Mike and Bruce 2009 photo

[Outie 315]

 Hangovers?

[b00ts]

What about Carl queering the pitch and ruining what could have been an excellent last album by the Beach Boys? Oh wait, he was dealing with lung cancer at the time.

I've never heard ANYONE ever defend Carl over that.

Yes, you did. Re-read what you quoted from me. I defended him.

[Nicole]

Hang loose, Mike

Cool pic, but they look airbrushed or something.

[Lisa Bonahue]

Now, let's blast Bruce. What a prick!

I thought the reason the new band photo took so long was that there was some question about how long Bruce was going to continue touring, as in he was going to be being fired.  I guess he and Mike must have worked out their differences after all.

Hmm that's interesting news SurfDude147 but don't you think Mike would be up the creek if he fired Bruce ?  It's kinda hard to have "The Beach Boys" with just one person, at this point Bruce is the only one keeping things The Beach Boys given that there are no more original members besides Mike and Bruce left in the group thanks to Mike and his habit of firing people.

 If Bruce was to be fired all that would be left  is Mike Love and his (insert your own name here) band and let's face it how many people are gonna wanna just see Mike Love ?

[Outie 315]

  SD147 = Beach Boys Insider!

[Amy B.]

Nice photo, but Mike, get a new stylist. How about the 1966 look? That was pretty good.

I guess I have mixed feelings about Mike using the Beach Boys name. On one hand, I feel like he's duping a lot of people, kind of like the Temptations. On the other hand, it's pretty obvious, looking at the photo, that the younger guys were not in the original BBs. And, he's keeping the name in people's minds. Plus, Mike wouldn't get anywhere touring under his own name. He's an okay lyricist and an okay singer. That's it. People aren't going to flock to buy tickets to see Mike Love. As for Brian, he (not Mike) is the NAME in the Beach Boys, not that he's that well known to casual fans. Publishers are interested in bios of him. When was the last time there was a bio of Mike? Brian's people were right to have him tour under his own name. He's trying to make a name for himself, literally, as a composer, a producer, and a singer. As "the genius of the Beach Boys." He's THAT guy, and that sells tickets. Maybe not a lot in the U.S., but a fair amount. So in that way, things are as they should be.

I think the feelings about Brian and Mike have mellowed a lot. I know for me, my feelings have mellowed a lot. I still think Mike is probably not the nicest person in the world--I can't stand when he talks about "my cousin Brian's" problems and "my cousin Dennis's" drug addictions--because I think that's just petty jealousy, like he can't praise them without throwing in a criticism. He doesn't strike me as an empathetic soul. And I have a knee-jerk negative reaction to loud shirts and giant rings.     But I recognize that he has a good side, and I recognize that Brian has flaws too.

[PongHit]

they look airbrushed or something.

To em, looks like they all have a lot of make-up.

[Shady]

Brian has flaws too.

Brian has flaws? 

[Outie 315]

 That's Saint Brian.

[Steve Mayo]

Were there other photos released from this shoot?  Both the photographer and the Beach Boys fan in me want to see more...

hi eric,

scott told me back in may before the fire that the band was going to have a new photo shoot around the weekend they were to be in vegas. at that time i was going to go to vegas and see them but the fire changed all those plans...so i guess the photos date from late may or so...

[Wilsonista]

Nice photo, but Mike, get a new stylist. How about the 1966 look? That was pretty good.

I guess I have mixed feelings about Mike using the Beach Boys name. On one hand, I feel like he's duping a lot of people, kind of like the Temptations. On the other hand, it's pretty obvious, looking at the photo, that the younger guys were not in the original BBs. And, he's keeping the name in people's minds. Plus, Mike wouldn't get anywhere touring under his own name. He's an okay lyricist and an okay singer. That's it. People aren't going to flock to buy tickets to see Mike Love. As for Brian, he (not Mike) is the NAME in the Beach Boys, not that he's that well known to casual fans. Publishers are interested in bios of him. When was the last time there was a bio of Mike? Brian's people were right to have him tour under his own name. He's trying to make a name for himself, literally, as a composer, a producer, and a singer. As "the genius of the Beach Boys." He's THAT guy, and that sells tickets. Maybe not a lot in the U.S., but a fair amount. So in that way, things are as they should be.

I think the feelings about Brian and Mike have mellowed a lot. I know for me, my feelings have mellowed a lot. I still think Mike is probably not the nicest person in the world--I can't stand when he talks about "my cousin Brian's" problems and "my cousin Dennis's" drug addictions--because I think that's just petty jealousy, like he can't praise them without throwing in a criticism. He doesn't strike me as an empathetic soul. And I have a knee-jerk negative reaction to loud shirts and giant rings.     But I recognize that he has a good side, and I recognize that Brian has flaws too.

Nice post, Amy.  I find myself agreeing with much of what you're saying.

[Aegir]

Something about that picture really creeps me out. Not sure what it is, though.

[DSamore]

Nice photo, but Mike, get a new stylist. How about the 1966 look? That was pretty good.

I guess I have mixed feelings about Mike using the Beach Boys name. On one hand, I feel like he's duping a lot of people, kind of like the Temptations. On the other hand, it's pretty obvious, looking at the photo, that the younger guys were not in the original BBs. And, he's keeping the name in people's minds. Plus, Mike wouldn't get anywhere touring under his own name. He's an okay lyricist and an okay singer. That's it. People aren't going to flock to buy tickets to see Mike Love. As for Brian, he (not Mike) is the NAME in the Beach Boys, not that he's that well known to casual fans. Publishers are interested in bios of him. When was the last time there was a bio of Mike? Brian's people were right to have him tour under his own name. He's trying to make a name for himself, literally, as a composer, a producer, and a singer. As "the genius of the Beach Boys." He's THAT guy, and that sells tickets. Maybe not a lot in the U.S., but a fair amount. So in that way, things are as they should be.

I think the feelings about Brian and Mike have mellowed a lot. I know for me, my feelings have mellowed a lot. I still think Mike is probably not the nicest person in the world--I can't stand when he talks about "my cousin Brian's" problems and "my cousin Dennis's" drug addictions--because I think that's just petty jealousy, like he can't praise them without throwing in a criticism. He doesn't strike me as an empathetic soul. And I have a knee-jerk negative reaction to loud shirts and giant rings.     But I recognize that he has a good side, and I recognize that Brian has flaws too.

Nice post, Amy.  I find myself agreeing with much of what you're saying.

I too agree with most of that. Boots made a great point about the boys in general, and a very well-articulated point at that. The only thing I don't buy is that if Mike was on drugs, he'd be a genius. Hardly. He has written some good stuff, granted...but nothing IMO that affords him a title of genius, drug habit or not. Dennis got praise because he wrote/performed not only BB stuff but had damn good solo effort(s). Carl...well Carl had a sweet voice and Cancer, so RIP good sir.

Mike is a mediocre live performer at best. Disagree? I can find you better singer/performers playing locally in your hometown. So what that he has energy? I've seen men his age exercise for hours. His voice isn't good and you know it....it never was! Maybe it's got a soft spot in your heart, but at least you can admit that technically it's not good. And I'm not trying to dog the hired guns of the present day BB, they do a wonderful job. But so can a million other no-name tribute artists out there and we all know essentially that is what the BB have become with Mike Love granting his presence and the BB name.

Overall, I'm agreeing with most of the points made except for the fact that he would be considered a genius. Plus,  it's well-known that Mike's a jerk. So I feel less sympathy for him in any case.


P.S. Bruce??? Whoop dee do. Once I read about fans getting "way more into the BB lore than I ever have...it's just a job" and I paraphrase, I lost respect. Plus, his BB efforts weren't that great IMO anyway. I liked his stuff outside of the BB and he has a nice voice though. But again, his presence in the band doesn't do that much for me personally, but I may just be speaking for myself here.

[oldsurferdude]

Nice photo, but Mike, get a new stylist. How about the 1966 look? That was pretty good.

I guess I have mixed feelings about Mike using the Beach Boys name. On one hand, I feel like he's duping a lot of people, kind of like the Temptations. On the other hand, it's pretty obvious, looking at the photo, that the younger guys were not in the original BBs. And, he's keeping the name in people's minds. Plus, Mike wouldn't get anywhere touring under his own name. He's an okay lyricist and an okay singer. That's it. People aren't going to flock to buy tickets to see Mike Love. As for Brian, he (not Mike) is the NAME in the Beach Boys, not that he's that well known to casual fans. Publishers are interested in bios of him. When was the last time there was a bio of Mike? Brian's people were right to have him tour under his own name. He's trying to make a name for himself, literally, as a composer, a producer, and a singer. As "the genius of the Beach Boys." He's THAT guy, and that sells tickets. Maybe not a lot in the U.S., but a fair amount. So in that way, things are as they should be.

I think the feelings about Brian and Mike have mellowed a lot. I know for me, my feelings have mellowed a lot. I still think Mike is probably not the nicest person in the world--I can't stand when he talks about "my cousin Brian's" problems and "my cousin Dennis's" drug addictions--because I think that's just petty jealousy, like he can't praise them without throwing in a criticism. He doesn't strike me as an empathetic soul. And I have a knee-jerk negative reaction to loud shirts and giant rings.     But I recognize that he has a good side, and I recognize that Brian has flaws too.

Nice post, Amy.  I find myself agreeing with much of what you're saying.

I too agree with most of that. Boots made a great point about the boys in general, and a very well-articulated point at that. The only thing I don't buy is that if Mike was on drugs, he'd be a genius. Hardly. He has written some good stuff, granted...but nothing IMO that affords him a title of genius, drug habit or not. Dennis got praise because wrote/performed not only BB stuff but had damn good solo effort(s). Carl...well Carl had a sweet voice and Cancer, so RIP good sir.

Mike is a mediocre live performer at best. Disagree? I can find you better singer/performers playing locally in your hometown. So what that he has energy? I've seen men his age exercise for hours. His voice isn't good and you know it....it never was! Maybe it's got a soft spot in your heart, but at least you can admit that technically it's not good. And I'm not trying to dog the hired guns of the present day BB, they do a wonderful job. But so can a million other no-name tribute artists out there and we all know essentially that is what the BB have become with Mike Love granting his presence and the BB name.

Overall, I'm agreeing with most of the points made except for the fact that he would be considered a genius. Plus,  it's well-known that Mike's a jerk. So I feel less sympathy for him in any case.


P.S. Bruce??? Whoop dee do. Once I read about fans getting "way more into the BB lore than I ever have...it's just a job" and I paraphrase, I lost respect. Plus, his BB efforts weren't that great IMO anyway. I liked his stuff outside of the BB and he has a nice voice though. But again, his presence in the band doesn't do that much for me personally, but I may just be speaking for myself here.

You go, man but get ready for the Mike and Brucinistas here to come tumbling down on you-anything here describing their performance as anything other than say, wonderful, steller,etc,etc is downright treason with very little hope for any parole.

[DSamore]

hahaha thanks. certainly it will be a good and entertaining show, no doubt!

[Jason]

I hereby declare that DSamore's opinion is wrong.

Brian seems to disagree, too.

[Wilsonista]

Mike's singing was good and can still be good when he wants to do so. He just had the misfortune of  being in a  band with Carl Wilson and the young Brian Wilson who were great singers.  The best of his own songs were nice. (i.e. Everyone's In Love With You)  Again, he had the misfortune of being in a band that had arguably the greatest American pop composer of his generation and, in Dennis Wilson, a singularly gifted and beautifully raw musical gift.  We, the fans might like that stuff, but outside of our little group, the music  audience at large is still gonna praise Pet Sounds and perhaps Pacific Ocean Blue.

[Nicole]

I really think Mike has a good voice. I don't see much harm in him having the rights to the Beach Boys name, personally. It would be nice if Brian did, but it still wouldn't be the actual Beach Boys even if Brian could use that name, even though Brian pretty much was the band. It would most likely just be him and his band, right? That's basically what Mike and Bruce are doing.

I see what people mean about biographers and people in general being more interested in Brian, but look at what the man's been through. Sensational stories like his are what sells, and that applies to everything. Brian's breakdown, drug use, Landy's involvement in/takeover of his life, etc. all while being the mastermind behind one of the greatest bands of all time makes Mike's life look like a walk in the park, which isn't interesting to most people.

That being said, the two just have some different interests, anyways. Brian likes being known as Brian Wilson, not just a Beach Boy. Mike recently said that being a Beach Boy was the biggest honor and the most fun he could ever have, and that's just what he wants to do. So really, it's working out fine for them.

[Surfer Joe]

Well said and I agree, Nicole.  People always worry about the name, including me at times, but in twenty years the Beach Boys won't be evaluated according to what's happening now, any more than the Drifters or the Coasters are for the various bands that had those names in later years.  We all know what the legacy will be, and it's as safe as milk.

The only thing that I think would seriously affect the band's legacy from here forward is if in about twenty-five years BRI didn't renew the license, and on his last night as a Beach Boy, at the Opelika Pumpkin Festival, after closing with one final searing, chicken-dancing, instrument-smashing "Papa Oo Mow Mow", 93-year old Mike climbed to the top of a light tower, yelled "Top of the world, Ma!", and blew himself up, like Cagney in "White Heat".  But I really doubt that'll happen.

[Sheriff John Stone]

The only thing that I think would seriously affect the band's legacy from here forward is if in about twenty-five years BRI didn't renew the license, and on his last night as a Beach Boy, at the Opelika Pumpkin Festival, after closing with one final searing, chicken-dancing, instrument-smashing "Papa Oo Mow Mow", 93-year old Mike climbed to the top of a light tower, yelled "Top of the world, Ma!", and blew himself up, like Cagney in "White Heat".  But I really doubt that'll happen.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would read an analogy to Cody Jarrett on a Beach Boys' message board, but, you know what, it's not as strange as I would've thought. And that scares me...

[Surfer Joe]

Sorry, Sheriff- just got carried away.  I love that movie. 

[Wilsonista]

Well said and I agree, Nicole.  People always worry about the name, including me at times, but in twenty years the Beach Boys won't be evaluated according to what's happening now, any more than the Drifters or the Coasters are for the various bands that had those names in later years.  We all know what the legacy will be, and it's as safe as milk.

All of surviving BB put on great shows. Why mess up a good thing? The only people for whom a BB reunion would matter to would be us. As far as Joe Public is concerned, the BB never broke up.

[DSamore]

I hereby declare that DSamore's opinion is wrong.

Brian seems to disagree, too.

Well, people can hate  on me if they want, but critics, book writers, and journalists will back my point up 'til the end of time. Noone's gonna be singing praises about Mike Love down the line when we're all gone 150 years from now. It's gonna be one man alone whose song will be sung and it's Brian Wilson....the man to whom everyone (including us fans) owes everything BB related to. Noone's gonna praise the genius of Mike Love or Bruce. It's not an over the top thing to say. It's just fact. So you may think I'm wrong, but the record books will indicate otherwise. Movies that Mike Love had his hand in the angle of...well those come across just as ol' Mikey himself- extra cheese. God and those moves and banter...awful.

I may venture off into obscurity here if the board as a whole hates me but I'm sorry. I love The Beach Boys far more than anyone I have met in my life and it's to a fault. It's an obsession. I may not like them more than some here, but I don't "know" you all so I feel that shall suffice.

Am I really alone in thinking that the BB could have been SO much better than The Beatles  if everyone instead of whining about Brian's "ego", got behind him 100%? It would have been truly amazing if a team effort were in place. Instead of messing with the "formula?" Who wants a formula anyway besides some Money-grubbing nasaly whiner who has got women to chase? I'm not trying to be a jerk to any single person here, I just really love that band and the man behind their signature songs, albums, and sound. If anyone wants to hate me for it, so be it. I have never been on a message board in my life and my goal by joining this was not to anger/enrage anyone at all. If I'm unfavorable, I'm sorry I have cause a disturbance. Either way, I know we can all agree that The Beach Boys are the greatest!

Much respect for liking them that much, if nothing else!

[Aegir]

I love the band more than you, because I love all of their songs and creative input, not just Brian's. I already think they're better than the Beatles. I think "Student Demonstration Time" is better than "You Never Give Me Your Money".

[Dancing Bear]

Oh my, is this thread a time warp and I'm back in Mike Wheeler's Cabinessence Board circa '96?