Brian Wilson - 2022 Tour Thread (Plus Archived 2021)

[Margarita]

I just started reading the reissue/update of David Leaf's book, and this jumped out at me:

"Brian Wilson is a private person; he doesn't belong in a huge arena with over fifteen thousand pairs of eyes bearing down on him."

This was from the intro to the 1978 edition of The Beach Boys and the California Myth. 
I too saw Brian perform last year, and I agree that he was great - at the time, I felt that the time off during the pandemic probably did him good, physically and mentally, and he was likely happy to get back out on the road.  The venues were all indoor theatres of several thousand capacity.  I would think that it's easier to play an indoor venue - better acoustics, climate-controlled, smaller crowd means less noise, etc.  Brian did three shows in California in Aug/Sept, then was on the road October 5-23.
Compare that to this year - 7 weeks on the road in mostly large outdoor venues.  If Brian seemed disconnected from the beginning, perhaps it's because he was not looking forward to a more strenuous touring experience.  I don't fault management for signing on with this tour - it was probably a very lucrative deal - and Brian may have been agreeable to the idea of it.  But maybe once he was actually out there, he felt differently.  This tour just might have been too much for him. 
I just hope that he's okay and that no matter what, he can get y'know worrrrrrrld peace.

[Zenobi]

Margarita, I'd like this even more as a reason for the cancellation of the tour(s). Brian simply saying: "Guys, I am tired and this is not good for my back. Sorry."

[Wirestone]

Margarita, I'd like this even more as a reason for the cancellation of the tour(s). Brian simply saying: "Guys, I am tired and this is not good for my back. Sorry."

I suspect that contractually he can't do that.

[Zenobi]

I just said I'd like that as a reason. Most other possible reasons are worse. Just that.

[HeyJude]

I'm not sure the Chicago tour would be more strenuous, at least logistically, for Brian than doing his own tour. Mainly, in terms of show length. The joint tour with Chicago featured significantly *shorter* shows, and being able to knock off earlier in the evening (theoretically).

I'm not saying there aren't many factors at play. But compared to previous years, doing a seven-week tour (with over a week-long break in the middle) where you open the shows and do a quick 70-75 minutes or so, with three or four other lead vocalists helping out, isn't particularly strenuous, and certainly doesn't seem *more* strenuous.

In other words, whatever Brian's going through, his struggling on this last tour I don't think had much if anything to do specifically with elements that were unique to doing this type of tour. If anything, I'd suspect even if Brian was struggling somewhat but wanted to continue touring, this would be a pretty ideal setup: shorter shows, fewer total shows, etc.

The main challenge that would be faced on a joint tour with Chicago would be having to play in front of a larger proportion of non-fans and casual fans that may not be attuned to Brian's deal. And I have to say, based on audio/video of the tour and reviews and reports, I think Brian's tour was pretty lucky in that concertgoers and reviewers were pretty understanding and sympathetic.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

You know, before this tour I never saw Brian wear a cap, no matter what time of day the show was or how hot. I think the only time (besides the fireman helmet) was him wearing a Kangol hat in like 1965 or so. Nothing to me pointing that out , but just saying it never occurred to me  til last month. It’s like seeing that photo of Carl in 1977 when he had shaved (and he had stubble). Just looked *different*

[marcella27]

I’m noticing several posts that mention how well Brian seemed to be during the 2021 shows. I have to say that I saw him in October 2021 and, while it was overall a really good show, I had the sense that he wasn’t very comfortable. I recall at the very end of the concert he said something to Matt and it just seemed like he badly wanted/needed to wrap up. I wondered at the time if it was going to be the last time I saw him, which gives an indication that his demeanour and overall presence was not what I would have hoped. His voice was definitely better in 2021 but he was not very engaged (at least at the show I saw). I guess what I’m saying is that I don’t necessarily agree that there has been a rapid decline in his demeanour or stage presence. I’ve seen him every year - literally - since 2015 including this summer’s tour, and certainly in the last couple of years I think there’s been an overall downward trajectory, albeit with some exceptions and blips every so often. 

[HeyJude]

You know, before this tour I never saw Brian wear a cap, no matter what time of day the show was or how hot. I think the only time (besides the fireman helmet) was him wearing a Kangol hat in like 1965 or so. Nothing to me pointing that out , but just saying it never occurred to me  til last month. It’s like seeing that photo of Carl in 1977 when he had shaved (and he had stubble). Just looked *different*

Not to go OT, but there's at least one other shot of Carl where he kind of looks like that. Here's a shot from the 80s where Carl seems to have shaved and then was growing it back:



As for Brian, I could swear I saw him at some point in the 80s in a baseball cap for something or other, but who knows. He did occasionally wear cool and dumb hats over the years. Maybe none of these quality as a "cap" versus a hat. But Brian definitely only sparingly has worn whatever head coverings over the years. Here's a montage from a quick Google search:

[Steve Mayo]

1994

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Wow..had never seen that picture of Carl! That was actually a good look for him too

[Jim V.]

You know, before this tour I never saw Brian wear a cap, no matter what time of day the show was or how hot. I think the only time (besides the fireman helmet) was him wearing a Kangol hat in like 1965 or so. Nothing to me pointing that out , but just saying it never occurred to me  til last month. It’s like seeing that photo of Carl in 1977 when he had shaved (and he had stubble). Just looked *different*

Brian had a cap on at some of the shows? I never saw that. Any pics?

[HeyJude]

Wow..had never seen that picture of Carl! That was actually a good look for him too

It definitely made him look *much* younger, especially for that 80s era. I suspect one of the reasons (beyond it just being the style of the time) that Carl grew the beard circa 1970 and mostly kept it through the years was he didn't want to have the baby face look. Eventually he clearly just preferred that look.

[HeyJude]

1994

That's the '94 BB gig Brian watched from the wings. I suspect he may have been making at least a minimal attempt at disguising himself, or at least somewhat blending in.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

You know, before this tour I never saw Brian wear a cap, no matter what time of day the show was or how hot. I think the only time (besides the fireman helmet) was him wearing a Kangol hat in like 1965 or so. Nothing to me pointing that out , but just saying it never occurred to me  til last month. It’s like seeing that photo of Carl in 1977 when he had shaved (and he had stubble). Just looked *different*

Brian had a cap on at some of the shows? I never saw that. Any pics?

They’re on YouTube… I know he did at the show in the Woodlands and I think one more that I’ve seen. I’d get a screen cap but that means I’d have to see the footage again and frankly seeing Brian not doing so hot hurts me too much. Breaks my damn heart

[send me a picture and i'll tell you]

[CenturyDeprived]

Are there more existent photos of Brian in a hat or Mike not in a hat? The yin and yang of those two 

[jeremylr]

Billy mentioned above, "It’s like seeing that photo of Carl in 1977 when he had shaved (and he had stubble). Just looked *different*"


Could someone kindly upload that shot as I don't believe I've seen it before?


Thanks to everyone who has contributed the Brian-hatted and nearly clean-shaven Carl images. Most are brand new to these eyes.

[Robbie Mac]

Billy mentioned above, "It’s like seeing that photo of Carl in 1977 when he had shaved (and he had stubble). Just looked *different*"


Could someone kindly upload that shot as I don't believe I've seen it before?


Thanks to everyone who has contributed the Brian-hatted and nearly clean-shaven Carl images. Most are brand new to these eyes.

It was the 1977 Grammys. Brian, Dennis, and Carl were presenting an award.

https://youtu.be/cT0DScltAmA

[jeremylr]

I learn something entirely unexpected about the Beach Boys almost every day I'm on Smiley. I appreciate it, Robbie Mac!

[Rocker]

Is that Mavis Staples with Brian and Al? Oh man, what a singer she is. I would love for Brian writing and producing a song with her.

[Emdeeh]

Yes, that is the fabulous Mavis Staples with Al, Brian, and the captain!

[guitarfool2002]

Are there more existent photos of Brian in a hat or Mike not in a hat? The yin and yang of those two 

Yes.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

“Mr Clean Living” looking high af and smoking a cigarette.

[SMiLE Brian]

It’s his before TM phase.

[SMiLE Brian]

Happy birthday billy!