Question About Brian - 1981 (Peter Carlin, Andrew Doe...)

[petsite]

I asked this question a couple years ago on tis board and several others as well. No one knew the answer but we have so many new people I thought I would try again.

Does anyone know what happened at the Greek Theatre in 1981. This incidnet has been referred to in several articles and books but no one has ever said what it was. David Leaf said something about Brian's temper getting short and after a flareup at the Greek Theatre......but doesnt say what happened.  Anyone?

Bob

[c-man]

Bob, Billboard ran a review of this show in which they said Brian got screeching feedback from his microphone, punched it flat-on, and stalked offstage in the middle of "GOK".  It says Al took over the lead while Bruce ran backstage to coax Brian to return, which he did.

Creem ran a short piece which said that Dennis and Mike had a "bloody fistfight" backstage at this same show.

That's all I really know, but from these two reports, I can assume that Mike accused Dennis of giving Brian cocaine, resulting in Brian's temper flareup, and that led to the fisticuffs. 

Maybe Peter or Andrew or someone else knows for sure.

[c-man]

Oh, and incidentally, this story has sometimes been confused with the incident at the Universal Ampitheatre in 1979.  At that show, Dennis and Mike had an onstage "moment", and a backstage shoving match, and Dennis was subsequently expelled from the group for the better part of a year.

[Magic Transistor Radio]

I wonder who usually won those fist fights? I deffinately think Dennis before 1977, but by 1981, I'm sure Dennis health made Mike stronger.

[MBE]

My very first post on this board was a question about this. C-Man was able to help me out a short time later and I thank him for again clearing this up. I think someone may have been there that posts here.

[Ian]

LA Times review (July 20 1981)- ""Brian was apparently annoyed by some bugs in the sound system.  Whatever the cause, he suddenly bolted from the stage after croaking the first note of 'God Only Knows".  As Johnston took up the lead vocal, Jardine raced into the wings after Brian.  Both returned momentarily and Brian finished the song.  He then started to leave the stage again, only to be intercepted by his brother Dennis (who earlier had come to the rim of the stage and graciously waved his rear end at the crowd). Back at the piano, Brian took a mighty swipe at his mike stand and knocked it loudly to the floor.  After the next song, he departed again, returning later for the final numbers."

[c-man]

LA Times review (July 20 1981)- ""Brian was apparently annoyed by some bugs in the sound system.  Whatever the cause, he suddenly bolted from the stage after croaking the first note of 'God Only Knows".  As Johnston took up the lead vocal, Jardine raced into the wings after Brian.  Both returned momentarily and Brian finished the song.  He then started to leave the stage again, only to be intercepted by his brother Dennis (who earlier had come to the rim of the stage and graciously waved his rear end at the crowd). Back at the piano, Brian took a mighty swipe at his mike stand and knocked it loudly to the floor.  After the next song, he departed again, returning later for the final numbers."

Pretty much verbatim to the Billboard review, only the Billboard verson has Jardine taking up the lead on GOK, and Johnston running backstage to get Brian.

[tpesky]

so who did what then?? It would seem easier for Bruce to get up from the piano and race then for Al to put down his guitar and go, but who knows

[punkinhead]

could you imagine those pre-1978 fights between Dennis and Mike...Dennis rips Mike's turnban and gold sequens jacket...I'd give my left testical to see that....maybe knock Al's uncle Sam hat off too.   

[Jon Stebbins]

My very first post on this board was a question about this. C-Man was able to help me out a short time later and I thank him for again clearing this up. I think someone may have been there that posts here.

I was at the Universal Amphitheater show in '79...sitting right among the Wilson/Martins/Hinches families when Dennis made a comment about Qualludes, Mike got in his face about it, and a little later Dennis pushed his drums off the riser onto Mike, and then jumped over them and chased Mike across the stage as everyone tried to separate them. I will verify that Mike ran away from Dennis and I don't blame him. I'll always remember that Audrey said "Oh Dear." After a break in the show to clean up the mess Dennis came out and said "I love Mike Love." Dennis was gone from the BB's for a long time after that. I think Knebworth was one of the first shows they let him come back.

[petsite]

Thanks everyone for answering. I asked before and people either didn't know, or didn't want to say. I asked David Leaf when I saw him and mentioned those time in 80-82 as the bad old days. David said all days are bad for Brian. No Dave, some ARE worse than others.

Bob

[Rocker]

My very first post on this board was a question about this. C-Man was able to help me out a short time later and I thank him for again clearing this up. I think someone may have been there that posts here.

I was at the Universal Amphitheater show in '79...sitting right among the Wilson/Martins/Hinches families when Dennis made a comment about Qualludes, Mike got in his face about it, and a little later Dennis pushed his drums off the riser onto Mike, and then jumped over them and chased Mike across the stage as everyone tried to separate them. I will verify that Mike ran away from Dennis and I don't blame him. I'll always remember that Audrey said "Oh Dear." After a break in the show to clean up the mess Dennis came out and said "I love Mike Love." Dennis was gone from the BB's for a long time after that. I think Knebworth was one of the first shows they let him come back.

Well, this is always a fascinating read.
Do you know what exactly Dennis did say about the Qualludes? The "Summer dreams"-movie has him basically offering stuff to the audience. Was that what happened?

[MBE]

Thanks everyone for answering. I asked before and people either didn't know, or didn't want to say. I asked David Leaf when I saw him and mentioned those time in 80-82 as the bad old days. David said all days are bad for Brian. No Dave, some ARE worse than others.

Bob

Which is why I don't like where he comes from. Brian is no martyr and doesn't need pity or at very least such a depressing vibe attached to him.. Even in 1981-82 he had some good days as we have seen by some of his interviews and sessions. Sure  Brian had serious depression early on and yeah 75 or 81-82 was when he was most self destructive, but through the years I've heard him having a lot of fun too. Listen to the Party sessions, watch the old Shindig tapes, listen to My Solution or Hey Little  Tomboy, the guy knows how to have a good time.  If anything with the constant public apperences he seems more somber now, but at the same time he still can clown around. Every day is a bad day is as absurd as anything Landy used to spout.

[MBE]

My very first post on this board was a question about this. C-Man was able to help me out a short time later and I thank him for again clearing this up. I think someone may have been there that posts here.

I was at the Universal Amphitheater show in '79...sitting right among the Wilson/Martins/Hinches families when Dennis made a comment about Qualludes, Mike got in his face about it, and a little later Dennis pushed his drums off the riser onto Mike, and then jumped over them and chased Mike across the stage as everyone tried to separate them. I will verify that Mike ran away from Dennis and I don't blame him. I'll always remember that Audrey said "Oh Dear." After a break in the show to clean up the mess Dennis came out and said "I love Mike Love." Dennis was gone from the BB's for a long time after that. I think Knebworth was one of the first shows they let him come back.

A December 1979 Add Some Music fanzine says Dennis did some shows the month before. Outside of that (if it happened) it would be June 1980. I think Domenic Priore wrote something hilarious once about the fight. Let me preface this by saying I understand Mike's anger, but Domenic wrote (and I am not quoting verbatium) Dennis had no choice but to beat up Mike Love on stage. This needed to happenm and Dennis in his integrity made it happen. Funny stuff!

[c-man]

Carol Ann Harris, Lindsey Buckingham's ex, published her memoirs recently.  She writes quite a bit about Dennis, with whom she was buds.  She describes being at one of the '79 Universal Ampitheatre shows (it was a multi-night engagement), and that upon arriving Mike yelled at Dennis for missing the soundcheck.  Dennis' response was to knock Mike out with one well-placed punch.  She doesn't mention the onstage incident, so she must have attended an earlier show.

Dennis was put on "leave" following this string of Universal Ampitheatre appearances, but he was allowed to play with them a couple of times over the next year, such as in Hawaii that August.  He came back fulltime (for a while) on the 1980 European tour that began in Scandanavia the following May.

[variable2]

Thanks everyone for answering. I asked before and people either didn't know, or didn't want to say. I asked David Leaf when I saw him and mentioned those time in 80-82 as the bad old days. David said all days are bad for Brian. No Dave, some ARE worse than others.

Bob

Which is why I don't like where he comes from. Brian is no martyr and doesn't need pity or at very least such a depressing vibe attached to him.. Even in 1981-82 he had some good days as we have seen by some of his interviews and sessions. Sure  Brian had serious depression early on and yeah 75 or 81-82 was when he was most self destructive, but through the years I've heard him having a lot of fun too. Listen to the Party sessions, watch the old Shindig tapes, listen to My Solution or Hey Little  Tomboy, the guy knows how to have a good time.  If anything with the constant public apperences he seems more somber now, but at the same time he still can clown around. Every day is a bad day is as absurd as anything Landy used to spout.

Just because you heard a 30 minute interview where Brian seems "okay" doesn't mean you know the depths of what is going on in his mind the rest of the time.  You don't seem to understand how serious depression works. 

And there's a difference between "having a good time", and cocaine-induced euphoria.

[MBE]

Re-read my post you are missing what I am getting at. I in no way negate his troubles. Brian was in a bad way during the 74-5, 81-82,periods, more bad happening then good for sure.  Still that doesn't mean that he was suicidal every last day. The way Leaf said it, Brian hasn't had a good day in his entire friggin life. That is bull! Brian had (and has) depression but not always to the point where he couldn't fucntion, or laugh, or be creative, or.... have a good day  Also I didn't use the cocaine periods as examples as to what to look for as far as his glad spirits. I only said that even in 1981- 82 Brian wasn't this figure you see him protrayed as. Hiding in bed, or in a closet, or going into a zombie trance, all the stories told again and again, did not happen every day. Yet for whatever reason Leaf wants us to think that Brian is nothing but a hapless victim. Brian is a real person, much more complex (and interesting)  then his legend or myth tells us. He doesn't deserve to be defined only by his problems.

[petsite]

I know that I have mentioned it here before, but, when I first met Brian in 1981, he walked across the lobby of a Hyatt here in downtown Houston, barefoot, shirt opened, and hair messed up like he just rolled out of bed (which he had). Carolyn Williams was walking behind him with socks and shoes. It was the first night Dennis had been back (remember that he wasn't at the 20th anniversary show). Dennis had short hair, clean shaven, wearing a brown cordaroy suit with brown hushpuppies. And he was toasted, smoking a joint.

Brian said "Dennis, my brother. So good to see you!" Dennis hugged him and I remember this line "Dennis, you shaved your beard. I wish I could do that but my face is too fat!" Brian smelled like he hadn't had a shower in days. I was crestfallen. Al said "Not again, not again. This ought to be fun!"

My girlfriend at the time said "Why do you like these guys??"

[Jason]

I hate to say it, but I firmly believe that Brian was a lot happier when he was 340 lbs and addicted, no matter what Melin...I mean, Brian says.

[MBE]

Well there was less damage then, but I don't think he would have lived much longer. I am glad he lost the weight and cut out the drugs but my feeling is that he should only work if and when he wants to. Obviously he isn't getting to make that choice. We have debated it endlessly here but at 68 a guy can retire if that's what he wants. I love LOS, am glad to have it, and he sounds involved on it. However the tv shows, or the times when he is doing a strict oldies set, often show someone just bored and tired.

[petsite]

Ok....hold it hold it hold it (this is why I quit posting a year ago....I get carried away  ).

BEACHBOY - I hate to say it, but I firmly believe that Brian was a lot happier when he was 340 lbs and addicted.

Really? Really? Where every breath was forced. He had chest pains. I watched him try to walk up some stairs in August of 1982 and two roadies had to pick him up and lif him to the top of the stairs. He sang two lines of SLOOP and was out of breath and had to quit.

As for Brian being forced to work. THAT is true. But the reason is that Brian, with no set "goal", always (I repeat always) winds up in trouble. Either drugs or some other self destructive habit. Anybody notice just how heavy Brian got right after Landy left. It wasn't only because he was free, it was because he had nothing to do.

[variable2]

I hate to say it, but I firmly believe that Brian was a lot happier when he was 340 lbs and addicted, no matter what Melin...I mean, Brian says.

Wow.. I hope you know how much is wrong about this viewpoint.

Have you ever struggled with a drug problem?

[phirnis]

I know that I have mentioned it here before, but, when I first met Brian in 1981, he walked across the lobby of a Hyatt here in downtown Houston, barefoot, shirt opened, and hair messed up like he just rolled out of bed (which he had). Carolyn Williams was walking behind him with socks and shoes. It was the first night Dennis had been back (remember that he wasn't at the 20th anniversary show). Dennis had short hair, clean shaven, wearing a brown cordaroy suit with brown hushpuppies. And he was toasted, smoking a joint.

Brian said "Dennis, my brother. So good to see you!" Dennis hugged him and I remember this line "Dennis, you shaved your beard. I wish I could do that but my face is too fat!" Brian smelled like he hadn't had a shower in days. I was crestfallen. Al said "Not again, not again. This ought to be fun!"

My girlfriend at the time said "Why do you like these guys??"

petsite, this story has intrigued and fascinated me ever since I read it for the first time at the old Smile Shop. However small a glimpse into the boys' early eighties world, it can really provide you with crucial insights into what this band was about during those days.

[Jon Stebbins]

I know that I have mentioned it here before, but, when I first met Brian in 1981, he walked across the lobby of a Hyatt here in downtown Houston, barefoot, shirt opened, and hair messed up like he just rolled out of bed (which he had). Carolyn Williams was walking behind him with socks and shoes. It was the first night Dennis had been back (remember that he wasn't at the 20th anniversary show). Dennis had short hair, clean shaven, wearing a brown cordaroy suit with brown hushpuppies. And he was toasted, smoking a joint.

Brian said "Dennis, my brother. So good to see you!" Dennis hugged him and I remember this line "Dennis, you shaved your beard. I wish I could do that but my face is too fat!" Brian smelled like he hadn't had a shower in days. I was crestfallen. Al said "Not again, not again. This ought to be fun!"

My girlfriend at the time said "Why do you like these guys??"

Dennis did play the 20th anniversary show at the Forum. He wasn't supposed to, he was banned from the group at the time...but Jerry Schilling's account of how Dennis just showed up and took his place behind the drums that night, and how no one tried to stop him, is recounted in the Real Beach Boy book. I also have about a dozen photos of the show all with Dennis in them.

[petsite]

I always feel like a broken record with this story. But it made a huge impact on me. I spent the first 30 mins in the lobby talking with Sterling Smith (one of their touring keyboardists). He was from Columbus Ohio and knew a friend of my brother's from the Columbus music scene. Al Jardine was friendly. Bruce was good. Dennis was Dennis. A good friend of mine who knoew Dennis told me how to act with him. If he challenges you (throwing the LP across the lobby), you just confront him back. Want to hear something so weird? I was so calm around these guys, like I knew them all my life. Bobby F. was nice too.

I remember Brian coming down in the glass elevator because my girlfriend pulled on my shirt and pointed "Is that him? My God Bob!"

I just shook my head and said hi. Brian ignored me cause he was too busy noticing Dennis being back. "Hey Bri, sign this guy's LP. He's alright." Then I handed Brian the lead sheet for Still I Dream Of It and it stopped him dead in his tracks. "Where did you get this??" I got it from BRI. Alan was like "What is it a lead sheet for? Still I Dream Of It? Man, great tune Bri!" I said you should release it (I had heard it by then from a dub of Adult Child). Brian shook his head and said no, the song sucked. He signed it and left for the bus....in 20 degree weather barefoot. Alan said "Not again...man."

I always got the feeling that Alan Jardine was a man with a broken heart when it came to the group.