If you could change one event/decision in Beach Boys history, what would it be?

[hypehat]

Mine would be for Dennis to make a stronger play for leader of the band in the early seventies, or for them to knuckle down and not accept contracts that explicitly require a majority of BW songs/just require a strong emphasis on Brian when he wasn't able to deliver fully. We could have had Dennis songs anchoring BB's albums rather than BW material fleshed out by the group.

Or, for them to record a stronger 12 track 1972 era record rather than rushing two 8 track albums in that period - CATP and Holland could make a solid extended record but they are a bit slight in isolation.


Just generally for them to have been a bit smarter in the early Reprise era, I guess? Just do whatever they could to not release 15BO

[The Shift]

Brian was asked this question a few years ago, and he replied without hesitation, "I wish I hadn't done drugs".

I'll go with that.

Food for thought - without drugs, would we have "California Girls", Pet Sounds, or SMiLE?

We cannot know that. I think that drugs are way overrated with regard to their 'creativity enhancing potential', but that's my personal opinion.

I would readily trade in California Girls, Pet Sounds, and Smile for a Brian who'd have lead a considerably happier life without any drugs in it, that's for sure, as much as I love that music (all this based on the hypothesis that he'd not created that material, or stuff resembling it, had he not taken drugs - and also on the conjecture that he'd been happier without substances in the first place).

HDon, same reason why I wish he'd had a less abusive childhood: if the beatings brought out his creative side (as well as his insular side), we'd lose a lot but his gain would be immeasurable.

Now, where're the keys to my Tardis…?

[The Heartical Don]

Brian was asked this question a few years ago, and he replied without hesitation, "I wish I hadn't done drugs".

I'll go with that.

Food for thought - without drugs, would we have "California Girls", Pet Sounds, or SMiLE?

We cannot know that. I think that drugs are way overrated with regard to their 'creativity enhancing potential', but that's my personal opinion.

I would readily trade in California Girls, Pet Sounds, and Smile for a Brian who'd have lead a considerably happier life without any drugs in it, that's for sure, as much as I love that music (all this based on the hypothesis that he'd not created that material, or stuff resembling it, had he not taken drugs - and also on the conjecture that he'd been happier without substances in the first place).

HDon, same reason why I wish he'd had a less abusive childhood: if the beatings brought out his creative side (as well as his insular side), we'd lose a lot but his gain would be immeasurable.

Now, where're the keys to my Tardis…?

Hi John, thanks for the addition - one of the times I think: hey I should have thought of that in the first place.

[shadow0421]

I agree with Brian not taking drugs. It would be too selfish of me to let him sacrifice his brain for a handful of great songs. Besides, drugs or no, he still had a creative force dying to get out. I disagree with people saying Endless Summer was their downfall. I remember growing up my step brother had Endless Summer and I had just gotten Love You. I hated Love You but played the crap out of ES. To me, that's the Beach Boys and always will be. Except for the few hits they had, Do It Again, Good Timin', Kokomo, Forever, I thought all their albums after Pet Sounds sucked.  That's Why God Made The Radio is their best album since Pet Sounds. To me that's the Beach Boys.

Also, if I had a time machine I would go back and somehow try to stop Dennis from drowning and I also wish Carl had never taken up smoking. I love all the Boys and wish Dennis and Carl could have been part of the 50th.

[Iron Horse-Apples]

That's Why God Made The Radio is their best album since Pet Sounds.

Seriously?

You think TWGMTR is better than Smiley Smile, Wild Honey and Friends? Better than Sunflower and Holland? 

Takes all sorts I suppose.........

[The Shift]

Brian was asked this question a few years ago, and he replied without hesitation, "I wish I hadn't done drugs".

I'll go with that.

Food for thought - without drugs, would we have "California Girls", Pet Sounds, or SMiLE?

We cannot know that. I think that drugs are way overrated with regard to their 'creativity enhancing potential', but that's my personal opinion.

I would readily trade in California Girls, Pet Sounds, and Smile for a Brian who'd have lead a considerably happier life without any drugs in it, that's for sure, as much as I love that music (all this based on the hypothesis that he'd not created that material, or stuff resembling it, had he not taken drugs - and also on the conjecture that he'd been happier without substances in the first place).

HDon, same reason why I wish he'd had a less abusive childhood: if the beatings brought out his creative side (as well as his insular side), we'd lose a lot but his gain would be immeasurable.

Now, where're the keys to my Tardis…?

Hi John, thanks for the addition - one of the times I think: hey I should have thought of that in the first place.

I'll be honest – you did, but not until tomorrow. I nipped back from then in my Tardis to 9am today and made the post before you. Will be heading back to tomorrow later this afternoon – once that happens I'll quit stealing your good ideas!  

[The Heartical Don]

 

your mind works in mysterious ways, mr Manning sir...

[doc smiley]

I'd have let Jack Rieley manage the band from Holland like he wanted, and just added a assistant for the things that he couldn't do from that location. The Love brothers (Stan and Steve)
needed to be not involved.

[leggo of my ego]

If you could change one event/decision in Beach Boys history

Frank Zappa instead of Juice Bronston. 

[shadow0421]

That's Why God Made The Radio is their best album since Pet Sounds.

Seriously?

You think TWGMTR is better than Smiley Smile, Wild Honey and Friends? Better than Sunflower and Holland? 

Takes all sorts I suppose.........

Yep. I might be in the minority but I know I'm not the only crazy one. I've tried to like those albums (believe me I've tried) but the music just doesn't appeal to me. Even "Wild Honey" which is on one of their greatest hits cd, tried to like it but just can't. Also didn't like Pacific Blue, just not my kind of music.

[Rocky Raccoon]

That's Why God Made The Radio is their best album since Pet Sounds.

Seriously?

You think TWGMTR is better than Smiley Smile, Wild Honey and Friends? Better than Sunflower and Holland? 

Takes all sorts I suppose.........

Yep. I might be in the minority but I know I'm not the only crazy one. I've tried to like those albums (believe me I've tried) but the music just doesn't appeal to me. Even "Wild Honey" which is on one of their greatest hits cd, tried to like it but just can't. Also didn't like Pacific Blue, just not my kind of music.

The problem with Endless Summer though wasn't its content which was excellent of course, it was its success which forced the band to go back to something they no longer were, an image they tried hard to leave behind.  They were all grown men by this point, well into their mid-30s.  Their whole fun in the sun, surfing and hot rod schtick didn't suit them anymore and now they were expected to match that success from when they were still in their early 20s.  As performers, they got through it because it's not like they ever abandoned those songs as concert staples but creatively, it weakened them, not to mention that it put Brian Wilson in the spotlight at a time when he was still deeply troubled and taking him out on the road with them did more bad than good, at least for Brian.  I don't think Endless Summer immediately hurt the Beah Boys but it was definitely the first step in what would turn the band into a parody of themselves.

[Sheriff John Stone]

Brian was asked this question a few years ago, and he replied without hesitation, "I wish I hadn't done drugs".

I'll go with that.

Food for thought - without drugs, would we have "California Girls", Pet Sounds, or SMiLE?

No.

[drbeachboy]

They never should have adapted their patriotic "America's band" image.  I'm an American myself and I still think that's so nauseatingly lame and phony.  I think that and the fact they were so enamored with the President who couldn't say AIDS did a lot to hurt their image and they were basically a walking parody of themselves by that time.

If they are such a "walking parody", then why are they still around? Why can two factions co-exist and tour some 30 years later? Why was the "walking parody" able to secure a #3 album in 2012? Being banned for the Washington, D.C. show and being called "America's Band" was a stroke of genius. It helped cement a relationship with the whole country, not just their fanbase. Even with all the goodwill generated by that phrase, it only affected them as live performers. Like Endless Summer a decade before, while it raised their profile, it did little to bolster record sales. Even with all this going on Sony dropped them. Most folks don't/ didn't want new music from them. They then as now, are fairly content to be rocked by the oldies only. C50 will tell you that. Even at their longest show, how many new songs were performed? Three. Even the Beach Boys understand that and so should we.

[lee]

Also, if I had a time machine I would go back and somehow try to stop Dennis from drowning and I also wish Carl had never taken up smoking. I love all the Boys and wish Dennis and Carl could have been part of the 50th.

Exactly.

[job]

(Hey, LA is probably my 3rd or 4th fave Beach Boys album) ....

Ditto.

[drbeachboy]

Also, if I had a time machine I would go back and somehow try to stop Dennis from drowning and I also wish Carl had never taken up smoking. I love all the Boys and wish Dennis and Carl could have been part of the 50th.

Exactly.

A shame with Carl, because he did quit smoking in 1985 or so. My uncle quit smoking in the late 60's and still died of lung cancer 40 years later. He quit because that was the one thing that he was scared of dying from and it got him anyway.

[Charles LePage @ ComicList]

I'd have the rest of the band cut a deal with Brian regarding SMILE.  They support him and do whatever it takes to finish and release it, and he continues to get support to complete non-top 40 music and albums, so long as 1) he gets help for his drug and mental issues, and 2) he assists the band in making albums more in line with what they consider to be Beach Boys music.  In essence, Brian starts his solo career 20+ years sooner than he did in our timeline, and the rest of the Boys still get to grow and shine as creative artists.

If I get to pick another, it would be about the same as above, but with Dennis in the 1970s.  When it was clear he was exploding creatively, the rest of the band should have asked him to produce and write new Beach Boys albums, but only if found real help for his drug and alcohol issues. 

[Eric Aniversario]

(Hey, LA is probably my 3rd or 4th fave Beach Boys album) ....

Ditto.

Counting only studio non-solo albums, L.A. is my 2nd, right behind Friends.

[pixletwin]

If I could change one thing in the Beach Boys saga it would this: Instead of channeling Brian's drive to create music into a band I would have made him finish his courses at community college and then sent him to UCLA school of music as a composition major.

Yup.

[Eric Aniversario]

To answer the original question in the post, I would have had Carl arrange professional intervention with Dennis earlier instead of waiting for the new year. Something that probably haunted him for years afterward.

[runnersdialzero]

I'd have the rest of the band cut a deal with Brian regarding SMILE.  They support him and do whatever it takes to finish and release it, and he continues to get support to complete non-top 40 music and albums, so long as 1) he gets help for his drug and mental issues, and 2) he assists the band in making albums more in line with what they consider to be Beach Boys music.  In essence, Brian starts his solo career 20+ years sooner than he did in our timeline, and the rest of the Boys still get to grow and shine as creative artists.

teh heck?

[Rocky Raccoon]

They never should have adapted their patriotic "America's band" image.  I'm an American myself and I still think that's so nauseatingly lame and phony.  I think that and the fact they were so enamored with the President who couldn't say AIDS did a lot to hurt their image and they were basically a walking parody of themselves by that time.

If they are such a "walking parody", then why are they still around? Why can two factions co-exist and tour some 30 years later? Why was the "walking parody" able to secure a #3 album in 2012? Being banned for the Washington, D.C. show and being called "America's Band" was a stroke of genius. It helped cement a relationship with the whole country, not just their fanbase. Even with all the goodwill generated by that phrase, it only affected them as live performers. Like Endless Summer a decade before, while it raised their profile, it did little to bolster record sales. Even with all this going on Sony dropped them. Most folks don't/ didn't want new music from them. They then as now, are fairly content to be rocked by the oldies only. C50 will tell you that. Even at their longest show, how many new songs were performed? Three. Even the Beach Boys understand that and so should we.

I'm not sure how adopting phony patriotism into their act helped them creatively.  The 50th Anniversary worked because not only was it a reunion, it was a return to the studio, it was the first time in over thirty years that Brian Wilson was in charge, because they were making an effort again, something they definitely were not doing in the 1980s and 90s.

[southbay]

That Carl and Al would have formed a professional and artistic alliance in the mid-70's.  I believe Brian's vote would have fallen in line with this group, Dennis would have supported Brian and Carl and the band's legacy would have taken a  completely different turn...

[drbeachboy]

They never should have adapted their patriotic "America's band" image.  I'm an American myself and I still think that's so nauseatingly lame and phony.  I think that and the fact they were so enamored with the President who couldn't say AIDS did a lot to hurt their image and they were basically a walking parody of themselves by that time.

If they are such a "walking parody", then why are they still around? Why can two factions co-exist and tour some 30 years later? Why was the "walking parody" able to secure a #3 album in 2012? Being banned for the Washington, D.C. show and being called "America's Band" was a stroke of genius. It helped cement a relationship with the whole country, not just their fanbase. Even with all the goodwill generated by that phrase, it only affected them as live performers. Like Endless Summer a decade before, while it raised their profile, it did little to bolster record sales. Even with all this going on Sony dropped them. Most folks don't/ didn't want new music from them. They then as now, are fairly content to be rocked by the oldies only. C50 will tell you that. Even at their longest show, how many new songs were performed? Three. Even the Beach Boys understand that and so should we.

I'm not sure how adopting phony patriotism into their act helped them creatively.  The 50th Anniversary worked because not only was it a reunion, it was a return to the studio, it was the first time in over thirty years that Brian Wilson was in charge, because they were making an effort again, something they definitely were not doing in the 1980s and 90s.

Calling them America's Band had nothing to do with creativity in the studio. It was about being shut down from playing at the Washington Monument. No phony patriotism, there at all. Just citizens siding with our Boys' over a stupid government decision. You called them a "waking parody", not me. Only some of their fanbase (like you) see them that way.

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

Save Dennis.