Is Bruce an original member? No? Well, Mike's website claims he is.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

I don't see what is so hard about this topic about the original members.

The first Surfin single had Brian, Carl, Al, Mike, and Dennis on it.

The topic is about the ethics of publicizing Bruce as an original member.  We know he is not.

[SMiLE Brian]

I am on topic, the fact is that Bruce isn't anywhere near an original member and Mike is a liar if he promotes otherwise.

[Mikie]

"Original" to me means the members who were in the group when they first started out. So the original members were:

Brian
Mike
Carl
Dennis
Al
Dave

Bruce joined the group four years after the group started. Then left for seven years and came back again.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

I am on topic, the fact is that Bruce isn't anywhere near an original member and Mike is a liar if he promotes otherwise.

My thoughts exactly!

[Pretty Funky]

Rather than worrying about Bruce, there is a better meal here to get your teeth into.


http://www.paramuspost.com/article.php/20130310191621984

[SMiLE Brian]

Rather than worrying about Bruce, there is a better meal here to get your teeth into.


http://www.paramuspost.com/article.php/20130310191621984

M&B are con artists, enough with them using the BBs name for this crap.

[RubberSoul13]

Mathematically, Bruce is not an original member but frankly, why does it matter if he was on the first album or not?

I find his presence to be very obvious and delightful on California Girls, God Only Knows, and all across the Sunflower album. I love his original contributions, both are better than Disney Girls IMO. And his lines in Add Some Music are signature. He adds dynamics to the song, probably his most important vocal contribution. Mike's booming baritone with "The Sunday morning gospel...", Carl's sweet yet soulful "Music, when your alone..." Al's edgy yet full "Ice cream cart" line...and Bruce's sweet and flowing "They'll play it on your wedding day, there must be 'bout a million ways..." which all of these together embodies the whole message of the piece from Brian.

And of course, there is "Disney Girls", which I love but I konw some find it campy and unamusing. He's played a big part in keeping the live band popular (using the term kinda loosely here) as well. He's a great promoter of the back catalog, loves the deep tracks (Theres a great clip of him talking about the raw emotion of "I'm bugged at my old man" somewhere on youtube).

I think Bruce Johnston is a historically important member in the Beach Boys legacy but he simply can't be original...but did he ever try to be? He tells his story very well "Next thing I know, I'm squeezing into Al Jardine's pants that are two sizes too small..."...maybe that's why he loves the short shorts now... 

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Rather than worrying about Bruce, there is a better meal here to get your teeth into.


http://www.paramuspost.com/article.php/20130310191621984

Good catch!

I think Mike's mgt does this crap on purpose to sell tickets.  Bruce is an original member, the Beach Boys 50th continues.  It's sad.

Meanwhile, Brian, Al and Dave are lining us some shows at great venues.

Question is, which act is a more legitimate "Beach Boys" at this point.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Mathematically, Bruce is not an original member but frankly, why does it matter if he was on the first album or not?

I find his presence to be very obvious and delightful on California Girls, God Only Knows, and all across the Sunflower album. I love his original contributions, both are better than Disney Girls IMO. And his lines in Add Some Music are signature. He adds dynamics to the song, probably his most important vocal contribution. Mike's booming baritone with "The Sunday morning gospel...", Carl's sweet yet soulful "Music, when your alone..." Al's edgy yet full "Ice cream cart" line...and Bruce's sweet and flowing "They'll play it on your wedding day, there must be 'bout a million ways..." which all of these together embodies the whole message of the piece from Brian.

And of course, there is "Disney Girls", which I love but I konw some find it campy and unamusing. He's played a big part in keeping the live band popular (using the term kinda loosely here) as well. He's a great promoter of the back catalog, loves the deep tracks (Theres a great clip of him talking about the raw emotion of "I'm bugged at my old man" somewhere on youtube).

I think Bruce Johnston is a historically important member in the Beach Boys legacy but he simply can't be original...but did he ever try to be? He tells his story very well "Next thing I know, I'm squeezing into Al Jardine's pants that are two sizes too small..."...maybe that's why he loves the short shorts now... 

I was being facetious with the thread heading. It has nothing to do with Bruce's long history as a core member of the band.  Not knocking Bruce (I'm probably one of the few who really like "Going Public".)

It's the ethics of Mike's website stating Bruce is an original member when he is most obviously not.

[oldsurferdude]

Rather than worrying about Bruce, there is a better meal here to get your teeth into.


http://www.paramuspost.com/article.php/20130310191621984

M&B are con artists, enough with them using the BBs name for this crap.

[Kurosawa]

Rather than worrying about Bruce, there is a better meal here to get your teeth into.


http://www.paramuspost.com/article.php/20130310191621984

Good catch!

I think Mike's mgt does this crap on purpose to sell tickets.  Bruce is an original member, the Beach Boys 50th continues.  It's sad.

Meanwhile, Brian, Al and Dave are lining us some shows at great venues.

Question is, which act is a more legitimate "Beach Boys" at this point.

Have to see how much of a group the Brian, Al and Dave show is to make a judgement, IMO, although Brian alone makes it more interesting musically than M&B because they never have anything new to offer.

That article makes it sound like the 50th anniversary tour is still going on. Personally, I find the ticket prices more offensive than the article. No way would I pay that much for one original and one longtime member of any band, especially when a lot of the best songs are sung by sidemen, AND some of the other originals are still alive.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Rather than worrying about Bruce, there is a better meal here to get your teeth into.


http://www.paramuspost.com/article.php/20130310191621984

Good catch!

I think Mike's mgt does this crap on purpose to sell tickets.  Bruce is an original member, the Beach Boys 50th continues.  It's sad.

Meanwhile, Brian, Al and Dave are lining us some shows at great venues.

Question is, which act is a more legitimate "Beach Boys" at this point.

Have to see how much of a group the Brian, Al and Dave show is to make a judgement, IMO, although Brian alone makes it more interesting musically than M&B because they never have anything new to offer.

That article makes it sound like the 50th anniversary tour is still going on. Personally, I find the ticket prices more offensive than the article. No way would I pay that much for one original and one longtime member of any band, especially when a lot of the best songs are sung by sidemen, AND some of the other originals are still alive.

Yes, it's going to be interesting. Hoping David gets some more lead vocals.

[Mikie]

http://www.paramuspost.com/article.php/20130310191621984

So this article leads me to believe that Brian, Mike, Al, David, and Bruce will be at this gig.  Nothing in this article suggests otherwise.  The article names everyone in the group, not just Mike & Bruce. Orrrrrrrrr, it's misleading.


"No Better Way To Kick Off Summer [2013] Than With The Beach Boys!! Their 50 Year Celebration Continues With Their Tour"

[SurfRiderHawaii]

http://www.paramuspost.com/article.php/20130310191621984

So this article leads me to believe that Brian, Mike, Al, David, and Bruce will be at this gig.  Nothing in this article suggests otherwise.  The article names everyone in the group, not just Mike & Bruce. Orrrrrrrrr, it's misleading.


"No Better Way To Kick Off Summer [2013] Than With The Beach Boys!! Their 50 Year Celebration Continues With Their Tour"

No way Mike's management did this release. Just some shoddy reporting/screw-up.

The venue itself has a updated photo but the bio seems to be from 2006.

http://www.bergenpac.org/events/detail/the-beach-boys

[MBE]

5 pages on a shaky ad?

[Jim V.]

I know this might be kinda dickish, but there is no way I'm gonna take Jon Stebbins word on this "who's an original?" question. He is obviously in the David Marks corner, probably more so than Dave himself. So although he is super helpful in distinguishing truth from the lies, he obviously is pushing an agenda. To totally take him as the final word on this stuff would be like taking Bruce Johnston's word on what happened between Mike and Brian, Al, and Dave since the C50 tour.

But anyways, I think Dave and Al should be considered original. Al was on the first single, and Dave was on the first album and the first show (right?).

Obviously you've never read any of Jon's books. We are lucky to have BB experts like Jon, AGD and others on this board.
Why in the world would you not believe someone who has done such exhaustive research on the subject.

And you didn't even read Jon's post correctly.  My summary - Al on the first single and early concerts. (single was on the first album). David on some of the first neighborhood jams, first tours and first 4 albums.

Uh....I did read the David Marks book, and I found it very informative. I also have much more regard for Dave as a Beach Boy. But it doesn't make it wrong to point out that Stebbins is definitely pushing an agenda.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

5 pages on a shaky ad?

I think some of us are a bit bored by yet another mammoth Smile/H&V discussion in the Durrie Parks Smile acetates thread while we wait for MIC developments and the first Brian/Al & David shows.

A bit of Mike bashing is always fun. 

But here you are on the thread Mike.  Thanks for bringing us closer to page 6.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

I know this might be kinda dickish, but there is no way I'm gonna take Jon Stebbins word on this "who's an original?" question. He is obviously in the David Marks corner, probably more so than Dave himself. So although he is super helpful in distinguishing truth from the lies, he obviously is pushing an agenda. To totally take him as the final word on this stuff would be like taking Bruce Johnston's word on what happened between Mike and Brian, Al, and Dave since the C50 tour.

But anyways, I think Dave and Al should be considered original. Al was on the first single, and Dave was on the first album and the first show (right?).

Obviously you've never read any of Jon's books. We are lucky to have BB experts like Jon, AGD and others on this board.
Why in the world would you not believe someone who has done such exhaustive research on the subject.

And you didn't even read Jon's post correctly.  My summary - Al on the first single and early concerts. (single was on the first album). David on some of the first neighborhood jams, first tours and first 4 albums.

Uh....I did read the David Marks book, and I found it very informative. I also have much more regard for Dave as a Beach Boy. But it doesn't make it wrong to point out that Stebbins is definitely pushing an agenda.

My experience is that people/artists/authors are very passionate about their life's work.  The Real Beach Boy was great. 

I met and talked to David at the Eugene show last summer.  The guy is so nice and likeable I can totally understand Jon's affection for David. I think agenda is a pretty strong word.  Jon is an advocate for David. Nothing wrong with that.

[Puggal]

Bruce is a real Beach Boy. Mike, Stamos, and he tour all across America and spread sunshine oceanlove. People love for where they sing, too.

[MBE]

5 pages on a shaky ad?

I think some of us are a bit bored by yet another mammoth Smile/H&V discussion in the Durrie Parks Smile acetates thread while we wait for MIC developments and the first Brian/Al & David shows.

A bit of Mike bashing is always fun. 

But here you are on the thread Mike.  Thanks for bringing us closer to page 6.

True enough .
Yeah Smile threads aren't to my taste mainly because I think we've heard 95 percent of everything existing and doubt there will be much more. Hope I am wrong but I'm not one for Smile speculation. I guess I'm the odd guy who figures if there's anything good I will hear it soon enough. Of course the Wild Honey version of Surf's Up sounds like it would be cool.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

5 pages on a shaky ad?

I think some of us are a bit bored by yet another mammoth Smile/H&V discussion in the Durrie Parks Smile acetates thread while we wait for MIC developments and the first Brian/Al & David shows.

A bit of Mike bashing is always fun. 

But here you are on the thread Mike.  Thanks for bringing us closer to page 6.

True enough .
Yeah Smile threads aren't to my taste mainly because I think we've heard 95 percent of everything existing and doubt there will be much more. Hope I am wrong but I'm not one for Smile speculation. I guess I'm the odd guy who figures if there's anything good I will hear it soon enough. Of course the Wild Honey version of Surf's Up sounds like it would be cool.

I really admire the SS Board 'Smile' scholars. Their depth of knowledge on all the Smile bits and pieces blows my mind . I just dig hearing the music. "Wild Honey version of Surf's Up"? Thought we already had that on the Smile box?

[Lonely Summer]

When I think original band members,  I think of the guys that were in a band when the hits were made. That's why Ringo is an original Beatle, even though technically, he isn't. Ditto for Hayward and Lodge. And Bruce. It's not like Bruce was some hired hand brought in around 1998. But what I really want to know is why Bruce insists on wearing a hat all the time like his boss. The few times i've seen him hatless in recent years, he's appeared to have a good head of hair.

[EthanJames]

I'm partial to this Bruce look:

I'm using this pic lol

[Crow]

For some reason I have really started to dislike Bruce likely. (Well, dislike a guy that I don't really know and have never met.) I don't like most of his contributions to the band outside of Disney Girls. Brian, Dennis, Mike and Even Carl are better songwriters. As far as his singing voice I would certainly rank him last- I mean Carl, Brian, Al and Mike and even Dennis are all superior singers. His shorts really are horrible. His political views are off-putting. (And yes I know that has nothing to do with his singing etc. - I love Kelsey Grammer even though his views I don't care for.) Is there anyone else who feels or has come to feel this way? Overall I think he is an authentic Beach Boy but no not an original Beach Boy. My two cents....

[drbeachboy]

I could care less about his political views. It's his right to have one and to express it any way he feels appropriate, just like the rest of us. Whether or not he sings better than Dennis has nothing to do if he is a good singer. Of course he was good. He would not have lasted if Brian didn't think he could handle the parts given him. His vocals on Smile are terrific.  His songwriting, meh, not really my cup of tea, but he did win a Grammy, so some people like it. I do agree though that he is not "Original", but is "Authentic".