Carl's illness

[Jay]

When, exactly, was Carl diagnosed with cancer? I'm asking because I distinctly remember hearing rumors about him being ill as far back as 1995.  It was also around this time that he started to age, quite rapidly.

[Andrew G. Doe]

The official announcement that Carl had cancer was made April 1997, but it was very obvious that me, and many others, that there was something seriously wrong late 1995/early 1996 (during the January visit to the UK to promote the Quo collaboration, he looked just terrible). That the press release stated that he was diagnosed with secondaries indicates that the disease was well advanced. I've heard it said (well off the record) that the family knew mid '95.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Which furthers my theory that Carl's illness in some way caused the final BB fallout, as that may have affected his judgment.

Sad.

[Jay]

Is there anybody here who saw Carl in concert with the group around the time that his illness was announced? In Peter Carlin's book, he states that the group had to re-arrange the setlist to "work around Carl". I'm just wondering what that meant. Was he able to do a full concert without leaving the stage? For him to continue performing is, in my opinion, one of the bravest things a person could do. I have heard a version of God Only Knows that supposedly comes from one of Carl's last concerts. He still sounded beautiful.

[Pretty Funky]

My local paper carried a story after his death that was heart-breaking.
From memory it said for the last tour he (and his wife) had their own bus to reduce the chance of him picking up any bacteria. The whole day he would avoid just about everybody and rest/ recover then surface at showtime. I understand he sat for most of the show except for GOK. The end of the show he left the stage exhausted. This is from memory of the story only. Others may have more.

He really wanted that last summer tour IMO.

[Beach Boy]

Kinda sad that the BBs still played "Fun, Fun, Fun" after GOK for example. They should have done more Carl songs or not so funny songs, at least GOK as the concert closer.

[c-man]

I saw them upfront (as close to the stage as possible) in June of '95, and my first thought was "gee I wonder if Carl's got cancer or something...he just looks so much older than he did even a year ago".  Saw them again a couple of months later, then in August of '96.  Whe he sang "Sail On Sailor" (which I'd never seen them do in person until then), he kind half-chuckled at the line "And my dying", which I thought was ironic, and wondered to myself if maybe he knew something we didn't...in retrospect, it is REALLY ironic.  BTW, he sounded great at all those shows.  At the '96 show, Mike's microphone gave out during "Do It Again", so Carl took over the lead vocal.  Saw them again on Carl's final tour in '97, in fact eight months to the day before his passing.  He actaully looked, I thought, a bit better than in '95.  He only sat down for maybe three songs in the middle of the set.  It was a slightly shorter set b/c they opened for Chicago (no, there was no "Beachago" set on this tour, probably b/c of Carl's illness).  Carl sounded fantastic, he started almost every song with his count-ins and his guitar was the main instrument on every song.  Phil Bardowell was there, I guess as a "safety net" in case Carl was too ill to play, but he stood in the back and just played rhythm guitar but didn't sing.  Carl was clearly still in charge of the band onstage.  If his illness hadn't been mentioned, I wouldn't have known.   Of course, knowing full well in my heart that this was probably gonna be the last time I saw Carl, I payed extra close attention to his performance, and tried to soak up as much of his vibe as I possibly could.  One funny thing I remember about this last show:  when Carl sat down, I could see his socks:  white socks, with black shoes.  I remember chuckling, and thinking "how down-home".  It just somehow fit, in a comforting kind of way.  When they left the stage, my gaze was with Carl the whole time...I just kinda knew this was gonna be the last time I saw him.  Eight months later, he was gone.   

[Sheriff John Stone]

I saw one of the concerts when Carl sat for a few songs but don't have the date. He sang and played the same. I thought he smiled more. The one thing I do remember vividly was that it was hot at the concert, but Carl still had on the dark suit with jacket, and was really sweating. But he never took the jacket off or tried to make himself more comfortable.

I honestly thought he was gonna beat the illness. The reports were always positive (I know, what were they going to say), and was shocked when the reports of his death came on the TV news. The farther away we get from Carl's death, the more emotional I get when I see old clips. I took him for granted. And I'm embarrassed to admit that sometimes I feel selfish. Damn, why did Carl and Dennis have to pass away so young. My favorite group and two members die so young. Selfishly, I can't help but think how much MORE great music we missed out on. I'm grateful, though, that we got as much as we did...

[Beach Boy]

It's not only the music, I think that Carl and Dennis had too the biggest hearts.

[southbay]

I saw the group in August 97.  For the first time ever, my name was not on the backstage pass list. No passes, no tickets.  I almost left before the show.  I didn't.  Stuck around at the backstage entrance waiting for my contact ( who was then tour manger Matt Shepard, who later also passed away from cancer) to arrive, hoping the situation could be fixed.  At any rate, the Boys tour bus pulled up to the gate.  I approachedc with security (who by this time I was on a first name basis with).  Matt recognized me and told me to get on the bus for the approx 1oo yard drive into the gates.  I actually sat right next to Carl and Gina.  Carl looked miserable, bloated, uncomfortable.  Gina was in very good spirts, even joking with me. They were on the bus with the entire band, minus Love, who had arrived earlier. Perhaps this was a different scenario than usual as the show was in LA. At any rate, Carl played the entire show.  He sat on a stool for the whole show with the exception of the opening Cal. Girls and GOK.   He absolutely wailed on SOS.  My last BB concert. A great night and a terrible night.   

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

I was supposed to go see the Boys perform  at the Woodlands in Aug of 97. I was going to take my then-girlfriend (now wife) to see them, but she had no interest, as she only knew of the BB from "409" and the like. We ended up doing something else instead and passed on the free tickets. Sigh. That had to have been one of Carl's last shows, if he indeed performed that night-it was late Aug. Now, with her being as much of a BB nut as I am, we often talk about that missed opportunity.

[Mr. Wilson]

Last time i saw BB with Carl was Reno Nevada..Hot august nites 1997.. Ha sat most of show..sang I can Hear Music + Sail On Sailor among others.. Lead guitar solo"s were pre recorded OR..Someone in back or offstage played them..No amps on stage at all.. Cw was way overweight + wearin a wig + startin to grow a beard back.. Seemed in great spirits + seemed to be gettin healthy.. I dont think you get bigger from cancer ya waist away.. I allways thought he was sick in 95=96.. Look at stars + stripes video Or Live 95 Philly concert..As 2 examples.. Cw was really into clothes + keepin his hair lookin good.. Look at  these 2 videos + you can see his hair is VERY FRIZZY.. Not straight + slick..Chemo drugs..?? His face looks different +much older..AND..Interviews  in stars + stripes.. Id swear there is a sadness about him in his eyes + speech ..talking about SPIRIT..IMHO..

[MBE]

It's only in retrospect that I see something happening to Carl as early as 1995. I mean to me he looked older when he was all grey. Even on the late 1996 Home Improvment he looked ok to me. Of course in 1997 it was made public and it showed a lot, but now I guess looking at the S&S interviews and footage he seems a bit short of breath and perhaps slowed down. I don't usually cry when a celebrity I like has died but I did with Carl and so did my dad. It was just something about him.

[southbay]

Last time i saw BB with Carl was Reno Nevada..Hot august nites 1997.. Ha sat most of show..sang I can Hear Music + Sail On Sailor among others.. Lead guitar solo"s were pre recorded OR..Someone in back or offstage played them..No amps on stage at all.. Cw was way overweight + wearin a wig + startin to grow a beard back.. Seemed in great spirits + seemed to be gettin healthy.. I dont think you get bigger from cancer ya waist away.. I allways thought he was sick in 95=96.. Look at stars + stripes video Or Live 95 Philly concert..As 2 examples.. Cw was really into clothes + keepin his hair lookin good.. Look at  these 2 videos + you can see his hair is VERY FRIZZY.. Not straight + slick..Chemo drugs..?? His face looks different +much older..AND..Interviews  in stars + stripes.. Id swear there is a sadness about him in his eyes + speech ..talking about SPIRIT..IMHO..

Re  the extra weight in '97...he was bloated from the combination of chemo and steroids

[Jay]

Dumb question: Carl lost his hair from the chemo, right? Did he lose his beard?

[Andrew G. Doe]

Sure. Hair's hair, irrespective of where it grows.

[MBE]

I have to say (though I am probably wrong) it looked like a fake beard in a few photos. Never saw a photo of Carl without a beard after early 1977 myself.

[Mr. Wilson]

In 1976 at an awards show.. Brian Dennis Carl..showed up to present an award.. CW has no beard ..clips from that are in Endless Harmony + American band..Rare to see him without a beard..!!

[donutbandit]

I remember that before Nashville Sounds aired, there was a short clip of Carl saying something to promote the video. He looked horrible, and his voice came out like a croak. I knew at that point that there something very wrong with Carl.

My wife died of cancer over a period of 8 months (several months before diagnosis.) It was a particularly bad type, with little hope of survival. She tried every thing she could, even a trip to the Hoxsey Clinic in Mexico, all for naught. The hell that I and my children went through is indescribable.

I have already decided that if I ever get cancer, unless it is an easily cured kind, I'll just roll over and accept the inevitable. Everybody wants to live, but we will all die of something someday.

I am not trying to draw a parallel between this and Carl, just stating my feelings. Sometimes, that's all you can do.

[c-man]

I remember that before Nashville Sounds aired, there was a short clip of Carl saying something to promote the video. He looked horrible, and his voice came out like a croak. I knew at that point that there something very wrong with Carl.

My wife died of cancer over a period of 8 months (several months before diagnosis.) It was a particularly bad type, with little hope of survival. She tried every thing she could, even a trip to the Hoxsey Clinic in Mexico, all for naught. The hell that I and my children went through is indescribable.

I have already decided that if I ever get cancer, unless it is an easily cured kind, I'll just roll over and accept the inevitable. Everybody wants to live, but we will all die of something someday.

I am not trying to draw a parallel between this and Carl, just stating my feelings. Sometimes, that's all you can do.

Sorry to hear of this tragedy, donutbandit.  A good friend of mine is going thru this right now with her father, and my heart goes out to her.

[MBE]

In 1976 at an awards show.. Brian Dennis Carl..showed up to present an award.. CW has no beard ..clips from that are in Endless Harmony + American band..Rare to see him without a beard..!!

I think that was Feburary 1977 at the Grammy's

[Jay]

I remember that before Nashville Sounds aired, there was a short clip of Carl saying something to promote the video. He looked horrible, and his voice came out like a croak. I knew at that point that there something very wrong with Carl.

My wife died of cancer over a period of 8 months (several months before diagnosis.) It was a particularly bad type, with little hope of survival. She tried every thing she could, even a trip to the Hoxsey Clinic in Mexico, all for naught. The hell that I and my children went through is indescribable.

I have already decided that if I ever get cancer, unless it is an easily cured kind, I'll just roll over and accept the inevitable. Everybody wants to live, but we will all die of something someday.

I am not trying to draw a parallel between this and Carl, just stating my feelings. Sometimes, that's all you can do.

Sorry to hear of this tragedy, donutbandit.  A good friend of mine is going thru this right now with her father, and my heart goes out to her.

I too am sorry to hear that donutbandit. I am sorry to hear about c-man's family.

[Jay]

Sure. Hair's hair, irrespective of where it grows.

As odd as this sounds, I actually didn't know that. Are there any confirmed instances where Carl performed beardless in the mid 1990's?

[Emdeeh]

Dumb question: Carl lost his hair from the chemo, right? Did he lose his beard?

Carl didn't lose his beard, somehow. Or if he did, it had grown back by the time he went back out on tour with the band.

[Beach Boy]

Is it possible that Carl had beaten the cancer if he hadn't toured?