This Day in BB History-Jan 7-15

Jan 7-10 1964 the BBs hold recording sessions to try and finish their next album before leaving for a tour of Australia and New Zealand. Amongst the songs worked on are “Fun, Fun, Fun”, “The Warmth of the Sun” and “Don’t Worry Baby.” They landed in Sydney on Jan 13 1964 and played their first show down under with Roy Orbison on Jan 15 in Brisbane. It was difficult for the group to have fun on this tour, since Murry tagged along and made everyone miserable. Apparently everyone wanted him fired after this tour, though the decision wasn’t followed thru till April. Jan 7-15 1965 the BBs worked on completing the Today album-including sessions for “Please Let Me Wonder”, “Kiss Me Baby” and “Do You Wanna Dance.” Despite the fact that they fired him in April 1964, Murry was still a frequent presence in the studio during this period-session tapes for “Do You Wanna Dance” reveal him there pitching in his ideas. During these sessions, Brian revealed that he was not going to tour full time anymore. The band apparently was not pleased. One wonders what Murry thought. Jan 1966 the BBs were in Asia-they played in both Japan and Hong Kong (Though writer Keith Badman seems to have been unaware of the Hong Kong shows-they are not in his book). Jan 1967 while Brian became increasingly obsessed with perfecting “Heroes and Villains”, Dennis held the first known recording session for one of his own songs on Jan 12-though the session was probably more of an experiment. By January 1969, however, he was contributing songs-like “San Miguel”. Sessions were held for this song on Jan 9 and 13 1969. Jan 8 1970 Carl was found guilty of not performing alternate service in place of the military-sentencing was set for Jan 29-not a fun month for him. Jan 1973 Brian was in Fort Dodge, Iowa with David Sandler working on the Spring album-his last creative gasp before he totally retreated to his room. Jan 1974 the BBs recording backing vocals for Elton John’s “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” at Caribou Ranch. Jan 6-15 1977 the BB were playing a rare winter tour-with Brian along for most of the shows. He was with them in Atlanta on Jan 9, but absent two days later in Memphis. He also missed shows in Indy and Cleveland. They were in Detroit at the old Olympia Stadium (site of their first Detroit show in 1964) on Jan 15 1977 with Brian. Jan 9-15 1978 sessions were being held for various songs-including Dennis’s “Baby Blue”, “Angel Come Home” and Brian’s “Shortening Bread”-an obsession of his since 1970, if not before. Jan 9 1979 work was done on “Love Surrounds Me”. Jan 7-12 1980 vocal work was done for the Keepin’ the Summer Alive album. On Jan 13 1980 the group played at a Cambodian Relief benefit in Oakland with the Grateful Dead and Starship. Jan 14 1981 Brian held a session for his song “Stevie”. Jan 1982 Carl was at work on his 2nd solo album- he recorded “Time” on Jan 15. He was not yet back in the group and was not present in Vegas when they opened a three day run at Harrah’s that night. Jan 9 1984 the BBs held a press conference to discuss Dennis’s death and announce the cancellation of their planned shows. They didn’t play a show till March and refrained from recording-with the exception of a day in Melrose recording vocals for a Julio Inglesias album. The conference is briefly seen in most BB documentaries. Jan 1985 Bruce and Al were in London to add vocals to The Beach Boys album. Jan 12 1987 the BBs met in a studio to “fix” their vocals for their 25th Anniversary Hawaii TV show before it aired. Jan 12 1988 the BBs performed at the Orange Bowl festivities in Miami. Jan 7 1989 the BBs-with Brian- performed in Hawaii during the Hula Bowl festivities. Jan 1990 Brian recorded a version of “Spirit of Rock and Roll” with Bob Dylan-it remains unreleased.

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