Jones Beach conversation with Brian

[Ray Lawlor]

Good morning.  I have been reading all of the conjecture swirling around about Brian's mindset , his physicality and stamina for the long haul regarding the 50th reunion , as well as his capability and willingness to move forward with The Beach Boys. I spoke with him for a few hours last night at Jones Beach and came away with the following:

1/- He is absolutely thrilled to be back together with Mike, Alan, Bruce and David; he particularly enjoys watching Mike MC the show, and , of course, loves to hear the vocals;

2/- In talking about how much he loves touring with the guys, he says that he "hopes it keeps going through at least next summer, that would be great"...." we keep getting better each concert" .....he enjoys playing the keyboard and singing, which he really dialed up on his tour in 2009, it helps him concentrate and sometimes gets in a"real groove" with Darian on the keys ;he is especially enjoying singing "Sail On, Sailor" and "Heroes and Villains" and would like to sing more leads and will if he is asked to;

3/- He is dead serious about the potential for another BB record, as he has some "great stuff" in the can; he gave me some titles, some of which I have heard and some of which I have not ,and he reiterated that he would like to produce a more "rock and roll record with the guys"....no surprise there;

4/- I had dinner with him in Beverly Hills in February; his back was so bad he was shuffling , and it scared the hell out of me,  as this is a guy who was walking 5 miles a day at a pretty steady clip.....he and I are the same height, 6 ft 2 , and I always had trouble keeping up with him. He is walking with much more ease now as the back is healing and the pain has subsided; he is almost ready to start his walking agenda again as he is "rebuilding  the strength in my legs, getting my legs under me". He says he feels great , and has a weight loss target in mind once he starts seriously walking again;

5/- Brian says he has no problem doing as many concerts that they book; that's why he bought his tour bus several years ago, to make it easier on himself with some of the more greuling travel elements of these tours.

I would also like to say that in reading some of the posts regarding Brian's stage demeanor , that he is disinterested and does not want to be there , you could not be more wrong. If Brian did not want to be there he would come up with approximately six million reasons not to be there......and he would exit stage right faster than the space shuttle ! Most people who post on this board, BW.com and BBB are aware that Brian has several challanges on stage.  First and foremost , being deaf in one ear , he does not wear an earpiece like everyone else on stage, but rather has a soundwedge on the floor next to the piano in which he can hear his vocal and piano ;it is really loud up there on stage and he really has to concentrate on every little piece that is going on. Second;and this is just my opinion; I also think that the Dennis and Carl tributes really get to him, and he doesn't just shake it off and say," ok, next song", it stays with him and he dwells on it.  Last night , during "God Only Knows" , Brian just sat there and watched Carl on the video screen. Both Darian and John Cowsill had to turn away because of the look on his face.....can you possibly imagine how much he wishes his brothers were here with him on this tour ? Having said that , the tributes to Dennis and Carl are essential to the legacy of the group, and this tour.  Third; the back does stiffen up while seated at that keyboard, and that certainly does affect his concentration. I know he had missed some of his cues at an earlier show , but I have no idea why , I can only guess. Lastly, Brian is not a natural performer;no secret there; and that is why he marvels at Mike's stage capabilities....for Mike , it is a large part of who he is and he is a natural ;  the Brian Wilson you see on stage or at a meet and greet is not the same Brian Wilson that you would see in the studio.....different guy by light years.

Finally , moving forward with the reunion....Brian says that he is "all in" on keeping it going; he thinks that talks are ongoing about doing so and I sure as hell believe what he is saying. He is happier now than I have seen him in years; probably since the sessions at Scott's house; and in my opinion , it seems to be that he is really stoked about being "Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys " again. And if that's what he wants it is good enough for me.  Thanks for your time.

[Wirestone]

Thank you, Ray.

[AndrewHickey]

Thanks. Good to know that we might get some more music out of Brian, even better to know that he's happy with what he's doing at the moment.

[Roger Ryan]

That is very kind of you to contribute your comments on this - thanks!

[LostArt]

Yeah, thanks for taking the time to post this.

[drbeachboy]

Ray, thanks for this post. I agree about Brian, if he didn't want to be there, he'd bolt like lightning. So, can you name drop the few tunes Brian spoke about? Thanks again.

[Ray Lawlor]

Thanks guys....titles I can think of off the top of my head..."Angels in Love"...."Night Came Gently", a few others that I can't remember but he was singing the melody to one that I had never heard him talk about. At the end of the day what he really wanted to talk about was the NY Yankees and Boston Red Sox !

[dirwuf]

Thanks...you need to post this across the Internet

The only time I ever question Brian's commitment is when he straps on the bass...did he talk about that?

[Sheriff John Stone]

2/- In talking about how much he loves touring with the guys, he says that he "hopes it keeps going through at least next summer, that would be great"...." we keep getting better each concert" .....

Whoa!

So, if after the reunion tour dates are over, Brian wants to continue touring, but Mike & Bruce expect(ed) to return to their old group, what happens?

[Ray Lawlor]

Thanks; I just wanted to say something on Brian's behalf , that's all. There is all sorts of conjecture out there , some of which is kind of goofy, but I know there is passion on the subject. And Brian is a complicated guy.

[Wirestone]

2/- In talking about how much he loves touring with the guys, he says that he "hopes it keeps going through at least next summer, that would be great"...." we keep getting better each concert" .....

Whoa!

So, if after the reunion tour dates are over, Brian wants to continue touring, but Mike & Bruce expect(ed) to return to their old group, what happens?

Melinda has a quiet talk with Brian.

It's easy enough to imagine that the full 50th lineup could regroup for a second leg in the spring.

[drbeachboy]

2/- In talking about how much he loves touring with the guys, he says that he "hopes it keeps going through at least next summer, that would be great"...." we keep getting better each concert" .....

Whoa!

So, if after the reunion tour dates are over, Brian wants to continue touring, but Mike & Bruce expect(ed) to return to their old group, what happens?

I guess that is what "talks are ongoing" means. There has to be more dollars in having the band intact, than just Mike & Bruce going out on the road. It is great to hear that Brian and the Boys' are at least considering it.

[Wah Wah Wah Ooooo]

Thanks for sharing this Ray. It made my day to know that Brian is so happy and excited to be a Beach Boys again.  Good stuff.

[LostArt]

Ray, as long as you're here, could you tell us the tale of Brian, Bluebird, the goat and the roomful of birthday cake?






Just kidding (sort of).  Your name came up here quite some time ago, and this was mentioned.  Sounds like a great story.

[Sheriff John Stone]

2/- In talking about how much he loves touring with the guys, he says that he "hopes it keeps going through at least next summer, that would be great"...." we keep getting better each concert" .....

Whoa!

So, if after the reunion tour dates are over, Brian wants to continue touring, but Mike & Bruce expect(ed) to return to their old group, what happens?

Melinda has a quiet talk with Brian.

  She is a key voice in a lot of this, isn't she...

[Ray Lawlor]

As far as continuing the reunion tour , I was really surprised that Brian was so clear about hoping it would run through next summer; he said it twice while we were hanging out backstage.  My own opinion , and it's only my opinion as I am not part of Brian's organization, is that these are a bunch of guys who have been doing this all their adult lives and they can tell the difference in an audience of 1,500 people and last night's 15, 000 people , as well as having a fully engaged BW in the studio.  This is their third big wave , if you will , and I think that they will work it out; but again , that's only my opinion. I flunked math for three straight years in high school , but now I can add !  Plus the legacy of the band is being polished by the day.  

[guitarfool2002]

Thank you for posting this information, it is very much appreciated! And hopefully it will help address some of the questions and concerns which have turned into speculations and assumptions - it's great to get the information "from the source".

Lastly, Brian is not a natural performer;no secret there; and that is why he marvels at Mike's stage capabilities....for Mike , it is a large part of who he is and he is a natural ;  the Brian Wilson you see on stage or at a meet and greet is not the same Brian Wilson that you would see in the studio.....different guy by light years.

This one section really stood out. Taking it across several topics, not only the current reunion, it seemed that there was in fact a "studio Brian" who was different than one many fans have seen, if that makes sense and doesn't sound too corny: That guy we hear producing and leading on the various sessions from the 60's, and the guy who commands attention and respect from those working with him. It always felt like he was more in his element working in the studio, obviously more so than being on a live stage, and in that studio environment he had that control over situations that you don't have when greeting dozens of fans or in other spontaneous public situations. Not that it's a total drag to be in public, and obviously he says he is enjoying being out there with the band, but the studio seemed to be his element. Just as Mike's "element" or comfort zone is that spontaneous interaction with the public, he thrives on it. It's an interesting dynamic and an interesting balance between them.

[LostArt]

Thank you for posting this information, it is very much appreciated! And hopefully it will help address some of the questions and concerns which have turned into speculations and assumptions - it's great to get the information "from the source".

Lastly, Brian is not a natural performer;no secret there; and that is why he marvels at Mike's stage capabilities....for Mike , it is a large part of who he is and he is a natural ;  the Brian Wilson you see on stage or at a meet and greet is not the same Brian Wilson that you would see in the studio.....different guy by light years.

This one section really stood out. Taking it across several topics, not only the current reunion, it seemed that there was in fact a "studio Brian" who was different than one many fans have seen, if that makes sense and doesn't sound too corny: That guy we hear producing and leading on the various sessions from the 60's, and the guy who commands attention and respect from those working with him. It always felt like he was more in his element working in the studio, obviously more so than being on a live stage, and in that studio environment he had that control over situations that you don't have when greeting dozens of fans or in other spontaneous public situations. Not that it's a total drag to be in public, and obviously he says he is enjoying being out there with the band, but the studio seemed to be his element. Just as Mike's "element" or comfort zone is that spontaneous interaction with the public, he thrives on it. It's an interesting dynamic and an interesting balance between them.

That dynamic was essential to the popularity of The Beach Boys.  Brian's melancholy vs. Mike's positivity.   In My Room vs. Fun Fun Fun.  The artist vs. the entertainer. 

[Wirestone]

Thank you for posting this information, it is very much appreciated! And hopefully it will help address some of the questions and concerns which have turned into speculations and assumptions - it's great to get the information "from the source".

Lastly, Brian is not a natural performer;no secret there; and that is why he marvels at Mike's stage capabilities....for Mike , it is a large part of who he is and he is a natural ;  the Brian Wilson you see on stage or at a meet and greet is not the same Brian Wilson that you would see in the studio.....different guy by light years.

This one section really stood out. Taking it across several topics, not only the current reunion, it seemed that there was in fact a "studio Brian" who was different than one many fans have seen, if that makes sense and doesn't sound too corny: That guy we hear producing and leading on the various sessions from the 60's, and the guy who commands attention and respect from those working with him. It always felt like he was more in his element working in the studio, obviously more so than being on a live stage, and in that studio environment he had that control over situations that you don't have when greeting dozens of fans or in other spontaneous public situations. Not that it's a total drag to be in public, and obviously he says he is enjoying being out there with the band, but the studio seemed to be his element. Just as Mike's "element" or comfort zone is that spontaneous interaction with the public, he thrives on it. It's an interesting dynamic and an interesting balance between them.

That dynamic was essential to the popularity of The Beach Boys.  Brian's melancholy vs. Mike's positivity.   In My Room vs. Fun Fun Fun.  The artist vs. the entertainer. 

More complicated than that, of course. Because Brian created the up tempo music too -- and with people other than Mike.

But yes, the two have a real yin and yang quality.

[Ray Lawlor]

Yes;  Brian in the studio is just a guy in his natural element. His "feel" for everything in the studio is just not on this planet. You get a glimpse of it in the DVD of "That Lucky Old Sun" which was filmed live......I was watching the "Good Vibrations" film , which is also filmed live and have seen Brian instructing Todd on the drums in almost the same manner as he was instructing Hal Blaine back in 1966, just as an example.    

[Heysaboda]

Great post, Ray.  Thanks for sharing!

Is there any chance that a full transcript (or audio) will be posted somewhere?

Thank you again, so very much!

[LostArt]

Yes;  Brian in the studio is just a guy in his natural element. His "feel" for everything in the studio is just not on this planet. You get a glimpse of it in the DVD of "That Lucky Old Sun" which was filmed live......I was watching the "Good Vibrations" film , which is also filmed live and have seen Brian instructing Todd on the drums in almost the same manner as he was instructing Hal Blaine back in 1966, just as an example.    

Now I'm going to have to watch the TLOS DVD this evening.  It is great to see Brian in charge in the studio.  I know a lot of folks assume that those studio shots are all staged for the cameras.  It's nice to know that this was filmed live.

[Awesoman]

This is all good to hear, but doesn't Brian's mood change dramatically every day?  Maybe one day he is all about the Beach Boys, then the day after that all he wants is a big steak in front of him while he watches Norbit.

[drbeachboy]

This is all good to hear, but doesn't Brian's mood change dramatically every day?  Maybe one day he is all about the Beach Boys, then the day after that all he wants is a big steak in front of him while he watches Norbit.

Seriously? Really, does this type of stuff have to drag down almost every thread?

[guitarfool2002]

Yes;  Brian in the studio is just a guy in his natural element. His "feel" for everything in the studio is just not on this planet. You get a glimpse of it in the DVD of "That Lucky Old Sun" which was filmed live......I was watching the "Good Vibrations" film , which is also filmed live and have seen Brian instructing Todd on the drums in almost the same manner as he was instructing Hal Blaine back in 1966, just as an example.    

This is a great observation, and so true! If you look for it in these various films and whatnot, you'll still see and hear shades of Brian in the 60's when creating music. He's still that same guy, after decades have passed, who produces and directs as he did in his 20's. It is incredible to hear and see him at work, and how his producer's mind was working several steps ahead of even the roomfuls of some of the best players in LA who were trained musicians. Amazing.

I have to mention this quick story: At Brian's Boston Symphony Hall show, June '99, we saw something really cool that didn't register until talking about the show afterward. During one of the "Pet Sounds" instrumentals, instead of leaving the stage since he had nothing to do, Brian turned around on his stool to face the band and listen. As he was listening to the music, his arms and hands started conducting, not obviously but in a very subtle reactive way, like it was a totally spontaneous, natural reaction to where he was in that band and what they were doing. And the person I saw the show with later mentioned it felt like we were watching him as he probably looked in the studio recording Pet Sounds in '66. It really stood out.

The Hal Blaine-GV film comparison reminded me of that moment, and I guess it's true, you can't flick an "off switch" on these things, it's a natural flow that happens in the moment. It would be so neat to see Brian cutting a record in the studio in person, until then all we have is the film and stories...