"I met the Beach Boys"...and so did you?

[Sheriff John Stone]

I said Bruce I also have Going Public.  He said throw it away, I did.

[Sheriff John Stone]

But it has been a true blessing to be able to have met and talked with so many involved with the BB-related touring groups. 

Eric, that's great, thanks for sharing all those wonderful stories. The way you're able to get backstage and other interesting places (restrooms!), you oughta be an undercover agent. Glad to see all of your hard work paid off, although it was probably a labor of love....

[Eric Aniversario]

But it has been a true blessing to be able to have met and talked with so many involved with the BB-related touring groups. 

Eric, that's great, thanks for sharing all those wonderful stories. The way you're able to get backstage and other interesting places (restrooms!), you oughta be an undercover agent. Glad to see all of your hard work paid off, although it was probably a labor of love....

Thanks!  Yeah, the setlist archive started with just an idea that bore out of my tendency to want things organized!  I saw setlists all over the internet and I thought that they should be put together in one spot for easy access.  There hasn't been any financial compensation for my work on the archive, but the benefits truly are priceless, and I'm very grateful!

[TdHabib]

I've always been curious: had anyone on this board met or seen Dr. Eugene Landy and what their experiences with him was before his demise? Not trying to controversial, just curious (which is just as bad sometimes )...

[onkster]

I had the odd luck of getting to help shoot a TV spot for an upcoming BB concert in Washington--they were in my hometown of Des Moines at the time, and we went down and taped them at one of the oldest hotels in town, where they were staying.  This was the summer of 1985, and  they were playing at the State Fair.  (Saw that gig--the only one thus far!)

Got to meet Bruce, Al, and Mike.  Though we were there from 2-4pm, Carl was still asleep, so...no Carl.  Bruce was the first to arrive, and was very upbeat and friendly.  Al was next...he was OK, but kinda cranky.  Didn't like the hotel room, kinda complained about everything around him.  Mike was also OK...very quiet.  Hardly said a word.  Just did his lines and vanished (meaning, the script, that is!)

I ran into Brian several other times, most notably in the elevator of the KROQ building where I worked at the time...this would be 1988, right after his solo album came out.  I was visiting a DJ at KROQ, and Brian and Kevin Leslie got into the elevator at the same time as me.  I almost didn't recognize him, he was in such great physical shape, and very very handsome.  The thing that tipped me off was the twitching at the corner of the mouth.  I know it doesn't seem likely that a big Brian fan wouldn't recognize him right off the bat, but keep in mind, he hadn't been out much publicly until just that year!

Also saw Brian headed for the porta potties at the Topanga Canyon acoustic concert--he seemed GIANT.  And he had the most powerful voice of the day, though he stumbled through a lot of lyrics!

Saw VD Parks backstage at the Pet Sounds Hollywood Bowl concert, but didn't approach him...he had a circle of well-wishers around him, hugging him, and I didn't want to interrupt.

[MBE]

I bet meeting Brian would be very different in different periods. I knew someone who met him in 1964 and said he seemed like an intellectual. Articulate and brainy. I heard a story about someone who met him in 1970 or so. Said he was very normal and nice but that he was wearing a suit at Tower Records which they thought a little odd for the era. Knew a lady who knew him in the late 70's said he was nice but rather odd and shy. It seemes he used to be a lot talkative and aware of his surroundings overall. 

[Eric Aniversario]

Saw VD Parks backstage at the Pet Sounds Hollywood Bowl concert, but didn't approach him...he had a circle of well-wishers around him, hugging him, and I didn't want to interrupt.

You just reminded me that I did see Van Dyke after the Smile show at Pala Casino.  Some people were coming up to him and asking for autographs and pictures, but he was mostly talking with friends, so I got kind of shy and didn't say anything.  Looking back, I should have told him how much I love Orange Crate Art...even more than BWPS!

[Amy B.]

I bet meeting Brian would be very different in different periods. I knew someone who met him in 1964 and said he seemed like an intellectual. Articulate and brainy. I heard a story about someone who met him in 1970 or so. Said he was very normal and nice but that he was wearing a suit at Tower Records which they thought a little odd for the era. Knew a lady who knew him in the late 70's said he was nice but rather odd and shy. It seemes he used to be a lot talkative and aware of his surroundings overall. 

I bet meeting Brian would be different hour to hour, too. By many accounts, he is a very smart person and sought out knowledge when he was young. I'm sure he had moments where he sounded intellectual, but then he also had shy moments. On the 1964 Christmas CD interview, he sort of sounds similar to today's Brian-- answering some questions with one word-- "Right." In the 1995 IJWMFTT doc, he comes off as articulate in spots, like the Arthur Koestler moment, and even in that 1997 George Martin special that I strugged to post the other day, he comes off as pretty introspective. I'm sure he has his moments now, but as we all know, he can also be a totally weird person who speaks in two-word phrases. To be sure, there has been an arc where he's changed over time, but patterns have always been there. In most cases, meeting strangers (fans) would cause him to become uncomfortable or shy at best, so the more articulate side of him wouldn't show.

[MBE]

It could be that different parts of his personality were always there. The 1964 meeting I mentioned was a gathering with a few fans, and I think radio promoters, in a hotel suite so he might have been a little more at ease then. Or at least a little better at covering up his unease. Look at 1976 for example. On the SNL appearance he seems super nervous. His leg is shaking his mouth is twitching. On Mike Douglas, filmed I think the same month, he seems a little hyper but pretty articulate-even witty at times. So I see what you mean. It's just that over time he seems less (and I hate to use this word) "normal". I mean that respectfully but you can tell he has been through a lot since say 75-76 and even more so since his voice became slurred in the mid eighties. Not to say that he isn't a great guy, and still very warm at times. It's just that there have been changes or damage to his nervous system in some way. All said though he is better then anyone could have hoped for in the final year before Landy (both times) and the the final year or two with Landy. 

[Mike]

I've never met any of The Beach Boys, but in 1991 I did meet Van Dyke Parks.  He was playing the old Lone Star Roadhouse on W. 42nd Street in NYC I think he was touring Tokyo Rose at the time.  A friend called me and told he was at the show already and if I came down I could get tickets for the late show.  So my wife and I headed down, we were just married at the time, and brought our thank you cards because we planned to give another friend who was at the show his, and save the postage.  When we got there he was still playing his first set, so we bought tickets for the second show, but the ticket seller said we could go in for the remainder of the first set if we wanted.  We went in found our friends and sat down at a table.  When the set was over, a slightly inebriated Van Dyke Parks ambled over to our table with some friends of his and sat down with us.   I was shocked and couldn't say anything for a few minutes, but finally we started talking, I don't remember what we spoke about anymore, except that we told him we were newly weds.  Right before he went back on stage we asked, and this is something I never do, if he would autograph one of our wedding thank you cards.  He did, and said something really nice, he was just a very sweet man.  I've misplaced the autograph, but it's somewhere in the house I'll post it when I find it.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Met Landy a coupla times while he was in charge of Brian for the 2nd time. Ummmmm... let's just say he was very interested in everything he did being seen in the best possible light. Frankly I found him rather pathetic in his patent desire to please (I got the impression that if I asked him to get Brian to walk across the street naked, he would have told Brian to do it without thinking), yet at the same time very sinister given the control he wielded over Brian. In his presence Brian seemed almost cowed, definitely subservient: it wasn't pleasant at all. Like most petty despots, he couldn't see that what he was doing was sometimes very wrong, and not in Brian's best interests. Sadly, Brian sems to attract such people.

[shelter]

I'm sure he has his moments now, but as we all know, he can also be a totally weird person who speaks in two-word phrases.

I really wonder what's going through his mind whenever he's having one of his 'weird' moments... Is he really not his normal self for a moment? Is he having some sort of paralizing panic attack? Does he sabotage things he doesn't want to do by purposely acting weird? Or could it be that he's sometimes playing a role because he just enjoys being a wacky, eccentric rock star?

[Sheriff John Stone]

I really wonder what's going through his mind whenever he's having one of his 'weird' moments... Is he really not his normal self for a moment? Is he having some sort of paralizing panic attack? Does he sabotage things he doesn't want to do by purposely acting weird? Or could it be that he's sometimes playing a role because he just enjoys being a wacky, eccentric rock star?

All of the above?

[southbay]

With the exception of Dennis (I became a fan in 1985) I have had the privilege of meeting Brian, Carl, Mike, Al, Bruce and some of the backing band and family members numerous times between 1991-1997. My imprssions:

Brian- 
 1. 1988 Tower Records LA, Sunset Strip.  First time  I met any of the Boys.  Stood in awe, got my 88 Album signed and left.  In a brush with mediocrity, caught sight of Gene Landy in a really cool, Al Capone-style pinstripe suit.

2. 1992. Book signing LA. Brian was in good spirits.  He chatted with me and signed everything I asked for (Book, Pet Sounds and Sunflower Albums, Poster).

3. 1994. Backstage at El Camino College in Torrance, CA.  Brian showed up in a limo with Melinda, pre-wedding.  I approached him with another fan whom I did not know.  The guy asked BRian for an autograph and Brian declined.  Immediately thereafter, I asked Brian for a picture with him and he happily obliged (go figure).  I have always felt sorry for that other guy... 

Carl-

backstage approximately 8-10 times between 1991-1997.  Carl was always in a hurry as he was perpetually late.  Always my favorite guy to meet.  Always friendly, always accommodating.  Always signed everything, always took photos, etc.  Last time I met him was August 1997.  He was in poor condition.  This was the only time my name did not appear on the "pass list."  I almost left when I found that out.  Instead, I decided to stick around the venue (Glen Helen Blockbuster Pavillion) hoping my luck would change.  I waited by the security shack for the group to arrive.  When the bus pulled in , I told them my tale.  Said that if I had trouble, tour manager Matt Sheppard told me to advise asst. tour manager Joel Gast (all of which was true).  Joel was on the bus and told me to get in.  I entered and found all of the guys (except Mike) plus the backing band.  I sat down  across the aisle from Carl and Gina and rode approx 100 yards into the venue.  Needless to say, glad I decided to stick around.  This turned out to be my last BB concert.

Al-

Like Carl, always friendly.  Al always appreciated knowing you were a "real fan." For instance, caught him backstage in 1993.  Asked him to sign two items.  He replied he only had time to sign one.  As I handed him the item, I mentioned that I loved his vocal on "Strange Things Happen."  He must have been shocked that anyone would even be aware of that vocal as he thanked me and advised "I'll go ahead and sign the rest of your stuff."

Mike-

Again numerous times between 91-97.  Surrisingly quiet and  unassuming.  Would always accommodate the fans requests, but would also be just as happy to keep on walking if you didn't really try to stop him.  Always my least favorite to meet only because he would never talk much.

Bruce-

Schizophrenic.  Met him 8-10 times.  On about half of those occasions, he was the absolute nicest guy in the world.  He would actually START conversations with me, and once we talked about BB history and music for at least 45 minutes backstage.  Other times, he was a complete jerk.  We  all have bad days, I guess.

Matt Jardine-

Very friendly and accommodating. Happy to talk and genuinely pleased someone wanted to meet him.

Richie Cannata-

backstage, 1997.  Maybe the friendliest guy I have ever met associated with the Beach Boys.  The concert I spoke of above, Richie heard my story of missing my passes.  He kept coming back to me bakstage to to make sure I had tickets ("Are they good seats? Do you need anything else?") and that I was allowed to stay backstage.

Stamos

Friendly enough.  Took pictures with my wife.  He was always surrounded by a bevy of female "hangers on" wnone of which insluded his then super model wife.

Jonah and Justyn Wilson.

Met them at the Brian/Al Pet SOunds concert at UCLA in 97.  They were actually sitting right in front of me with Carnie and Owen Elliott (unfortunately, no Wendy).  I approached them and told them that the only thing missing that night was their Dad. They were friendly and seemed genuinely thankful.  The coolest moment of that show was the sight of Justyn and Jonah being the first to get out of their seats and start a standing ovation for Al as he entered the stage to "Than I kKssed Her."

[Sheriff John Stone]

Southbay, you're a lucky man....

[Fun Is In]

Late 1970s (should remember the exact year, but don't) some friends and I were hanging around McCarthur Court in Eugene, Oregon talking Beach Boys after the concert. We were the last ones there when Brian and Stan Love came walking through the scene of Stan's collegiate stardom.

Brian had just about nothing to say, but Stan was pleasant enough. 

I was struck that Brian was wearing that same leather jacket with the fur collar seen on the picture sleeve for the original US 45 release of California Girls from more than 10 years earlier.

(I had run thru all my film during the concert, so no photos. Should get those Kodachromse scanned! In those days, they allowed fans to shoot photos and allowed such things as heavy metal cameras into concerts. But those days were nearly over.)

[TdHabib]

Met Landy a coupla times while he was in charge of Brian for the 2nd time. Ummmmm... let's just say he was very interested in everything he did being seen in the best possible light. Frankly I found him rather pathetic in his patent desire to please (I got the impression that if I asked him to get Brian to walk across the street naked, he would have told Brian to do it without thinking), yet at the same time very sinister given the control he wielded over Brian. In his presence Brian seemed almost cowed, definitely subservient: it wasn't pleasant at all. Like most petty despots, he couldn't see that what he was doing was sometimes very wrong, and not in Brian's best interests. Sadly, Brian seems to attract such people.

Yeah, that's basically what I was expecting from the controversial man. Still, do you agree with someone's (sorry, forgot who) assessment that Landy's actions during the later 80s-early 90s were because "Brian made him that way"? Hearing that kinda opened my mind to the possibility that he was basically creating a new Murray (possibly subconsciously) to bully him.

[MBE]

Landy got a rush from the fame that rubbed off on him, but that's no excuse for what he did. I don't blame Brian at all.

[southbay]

Southbay, you're a lucky man....

I was very fortunate, yes.  Too bad all true fans could not have had a similar experience at least once.

[Magic Transistor Radio]

I clean pools and one of my customers said that she dated Mike Love in the early 80s. I know she was telling the truth because she is not very proud of it. She was one of those ladies that got around (if you know what I mean). Now she is a completely different person who has settled down and married.

[endofposts]

I clean pools and one of my customers said that she dated Mike Love in the early 80s. I know she was telling the truth because she is not very proud of it. She was one of those ladies that got around (if you know what I mean). Now she is a completely different person who has settled down and married.

What, like Mike isn't the settling down and marrying type?

[elnombre]

I clean pools and one of my customers said that she dated Mike Love in the early 80s. I know she was telling the truth because she is not very proud of it. She was one of those ladies that got around (if you know what I mean). Now she is a completely different person who has settled down and married.

What, like Mike isn't the settling down and marrying type?

I think in Mike's case, settling down and marrying are mutually exclusive.

[Mr. Wilson]

WELL. Ive met them a few times and it was always by accident.. never tried at all.. 1st concert i went by BB was 1973 hollywood Paladium..Met all of them momentarily ..But a couple of the guys more than just a moment..Met BW + Marilyn out in parking lot..Brian looked like the guy on the Holland cover..No beard ,,Overweight wearin a double breasted pea coat..didnt say that much + marlyin + i talked while i looked at Brian + told him how much i admired him..when i used the word GENIUS. Marlyn said to Brian..did ya hear that brian..?/ He then grunted + gave me his autograph.. He seemed ..shy..
withdrawn + nervous..when i said genius..he seemed to need that like he didnt have the confidence he used to have.. Also
talk to Al who was very excited + confident..The others i met for a few moments...Also no limos..the showed up in their own  Cars...Audi..VW van..Bmw..etc..GREAT 70's show

1977.. Met Dennis at meet + greet when he released..POB.. At a record store west Hollywood..Not Tower.. Very charming guy..

1983.. santa barbara bowl..Met all of them for a moment but actually talked to Al..Bruce.. Brian.. + Dean Torrence + Eugene Landy..Al + Bruce  were friendly + talkative..Talked about a new lp + new music..BW had just come back from Hawaii + lost a hundred lbs..Very tall..Was friendly + when i told him i was a fan from the beginning He started to sing.. Just Once in My Life..And i started to sing with him + he enjoyed it..He was also served with papers in a law suit + actually was reading it + understanding it..BW also gave me a hard time for smoking pot before i met him..Had my pic takin with him + was really nice to me..

1985..Harry Langdon studios pics for 85 lp..There are at least a hundred more pics no one has ever seen in the archives.
Met them 2 days in a row..2nd day bought PS + SS + had them autographed..Al + his new wife were VERY friendly = Kind....More than the rest

1995.. Cerrittos Ca.. Met them all briefly after the show..Al was hangin on stage after show.. So i went up to talk with him + got a set list autographed..The best impression i have of Al is..When U talk to him he looks you In the eye..Not afraid of eye contact with fans..Nice guy..Talked to him about..Loop De Loop..Told him it was a HIT..!! He asked WHERE i had heard that..I told him boots + he laughed + asked for 20.00..LOL..!!  Told him i liked MIU + he said i was the only one that bought It..!!

[TdHabib]

He asked WHERE i had heard that..I told him boots + he laughed + asked for 20.00..LOL..!! 

That's funny. Mike Love had the same reaction when the Goldmine interviewer said he had Smile boots. That interviewer had guts: he mentioned Smile boots, and told Mike that he liked Sweet Insanity, but it would've been better with group vocals...

Also, loved the story of Brian in 1983, I think we'd all like to sing "Just Once in My Life" with Brian...

[Andrew G. Doe]

1985..Harry Langdon studios pics for 85 lp..There are at least a hundred more pics no one has ever seen in the archives.

Woah, memory jogger !  Bruce drove me to Harry's in '85 to see those pics before standing me lunch and an excellent interview: yup, there's a lot more, but what turned up on the back of the '85 album was the best, in my recollection.