a good word for it.

I'm with you, and go one further -- I don't think "Summer's Gone" works as an effective end for the album itself. As I've said before, it feels like a false coda, which gives me no closure for the album, let alone a career.

I'd love to have that rock 'n' roll album too -- let's give Dave a chance to play some blistering leads!

Also, it looks like the tour may be continuing into the fall. An October date in Texas has leaked in the press. EDIT: The date has been pulled and may be a Mike & Bruce date. Oh, well....

But melancholy is what the band are all about. As has often been noted, even Brian's most upbeat joyous numbers always sound as if they have a ring of sadness about them... That's what made (makes) them so special! Summer's Gone is a perfect finale - in terms of tone, content, everything. What would you rather they'd ended with - Beaches In Mind?

[Wirestone]

I hope a message board doesn't try to make me retire when I'm 70.

[lance]

I honestly think their 'legacy' will be fine, enhanced by this tour/album. If they don't break up, that doesn't mean that they are going to put out SIP part 2 next year or anything. Brian's on a roll and has been since 1998 or so(even if much of the stuff languised/languishes in the vaults.). If he wants to continue, he will, if he doesn't, the BB aren't going to put anything out. I'm not worried. At this point, it's clear that the Beach Boys ARE Brian Wilson,, more so than they have been in decades. We're not going to get a Brian-less Beach Boys. He's not going to put something out like 15 B0 again, in my opinion. don't worry. Let him do as he wishes.

 the Beach Boys are NEVER going to have the perfect little career-narrative that the Beatles have. it's too late for that. Besides we would have lost a lot of good music if they had!(for example, if they had broken up...when? Surf's Up would be the most logical placein my opinion to have an unblemished legacy(especially if the outtakes hadn't been taken out...) That means no Holland, no Love You and a LOT of great songs.

[Alex]

I hope Brian breaks out the Moog and bathrobe, grows a huge beard, and we get a Love You part 2.

[Magic Transistor Radio]

I hope Brian breaks out the Moog and bathrobe, grows a huge beard, and we get a Love You part 2.

And Brian gains 100 lbs again!