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

[Moon Dawg]

  This is a highly subjective opinion that can never be proven, but David Marks would have made a far greater contribution to the band than Bruce if he'd been on board for decades. Perhaps not as a composer but certainly as an instrumentalist. Imagine the guitar tandem of Carl and Dave with Al switching to bass. Could have been way cool.

I doubt it. David Marks was as messed up as some of the other members for much of his life and they still would have used Carl or session musicians for the guitar parts if he'd been around probably.

 Think of what they might have done live though.

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

I'd say that Bruce should, at this point, be considered an original member...... Why the hell not?

I see "The Bruce Boys" are playing this gig: May 12, 2013 - Flagstaff, AZ - Pepsi Amphitheater (4pm) !!!

I thought Mike was against sugary soft drinks!

There is a monument in Hawthorne with six original guys. Bruce isn't one of them.

Oh is that right? And what are you trying to say?

Uh........ That Bruce is not on the monument csuse,... uh,...... he isn't an original member.

Speaking of Lost in a Lost World, would Mike Pinder, my favorite Moodie, say Lodge and Hayward are original Moodies? Obviously no. But they ARE Moodies.

That's a tough one! ..... Other than in name, the Hayward/Lodge holy sacredness of a band has little or nothing to do with the Denny Laine Moodies other than the two beard/stache guys and myself... So, it's easy to just consider them different bands even though they aren't ..... So, yeah, why not just consider Justin and John original members? ...... Bon Scott wasn't even an original member of AC/DC but, I mean, he IS though, right?

[Emdeeh]

Re the photo a few posts above (previous page), Dennis and Bruce sure were a couple of handsome dudes, back in the day... Even if Bruce doesn't qualify as an "original" BB in my book, he definitely qualifies as a genuine BB.

I ran across this cartoon in another BB list, since we're discussing Bruce's role, it seems to fit here.

[bgas]

Re the photo a few posts above (previous page), Dennis and Bruce sure were a couple of handsome dudes, back in the day... Even if Bruce doesn't qualify as an "original" BB in my book, he definitely qualifies as a genuine BB.

There you go, can everyone agree he qualifies as a "genuine" BB?

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

 This is a highly subjective opinion that can never be proven, but David Marks would have made a far greater contribution to the band than Bruce if he'd been on board for decades. Perhaps not as a composer but certainly as an instrumentalist. Imagine the guitar tandem of Carl and Dave with Al switching to bass. Could have been way cool.

I doubt it. David Marks was as messed up as some of the other members for much of his life and they still would have used Carl or session musicians for the guitar parts if he'd been around probably.

 Think of what they might have done live though.

I honestly think David was better exploring soudscapes with The Moon than he would have been in The Beach Boys.... Look at how much we all slam Ed Carter's guitar freak-out on Bluebirds Over The Mountain.... There's not much place in The Beach Boys for any dominating instrument..... I think Dave came back (and has come back) when the time is right..... I think things would have been radically different if he'd never left in the first place though.....

[Lowbacca]

Re the photo a few posts above (previous page), Dennis and Bruce sure were a couple of handsome dudes, back in the day... Even if Bruce doesn't qualify as an "original" BB in my book, he definitely qualifies as a genuine BB.

There you go, can everyone agree he qualifies as a "genuine" BB?

Sure. He's been on a couple of album covers, after all.

[oldsurferdude]

He is the original member of the mic adjusting and not doing anything on stage club.

Aw, come on Smile Brian-you're just not seeing the full picture if you don't credit him with the obligatory, cringe-worthy, never ending HANDCLAPPING.

Forgot about that habit He is also the charter member of the Mike Love ass-kissing club.

Yes! And I forgot that! Is there a website for the MLAKC? I know a few members that actually lurk here.

[Jon Stebbins]

Bruce is a core member...there were seven, and he's one of only six who participated in the Pet Sounds/Good Vibrations peak. He's also an official member...there were nine. He is not an original member...there were six. They are on the California State Historical Landmark monument and plaque.

[Pretty Funky]

Barely! They could not get the ok tp put the real image of each group member on the memorial. What a crock that was!

[Emdeeh]

Didn't that have something to do with not being able to get permission from the photographer for the Surfer Girl album cover? Note that the SG inspired tee-shirt from the 50th uses silhouettes.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

 This is a highly subjective opinion that can never be proven, but David Marks would have made a far greater contribution to the band than Bruce if he'd been on board for decades. Perhaps not as a composer but certainly as an instrumentalist. Imagine the guitar tandem of Carl and Dave with Al switching to bass. Could have been way cool.

I doubt it. David Marks was as messed up as some of the other members for much of his life and they still would have used Carl or session musicians for the guitar parts if he'd been around probably.

 Think of what they might have done live though.

I honestly think David was better exploring soudscapes with The Moon than he would have been in The Beach Boys.... Look at how much we all slam Ed Carter's guitar freak-out on Bluebirds Over The Mountain.... There's not much place in The Beach Boys for any dominating instrument..... I think Dave came back (and has come back) when the time is right..... I think things would have been radically different if he'd never left in the first place though.....

not all of us slam that solo!

[Jim V.]

Bruce is a core member...there were seven, and he's one of only six who participated in the Pet Sounds/Good Vibrations peak. He's also an official member...there were nine. He is not an original member...there were six. They are on the California State Historical Landmark monument and plaque.

Were there really six originals? Could we say that? I'm not sure. If we go by the lineup that put out the first single, that means we got Brian, Denny, Carl, Mike, and Alan. If we go by the group that put out the first album, then we have Brian, Denny, Carl, Mike, and Dave. It's tough. Do we go by who was at the first rehearsal?

Then you got Fleetwood Mac. John McVie didn't play the very first Mac show, but I'm pretty sure they named the band for him to join and he eventually joined after the first show. Is he an original? It's a very fine line. I don't know the answer.

[NHC]

 This is a highly subjective opinion that can never be proven, but David Marks would have made a far greater contribution to the band than Bruce if he'd been on board for decades. Perhaps not as a composer but certainly as an instrumentalist. Imagine the guitar tandem of Carl and Dave with Al switching to bass. Could have been way cool.

I doubt it. David Marks was as messed up as some of the other members for much of his life and they still would have used Carl or session musicians for the guitar parts if he'd been around probably.

 Think of what they might have done live though.

I honestly think David was better exploring soudscapes with The Moon than he would have been in The Beach Boys.... Look at how much we all slam Ed Carter's guitar freak-out on Bluebirds Over The Mountain.... There's not much place in The Beach Boys for any dominating instrument..... I think Dave came back (and has come back) when the time is right..... I think things would have been radically different if he'd never left in the first place though.....

not all of us slam that solo!

Including me.  I love it.

[Mike's Beard]

Looks like someone was seconds away from getting a pistol whippin'.

[Mike's Beard]

Were there really six originals? Could we say that? I'm not sure. If we go by the lineup that put out the first single, that means we got Brian, Denny, Carl, Mike, and Alan. If we go by the group that put out the first album, then we have Brian, Denny, Carl, Mike, and Dave. It's tough. Do we go by who was at the first rehearsal?

Dave replaced Al who left so he can't be considered a genuine original member.

[bgas]

Were there really six originals? Could we say that? I'm not sure. If we go by the lineup that put out the first single, that means we got Brian, Denny, Carl, Mike, and Alan. If we go by the group that put out the first album, then we have Brian, Denny, Carl, Mike, and Dave. It's tough. Do we go by who was at the first rehearsal?

Dave replaced Al who left so he can't be considered a genuine original member.

So Dave is original,  because Al left and so can't be an original because he left?  ( here we go again) 

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

Is Dennis even an original member since he was only allowed to participate due to Audree's persisting? 

[Mike's Beard]

Were there really six originals? Could we say that? I'm not sure. If we go by the lineup that put out the first single, that means we got Brian, Denny, Carl, Mike, and Alan. If we go by the group that put out the first album, then we have Brian, Denny, Carl, Mike, and Dave. It's tough. Do we go by who was at the first rehearsal?

Dave replaced Al who left so he can't be considered a genuine original member.

So Dave is original,  because Al left and so can't be an original because he left?  ( here we go again) 

You have read my statement backwards. No Dave isn't an original member because he replaced Al who left.

[MBE]

He is the original member of the mic adjusting and not doing anything on stage club.

Oh I laughed out loud. Honest!

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Were there really six originals? Could we say that? I'm not sure. If we go by the lineup that put out the first single, that means we got Brian, Denny, Carl, Mike, and Alan. If we go by the group that put out the first album, then we have Brian, Denny, Carl, Mike, and Dave. It's tough. Do we go by who was at the first rehearsal?

Dave replaced Al who left so he can't be considered a genuine original member.

I think if you are on the first album, you are an original member.

[Pretty Funky]

Not the first song, rehearsal etc?

It was all pretty loose to begin with. When the remaining group members worry about, I will.

Nothing here IMO.

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

Wasn't Al a bit worried about it until sometime in the 70's when he was awarded full partnership?

[Jon Stebbins]

Were there really six originals? Could we say that? I'm not sure. If we go by the lineup that put out the first single, that means we got Brian, Denny, Carl, Mike, and Alan. If we go by the group that put out the first album, then we have Brian, Denny, Carl, Mike, and Dave. It's tough. Do we go by who was at the first rehearsal?

Dave replaced Al who left so he can't be considered a genuine original member.

Sorry but it goes like this...David was playing music regularly with the Wilsons for two years before Al did, but he was 12 when 19 yr old Brian and 19 yr old Al got together for Surfin, they played 4 or 5 gigs with Al, he left, Dave came in for the next year and a half and was on the first major record contract, first four albums, first national hits, first tours, first TV shows and was in the band during their initial rise to fame...etc... etc... Al was not in the band that became famous as the Beach Boys...he rejoined the band when they were already on top in 1963. But... since Al was there on that first single and first few gigs he too is an original, like the other five guys who were the original Beach Boys that became famous and successful.

[Nicko1234]

Sorry but it goes like this...David was playing music regularly with the Wilsons for two years before Al did, but he was 12 when 19 yr old Brian and 19 yr old Al got together for Surfin, they played 4 or 5 gigs with Al, he left, Dave came in for the next year and a half and was on the first major record contract, first four albums, first national hits, first tours, first TV shows and was in the band during their initial rise to fame...etc... etc... Al was not in the band that became famous as the Beach Boys...he rejoined the band when they were already on top in 1963. But... since Al was there on that first single and first few gigs he too is an original, like the other five guys who were the original Beach Boys that became famous and successful.

The fact that David played music with the Wilsons BEFORE the group started is interesting but not really relevant imo. Obviously the fact that he later stayed for 18 months is.

[Mike's Beard]

Sorry but it goes like this...David was playing music regularly with the Wilsons for two years before Al did, but he was 12 when 19 yr old Brian and 19 yr old Al got together for Surfin, they played 4 or 5 gigs with Al, he left, Dave came in for the next year and a half and was on the first major record contract, first four albums, first national hits, first tours, first TV shows and was in the band during their initial rise to fame...etc... etc... Al was not in the band that became famous as the Beach Boys...he rejoined the band when they were already on top in 1963. But... since Al was there on that first single and first few gigs he too is an original, like the other five guys who were the original Beach Boys that became famous and successful.

The fact that David played music with the Wilsons BEFORE the group started is interesting but not really relevant imo. Obviously the fact that he later stayed for 18 months is.

Exactly. When Brian formed the group that eventually became known as The Beach Boys he chose Al as the second guitarist not Dave. Dave was only asked to join once Al left. By definition Dave is not an original member. But honestly who cares about something so trivial anyway?