New Mike Examiner interview

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Mike seems to prefer being the big fish in the small pond rather than a small cog in something much bigger. At 70+ years old it really is his prerogative.
In an ideal world they would all remain together and carry on making new music and touring but then, in an ideal world they would have got their collective shits together well over a decade ago and made this happen. It didn't through and the reason it didn't is largely because of one man; Brian Wilson. He did everything he could to separate himself both personally and professionally from the entity that is "The Beach Boys". This is something the Myke bashers tend to conveniently overlook.

That might be true but you are over looking his mental issues, Landy, drugs, then Landy's overmedication, Melinda protecting Brian. It took time for Brian to recover, start touring, deal with Smile again, lastly - deal with Mike Love.
Brian was still behind the scenes as a member of BRI making BB decisions.

No way Brian would of been able to handle the C50 extravaganza 10 or 15 years ago.

[Moon Dawg]

Give me a casino gig over that QVC thing last year any day. Now THAT was crass IMO.

  Maybe so, but it was the QVC gig that made TWGMTR a Top 3 album.



 BTW- Point already made by EgoHanger66. Brian did not look thrilled to be doing that show. It was rather crass, but it went toward the greater good of getting people to buy a solid new album.

[Lowbacca]

Give me a casino gig over that QVC thing last year any day. Now THAT was crass IMO.

  Maybe so, but it was the QVC gig that made TWGMTR a Top 3 album.

Now that's debatable..  I'm sure it helped with the overall sales figurs - but making it the commercial hit it was? I don't think so. The highly successful worldwide tour alone sure was a bigger promotional factor than a single TV appearance. Let alone other factors.

[Moon Dawg]

 I've heard they sold an additional 15,000 copies due to the QVC gig. It certainly helped, but not enough to  achieve Mike's goal of toppling the mighty ADELE.

[Mike's Beard]

I can guarantee this...if Melinda and Jacqueline were in sync and wanting the same thing they would all be working together still.
 

You can guarantee? So, what is the issue or issues that are causing them to not work together pray tell?

Their heads were stuck together in an apparent freak superglue accident. A crack team of top surgeons are working tirelessly around the clock in an effort to separate the pair so the reunion can resume.

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

rockandroll, good stuff. I never did learn how to work the board well enough to respond to each individual quote by highlighting them (like you did), so I'll do my best to keep my responses organized.

1) I think while the guys understood and appreciated what Brian was trying to do when he left the road, I think there was increasing resentment when there was more partying and non-prescription drug intake and less songwriting and song production/finishing.

2) I think the albums from 20/20 through Holland show Brian contributing about 2-3 new songs or 6-7 minutes of music per year. I DO think the guys had to be disappointed in that output. Again, Brian wasn't wasn't doing much of anything else!

...Course, if you're trying to talk about Mike's contribution in that time, it's even less...

Cheers,
Jon Blum

I don't think it's comparable.... Brian was/is THE GENIUS! Mike was just a guy in the band at that point and seemed fine with that. It's really only in a band like the Beach Boys where the "guys in the band's" contributions are denigrated in order to lavish further praise on the genius.... Mike's position at this point is to eke out even a minute bit of begrudging respect. There is no threat of him ever toppling Brian off his cloud...... As for 20/20, Mike co-wrote and sang lead on the albums hit. A good day at work if you ask me.

[Forrest Gump]

Give me a casino gig over that QVC thing last year any day. Now THAT was crass IMO.

  Maybe so, but it was the QVC gig that made TWGMTR a Top 3 album.

Now that's debatable..  I'm sure it helped with the overall sales figurs - but making it the commercial hit it was? I don't think so. The highly successful worldwide tour alone sure was a bigger promotional factor than a single TV appearance. Let alone other factors.

those qvc sales are exactly what put that lp in the top 10 at #3. around 70% of the 1st week's sales were from the qvc gig. without those sales the lp would not have charted where it did. the next weeks sales were enough to keep it where it charted those weeks. but the qvc gig put it in the top ten. that is why groups and solo artists do qvc. quick sales.

[Sheriff John Stone]

Give me a casino gig over that QVC thing last year any day. Now THAT was crass IMO.

  Maybe so, but it was the QVC gig that made TWGMTR a Top 3 album.

Now that's debatable..  I'm sure it helped with the overall sales figurs - but making it the commercial hit it was? I don't think so. The highly successful worldwide tour alone sure was a bigger promotional factor than a single TV appearance. Let alone other factors.

those qvc sales are exactly what put that lp in the top 10 at #3. around 70% of the 1st week's sales were from the qvc gig. without those sales the lp would not have charted where it did. the next weeks sales were enough to keep it where it charted those weeks. but the qvc gig put it in the top ten. that is why groups and solo artists do qvc. quick sales.

Didn't Brian Wilson appear on QVC in 2000 to promote Live At The Roxy?

[Forrest Gump]

yes he did......i recorded it at the time

[SMiLE Brian]

Give me a casino gig over that QVC thing last year any day. Now THAT was crass IMO.

  Maybe so, but it was the QVC gig that made TWGMTR a Top 3 album.

Now that's debatable..  I'm sure it helped with the overall sales figurs - but making it the commercial hit it was? I don't think so. The highly successful worldwide tour alone sure was a bigger promotional factor than a single TV appearance. Let alone other factors.

those qvc sales are exactly what put that lp in the top 10 at #3. around 70% of the 1st week's sales were from the qvc gig. without those sales the lp would not have charted where it did. the next weeks sales were enough to keep it where it charted those weeks. but the qvc gig put it in the top ten. that is why groups and solo artists do qvc. quick sales.

Didn't Brian Wilson appear on QVC in 2000 to promote Live At The Roxy?

He played "ding dang" on it as well.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Give me a casino gig over that QVC thing last year any day. Now THAT was crass IMO.

  Maybe so, but it was the QVC gig that made TWGMTR a Top 3 album.

Now that's debatable..  I'm sure it helped with the overall sales figurs - but making it the commercial hit it was? I don't think so. The highly successful worldwide tour alone sure was a bigger promotional factor than a single TV appearance. Let alone other factors.

those qvc sales are exactly what put that lp in the top 10 at #3. around 70% of the 1st week's sales were from the qvc gig. without those sales the lp would not have charted where it did. the next weeks sales were enough to keep it where it charted those weeks. but the qvc gig put it in the top ten. that is why groups and solo artists do qvc. quick sales.

Exactly. Things like this have been done since the dawn of time. It's all promote, promote, promote...that's the game. But here's an honest question...is it better to perform live at QVC or mime to pre-recorded tracks on American Bandstand. Which has more integrity? Actually a legit question, because I'm interested in seeing the responses.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Give me a casino gig over that QVC thing last year any day. Now THAT was crass IMO.

  Maybe so, but it was the QVC gig that made TWGMTR a Top 3 album.

Now that's debatable..  I'm sure it helped with the overall sales figurs - but making it the commercial hit it was? I don't think so. The highly successful worldwide tour alone sure was a bigger promotional factor than a single TV appearance. Let alone other factors.

those qvc sales are exactly what put that lp in the top 10 at #3. around 70% of the 1st week's sales were from the qvc gig. without those sales the lp would not have charted where it did. the next weeks sales were enough to keep it where it charted those weeks. but the qvc gig put it in the top ten. that is why groups and solo artists do qvc. quick sales.

Exactly. Things like this have been done since the dawn of time. It's all promote, promote, promote...that's the game. But here's an honest question...is it better to perform live at QVC or mime to pre-recorded tracks on American Bandstand. Which has more integrity? Actually a legit question, because I'm interested in seeing the responses.

I guess I just hate QVC and the way they spin product.  But great point! A band doing a performance live is always more legitimate than miming, even on QVC.

[shelter]

My point is this, The Beach Boys shouldn't play casinos, period.

And pray tell, who, exactly, elected you God ? Or at least CEO of Brother Records, Inc. ?

I may be many things that are less than perfect, but I don't presume to tell musicians where and where not they may earn their living. Arrogance sir, sheer arrogance.

If you're a fan of the band that these musicians represent, I think you have the right to express your disappointment when you feel that they're doing damage to the reputation of said band.

[runnersdialzero]

I think he was just stating his opinion that the Beach Boys shouldn't be playing casinos. I don't think there was any element of arrogance etc. to it unless not putting "imo" every few words counts as arrogance.

[runnersdialzero]

Also,



Feels pretty surreal now, don't it? ;(

[Gertie J.]

no.

[SMiLE Brian]

I'll put my Frank Sinatra album on and cry my blues away....

[filledeplage]

Give me a casino gig over that QVC thing last year any day. Now THAT was crass IMO.

  Maybe so, but it was the QVC gig that made TWGMTR a Top 3 album.

Now that's debatable..  I'm sure it helped with the overall sales figurs - but making it the commercial hit it was? I don't think so. The highly successful worldwide tour alone sure was a bigger promotional factor than a single TV appearance. Let alone other factors.

those qvc sales are exactly what put that lp in the top 10 at #3. around 70% of the 1st week's sales were from the qvc gig. without those sales the lp would not have charted where it did. the next weeks sales were enough to keep it where it charted those weeks. but the qvc gig put it in the top ten. that is why groups and solo artists do qvc. quick sales.

Exactly. Things like this have been done since the dawn of time. It's all promote, promote, promote...that's the game. But here's an honest question...is it better to perform live at QVC or mime to pre-recorded tracks on American Bandstand. Which has more integrity? Actually a legit question, because I'm interested in seeing the responses.

I guess I just hate QVC and the way they spin product.  But great point! A band doing a performance live is always more legitimate than miming, even on QVC.

QVC might be construed as an imperfect platform, but it worked really well for some of Brian's stuff earlier and a little concert is always a great treat.  A criticism of past BB related stuff, was the "under promotion" and this C50 was very well promoted, likely an exhausting promotional schedule, coupled with late night TV spots, and interviews. 

But, QVC has a captive audience and a demographic to reach millions of viewers.  Not glamorous, but effective.  And people's viewing habits have changed, with younger people watching more stuff online, such as Hulu and Netflix as so many have become "cable-cutters," - those who no longer subscribe to cable, or satellite,TV.  QVC is not on my radar except for a special event, such as that C50 related promo/performance.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Give me a casino gig over that QVC thing last year any day. Now THAT was crass IMO.

  Maybe so, but it was the QVC gig that made TWGMTR a Top 3 album.

Now that's debatable..  I'm sure it helped with the overall sales figurs - but making it the commercial hit it was? I don't think so. The highly successful worldwide tour alone sure was a bigger promotional factor than a single TV appearance. Let alone other factors.

those qvc sales are exactly what put that lp in the top 10 at #3. around 70% of the 1st week's sales were from the qvc gig. without those sales the lp would not have charted where it did. the next weeks sales were enough to keep it where it charted those weeks. but the qvc gig put it in the top ten. that is why groups and solo artists do qvc. quick sales.

Exactly. Things like this have been done since the dawn of time. It's all promote, promote, promote...that's the game. But here's an honest question...is it better to perform live at QVC or mime to pre-recorded tracks on American Bandstand. Which has more integrity? Actually a legit question, because I'm interested in seeing the responses.

I guess I just hate QVC and the way they spin product.  But great point! A band doing a performance live is always more legitimate than miming, even on QVC.

QVC might be construed as an imperfect platform, but it worked really well for some of Brian's stuff earlier and a little concert is always a great treat.  A criticism of past BB related stuff, was the "under promotion" and this C50 was very well promoted, likely an exhausting promotional schedule, coupled with late night TV spots, and interviews. 

But, QVC has a captive audience and a demographic to reach millions of viewers.  Not glamorous, but effective.  And people's viewing habits have changed, with younger people watching more stuff online, such as Hulu and Netflix as so many have become "cable-cutters," - those who no longer subscribe to cable, or satellite,TV.  QVC is not on my radar except for a special event, such as that C50 related promo/performance.

Very good points.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Give me a casino gig over that QVC thing last year any day. Now THAT was crass IMO.

  Maybe so, but it was the QVC gig that made TWGMTR a Top 3 album.

Now that's debatable..  I'm sure it helped with the overall sales figurs - but making it the commercial hit it was? I don't think so. The highly successful worldwide tour alone sure was a bigger promotional factor than a single TV appearance. Let alone other factors.

those qvc sales are exactly what put that lp in the top 10 at #3. around 70% of the 1st week's sales were from the qvc gig. without those sales the lp would not have charted where it did. the next weeks sales were enough to keep it where it charted those weeks. but the qvc gig put it in the top ten. that is why groups and solo artists do qvc. quick sales.

Exactly. Things like this have been done since the dawn of time. It's all promote, promote, promote...that's the game. But here's an honest question...is it better to perform live at QVC or mime to pre-recorded tracks on American Bandstand. Which has more integrity? Actually a legit question, because I'm interested in seeing the responses.

I guess I just hate QVC and the way they spin product.  But great point! A band doing a performance live is always more legitimate than miming, even on QVC.

Oh, I'm not a fan of QVC either. But if I had to choose...


Makes me wonder how things are going to be ten to fifteen years from now, though, as far as how things are promoted.

[bgas]

Wish I'd bought a couple more copies of "GV- 30 YEars of The BBs" on cassette when QVC was selling them! 

[Shady]

Also,



Feels pretty surreal now, don't it? ;(

In retrospect those are the fakest smiles I've ever seen

[Jim V.]

Also,



Feels pretty surreal now, don't it? ;(

Ya know, it does. I knew it was special when the reunion was announced. And I did take try to take it in that I was seeing The Beach Boys playing live in front of me when I saw them live. And that The Beach Boys put out music in 2012 that mattered. But near the middle of the summer, it kinda seemed old hat to read about the shows everybody was going to. And for some reason I thought maybe things would stay the same. But unfortunately it didn't. Maybe they'll start up again sometime. Doesn't seem like it though.

I gotta add something by the way. I remember Mike saying something like it might be better if they took a year off from the reunion to build up demand. But really wouldn't they wanna strike while the iron is hot? If anybody knows that, it's Mike? I think he really wants nothing to do with those other guys ever again.

[Kurosawa]

Also,



Feels pretty surreal now, don't it? ;(

Ya know, it does. I knew it was special when the reunion was announced. And I did take try to take it in that I was seeing The Beach Boys playing live in front of me when I saw them live. And that The Beach Boys put out music in 2012 that mattered. But near the middle of the summer, it kinda seemed old hat to read about the shows everybody was going to. And for some reason I thought maybe things would stay the same. But unfortunately it didn't. Maybe they'll start up again sometime. Doesn't seem like it though.

I gotta add something by the way. I remember Mike saying something like it might be better if they took a year off from the reunion to build up demand. But really wouldn't they wanna strike while the iron is hot? If anybody knows that, it's Mike? I think he really wants nothing to do with those other guys ever again.

Mike has developed a safe business model that he knows how to operate. Messing around with Brian, Al and Dave upsets that model and just takes too much out of his hands. He's just not interested in risking it to work with them.

Brian doesn't need Mike to make good new music anyway, and Mike doesn't need Brian for his nostalgia act.

[Micha]

Like all of us here, I'd pay more for those three guys than for a M&B show.

Please, don't include me in such a sweeping statement if you don't mind.

Would you be satisfied if I changed that to "most of us"?

And, if I may ask, would you pay more for M&B than B&D&A, the same, nothing at all for both, or anything?