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

[Justin]

.

[runnersdialzero]

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.

Would've been an improvement for that particular song.

[Mike's Beard]

At work today someone told me that he'd just heard on the radio that Brian has announced that he is starting work on a new Beach Boys album and it's going to be a 'Rock and Roll' record.

[Andrew G. Doe]

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.

OK, once I got past the standard comments about M&B's band being a pale imitation (they're not, get over it), there's no real substance (oh, and the band were playing county fairs when both Carl & Dennis were still alive, casinos & Vegas too) beyond the ritual M&B kicking so beloved of the Bloo. As you say, you just don't get it. Any of it.

[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.

OK, once I got past the standard comments about M&B's band being a pale imitation (they're not, get over it), there's no real substance (oh, and the band were playing county fairs when both Carl & Dennis were still alive, casinos & Vegas too) beyond the ritual M&B kicking so beloved of the Bloo. As you say, you just don't get it. Any of it.

Please point out to me, Sir Andrew, where I'm wrong? Bruce hasn't acted giddy about the the him and Mike going on tour again after the C50 stuff? Bruce isn't up Mike's ass? Mike hasn't stated publicly that he wasn't too happy with some of the material on TWGMTR? I personally think the man has a really misguided view of what the public wants and what is "commercial". He is quite out of touch with reality as far as thinking about what the public/fanbase wants as far as new Beach Boys music.

And yes, the M&B band is instrumentally good, the best they had been for a while. And Christian has a good voice. But truthfully, to me, it is a pale imitation of the group who was on the stage this summer. And as far as county fairs, I don't care if Carl and Dennis were part of it, its still lame.

And as far as a new album goes, we should just discount everything Brian says? Why is that?

I totally don't get it. At all. But you do. You get it. Because you have insiders talking to you. So it's much easier to "get it" when you know from the inside what is going on. And unlike Phil Cohen, I'm not jealous that you don't spill the info. You are given it in trust. But if you are gonna bash those of us who aren't given that same inside info then I'm gonna call bullshit on you.

[HeyJude]

OK, once I got past the standard comments about M&B's band being a pale imitation (they're not, get over it), there's no real substance (oh, and the band were playing county fairs when both Carl & Dennis were still alive, casinos & Vegas too) beyond the ritual M&B kicking so beloved of the Bloo. As you say, you just don't get it. Any of it.

I can't speak to what the other posters intend in their comments about Mike's band. For me, I've pretty much gotten over the ill feelings about Mike using the name for his tour.

I think, for some, the disappointment about Mike going back to his tour isn't about the same tired arguments we've heard since 1998 about Mike going out. It isn't about some generic hatred of Mike. It's about the missed opportunity of keeping this reunion lineup together. I don't know if "pale imitation" is a good term to use, and certainly any touring BB's long ago ceased resembling the "classic" version any fan has in their head of the band. But Mike's band is actually going to be a lesser article in comparison to the very "reunion" band they haven't even finished touring with.

I don't think the "this was a set reunion with a fixed ending" argument means anything, because they could do more projects together. Nobody arbitrarily set in stone that the only way to do the reunion was for it to have a definitive, no-going-back ending.

We know AGD has stated that his take on it is that this should be the final album and tour. I think many disagree, and not out of some sentimentality or to hold onto something. It's because they did a pretty good album, and an *amazing* tour. Once I saw the show in person, it utterly changed my perception of whether they should keep going. They absolutely should, because they've put together a VERY special lineup, with an amazing setlist (length and content-wise).

There's little functionality to "going out on top" right now. Firstly, as this current debacle proves, something will always sour it after the fact. More importantly, barring some huge phenomenon we can't see coming, the BB's story in history has already been set pretty well. In 50 or 100 years, nobody will be talking about how their "50th Anniversary" tour had them going out on top. They'll be talking about the classic albums and songs. It won't spoil their legacy to do another album or two and another tour or two.

[Luke_Barshack]

Has anyone else noticed that Brian's official facebook keeps re-posting all the 'tensions in the band' new stories regarding the future of the group?

[Rocker]

In 50 or 100 years, nobody will be talking about how their "50th Anniversary" tour had them going out on top.

That's something I can't agree on totally. People are still talking about how great the '93 unplugged-shows were. That was 20 years ago already. A big finale on a high note (no pun!) will certainly have a big influence on their legacy in some way, beause it brought them back to the public's eye and made them "relevant" again (plus the Smile-box and the new album). They wouldn't end it all being seen as they were when Carl died, a lame nostalgia act. Imo

[HeyJude]

OK, once I got past the standard comments about M&B's band being a pale imitation (they're not, get over it), there's no real substance (oh, and the band were playing county fairs when both Carl & Dennis were still alive, casinos & Vegas too) beyond the ritual M&B kicking so beloved of the Bloo. As you say, you just don't get it. Any of it.

One other thing about where Mike's band plays these days. It's absolutely true that the BB's even in the early 80's were doing casinos, fairs, etc. As I mentioned before, they were all complicit in "diluting" the name by touring so much all year, every year.

But Mike continuing on has only continued to dilute things, and doing so with a band that has less and less resembled even the touring BB's of the late 80's "Full House/Kokomo" era has diluted things more. If he had even at some point scaled it back a bit, maybe do fewer shows, or go out every other year, they'd be playing probably a larger balance of more "presigious" venues, whatever that means.

Another way to put this whole current lineup debacle is this: One of the main things I always felt Mike kind of had in his favor in recent years in using the BB name was the sort of "Hey, we're making it as authentic as possible" argument. Namely, Brian wasn't interested, David Marks bailed in 1999 showing he wasn't interested at the time. Other than Al eventually strongly hinting he wanted back in, Mike was doing the best he could do in terms of willing participants. We couldn't blame him for Carl not being there.

But this isn't true anymore. We have proof a better group, and a willing group, is there waiting to do something together.

[HeyJude]

In 50 or 100 years, nobody will be talking about how their "50th Anniversary" tour had them going out on top.

That's something I can't agree on totally. People are still talking about how great the '93 unplugged-shows were. That was 20 years ago already. A big finale on a high note (no pun!) will certainly have a big influence on their legacy in some way, beause it brought them back to the public's eye and made them "relevant" again (plus the Smile-box and the new album). They wouldn't end it all being seen as they were when Carl died, a lame nostalgia act. Imo

True, it will all be part of the legacy as big fans understand it. But I'm talking more about the "masses." The story in terms of what the masses are willing and interested in knowing about has already largely been written.

My story as a fan right now would be a missed opportunity in light of such a kick-ass tour they put together.

[John Manning]

Would those who think the band should call it a day now, while they're ahead, after a superb album and stunning live tour, also have made the same call after 1977's Brian-led creative high, the Love You album?

[runnersdialzero]

Has anyone else noticed that Brian's official facebook keeps re-posting all the 'tensions in the band' new stories regarding the future of the group?

It's sad how spiteful the people that run the Brian show really seem, especially in the last decade or so. They can play the predictable, tired "It's all Mike's fault" card all they want, but the fact is doing stuff like this makes things much worse and doesn't make them look any better to anyone with half a brain.

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

I think if we're all patient, guys, this entire BBs saga will be over soon enough......

[Sheriff John Stone]

We have proof a better group, and a willing group, is there waiting to do something together.

But are they willing? To tour?

I am having real problems with these very recent quotes and stories coming out. With the Beach Boys, there has always been two sides of the story, the one that the public hears, and the truth.

I have no idea if David Marks wants to continue touring with Mike & Bruce, but I would think, I would speculate, that he does. I can also think of a couple of reasons why Mike & Bruce wouldn't "need" him. I think if we're honest we could probably come up with those reasons. And I'm not saying those reasons are right or wrong.

When I think about Al, I can see him saying one thing to Mike & Bruce, and then coming out and saying something entirely different to the press. He has PROVEN to do that many times in the past. So, what's the truth with Al? Does Al even know what he wants?

I've already spoken at length about Brian. Brian, with very rare exception, gets what he wants. For 51 years. Wherever Brian ends up in the coming months, that's probably where he wants to be. Or, where Melinda wants him to be. And I mean that in a good way. She has done a great job recently looking out for his best interests.

So how do we know who is willing? By what we are given in these articles? I've been hit over the head too many times. I'll wait it out this time...

[HeyJude]

We have proof a better group, and a willing group, is there waiting to do something together.

But are they willing? To tour?

I am having real problems with these very recent quotes and stories coming out. With the Beach Boys, there has always been two sides of the story, the one that the public hears, and the truth.

I have no idea if David Marks wants to continue touring with Mike & Bruce, but I would think, I would speculate, that he does. I can also think of a couple of reasons why Mike & Bruce wouldn't "need" him. I think if we're honest we could probably come up with those reasons. And I'm not saying those reasons are right or wrong.

When I think about Al, I can see him saying one thing to Mike & Bruce, and then coming out and saying something entirely different to the press. He has PROVEN to do that many times in the past. So, what's the truth with Al? Does Al even know what he wants?

I've already spoken at length about Brian. Brian, with very rare exception, gets what he wants. For 51 years. Wherever Brian ends up in the coming months, that's probably where he wants to be. Or, where Melinda wants him to be. And I mean that in a good way. She has done a great job recently looking out for his best interests.

So how do we know who is willing? By what we are given in these articles? I've been hit over the head too many times. I'll wait it out this time...

It's definitely true, we don't know exactly what they want or what they are willing to do. But Al's most recent comments suggest he wants to continue with the BB's. In fact, while the first few years after Carl's death had Al being more feisty and negative about Mike's band or the prospect of playing with Mike, Al has seemed in more recent years to be perhaps the most enthusiastic about doing more group stuff. The one time I met him in 2005, even then Al seemed to be pining for a reunion, commenting that he wanted to put it back together for another go at it.

Brian seems to be into doing more. David hasn't specifically spoken to this, or at least his comments haven't been published specifically about what he wants to do in the future. I would guess he's game for more recording at touring at some point here.

So I'm definitely open to the possibility or maybe even strong liklihood that some or all of Brian, Al, and David aren't on the same precise page as Mike and Bruce about how they would like to work going forward. But there seems to be a willingness to do more work together.

To put it another way, I don't think Mike and Bruce have been dragging Brian, Al, and David kicking and screaming into doing shows together. I don't think it's likely that Brian, Al, and David have emphatically stated they're done and ready to hand it back over to Mike to go back to his touring.


One obvious possibility here is that they would have to do some sort of compromise. Maybe Mike's idea is a cheap, streamlined 150 show-per-year tour, and Brian's is lots of recording and maybe 30 or 40 shows with a huge backing band. Maybe Al's game for more shows, but not 150, and not with a small backing band. These are just random examples for the sake of this discussion. Maybe instead of just going back to his own thing because the others aren't game for that exact scenario, Mike could hold back on booking the small shows with his scaled back band, and maybe they could all commit to a 2013 summer tour, maybe a bit smaller than the 2012 tour.

As we've been saying, we don't know who wants what. But I don't think reverting to the Mike/Bruce band and not continuing the reunion should happen only because the current band is too big and bloated, or because they don't want to do gigs all year round all over the place.

[Andrew G. Doe]

It's about the missed opportunity of keeping this reunion lineup together.

Was never, ever going to happen, and that's not me saying so based on any insider info I may (or may not) have: it's simple common sense and reasonable business practise. It's called 'not diluting the magic of the brand'. Everyone came on board knowing that the C50 tour would have a finite lifespan, and that knowledge made it easier for all the past nonsense to be, if not forgotten, then laid aside for the duration. Personally, I don't believe the statement that they could have easily booked another 12 shows in the UK, because were that true, then they would have. No-one in this band ever turned down guaranteed income and from what I understand, it was hard enough booking two dates.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

One obvious possibility here is that they would have to do some sort of compromise. Maybe Mike's idea is a cheap, streamlined 150 show-per-year tour, and Brian's is lots of recording and maybe 30 or 40 shows with a huge backing band. Maybe Al's game for more shows, but not 150, and not with a small backing band. These are just random examples for the sake of this discussion. Maybe instead of just going back to his own thing because the others aren't game for that exact scenario, Mike could hold back on booking the small shows with his scaled back band, and maybe they could all commit to a 2013 summer tour, maybe a bit smaller than the 2012 tour.

That's what I'm thinking...this Mike/Bruce tour is to bide some time...

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Brian says in Rolling Stone that he wants to make his Rock n Roll album with the Beach Boys next year. So no big deal, it's a win, win (except for David who is not part of BRI.)

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/brian-wilson-holds-out-hope-for-new-beach-boys-music-20120919

"And Wilson got the biggest response of the night when he said, "I wouldn't mind getting together with Mike [Love] and the guys and making an exciting rock & roll album."

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/brian-wilson-holds-out-hope-for-new-beach-boys-music-20120919#ixzz272r1hMhk

*******************

Mike and Bruce tour, Brian and Al get their cut, Brian works up a new album (Pleasure Island) and all the Boys come in for vocals/David overdubs/........

Only thing I'd like to see is an invitation to David to keep touring.  I seriously doubt if Brian and Al want to tour year-round.

[Pretty Funky]

It's about the missed opportunity of keeping this reunion lineup together.

Was never, ever going to happen, and that's not me saying so based on any insider info I may (or may not) have: it's simple common sense and reasonable business practise. It's called 'not diluting the magic of the brand'. Everyone came on board knowing that the C50 tour would have a finite lifespan, and that knowledge made it easier for all the past nonsense to be, if not forgotten, then laid aside for the duration. Personally, I don't believe the statement that they could have easily booked another 12 shows in the UK, because were that true, then they would have. No-one in this band ever turned down guaranteed income and from what I understand, it was hard enough booking two dates.

Are we talking 'booked' as in arranged or 'seats sold'? My impression from Bruce's comments were it had to be done by mid-August due to M&B commitments. Putting that aside and the disruption of the Europe leg due to the Olympics, I think they could have sold out quite a few more large UK venues.

[Sheriff John Stone]

So I'm definitely open to the possibility or maybe even strong liklihood that some or all of Brian, Al, and David aren't on the same precise page as Mike and Bruce about how they would like to work going forward. But there seems to be a willingness to do more work together.  

Willingness to do more recording? Yeah, I can see that. That wouldn't take the time or effort (physically and mentally) of a tour. I think we're all on pretty much the same page when it comes to recording. And, I think I almost believe Brian when he says that he wants to do another Beach Boys' album.

It's the touring, continuing this tour or a future tour that is the big question. You mentioned above that you think they might be "on the same page" going forward. If it's touring, they have to be. ALL OF THEM. And that's why this tour was successful. They were all there! If you change the dynamic, even if it's one member, you are opening the door for problems. If Al and/or David would join Mike & Bruce - and Brian didn't - I could see that imploding. There just seemed to be everybody going out of their way to make this thing work, almost for Brian's sake, or very least because he was there. There was almost the attitude of "I don't want to say or do anything that could blow this thing".

I don't want to sound corny, but The Beach Boys did present themselves as a TEAM in the interviews and the shows. You take one or two members off of that team and now you have a couple of individuals. It's no longer The Beach Boys, it's Mike and Al and David and whoever.....That's when the problems begin.

[HeyJude]

It's about the missed opportunity of keeping this reunion lineup together.

Was never, ever going to happen, and that's not me saying so based on any insider info I may (or may not) have: it's simple common sense and reasonable business practise. It's called 'not diluting the magic of the brand'. Everyone came on board knowing that the C50 tour would have a finite lifespan, and that knowledge made it easier for all the past nonsense to be, if not forgotten, then laid aside for the duration. Personally, I don't believe the statement that they could have easily booked another 12 shows in the UK, because were that true, then they would have. No-one in this band ever turned down guaranteed income and from what I understand, it was hard enough booking two dates.

I suppose it's kind of a semantics thing, but maybe "keeping the lineup together" isn't as good of a way to put it as "continue the current tour and lineup into next year" or something.

Based on the comments of the some of the band members, they either did not fully believe this reunion had a "finite" life span (or at least didn't believe its lifespan was set in stone as ending in September), or they have changed their tune and might like to continue, while others are more skeptical.

I think where the disconnect is happening between various fans of differening opinion is the factor of how good this tour was. That is the basis for fans who otherwise would be totally hardened and skeptical and assume the worse actually being hopeful, or maybe wishful is a better term. This tour was WAY better than most fans assumed it would be, and probably than the band itself thought it would be. Given the current situation, the band or some of the band may still not be fully aware of how good this show is. Or they (meaning Mike in this theoretical scenario) don't care how good it was/is. If that is the case, then that sort of opinion deserves a bit of cranky disappointment from fans.

More importantly, and more realistically, someone should have at least told them that the high profile of the tour would result in some bad (or at least manufactured drama/scandal) press if they just went  back to the Mike/Bruce band. We fans know how this was likely to happen, but that isn't stopping the press from having a good 'ol time writing stories as if Mike just fired Brian, Al, and David from the band and took his ball (and bag of money) and went home.

AGD, apologies for not knowing this, but have you seen a "C50" show yet in person? Don't worry, I'm not going to pull the "If you haven't seen the show in person, you just don't know man!" card. Well, maybe a tiny bit.  I think it was only after I saw this show in person (after having seen and heard numerous recordings) that I really actually longed for this lineup to continue for awhile longer. Setting aside the realities of the economics and politics of the band and touring, you'd have to be a pretty hardened fan to not go to one of these shows and, even if you ultimately stick to your guns and say they should retire, maybe just for a bit feel like you'd love to see that show again next year, and maybe the year after that......

[Wirestone]

AGD, apologies for not knowing this, but have you seen a "C50" show yet in person? Don't worry, I'm not going to pull the "If you haven't seen the show in person, you just don't know man!" card. Well, maybe a tiny bit.   I think it was only after I saw this show in person (after having seen and heard numerous recordings) that I really actually longed for this lineup to continue for awhile longer. Setting aside the realities of the economics and politics of the band and touring, you'd have to be a pretty hardened fan to not go to one of these shows and, even if you ultimately stick to your guns and say they should retire, maybe just for a bit feel like you'd love to see that show again next year, and maybe the year after that......

This was absolutely my reaction, too.

I am in some ways far crankier than AGD, and I thought the reunion wasn't the greatest idea to start with. But I was transformed by the experience of the shows.

They were amazing. Both of them. And I really came away feeling that this was the way the band needs to go out. At full power, with all the surviving members, doing an amazing set of songs. I know it might not be possible. But f*** that. This lineup deserves to be what the Beach Boys are.

Full stop.

[Pretty Funky]

Don't worry about Andrew. His sarcasm has made him the Bruce Johnston of the message boards of late. I half expect him to be wearing shorts to the London gigs next week.

[Justin]

NO LOVE



Brian Wilson and Al Jardine both say they were "shocked" by Mike Love's announcement on Monday that Love's pre-50th-Anniversary-Tour lineup of The Beach Boys -- which includes Bruce Johnston, but not Wilson, Jardine and David Marks -- would resume doing shows following the band's London dates later this month. Jardine told us at last night's opening of the Good Vibrations: 50 Years of The Beach Boys exhibit at L.A.'s Grammy Museum that he'd just spoken to Love a few minutes earlier: "I said I really do feel you need to rethink it, because there's so many opportunities left for us, and I'd really appreciate talking to you about it -- and he was agreeable to that."
 

http://www.wcsx.com/news/Story.aspx?ID=1776232

[HeyJude]

NO LOVE

Brian Wilson and Al Jardine both say they were "shocked" by Mike Love's announcement on Monday that Love's pre-50th-Anniversary-Tour lineup of The Beach Boys -- which includes Bruce Johnston, but not Wilson, Jardine and David Marks -- would resume doing shows following the band's London dates later this month. Jardine told us at last night's opening of the Good Vibrations: 50 Years of The Beach Boys exhibit at L.A.'s Grammy Museum that he'd just spoken to Love a few minutes earlier: "I said I really do feel you need to rethink it, because there's so many opportunities left for us, and I'd really appreciate talking to you about it -- and he was agreeable to that."
 

http://www.wcsx.com/news/Story.aspx?ID=1776232

Yes, yes, I know Al sometimes says stuff in random interviews that leaves us with a kind of "huh?" reaction, but this comment certainly indicates that, whether they were on the same page or not about post-tour stuff at the beginning of the tour, they are certainly not on the same page now about how they feel about future prospects.

Again acknowledging Al's sometimes head-scratching comments in interviews, that comment seems to me to suggest that they did not at all have any sort of iron-clad mutual understanding or discussion about anything that was going to happen after the end of this scheduled tour.

Only in the Beach Boys universe could we now have, potentially/allegedly, Brian and Al yearning to do more stuff with Mike.

I'll go ahead and say what somebody, some fan out there must have briefly thought of, and that's the bat****-insanely unlikely idea of Brian, Al, and David taking this band back out on the road and doing their own tour.