THE ENDLESS SUMMER WILL CONTINUE AFTER THE BEACH BOYS 50TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR WRAP

[Jonathan Blum]

I dunno. I know the world of the BB's can be strange, and they can seem unfamiliar with very common, obvious things. But I'm not prepared to think that we knew or know more about what was *going* to happen or what is going to happen than the other band members.

It's true, these articles are painting a picture where Brian, Al, and David don't seem to want to end the reunion, while Mike has some sort of mixed feelings about the prospect.

Thing is, I think all these articles are blurring the question of ending "the reunion" as opposed to "the reunion tour".

In Sydney, David and his wife were very much looking forward to getting back home to New York, because this was the longest and most intense tour he's been on in...  ever?  Certainly since he was a teenager, I'd say.  He toured regularly for a bit more than a year in 1998-99, but that was a less packed schedule.  I don't think they're up for the Mike&Bruce endless-roadtrip lifestyle.  Al, similarly...  it's been fifteen years since he was doing the long hauls.  And Brian?  About twenty-five years since he last did a tour this big.  I figure they're all up for a break from the road.

Mike, on the other hand...  He tours.  That's what he does.  You know he'd be going out on the road again even if he didn't have the Beach Boys name behind him.  And he's hardly going to sit on his ass till after they get a new album out.

But at the same time, you've got Brian already talking about doing another album, Mike saying he's up for it if he can write with Brian, Al saying he wants to concentrate on working with the band...  that doesn't sound like anyone wanting to end the reunion.

The only issue is whether the Mike/Bruce group touring between reunion gigs cheapens the band name.  Me, maybe I'd resurrect the Endless Summer Beach Band for a bit...

Cheers,
Jon Blum

[HeyJude]

I dunno. I know the world of the BB's can be strange, and they can seem unfamiliar with very common, obvious things. But I'm not prepared to think that we knew or know more about what was *going* to happen or what is going to happen than the other band members.

It's true, these articles are painting a picture where Brian, Al, and David don't seem to want to end the reunion, while Mike has some sort of mixed feelings about the prospect.

Thing is, I think all these articles are blurring the question of ending "the reunion" as opposed to "the reunion tour".

In Sydney, David and his wife were very much looking forward to getting back home to New York, because this was the longest and most intense tour he's been on in...  ever?  Certainly since he was a teenager, I'd say.  He toured regularly for a bit more than a year in 1998-99, but that was a less packed schedule.  I don't think they're up for the Mike&Bruce endless-roadtrip lifestyle.  Al, similarly...  it's been fifteen years since he was doing the long hauls.  And Brian?  About twenty-five years since he last did a tour this big.  I figure they're all up for a break from the road.

Mike, on the other hand...  He tours.  That's what he does.  You know he'd be going out on the road again even if he didn't have the Beach Boys name behind him.  And he's hardly going to sit on his ass till after they get a new album out.

But at the same time, you've got Brian already talking about doing another album, Mike saying he's up for it if he can write with Brian, Al saying he wants to concentrate on working with the band...  that doesn't sound like anyone wanting to end the reunion.

The only issue is whether the Mike/Bruce group touring between reunion gigs cheapens the band name.  Me, maybe I'd resurrect the Endless Summer Beach Band for a bit...

Cheers,
Jon Blum

Mike using some other name to tour under would maybe make things more palatable and less confusing for promoters at present. But I don't see it happening. Nobody buys tickets to see the "Endless Summer Band" or "America's Band", etc. Yes, they could get some bookings at smaller venues and get some tickets sold with good promotion. But using the BB name increases possibilities a million fold.

If Mike had ever considered retiring the BB name, it would have happened long ago.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Spring Vacation shows why Brian doesn't write songs with Mike much anymore, Mike seems to have lost his lyrical skills.

Some of those lyrics were Brian's, including the much-maligned 'easy money/ain't life funny' line (which I happened to like)

[SMiLE Brian]

Spring Vacation shows why Brian doesn't write songs with Mike much anymore, Mike seems to have lost his lyrical skills.

Some of those lyrics were Brian's, including the much-maligned 'easy money/ain't life funny' line (which I happened to like)

Really?, the whole song sounded like Mike in his element.

[Wirestone]

Spring Vacation shows why Brian doesn't write songs with Mike much anymore, Mike seems to have lost his lyrical skills.

Some of those lyrics were Brian's, including the much-maligned 'easy money/ain't life funny' line (which I happened to like)

Really?, the whole song sounded like Mike in his element.

Yep. Brian wrote those chorus lines. Also the phrase "Beaches in Mind."

[EgoHanger1966]

If this was like 1976, i'd be totally cool with a Wilson/Love album. But it's 2012, there's not enough time for this. The suite shows that if Brian and an understanding lyricist are put together, magical things can happen.

[ivy]

They wouldn't be the Beach Boys if they didn't find a way to accomplish something so beautiful and record-breaking and then screw it up at the very end. Mike wants to be seen by his public, Brian wants to make new music. Is it 1963 or 2012?

But I think any talk of these issues overshadowing 2012's incredible success is blowing it way out of proportion.

I do think it was a bad call on the part of whoever is running Brian's social media to send out that article. They should have at least softened the title.

[Pretty Funky]

Has this been picked up on any threads. Going by the band picture it looks like the Mike and Bruce show restarts Sept 30.

http://www.usfcc.org/

http://www.ranchosantafereview.com/2012/09/19/the-beach-boys-to-perform-at-benefit-at-the-santaluz-club/

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Spring Vacation shows why Brian doesn't write songs with Mike much anymore, Mike seems to have lost his lyrical skills.

Some of those lyrics were Brian's, including the much-maligned 'easy money/ain't life funny' line (which I happened to like)

Really?, the whole song sounded like Mike in his element.

Brian wrote a decent amount of lyrics for the album, which is kind of surprising  (that may explain a bit more of Mike's statement...). One rule of thumb... if you hear something that rhymes in the manner of 'My friend Bob/he had a job', it's Brian.

Yep. Brian wrote those chorus lines. Also the phrase "Beaches in Mind."

And the verses (not choruses) of 'Private Life of Bill and Sue' and part of 'Shelter', as well.

[Jim V.]

I gotta say I just don't get it. Any of it.

Why on earth would Mike and Bruce not want to continue on with the REAL Beach Boys, instead preferring to go back to their pale facsimile. Is it really about money? One would venture the guess that they think the picture is perfect as it is and they should leave things on a high note, but it's not like Mike and Bruce are leaving to do something else. They are basically "leaving" but taking the name with them. So that can't be it. Do they not think the new material reflects upon The Beach Boys in the way that they think it should? That is a real possibility. Do they just not really like being around the other guys enough to continue working with them? And Bruce in particular, what is up his ass? Is he that much of a Mike Love asslicker that he really will just follow whatever Mike does. Why would Bruce not want to continue singing new Brian Wilson harmonies he claims to love so much? And what's up with the giddiness at the tour being over by September so they can go back to their halfass group? For a hired hand, Bruce sure doesn't act like he appreciates this gig all that much. I bet there's guys named Blondie and Ricky that would HAPPILY take his place. And maybe THEY would actually contribute to the shows!

And Mike, yeah, I'm sure he wants to write with Brian again, and if they do indeed do a new album I would assume he will get to co-write a few songs with Brian. Does it really offend him THAT MUCH that he would rather not do any new Beach Boys recording than allow Brian to creatively express himself with other people? What an egotistical prick, if so. Maybe we're all just thinking too much into this, and they are negotiating a deal where the do another new studio album and maybe some touring, but it really seems like Mike and Bruce don't want to do it, especially given the fact that people were saying they looked uneasy when the rest of the guys were talking about how they wanna keep things going. This is the greatest American group of all time, with one of the greatest composers of all time ready to continue on with their legacy, but they'd rather go play county fairs. I honestly don't get it. I know this sounds wacky but maybe it's even a bit of resentment for at least Bruce (and maybe Mike) that Brian's band is made up of a bunch of lazy slacker, socialist hipsters (besides Foskett of course) who don't know what it is to work hard on the road (taking all those days off!). I know that's crazy but this is the same guy that thought an interviewer had this huge political purpose behind the interview when all he was asking was if music could help people in these tough times.

[Peter Reum]

I do not know the details of Mike"s licensing agreement. He has had a good run with it. The other BRI shareholders get a percentage of his touring revenues. If they are content with the cut they get' I would think they would let Mike.keep on using the group name. If they are not, they could ask for a review and either rescind the license agreement, modify it, or award it to another party.

[cwalter]

This is great news.  Hopefully Mike and Bruce will play our county fair next summer just like in 2008 & 2010...those were really fun nights.

Do I wish that the full band would continue touring?  Yes, of course.  The 50th tour was quite a special thing, and the show I saw was fantastic (6/1 in Bezerkley, CA).

But, I'll take Bruce and Mike any day rather than no Beach Boys concerts at all.

[HeyJude]

This is great news.  Hopefully Mike and Bruce will play our county fair next summer just like in 2008 & 2010...those were really fun nights.

Do I wish that the full band would continue touring?  Yes, of course.  The 50th tour was quite a special thing, and the show I saw was fantastic (6/1 in Bezerkley, CA).

But, I'll take Bruce and Mike any day rather than no Beach Boys concerts at all.

I don't think anybody advocated for an alternative where there were "no concerts at all." It seems the two alternatives in this scenario involve either a Mike/Bruce band or a reunion lineup (or both I suppose). But it doesn't appear to me that we were on the verge of having no concerts at all, and Mike and Bruce swooped in to save the day and continue the "endless summer."

No comments from Brian/Al/David have suggested they wanted to end all BB concerts after 9/28. As I mentioned previously, only Mike and Bruce have, strangely, been the only members to continually reference the "limited" nature of these reunion shows, sort of cutting off the expectation of fans or maybe even the other band members as soon as they could.

[18thofMay]

Has this been picked up on any threads. Going by the band picture it looks like the Mike and Bruce show restarts Sept 30.

http://www.usfcc.org/

http://www.ranchosantafereview.com/2012/09/19/the-beach-boys-to-perform-at-benefit-at-the-santaluz-club/

Tickets start at $195

[Pretty Funky]

I guess the thing that supprises me most of all is that this has come as a shock to so many!

Without knowing the numbers a 'Celebration' gig with 5 members and a total touring party of what, 40 was mentioned at one time, compared to a slimmed down 'M and B' show, is going to cost a sh!t load more for a promter.

You can get away with it this year as the media was all over the band, but that would not have lasted much longer IMO.

[Custom Machine]

Confusion:

http://www.ranchosantafereview.com/2012/09/19/the-beach-boys-to-perform-at-benefit-at-the-santaluz-club/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+RanchoSantaFeReview+%28Rancho+Santa+Fe+Review%29

Indeed ! What's this all about? A Mike & Bruce show or a Beach Boys concert? And if it really is in Mexico, would they play tehre after having done their last UK show just two days prior?

This is a Mike and Bruce BB's benefit concert a short distance from Mike's home.  But the description "We cordially invite you to join us for 'The Legacy Concert for the Children' with The Beach Boys as they wrap up their 50th Anniversary world-wide tour" most definitely adds an element of confusion as to which version of The Beach Boys will be appearing.

[Pretty Funky]

Mighty weird. Several days of interviews, TV and radio, then 2 gigs in London with the last show on the 28th. Next day Mike and Bruce say see ya and fly back to California for a charity gig on the 30th.

The band has not been together since about March. No time for rehearsals it would seem. I sure hope someone records it as it should be interesting to say the least.

[hypehat]

Al Jardine added: "The Beach Boys is the real deal. I'm not interested in that other stuff."

Al, you are an absolute Don. Keep it clean.

Mike's business savvy concerns about 'saturating the market' with concerts would be fair if he wasn't touring under the monicker of The Beach Boys constantly year in year out since 198x and intended to go right back to his version of the group doing 180 concerts a year under that monicker... saturating the market.

So I don't quite understand what he means, unless he has a problem playing The Royal Albert Hall or The Beacon Theatre or massive stadiums all over the world. Typical.


Also, just shed a little tear at the '12 more UK dates' thing in the Billboard article. 12 UK dates probably would mean they wouldn't have to play Wembley to get that cash back. Which means they could do venues where the vast majority of us have a chance of actually seeing the band. And not having to pay exorbitant prices. And... and.... *weeps*

[adloc]

This is great news.  Hopefully Mike and Bruce will play our county fair next summer just like in 2008 & 2010...those were really fun nights.

Do I wish that the full band would continue touring?  Yes, of course.  The 50th tour was quite a special thing, and the show I saw was fantastic (6/1 in Bezerkley, CA).

But, I'll take Bruce and Mike any day rather than no Beach Boys concerts at all.

Can't help but agree with this - when it comes down to it thousands flock to see these concerts, especially in the UK where there's no real 'over-exposure', and no-one comes away disappointed. Let's face it, the BB/BW show running concurrently has been really quite good....

[Lowbacca]

Let's face it, the BB/BW show running concurrently has been really quite good....

Yap, both touring bands are pretty awesome.

P.S. Welcome to the board!

[adloc]

Let's face it, the BB/BW show running concurrently has been really quite good....

Yap, both touring bands are pretty awesome.

P.S. Welcome to the board!

  Thank you, nice to be here!

[SMiLE Brian]

Spring Vacation shows why Brian doesn't write songs with Mike much anymore, Mike seems to have lost his lyrical skills.

Some of those lyrics were Brian's, including the much-maligned 'easy money/ain't life funny' line (which I happened to like)

Really?, the whole song sounded like Mike in his element.

Brian wrote a decent amount of lyrics for the album, which is kind of surprising  (that may explain a bit more of Mike's statement...). One rule of thumb... if you hear something that rhymes in the manner of 'My friend Bob/he had a job', it's Brian.

Yep. Brian wrote those chorus lines. Also the phrase "Beaches in Mind."

And the verses (not choruses) of 'Private Life of Bill and Sue' and part of 'Shelter', as well.

Thanks Billy, I thought the lyrics on spring vacation were all Mike Love's due to the swagger of them and the old song references. But I meant by my first statement that Brian isn't interested writing with Mike all the time because of Mike's ironclad summer,fun and girls lyrics he writes.

[Aegir]

Yeah, it seems like Brian specifically chose Mike to write lyrics to the two songs on the album that were intended to be summer/fun/beach kind of songs.

But additionally, wasn't Brian in the process of making this album before the others were brought on board? it's basically a Brian solo album that has a few Beach Boys songs on it.

[Rocker]

I think they published this now because tickets for the post-Celebration shows are already on sale and they need to be on the safe side regarding possible complaints.
Still, it leaves a bad aftertaste.

That's what I think, too. It's not terrible timing that the management gave out that press release now. It is uncomfortable because the first Mike&Bruce shows are very soon after the last Beach Boys concert (if true, the first one is two days after the final Beach Boys show). But since it seemed that they had real problems to get any UK-dates for weeks they couldn't know it would all be so closely.

The one thing that really makes it uncomfortable to me is this:

“I’d be interested [in making another album] if I could write some songs with Brian,” Love said.

It's back again to always said about a new Beach Boys album. He wants to write with Brian - which of course is his right - but this makes it seem that that is his precondition. Maybe that is why Brian and Joe Thomas first went to Capitol to get a contract and only then asked Mike. It's kinda obvious to me that Brian doesn't want to write songs with Mike on a constant basis (like a whole album). Mike seems to say that a Beach Boys album will only happen if they co-write. I'm not saying that is a fact but it seems like that to me.
I can understand the reservation to let Mike write too much lyrics when I look at his contributions to TWGMTR (the album). I'm sure he can come up with some good ones like for "Daybreak" but his mind is stocked in thinking the Beach Boys have to...well, go with the formula and reduce the Beach Boys to a certain topic. It's frustrating to get the impression that he denies a big part of their legacy - I don't know if he does (and it's not like the melancholy side of the BBs is less loved than the positive, in some cases I'd say it's the other way around).
Imagine Mike writing lyrics for "The private life of Bill & Sue". It'll be full of sunsets on the beach, having "fun in the sun", etc. And Brian certainly doesn't want that or he would've done it otherwise.

So, that is my problem with that stuff. Mike wanting desperately to write with Brian and to be in control about the topics. He did great vocal work on the new album and contributed a very nice song. I'd say let Brian decide what to do musically (and therefor in terms of songwriting).

Imo Mike was at times a very good lyricist (Fun Fun Fun, The Warmth Of The Sun, Let The Wind Blow) but never on a constant level, at least not since the Endless Summer years. His strength imo was/is to come up with great hooks. That's where he's great in. If he can come up with some cool new ones, that would be cool. Give them to Brian and let him write a song around them.

But additionally, wasn't Brian in the process of making this album before the others were brought on board?

   


Well, many of the songs were always explicit intended to be Beach Boys songs.

[Rocker]

I bet there's guys named Blondie and Ricky that would HAPPILY take his place.
 

I wouldn't be too sure about that.