Was this really Brian's last performance for nearly five years?

[The Cincinnati Kid]

A Carl Wilson fan page on facebook posted a photo stating this:

Brian and Marilyn Wilson performing at the whisky a go-go in 1970. This was Brian’s last performance for nearly 5 years.

   

I was under the impression from this board that he made a few token appearances with the Boys after that time.  But maybe not? 

[Jim V.]

It's hard to say. I don't know when these photos were taken. I'm sure somebody has the dates around here. But here's what I do know...

Brian did the Seattle show (and I think a few others) in 1970 where he replaced Mike. The Seattle show at the least was taped by someone and a very scratchy bootleg is out there.

There's also Brian on stage in Long Beach from 1971 where he is playing organ while Jack Rieley did the lead vocal for "A Day in the Life of a Tree." I'm pretty sure that would be the only performance of that one.

And lastly, I'm pretty sure the only other time from the early '70s with him and stage was in 1973 where he came out (amongst a few others, including Bruce Johnston, I think) to sing "Barbara Ann" with everyone. And he wasn't seen on stage again until 1976...


....unless you count him jumping onstage to sing "Be-Bop-A-Lula" in '74ish, even though that wasn't what the band in question was playing.

[Andrew G. Doe]

The 1970 Seattle shows before this.

[The Real Barnyard]

This is the Big Gus Club in LA, probably July 1970.

[c-man]

Naw...he and Jack joined them for "Day In The Life Of A Tree" in Long Beach, December '71.

[rn57]

I've seen that photo before, I think in the first (and second) edition of Leaf's book back in '78.  My recollection - I have not looked at that book in decades -  is that the caption said this was taken at the Whisky in LA during the four-night, eight-set gig in Nov '70.  Stebbins' FAQ says Brian did the first three set (ie the first night, and the first set of the second night). Those were Brian's first appearances onstage with the guys since Hawaii in '67.  The Flame were the opening act and I could swear I've seen a photo of Brian in that shirt with Blondie next to him.

UPDATE: OK, my memory is even foggier than usual. I saw that pic two years ago at a tumblr site and started a thread about it and some others:

http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php?topic=15475.0

This was, says Ian at that thread, a showcase for The Flame at the club Big Gus, which Brian, Marilyn and Diane attended.

FURTHER UPDATE: The photo above was discussed here back in 2008, at which time Ian wrote:

"The photos were taken by Earl Leaf and some appeared in the Sept 1970 Teen Magazine (for which publication Earl wrote a column).  He states that the BBs threw a party for their "proteges" The Flame.  After the Flame played a set (there is a photo of this), Brian, Carl, Bruce and Billy Hinsche jammed with Desi Arnaz Jr on Drums and 16 year old Ricci Martin there too. Also taking part were BBs "womenfolk"-including Marilyn Rovell.   Therefore the pics come from sometime in the late summer of 1970 (early Sept at the latest).  Probably the party was to celebrate the completion of The Flame's first LP on Brother."

So although Brian took the stage on this occasion, it was a private party, so the Whisky gigs were still Brian's first public performances since Hawaii.

[ben plumbrook]

Nope the March 1970 tour was.