Jeff Foskett Interview

[The Shift]

… Foskett has been correctly and/or incorrectly referred to as a "musical director" or "band leader" for Brian for years, probably simply because he appears at the front of the band and appears as Brian's right hand man, etc.

Now does my memory fail me, but didn't Jeff tell the audience at a Jeff & Billy gig in the basement of an Edinburgh hotel back in 2003 that he had been asked by Brian to start sifting through the vaults for SMiLE sessions material for a live performance?  Turned out to be Darian who had that job.  Someone will have taped the night, I'm sure, and will be able to confirm/correct my memory.

[HeyJude]

Did Carl really consider the 80s band w/ Foskett to be the best?

Mabey I missed something, but I don't recall ever hearing Carl give a statement like that either.  Jeff always has to find a way to praise himself. 

Jeff may well do this, I dunno; I have seen hype that was kind of overblown (I remember reading on his website that he was going to appear "on stage" with Paul McCartney in San Jose back in 2005 I believe; that seemed inplausible at the time and I attended the show and, as is the case 99% of the time, there were no "on stage" guests).

But it's certainly at least possible/plausible that Carl said this to Jeff in person rather than in an interview. I would imagine any time the BB's would have been asked what they think of their current live band, that band at that time is always going to be touted. It is interesting that the only outright negative comments I've seen from Carl about a specific era or grouping of their live show was the 1981/82 timeframe. Carl leaving obviously is a strong indicator of how he felt, but also, as I mentioned before, he specifically cited in that era the lack of rehearsals and stale setlist.

[acedecade75]

 Mabey this is reading too much into things, but when asked to leave the band in the late 80's, it didn't seem that Carl fought to keep him around.  I wouldn't expect that Carl would have allowed his departure if Jeff were really that valuable to the band, and Carl though that highly of him.  Honestly, Jeff is a hired backing musician who could be relaced by any number of people.  His voice is not that special.  He's a legend in his own mind.

[Pretty Funky]

I read a interview by Jeff on the reason for his departure which I can't find now. It had nothing to do with his music ability. Without going into specifics, Jeff said it was a period when the band travelled with wives and family and preferred to show life on the road in a good light to them.

I'll let you read between the lines.

 

[metal flake paint]

Although it doesn't correlate with Jeff's tenure in the band, Al mentioned on American Bandstand that the group were going to have a party in an empty Olympic-sized swimming pool after their concert at The Forum, Los Angeles, Dec. 31, 1980.

[Pretty Funky]

For any old BBFUN members out there, the newsletter at the time had a picture of that party.

The venue was here I understand.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollywood_Athletic_Club

[AndrewHickey]

… Foskett has been correctly and/or incorrectly referred to as a "musical director" or "band leader" for Brian for years, probably simply because he appears at the front of the band and appears as Brian's right hand man, etc.

Now does my memory fail me, but didn't Jeff tell the audience at a Jeff & Billy gig in the basement of an Edinburgh hotel back in 2003 that he had been asked by Brian to start sifting through the vaults for SMiLE sessions material for a live performance?  Turned out to be Darian who had that job.  Someone will have taped the night, I'm sure, and will be able to confirm/correct my memory.

He did, but it was the gig in Lutterworth, not one in Edinburgh, and I think he said Melinda, rather than Brian had asked him. (I was there, but it was nine years ago so my own memory is a bit shaky).
He did, however, say that he'd only spoken to Melinda about it that day, so he may well have either got the wrong end of the stick at the time, or possibly Melinda did ask him to do it before it was decided that Darian would be better for it.

[roll plymouth rock]

Wow Jeff is producing the new Christopher Cross album 

[Heywood]

I've got a recording of Lutterworth somewhere, but I thought the original plan was just to work out a presentable form of what they already had to play live and only later it took on far greater proportions and Darian got alot more involved.

What's with the Jeff hate?

[SloopJohnnyB]

I saw Jeff at the Stanley Theater in Pittsburgh back in 1981-1982. It was his first tour with the Beach Boys. He replaced Carl at the time. He was great! I think he dressed in a suit which was reminiscent of suits the Boys wore in the early 1960's. Carl had left and Jeff was able to fill the void.

His solo albums are great. He's also a good friend to Brian. If anyone deserves to be called a 'Beach Boy' other than the current and original line up, Jeff deserves to be in the discussion. My opinion. 

[Shady]

I don't remember them performing in a empty swimming pool? I believe we followed every show in detail 

That was an interesting interview. I see something happening in 2013, till then, It's good to see Al and Brian getting some dates together

[The Shift]

… Foskett has been correctly and/or incorrectly referred to as a "musical director" or "band leader" for Brian for years, probably simply because he appears at the front of the band and appears as Brian's right hand man, etc.

Now does my memory fail me, but didn't Jeff tell the audience at a Jeff & Billy gig in the basement of an Edinburgh hotel back in 2003 that he had been asked by Brian to start sifting through the vaults for SMiLE sessions material for a live performance?  Turned out to be Darian who had that job.  Someone will have taped the night, I'm sure, and will be able to confirm/correct my memory.

He did, but it was the gig in Lutterworth, not one in Edinburgh, and I think he said Melinda, rather than Brian had asked him. (I was there, but it was nine years ago so my own memory is a bit shaky).
He did, however, say that he'd only spoken to Melinda about it that day, so he may well have either got the wrong end of the stick at the time, or possibly Melinda did ask him to do it before it was decided that Darian would be better for it.

Thanks for that. He repeated the Smile news at the Edinburgh bash which I think was the following night - we were primed thanks to the BBB board! - but the detail of what be said completely escapes me!

We were also treated that night to a stunning solo rendition of Surf's Up by a fellow can from Glasgow, whose name has long since also slipped from memory. Jeff and billy were rightly gobsmacked but soon started to provide backing vox.

I've got a recording of Lutterworth somewhere, but I thought the original plan was just to work out a presentable form of what they already had to play live and only later it took on far greater proportions and Darian got alot more involved.

What's with the Jeff hate?

No hatred in this house! Just looking for help to restore the details of a nice evening almost a decade ago.

Shared a ciggie and a chat with Billy on the hotel doorstep during an interlude; very nice guy indeed, very personable and down to earth with no airs and graces. Very pleased we've both quit the weed in the years since!

[Pretty Funky]

I think the swimming pool quote is more a sh!tty venue rather than an actual pool.

[metal flake paint]

We were also treated that night to a stunning solo rendition of Surf's Up by a fellow can from Glasgow, whose name has long since also slipped from memory. Jeff and billy were rightly gobsmacked but soon started to provide backing vox.

Daniel McGeever, perhaps?

[Shady]

I think the swimming pool quote is more a sh!tty venue rather than an actual pool.

Yeah, that's pretty clear.

I just wonder which venue Jeff was alluding to.

Such a sly boots! lol

[Ron]

I think it's quite possible Carl may have considered the 80's band (live) to be the best.  They had some pretty big crowds in the 80's, the band was pretty good, even had a #1 when Kokomo came out, etc.  Looking back to a fan, it looks like the live bands in the 70's were much better but to Carl maybe he enjoyed the camaraderie better in the 80's. 

[rn57]

I think it's quite possible Carl may have considered the 80's band (live) to be the best.  They had some pretty big crowds in the 80's, the band was pretty good, even had a #1 when Kokomo came out, etc.  Looking back to a fan, it looks like the live bands in the 70's were much better but to Carl maybe he enjoyed the camaraderie better in the 80's. 

In 1989 I saw them play the Hollywood Bowl with Chicago (plus Brian doing a solo mini-set - I well remember he was not at a keyboard but was somewhat awkwardly walking around). The guys seemed quite relaxed and it was a pretty good show all round. But I have to admit I get more of a thrill from seeing old '70s footage of them wowing shaggy stoned festival crowds.

[Sheriff John Stone]

One thing about the mid/late 1980's band performances that was an improvement was the way they were presenting the songs. It doesn't necessarily have much to do with the musicianship, but they started to do the car medley, the surf medley, they started to connect "Sloop John B" with "Wouldn't It Be Nice", and they mastered that classic 1,2,3 closing of "Good Vibrations" into "Barbara Ann" into "Fun, Fun, Fun".

These changes avoided those extended, tedious song endings of the 1970's, there weren't as many stops and starts of two minute songs, and, they created a nice flow. Some might consider that flow as being on auto-pilot or a traveling jukebox, but the overall presentation was good, IMO.

[Ian]

Not to argue too much Sheriff-but is a medley ever a good thing?  Personally-I feel that if a song is worth doing-than its worth doing the full song.  Doing a medley is really Vegas cheesy...Just my opinion of course

[donald]

"Al Jardines voice is absolutely essential to that blend"

Well said and I have said the same throughout the C50 tour.   

I've always liked JF.  Seems some begrudge his success and influence in the BB organization.

Not me.  How many of you recall the early 80's with Carl, Mike, Al, Bruce, and Jeff fronting the band and those sweet harmonies that were made possible without the benefit of a young Brian Wilson?

[Sheriff John Stone]

Not to argue too much Sheriff-but is a medley ever a good thing?  Personally-I feel that if a song is worth doing-than its worth doing the full song.  Doing a medley is really Vegas cheesy...Just my opinion of course

Well, they do play the entire songs in the medleys, don't they? I think the main reason the medleys work is because of the relatively short length of BB songs. The way they connect them is IMO better than playing two minutes, stopping, starting a new two minute song, stopping, etc. Plus, the condensing of the subject matter (cars and surfing) allows them to address it and move on, instead of coming back to it sporadically throughout the shows. It kinda allows them to coordinate the setlist better if you will.

I know there are several people here who don't like the medleys (mainly because they don't like Mike Love), but at every Beach Boys' concert I've ever attended (about 30), judging by the audience applause, they've been highlights.

[I. Spaceman]

is a medley ever a good thing?  

The Old Master Painter/You Are My Sunshine is a pretty good one.

[Generation42]

“I know we had offers to play the Honolulu Shell... I think everybody would have been open to it. I don’t know now.”

Aw, man.  See, now, yes, these guys are pros who are making their own decisions and living their lives quite successfully at this point, and yes, they've given so much as a unit over the years (especially the past couple), so who am I to quibble, right?  But this is the kind of thing that just kills me.

My mother and I went to Darien Lake this summer and we loved it.  I mean we loved it.  Wouldn't trade a moment of that night for almost anything and I wasn't sure that I could ask for anything more and still look myself in the mirror.  That said, as word of the reunion filtered down to us, I was stumping from the start for this tour to include a stop in Hawaii.  I had romantic visions of the C50 tour culminating in the 50th state.  You'd have the surfing connection, the beach and for the later material, there's a natural paradise surrounding you to enhance the performance.  The story would've written itself.  I mean, we've already heard the rumors of Madison Square Garden, New Year's Eve, etc., but for my money, this is the single missed opportunity which may just top them all. 

So now, with feet planted firmly upon my soapbox, I hereby decree that at some point next year, the Beach Boys (Brian, Mike, Al, Bruce, David, et al.) should get it back together, rehearse like dogs, (like freaking dogs), hire top-notch film and multi-track crews and then take to the stage of the Waikiki Shell and top even the Albert Hall.  Offer us a nice spruced-up blu ray and I'll never ask for another gig from the fellas as long as they live.

[NHC]

Not to argue too much Sheriff-but is a medley ever a good thing?  Personally-I feel that if a song is worth doing-than its worth doing the full song.  Doing a medley is really Vegas cheesy...Just my opinion of course

Well, they do play the entire songs in the medleys, don't they? I think the main reason the medleys work is because of the relatively short length of BB songs. The way they connect them is IMO better than playing two minutes, stopping, starting a new two minute song, stopping, etc. Plus, the condensing of the subject matter (cars and surfing) allows them to address it and move on, instead of coming back to it sporadically throughout the shows. It kinda allows them to coordinate the setlist better if you will.

I know there are several people here who don't like the medleys (mainly because they don't like Mike Love), but at every Beach Boys' concert I've ever attended (about 30), judging by the audience applause, they've been highlights.

Good post.  I like the hot rod/surf format since it allows so many songs to be played, and those are some of my top favorites.

[hypehat]

I think it's quite possible Carl may have considered the 80's band (live) to be the best.  They had some pretty big crowds in the 80's, the band was pretty good, even had a #1 when Kokomo came out, etc.  Looking back to a fan, it looks like the live bands in the 70's were much better but to Carl maybe he enjoyed the camaraderie better in the 80's. 

I don't know, man, unless your idea of camaraderie involves your drummer dying and Adrian Baker singing.