BEACH BOYS PBS 'AMERICAN MASTERS' SPECIAL IS IN THE WORKS

[Jay]

A few opinions and thoughts:

1. I don't think it should be a typical hour long program. It should be done like the Beatles anthology. It should be done over three or four days with each episode an hour long, at least. You just can't tell their story in one hour. The SMiLE saga alone would take up a big chunk. Then you have the Brian Is Back thing. Then the MIU/Christmas sessions, Brian's retreat, yet again, into the abyss. Enter Bruce for the LA Light album. Then Dennis's exit from the band and subsequent death. Then the Landy years, etc etc....

2. The first half hour(or maybe even the entire first episode) should be Mike and Brian meeting in an empty room. Remember the "Bands Reunited"? show on VH1? Something like that. Just Brian and Mike in an empty room. No wives, lawyers, hangers ons, or therapists. Only a very small camera crew. Brian should confront Mike over the Smile lawsuit, and various of stuff. Mike should confront Brian for all the drugs and mental illness. He needs to get out his feelings of abandonment, etc. Then Mike and Al should meet in the same room. Same story basically. Mike and Al confront each other about the years of lawsuits. Al confronts Mike over his(Al) being forced out of the group. Then all three men sit down and try to have a friendly conversation.

3. Why is it that Mike ALWAYS mentions Brian when talking about a reunion, but never says a word about AL? I mean, in the above article he even mentioned Carl and Dennis and David, but still not a word about Al. Something isn't right about that....

[Andrew G. Doe]

Mike's and the band's track record on making good on grandiose projects is not that good ("we're sure to sell a million units in January 1967" pretty much set that template).  

Rob... don't credit something said on a Capitol salesmen's promo disc over 42 years ago to Mike or the band. Get the facts right, please.

Who wrote the exact words of the promo is immaterial because it came out under the auspices of the band. My "misquote" does not invalidate my point because the group's history is littered with bright ideas that never came to fruition. 

It didn't come out 'under the auspices of the band' - it came out on a promo disc issued solely to Capitol salesmen and I seriously doubt the band ever knew of its existence. Probably still don't. Your point is entirely valid - your supporting evidence is entirely spurious.

[Dove Nested Towers]

One of the main attractions of a potential PBS retrospective would be recontextualizing the band and their image into the sophisticated, intellectual and aesthetically refined "American Masters" style, which would add inestimable luster to their "brand". PBS might also have enough pull for BRI to agree to contribute unreleased audio or video material for inclusion. Both prospects are very exciting, uniquely so!

[MBE]

TD -- I appreciate your kind words. I may well have been too caustic in my first responses; clearly Jon and Howie are upstanding guys.

But I admit to a bit of frustration. Mike has been saying thinks like this consistently for the past year or so. The paper I work for ran an interview with him this summer, in fact.

"There's been some dialogue (about new material) between us," Love said. "In a couple of years it will be our 50th anniversary as a band, and I think it would be really cool if we all did something together to mark that."

And when I asked folks here what they would be interested in knowing from Brian, reunion talk topped the list. I asked him not only if he was interested in working with Mike (he wasn't) but what he thought of the Beach Boys ("we don't get along very good.") This was in October. It cast a chill over the interview, too -- he showed more emotion there than on any other subject.

Given that Brian just had one of his best solo tours, given that he has an exciting two-album record deal, and given that he has a devoted and supportive band now -- I guess I just don't see why a reunion with the Beach Boys is so important, beyond inevitable chronology. It's easy for us to say "let the past be the past" -- but how easy is it for Brian to say that? (And let's not forget -- Mike was suing Brian as recently as two years ago.)

This has little to do with how things would be today, but I want to point out that Brian does have many good feelings about the band too. What Brian said to you was probably true that day, but his mood changes a lot. This was someone who with me demonstrated a lot of happiness about and pride in the Beach Boys. Lighting up at the chance to refute the some of the old myths, he told me how well the group worked together in the post Smile era, that he was "very" involved, and that it was a good time for group relationships. He seemed like he very much missed their friendship. Again this was how he felt that day, he was in a very good mood, and if not overly talkative he seemed to be a regular guy totally with the conversation.  Not that I'm saying he was any less involved or friendly with you but maybe his head was in a different place. Perhaps he feels safer with the past then the uncertainty of what could be, honestly I don't know. All I know with certainty is that I never once got the impression that he hated, disliked, or had a beef with any of the Beach Boys. 

If I had to venture a guess based on my interactions with them I would say that if Mike, Al, Brian, Dave, and Bruce all had a commen goal that they would get along fine. The essential thing to me is that lackey's, lawyers, and wives, would not get in the way.  Time after time I've heard that when they actually talked directly to each other things were always worked out.

 What I was convinced of more then anything was not that he wanted the group back together per say,  but that he did enjoy being a Beach Boy for many years. They did like each other and some time together without lawyers, wives, and lackey's around wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

[TonyW]

Given, that for me, The Beach Boys as an entity ceased to exist years ago and that today "The Beach Boys" name is just a trademark which is licensed to one individual I am left very ambivialnt about any sort of reunion, concert or otherwise, done for commercial purposes.

However, a nice artistic review of the band's catalogue and contribution to the American and Global cutural and artistic heritage - as opposed to another historical documentary - is for me a nice way to celebrate the beginning of a body of work unparalled in the late 20th century in the USA ...

... but ... just for gawd's sake keep Brittany Spears, Lady Gaga, the talentlest offspring of drug addled rock'n'rollers and whatever flavour of the month pop star is hawking their skinny arse around Hollywood as far from the cameras as possible.

[Nicko]

I would agree that one poster's love of Brian is influencing his opinion on a lot of things...

Firstly, there is no way that anyone could seriously argue that all of the other band members were just singers who performed Brian's compositions. Mike co-wrote so many important songs with Brian, and Carl said in interviews that Mike also contributed a lot to some of the vocal arrangements too.

Also, I agree that Brian does give very different comments about the band members at different times. He was obviously on good enough terms with Al to tour with him (despite Al earlier being banned from talking to him) and he seems to have no problem with Bruce either. He and Mike also seemed fine with each other for the rooftop celebration. At other times though, interviewers have said that Brian has started shaking when the band's name has even been mentioned which obviously isn't healthy. The fact that he has continually said that his current band are better singers than the BBs, thereby insulting his 2 dead brothers, also seems to indicate that he can be really uncomfortable with the past. Landy obviously will have been a big cause of this but Leaf may not have helped either...

I think that any sort of reunion, even just getting those guys into the same room again, might be good for Brian and allow him exorcise some demons...

[Wirestone]

Much of this thread (including my comments) summarized:

[Paulos]

Clay that's brilliant!

I for one hope that all the crap that has gone on over the years can be put to one side and hope that some form of reunion does go ahead instead of having Al, Mike/Bruce and Brian all touring seperately......but all playing the same songs. Also, Brian plays lots of Beach Boys songs each time he tours so  he can't hate the Beach Boys that much can he?!

[Andrew G. Doe]

he can be really uncomfortable with the past. Landy obviously will have been a big cause of this but Leaf may not have helped either...

Don't forget the third L.

[Ganz Allein]

he can be really uncomfortable with the past. Landy obviously will have been a big cause of this but Leaf may not have helped either...

Don't forget the third L.

That would be SD?

[Andrew G. Doe]

he can be really uncomfortable with the past. Landy obviously will have been a big cause of this but Leaf may not have helped either...

Don't forget the third L.

That would be SD?

Whoever SD is... nope. Leaf, Landy & L... 

[Ganz Allein]

he can be really uncomfortable with the past. Landy obviously will have been a big cause of this but Leaf may not have helped either...

Don't forget the third L.

That would be SD?

Whoever SD is... nope. Leaf, Landy & L... 

Maybe there's four "L"s then. I was thinking LSD.

[Wirestone]

Perhaps AGD refers to the quoted source in the article that began this all ... 

[SloopJohnB]

Perhaps AGD refers to the quoted source in the article that began this all ... 

Unlikely - I think he refers to another M. L. !

[Paulos]

Leadbetter?

[Andrew G. Doe]

Perhaps AGD refers to the quoted source in the article that began this all ... 

Unlikely - I think he refers to another M. L. !

 

[Wirestone]

What isn't well known is that Brian has recently been beset by hallucinations of leprechauns.

[BarbaraAnn]

Hello, from Barbara Ann.  This is  the second time I have ever been on the internet.  A couple of weeks ago I gave a review of my opinion on going to see Brian Wilson in concert.  I asked anyone (on Brian's site) to let me know when Brian would be back in the Munhall Pgh area.  I was sorry that no one would respond.  After reading today of the PBS special I have to ask why and how it is going to be worthy of credibility if Brian is not involved?  I realize that for some insane reason Mike Love has the rights to the Beach Boy name, however he is only one member of THE BEACH BOYS.  I think is a shame that Mike is able to jade the rememberance and the heart and soul of the group (any of the Wilsons) will have input on the project.  I for one will not tune in.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Hello, from Barbara Ann.  This is  the second time I have ever been on the internet.  A couple of weeks ago I gave a review of my opinion on going to see Brian Wilson in concert.  I asked anyone (on Brian's site) to let me know when Brian would be back in the Munhall Pgh area.  I was sorry that no one would respond.  After reading today of the PBS special I have to ask why and how it is going to be worthy of credibility if Brian is not involved?  I realize that for some insane reason Mike Love has the rights to the Beach Boy name, however he is only one member of THE BEACH BOYS.  I think is a shame that Mike is able to jade the rememberance and the heart and soul of the group (any of the Wilsons) will have input on the project.  I for one will not tune in.

Firstly, Mike has the right to tour as The Beach Boys because he agreed to the terms of a license that was approved by a majority of the voting members of BRI - that is, Mike, Alan, Carl's estate... and Brian. Not "insane" at all, but legally agreed. Brian "is only one member of THE BEACH BOYS" too, you know.

I take it you've not seen a Mike & Bruce show these last three, four years ?  They are excellent, play rarities and definitely give Brian's band a run for their money.

[Pretty Funky]

I had never seen a PBS AM program before so had a look on their website.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/

Looks very good and at the moment for those interested, a complete Joan Baez program is available. The programs look very factual and presented in a non tabloid, headline screaming manner. I'll be looking forward to one on The Beach Boys.

2011 would also be a perfect time to present a package of unreleased material. Doesn't Capitol have a huge stockpile that was being sorted over the last few years? Where do we stand with that?

I still think to mark 50 years we could see a reunion of sorts. It may be a presentation similar to the rooftop, nothing more, and thats ok.

Would we all agree with TonyW that should there be some kind of gig, Britney and co take a hike?  

[Amy B.]

I guess what I would prefer to see is not a gig, but a documentary.
A gig could be great if all the right factors came into play, but I keep picturing Mike cracking corny jokes, Brian clamming up at the keyboard (did he EVER give a good performance with the BBs?), and Al and Bruce being Al and Bruce, meaning okay, but nothing exciting. Would they sound good singing together in 2011? It's not 1966 anymore. Okay, so these guys had a period when they were actually good on stage (early 70s), but they're not exactly Queen.

As for a documentary, I could picture a scene where they all sit in a room and the cameras roll. Maybe someone like Pete Fornatale could come in and ask them questions, and they'd start reminiscing. The narrative part could go through all their periods, including the music that the general public isn't familiar with. They could call it Beach Boys 50 and run it over a few nights during a pledge drive or something.

[CarCrazyCutie]

I love docs on the BBs!! From other American Masters specials I've seen I believe they have a pretty good record, so I can't wait

with the principle bandmembers -- Love, Brian Wilson, Al Jardine, David Marks, and Bruce Johnston --

Great article, don't agree with that though. IMO, alive or dead, Dennis & Carl will always be "principle" members of the Beach Boys. Especially compared to Bruce

[oldsurferdude]

Hello, from Barbara Ann.  This is  the second time I have ever been on the internet.  A couple of weeks ago I gave a review of my opinion on going to see Brian Wilson in concert.  I asked anyone (on Brian's site) to let me know when Brian would be back in the Munhall Pgh area.  I was sorry that no one would respond.  After reading today of the PBS special I have to ask why and how it is going to be worthy of credibility if Brian is not involved?  I realize that for some insane reason Mike Love has the rights to the Beach Boy name, however he is only one member of THE BEACH BOYS.  I think is a shame that Mike is able to jade the rememberance and the heart and soul of the group (any of the Wilsons) will have input on the project.  I for one will not tune in.

Good for you! Although the first part of AGD's post is correct, the second part is purly his viewpoint. And please feel more than free to express that you feel that it is insane for Mike Love to have the Brian Wilson approved right to call him and Bruce the BB's. We all know its not even close to being the BB's-just a copy band (you know, like the ones they feature on PBS) who is far too available. If you want authenticity, not baboonery, just stick with Brian-he wrote most of it anyway.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

I can understand that viewpoint, but I doubt anybody who has been to Mike & Bruce's shows (or heard tapes) would call it "baboonery".

[Jason]

The Beach Boys...the best band with the most ignorant fans.