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

[shadownoze]

The website for Austin's Backyard venue, site of the October 6th Mike & Bruce show, actually STATES that Brian, Al and Dave will not be participating. Sounds like they have fielded some calls on this issue. I've had emails from half a dozen people asking if I knew this concert was coming and I've told each one that it might be "The Beach Boys" but it ain't The Beach Boys.

[HeyJude]

Some thoughts in no particular order:
I don't think this is surprisning at all. Mike has always loved to perform. Brian not so much if at all. One guy wants to be on the road alot; the other hardly at all.
Mike and Bruce are keeping the Beach Boys name as an ongoing band in the public's mind as they have done so since Carl's passing. And, the non-touring members do benefit financially from the touring "Beach Boys".

Just to clarify, only the "corporate" members benefit financially as far as I know, so if David's not on the tour, I don't believe he's making anything. Also, the "corporate" members only split the licensing fee, not the entire wad of money the tour generates. I'm not saying anybody was saying otherwise, I just continue to read comments occasionally elsewhere that suggest Al and Brian make the same amount of money sitting at home as they would if they were in the touring BB's, and that is of course not true.

Don't get me wrong, even simply the licensing fee is a nice little chunk of change for sitting at home. 

[Autotune]

Yeah he did but it was probably just an empty promise or optimistic wishing/hoping.  Cal Saga can regroup any time they want once they clear out their schedules.  They're not really a true group....they got together and performed less than a handful of times.  They came together to do their part in the 50th Anniversary shenanigans and it looks as though they've moved on.  I'm sure we'll see them again at some point but not a regular basis...

You know, the way he said it, when he said it, sounded to me like if he was talking about a BBs tour for 2013 with the current reunion lineup. Let us not be over dramatic. Just remember that a year ago we couldn't dream what would happen this year. I'm sure getting any prospect of getting together or doing something as a group (promotion, recording, touring, whatever) has been made easier after these wonderful days. Just think that these 5 guys could not be gathered for the Landmark, or thr Lifetime Grammy, for instance. I'm sure social occasions will find the group united.

[the professor]

the professor is still in China, where he caught the BB on CNN asia, in a good interview. brian said that the harmonies were a merger of masculine and feminine concepts and were ethereal. i thought this was a wonderful formulation, and i was happy to get a blast from of BB in the middle of some very foreign travel around the amazing realm of china. (I am here to give lectures on English literature).

I got this post reunion news just no and am crestfallen but not surprised. i too will be checking every day for news of a new album, which I consider the most important "next thing." More box sets, dvd, etc. will all be welcomed, but the idea of the boys back in the studio making another album is the benchmark of love and harmony for me. I will got go crazy to see M and B, which I have seen once, but i will not turn down a chance.  They want to play almost every day, and it makes sense that B, D, and A want a rest from this.  We as fans will never be content unless they are together showing their love for each other and us every day for the rest of their lives. I will patiently await the next information and output.  But yes, the word that "something new" is in the works will be most welcomed, and the dire sounding press release said nothing of the sort, and I read it twice. . . .

back soon. best to all

[Dave in KC]

I really don't understand all the chatter. When this whole thing was announced by Al on Coast to Coast after his album came out, Al has been right on. He said a tour, probably 50 dates in 4 countries, an album, and that's it! Alan said just exactly what happened a year in advance. Make that a year and a half. AGD was right about the finality of it all. Try to get over it, it's ova. That's not to say Brian has more to say. The M & B shows start their run again, just like I expected.

[Jonathan Blum]

You're right...why mention plans if there aren't any?  But considering all parties have all voiced just how great the reunion has been and how they wish it would continue...why not have the press release reflect that a little? It wouldn't hurt.

More basically, it might be nice to have the other boys represented in the press release, to make it clear that they're all on the same page with this.  Something like:  "It's been a wonderful tour, but after four months of barely seeing my wife and kids, I'd kinda like to put my feet up for a bit," says lead guitarist David Marks.  "But I'm always up for sitting in with the band, next time they come out to New York."  Or "This is the biggest tour I've done in fifteen years, I'm up for another one but not just yet, y'know?" says guitarist Al Jardine.  Or "Mike's on tour and I'm back in LA working on stuff, it really is like the good old days," says Brian Wilson.  "He's doing his thing and I'm doing my thing, and maybe we'll do another thing together and maybe we won't, but either way we'll keep doing things, y'know?"

Cheers,
Jon Blum

[MBE]

First this is the Beach Boys and you can't ever say never again with certainty. Second this is what Mike and Bruce do, why stop if they want to keep on playing? Third haven't they given us more this year than we ever expected? Most of my favorite bands and artists are either retired or dead. We got the tour and the album and they were both good. I hope for more but they owe us nothing.

[Andrew G. Doe]

For the whole reunion tour I often wondered if the tour was put together very quickly (and thankfully very, very well) because of the bookings that Mike & Bruce already had for October (and didn't they also have to cancel some shows earlier this year?). So contracts were already signed for the Mike&Bruce show to play after the Beach Boys tour.

The reunion tour - despite what Brian was saying for most of 2011 and a good few weeks of 2012 - was planned well in advance... and yes, a handful of M&B Texas symphony shows were cancelled in February. The C50 tour always had a finite lifespan.

However, given that whenever the BB do something as well as they have this summer, there's always the possibility they'll totally futz it up by trying to carry it too far, I really hope they don't try to, er, 'do it again' (ya see what I did there ?). The tour was amazing, the album astonishing. Let it stay that way.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Can't understand why this is a surprise to anyone.  It's been in Rolling Stone.

Heard it from Mike himself in my July backstage report.
http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,13842.0.html

Personally, I'd be ecstatic to see the BBs go back to the old ways - let Mike and Bruce tour while Brian works up music in the studio.

[Jay]

What a strange thing to pick up on - Would you rather they played increasingly out of tune?

This is what happened when Jimi Hendrix tried to play a song without stopping after the previous song to tune up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bd9YdQg_uu4 

[Luke_Barshack]

You're right...why mention plans if there aren't any?  But considering all parties have all voiced just how great the reunion has been and how they wish it would continue...why not have the press release reflect that a little? It wouldn't hurt.

More basically, it might be nice to have the other boys represented in the press release, to make it clear that they're all on the same page with this.  Something like:  "It's been a wonderful tour, but after four months of barely seeing my wife and kids, I'd kinda like to put my feet up for a bit," says lead guitarist David Marks.  "But I'm always up for sitting in with the band, next time they come out to New York."  Or "This is the biggest tour I've done in fifteen years, I'm up for another one but not just yet, y'know?" says guitarist Al Jardine.  Or "Mike's on tour and I'm back in LA working on stuff, it really is like the good old days," says Brian Wilson.  "He's doing his thing and I'm doing my thing, and maybe we'll do another thing together and maybe we won't, but either way we'll keep doing things, y'know?"

Cheers,
Jon Blum

The press release reads like it was kinda thrown together imho. But that's just me.

[SloopJohnnyB]

I'm not surprised at this news, but I was optimistic that they would take a break and tour as the full band next year (which can still happen).

Maybe Al and David will join Brian in the studio working on the 'Rock n Roll album' while Mike and Bruce are on the road.

If there is a new album next year featuring all five members then I think they'll all be back for a tour. I remember Al saying on (on CBS or Charlie Rose) that he could see doing a tour with all five members every few years or so.

[Rocker]

However, given that whenever the BB do something as well as they have this summer, there's always the possibility they'll totally futz it up by trying to carry it too far, I really hope they don't try to, er, 'do it again' (ya see what I did there ?). The tour was amazing, the album astonishing. Let it stay that way.

Exactly my thoughts. This would be a nice ending for the band. But that's why I personally don't like Mike & Bruce touring as "The Beach Boys".

An article about Mike's/whoever's statement:
http://somethingelsereviews.com/2012/09/18/i-look-forward-to-performing-mike-love-takes-the-reins-as-the-beach-boys-split-again/

[hypehat]

I'm not surprised at this news, but I was optimistic that they would take a break and tour as the full band next year (which can still happen).

Maybe Al and David will join Brian in the studio working on the 'Rock n Roll album' while Mike and Bruce are on the road.

If there is a new album next year featuring all five members then I think they'll all be back for a tour. I remember Al saying on (on CBS or Charlie Rose) that he could see doing a tour with all five members every few years or so.

I don't think Mike would be so eager to relinquish control in the studio these days. After all, he is executive producer of TWGMTR and has equal footing in most matters with Brian (and JT) on the business end of C50. For him to suddenly go 'f*** it, good evening Intercourse, Pennsylvania' and leave Brian completely 100% in charge of the music without his input (lyrical or whatever) just doesn't seem plausible.

That headline is telling - 'The Beach Boys split up again' is what less informed folk are going to come out of this with.

[the professor]

I am having trouble correlating the information in this thread with southbay's report about the grammy show where Brian said they would probably be back in the studio the first of the year. it was also reported that mike and bruce did not chime in positively about that.
can we nail this down, or is it simply going to drive us nuts until we see a formal plan for a follow up album?

[Jim V.]

I am having trouble correlating the information in this thread with southbay's report about the grammy show where Brian said they would probably be back in the studio the first of the year. it was also reported that mike and bruce did not chime in positively about that.
can we nail this down, or is it simply going to drive us nuts until we see a formal plan for a follow up album?

According to Brian, they will be back in the studio after the new year. I think it is quite possible that he might work on new material while Bruce and Mike are on the road, and we could once again end up with something like TWGMTR, where you really have a Brian Wilson album with harmonies by the group, and a few lead vocal cameos by Mike, Al, and a little Bruce.  Brian himself seems to be more into working on "Beach Boys" stuff than solo stuff and I'm sure everybody around him is aware that the band's latest album has done much better than any BW album besides BWPS. Maybe Mike and Bruce aren't so into it, but I'm sure they wouldn't mind having another new album of material on the chart.

[Mike's Beard]

I am having trouble correlating the information in this thread with southbay's report about the grammy show where Brian said they would probably be back in the studio the first of the year. it was also reported that mike and bruce did not chime in positively about that.
can we nail this down, or is it simply going to drive us nuts until we see a formal plan for a follow up album?

According to Brian, they will be back in the studio after the new year. I think it is quite possible that he might work on new material while Bruce and Mike are on the road, and we could once again end up with something like TWGMTR, where you really have a Brian Wilson album with harmonies by the group, and a few lead vocal cameos by Mike, Al, and a little Bruce.  Brian himself seems to be more into working on "Beach Boys" stuff than solo stuff and I'm sure everybody around him is aware that the band's latest album has done much better than any BW album besides BWPS. Maybe Mike and Bruce aren't so into it, but I'm sure they wouldn't mind having another new album of material on the chart.

Why not? It worked well enough back in 65-66.

[Rocky Raccoon]

Except when Brian stayed in the studio in the 60s, there were five Beach Boys onstage, not two.  Of course, that same lineup can't be recreated but it would be nice if at least Al and Dave went along.

[Pretty Funky]

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-beach-boys-reunion-mike-love-tour-20120919,0,7915483.story

Will Beach Boys reunion end on a sour note?

Even on a day designed to celebrate 50 years of the signature harmonies of the Beach Boys, the notoriously fractious group couldn’t avoid striking yet another discordant note amid all the good vibrations. 

A day before band members gathered at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles to take in various accolades, singer and lyricist Mike Love caught his fellow band members by surprise in announcing his decision to resume touring with his latter-day incarnation of the Beach Boys -- minus creative leader Brian Wilson or original members Al Jardine and David Marks.

The move by Love, who legally controls the Beach Boys name and who has sued Wilson and Jardine over various issues throughout the years, raises major questions about any future for the reunited edition of the quintessential California band. It's played more than 70 performances this year on four continents and released a warmly received new studio album for the first time in more than two decades.

“The 50th anniversary tour was designed to go for a year and then end,” Love said at the Grammy Museum just after he, Wilson, Jardine, Marks and Johnston were presented with triple-platinum awards signifying more than 3 million copies sold of their 2003 hits compilation, “Sounds of Summer -- The Very Best of the Beach Boys.

The framed awards were presented by EMI/Capitol Records executives Bill Gagnon and Jane Ventom in front of the Grammy Museum’s new Beach Boys exhibit, “Good Vibrations -- 50 Years of the Beach Boys,” which will run for the next year. Record label executives would love to keep the reformed band going as the reunion album, “That’s Why God Made the Radio,” gave the Beach Boys the highest chart debut in its history when it entered at No. 3 in June with first-week sales of 61,000 copies.

Love indicated that he’s being protective of the Beach Boys’ legacy.

“You’ve got to be careful not to get overexposed,” Love said. “There are promoters who are interested [in more shows by the reunited lineup], but they’ve said, ‘Give it a rest for a year.’ The Eagles found out the hard way when they went out for a second year and wound up selling tickets for $5.”

That left other band members confused and disappointed.

“Brian is very bummed,” Wilson’s manager, Jean Sievers, said Tuesday.

Wilson himself said this year’s tour, which includes two final performances later this week in London, has been “very tiring,” but he added, “I’m really looking forward to doing another album.”

Love said that he sees recording and touring as separate matters, and that his decision to return to touring without Wilson, who is his cousin, or Jardine and Marks, who started the Beach Boys when they were teenagers growing up in Hawthorne,  wouldn’t preclude more recording together. “I’d be interested [in making another album] if I could write some songs with Brian,” Love said.

Love’s announcement generated dozens of mostly critical responses on Rolling Stone’s website when the news appeared Monday.

The shift in the touring lineup also has caused some confusion outside the group itself. Texas club Nutty Jerry's had booked a Beach Boys show, which has since been canceled. Love's manager Jay Jones said it was Love's decision to halt the show because it was being inaccurately promoted as part of the reunion tour with the original members.

Nevertheless, group members smiled for photos during the platinum award presentation and genially answered questions from the museum's executive director, Robert Santelli, before an enthusiastic crowd of about 200 people, including a few who flew in from Florida, New Jersey and Kentucky.

Following a Q&A session, a stripped-down version of the touring group using acoustic instruments performed five songs. The set showcased the distinctive, multilayered harmonies that propelled hits such as “California Girls,” “Surfer Girl,” “Help Me Rhonda” and “I Get Around” up the charts in the 1960s.

Wilson has his own group, the Brian Wilson Band, which has been accompanying him on tour and in the studio since 1999, and with which he has made several new solo albums. Love and Johnston have continued touring as the Beach Boys with their own support musicians, two of whom -- guitarist-singer Scott Totten and drummer John Cowsill -- were part of the 50th anniversary tour, along with several members of Wilson’s band.

The Grammy Museum exhibit includes various pieces of musical and personal memorabilia from over a half century of the band’s existence, including the surfboard once owned by drummer Dennis Wilson, who drowned in 1983. (The third Wilson sibling, Carl, died in 1998 of cancer.) The surfboard was pictured on the cover of two Beach Boys albums.

The exhibit also includes a high school theme paper Brian Wilson wrote outlining “My Philosophy,” in which he stated that he hoped to make his mark in the world through music. “The satisfaction of ‘a place in the world’ seems well worth a sincere effort to me,” the 17-year-old future architect of the Beach Boys sound wrote.

Santelli also said he plans to present a six-week course next year at the museum exploring the Beach Boys’ legacy that will be open to the public.

Copyright © 2012, Los Angeles Times

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Can't understand why this is a surprise to anyone.  It's been in Rolling Stone.

Heard it from Mike himself in my July backstage report.
http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,13842.0.html

Personally, I'd be ecstatic to see the BBs go back to the old ways - let Mike and Bruce tour while Brian works up music in the studio.

I'll add to my original report that in my opinion, from my personal experience with him, is that Mike Love is a Major Jerk!

(PS - There is a board moderator editing my posts.  Probably Mike Love)

[oldsurferdude]

Myke Luhv...that's all, just Myke Luhv.

[Shady]

"Brian is very bummed" 

[EgoHanger1966]

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

Get ready for an album full of Beaches In Mind x 12. It's on his terms now.
For the love of Mike, please let Brian collaborate with anyone else for the lyrics. We now know that even Bon Jovi can write lyrics that satisfy us!

[runnersdialzero]

I'm not sure what Mike's obsession is with touring and touring exclusively under the Beach Boys name. It would've been nice to see the current touring lineup continue, but with less dates and possibly without Brian sometimes. As others have said, this was kind of expected but still a little disappointing. I doubt it's anything cold on Mike's part, just going about his business as usual, and who knows what restrictions and conditions Brian's people threw Mike's way in concerns to the band's future with recording and touring. Not saying I agree with Mike's decisions or whatever, just saying these people have had internal conflicts before and it wouldn't shock me if some of them persisted.

Al's dedication to the band in the form of "No more solo stuff, it's all about the Beach Boys now" could be promising. At worst, a new Brian/Al/David/Wondermints group could be promising.

[SMiLE Brian]

Brian sounds trapped by Mike Love being a control freak about touring. Brian sounds like he is just trying to make things work without conflict. I wish the independence of the pet sounds/smile Brian Wilson would come out one last time and Brian would have tour as he wanted it. He is the founder after all....