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Title: Beach Boys and politics Post by: Magic Transistor Radio on May 29, 2007, 09:50:52 PM I am just curious what each of the Beach Boys political leanings are. I know that Bruce Johnston is a Republican since I saw him waving a George W Bush hat at a concert in Dallas. What about the rest? Including Blondie, Ricky, Glen and Dave.
Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: shelter on May 29, 2007, 11:48:10 PM Mike is a conservative republican and was originally a Bush supporter as well, but he's strongly against the war in Iraq. At least, that's what I've read (so someone correct me if I'm wrong).
The Beach Boys were friendly with the Reagans and I think also with Bush senior, so I don't think any of them were outspoken democrats... I believe Brian once mocked Mike for being a conservative republican, so I think Brian maybe isn't a republican. But somehow I just can't imagine him caring a whole lot about politics. I don't think Blondie and Ricky are American citizens. Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: MBE on May 30, 2007, 02:44:24 AM I know Landy had Brian play an anti abortion rally. Todd Gold wrote Brian's taunt at Mike so who knows if that is real. Brian once said he was bi-partisan. Mike and Al are probably generally conservitive but both are pretty much envirementalists. I never heard Mike attack the war specifically, just have heard him make general peace statments.
Interesting subject. Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: Smilin Ed H on May 30, 2007, 02:47:41 AM Don't forget they played at Jimmy Carter's inauguration. I recall reading that they offered their services to both parties in the following election. The Republicans took up the offer. Mike's conservatism certainly doesn't extend to environmental issues and I believe he and Bruce have played benefit gigs for a Democratic congressman whose environmental views are similar to their own. I suspect that there's more than a little opportunism going on. Mike, for instance, played a Chilean benefit gig in the 70s (allegedly with Dennis). See http://tsutpen.blogspot.com/2006/05/art-of-public-performance-2.html
What are BW's views? Well, his wife is anti-Dubya... ;D Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: Andrew G. Doe on May 30, 2007, 02:59:12 AM Brian once said he was bi-partisan. Think he meant bi-polar. You can be arrested for being bi-partisan in North Dakota - it's right up there with being ported, relieved, stroked & bored. ::) Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: MBE on May 30, 2007, 04:03:51 AM I don't think they played Carter's. Only time I read that was on the mid 80's Surf's Down LP and the track was actually from 1985.
Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: Smilin Ed H on May 30, 2007, 04:16:19 AM There's a boot with Dennis singing You Are So Beautiful recorded at the show - Surfin' Rarities Vol 1
Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: Amy B. on May 30, 2007, 05:33:39 AM A couple of people on the blueboard made a reference to some kind of political statement Brian supposedly made at a concert on the night before the 2000 or 2004 election, but I was never clear on what he reportedly said.
Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: MBE on May 30, 2007, 05:55:38 AM There's a boot with Dennis singing You Are So Beautiful recorded at the show - Surfin' Rarities Vol 1 Again I can't say they did based solely on a boot because I have all the fanzines and news stories of the era and I would think at least one would mention something this big. Never heard of it in a book or saw a picture either. AGD can you tell us if they played for Carter???Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: Ron on May 30, 2007, 06:30:56 AM A few years ago, Brian made some generally supportive statements about Bush on his website, it seemed to me that he was basically being respectful of whomever the president was, I don't think he's really a died in the wool conservative or democrat.
Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: Shady on May 30, 2007, 08:18:05 AM Well bush likes the Beach Boys.. ::)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gb7iOvS7Akc (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gb7iOvS7Akc) Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: southbay on May 30, 2007, 08:21:20 AM If you watch the Full House episode (sorry) from 88 where the perform at the LA Coliseum, you can see Brian wearing a Dukakis Sweatshirt. My guess is that was Landy inspired propoganda (can't believe Mike let him get away with it on national T.V as it was in the middel of the BB's Bush heyday) and that Brian is mostly apolitical. Of course, the boys played the Bush Sr. inaugural just 2 months later when he defeated Dukakis. Never forget that the Boys are at times astue businessmen--never a good idea to overtly express one's views and immediatley turn off half of your fan base. My opinion from viewing their history is that they mostly support the poplular view of the country, go which way the wind blows. Publicly that is. I think they actually keep their private views separate froom their public performance, which is smart.
Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: MBE on May 30, 2007, 05:41:38 PM It is smart because I hate when entertainers who attack others views.
Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: the captain on May 30, 2007, 06:02:43 PM It is smart because I hate when entertainers who attack others views. Entertainers are citizens, too, and have every right to express their views. The mistake is by people who like the entertainers' art, and therefore take their political opinion into special consideration (as if being able to write an interesting chord progression makes a person an expert at analyzing foreign policy or national economics). Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: MBE on May 30, 2007, 10:05:01 PM It is smart because I hate when entertainers who attack others views. Entertainers are citizens, too, and have every right to express their views. The mistake is by people who like the entertainers' art, and therefore take their political opinion into special consideration (as if being able to write an interesting chord progression makes a person an expert at analyzing foreign policy or national economics). I suppose you are right, I just meant to force t on your audience isn't always a wise move. Now if they state their opinion and do it in a way that won't anger people who feel differently that's fine. Personally I think the problem with celebrities who spout politics today is that nobody respects others p.o.v. Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: Smilin Ed H on May 31, 2007, 01:10:00 AM Wasn't Dennis political with Patti Reagan?
So, anyone know if the BB did play Carter's inauguration? Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: MBE on May 31, 2007, 01:15:12 AM Yes he was. She said he tried to talk her out of getting an abortion (not his baby) so maybe he leaned conservative on that issue. Yes does anyone know about Carter???
Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: Ron on May 31, 2007, 06:00:45 AM I'd just like to point out that I don't think playing somebody's inauguration party really means anything about what political party you are. Even now lots of bands played Bush's inauguration and I don't think they were all conservative, they were just doing it out of respect for the event.
Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: Smilin Ed H on May 31, 2007, 06:47:08 AM "I'd just like to point out that I don't think playing somebody's inauguration party really means anything about what political party you are. Even now lots of bands played Bush's inauguration and I don't think they were all conservative, they were just doing it out of respect for the event. "
Oh yes. I agree absolutely, although Mike's appearance at the Chilean concert is surprising to say the least. I recall reading an interview with Bruce where he stated he was a Republican; I suspect Mike is more pragmatically so; I imagine Al leans the other way a little and who knows where the Wilsons stood/stand (although I belive Melinda, at least, has been les than flattering about Dubya on the Blue Board - but it was a while ago, so don't quote me on that). Didn't Patti hook up with Don Henley too? Of course, every woman in southern California seems to have been there too... Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: Peter Ames Carlin on May 31, 2007, 10:00:45 AM I wrote a bit about this in 'Catch A Wave.' It's an interesting topic, particularly if you've tried to follow the twisted line from the text of "Smile" to "Student Demonstration Time" to "I'm pickin' up Bush Vibrations/He's the man to lead this nation" (that was Mike and Bruce, in re: Bush the elder in '88). I've spoken to both Brian and Mike about politics, and gleaned as much as I could about the others' various stands and ideals. What I've concluded is:
1. Brian could care less, though as a truly freaky artist he seems most comfortable with political progressives, lefties and the like. Everything I've ever heard Melinda say about GW Bush makes it clear she doesn't like him much. To put it gently. 2. Mike is mostly attracted to power, no matter who wields it. Low taxes for the wealthy and happy talk about ol' fashioned American values also turn him on, though the latter seems a stretch for a man who can claim 8 ex-wives and a tabloid-calliber personal life. How he squares his support of market-friendly conservatives with his fervent environmentalism and anti-war beliefs is anyone's guess. He doesn't do a very good job elucidating it, that's for sure. 3. Al: I don't know for sure, but I have to think he's somewhere in the moderate center. 4. Carl: I'd wager he didn't care either. The conscientious objector fight would seem to place him in the left, but he was also a rich entertainer who probably wasn't fond of taxes, either. A financial libertarian? I have no idea. 5. Bruce: Is wealthy and always has been. He's a country club Republican. 6/ Dennis: I have a hard time imagining him as a pro-lifer. Or as someone who read the paper much. More a libertine than a libertarian, I think the only party he belonged to was the party party. Which sounds cool and fun until you remember that he was an alcoholic who died at 39. Just think, if he'd focused all that energy on politics Dennis might still be alive and the BB's would have a coherent political philosophy. Sigh. Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: Mahalo on May 31, 2007, 10:55:40 AM Don't forget Mike Love's donation to the PMRC....TIPPER GORE'S pmrc....
Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: Amy B. on May 31, 2007, 03:08:50 PM Brian did an interview with Chuck D on Air America (liberal talk radio) a while back... not that it really means anything, but it seems like if Melinda were very conservative she wouldn't allow it. Now, if Brian did an interview on Fox, the two would cancel each other out. I know Mike and Bill O'Reilly get on pretty well.
Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: the captain on May 31, 2007, 03:28:44 PM I'd LOVE Brian to do a couple political talk shows from both ends of the spectrum within a few days of each other.
Pro-abortion? Yes. Pro-life? Yes. Raise taxes? Sure. Reduce taxes? Yes, please. Wanna hamburger? YES! Are you vegetarian? I sure am. How do you feel about American foreign policy? Um, have you seen "Norbitt?" Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: MBE on May 31, 2007, 06:34:57 PM Luther that is very funny
Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: the captain on May 31, 2007, 06:39:59 PM Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: Magic Transistor Radio on May 31, 2007, 10:49:18 PM This is all very interesting. The thing I find the most shocking is that, from what I've heard on here, is that Dennis was quite conservative. I never would've guessed that.
There hasn't been much on Dave Marks or Glen Cambell, but if I were to make a guess, Glen is a Country music republican (of course there's always Willie Nelson and others), and Dave I could see either way. Maybe his book will clear that up. Maybe not. Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: MBE on May 31, 2007, 10:52:23 PM Peter honestly it's true! I read Patti's book and she said Dennis was in tears begging her not to abort.
Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: Smilin Ed H on June 01, 2007, 12:54:43 AM Dennis didn't want Patti to have an abortion. Doesn't make him conservative overall.
Yes, Glen is a Republican - a fairly conservative one, I believe. Tends to believe God will help him with everything rather than sorting things out for himself - hence the mess he's frequently been in. I believe in the 60s he objected to the Smothers Brothers showing anti-war footage behind him singing (I'm guessing Universal Soldier or Galveston). Carrie may shoot me down here, but I think I recall her saying David is a Republican too. Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: Ebb and Flow on June 01, 2007, 01:13:35 AM There's a clip that's been booted of a joke Denny told about Nixon in '73, though that probably doesn't mean anything given the time period.
Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: bellagio on June 01, 2007, 02:07:26 AM It seems like these guys were too sheltered and got too rich too young to have any real idea or interset in politics, especially the Wilsons. Bruce can't help but be a jack-ass...I mean Republican, since he's always been rich. Mike and Alan seem like they've taken the time to consider things and, good or bad, glad or sad, they've made informed decisions. But the wilsons...I think they were/are too caught up in being Wilsons and artists to ever have had any real feelings about politics, and I think that's awesome. They were true artists and totally unconcerned with what the times had to offer...Great thread, by the way.
Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: Ron on June 01, 2007, 06:14:10 AM Yeah; It was a great thread until you called several of us Jack-asses.
Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: Mahalo on June 01, 2007, 07:22:53 AM Why are the rich always assumed to be Republican? Last time I checked, there were a lot of rich Democrats, especially in the world of celebrities.....Remember the 2004 election when over 50 million people voted for President Bush?? They weren't all rich were they?
Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: Peter Ames Carlin on June 01, 2007, 09:45:45 AM I woudn't call Mike's politics "considered." Maybe more like "random" or "self-serving." He was such a staunch Reagan supporter, you'll recall. Which means the environmental activist-slash-peacenik was actively supporting a guy whose environmental policies and saber-rattling foreign policy were in complete opposition to his own beliefs. When I asked Mike to explain, he noted that the Reagans were "really nice people" and that it was cool that they were from California, too. Maybe, he proposed later, neither he nor the other BB's were really "politlcally savvy" or anything like that. Yes, Mike. That's it exactly.
Maybe it's safest to say that they all contain/contained multitudes. That it was possible for Dennis to be both a libertine cocksman (who wore a Planned Parenthood t-shirt) and a tearful defender of Patti Davis's fetus, among other family values-oriented ideals, and etc. etc. Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: grillo on June 01, 2007, 11:06:05 AM Hey, you can't help but ruffle a few feathers when talking about politics...Most people I know are neither Dems nor Repubs but, instead, actual people with many and varied beliefs that can't be easily put in a box. Sorry, but if you identify too much with a certain party you are likely watching too much TV news and not paying enough attention to whats going on around you...Now, let the party begin!
Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: the captain on June 01, 2007, 01:31:49 PM Sorry, but if you identify too much with a certain party you are likely watching too much TV news and not paying enough attention to whats going on around you... I agree with that wholeheartedly. It's pretty tough to fit a person's beliefs on every subject into a one-word description. While I generally lean (hard) left, my positions on individual issues vary not only across the political spectrum, but vary from day to day on the same issues sometimes. We all change our minds, often more often than we'd probably care to admit (lest we be ever run for office and be called flip-floppers!). No reason the Beach Boys should be any different. Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: Amy B. on June 01, 2007, 01:50:32 PM That's why I can't stand when politicians are skewered for being "flip-floppers." Flip-flopping doesn't necessarily mean that you're trying to please your base.... sometimes it means that you're actually thinking. The best leaders are willing to see both sides of an issue, and so are the thoughtful voters.
Sorry.. that was a little off-topic. Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: MBE on June 01, 2007, 09:45:18 PM You know this is a good thread and I think overall we have been civil to each other. BTW I know Mike didn't support Bush in 1992 because of his environmental beliefs. I remember him doing an interview and making a point of it.
I think you can disagree with a candadate on some issues and still vote for them. I defy anyone to find one politician or even one person that your views are exactly the same. Even if one candidate is only 60 percent agreeable to your way of thinking you are still likely to vote for them over the one who you agree with only 40 percent of the time. I don't think we should chastise Mike because he isn't a political pundint, it's sometimes hard to articulate something that in your heart just feels right. Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: Magic Transistor Radio on June 01, 2007, 10:20:51 PM I consider myself a conservative, but I respect everyone elses views. I have watched some Michael Moore films with an open mind only to be even more convinced to the political right. :)
Anyways, I did not start this thread to see which BBs I would like more or side with. It's just another interesting thing to know about them. Now it seems that if you take all the BBs and add them together and divide to get the average, you end up with a right leaning group. Which makes some sense considering that the subject of most of their (hit) songs are about capitolistic Americana (fancy cars, surfin, having fun, etc) Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: Ebb and Flow on June 01, 2007, 10:36:30 PM Now it seems that if you take all the BBs and add them together and divide to get the average, you end up with a right leaning group. Which makes some sense considering that the subject of most of their (hit) songs are about capitolistic Americana (fancy cars, surfin, having fun, etc) I wouldn't necessarily consider surfing to be wholly a product of capitalism. Much of the surf culture in the 50's before the craze was about rejecting authority, sticking it to the system and living life free from the constraints of a capitalist society. There's a lot of crossover with the beat movement as well. And the sport itself in theory is a non-competitive, passive activity. But certainly by the time The Beach Boys were singing about it, it had become a fad driven by profit, so in a sense you're right, which is why many surfers rejected the BB's and went for Dick Dale and Jazz instead. Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: MBE on June 02, 2007, 03:00:44 AM It's funny nobody mentioned their religious views. Another thread?
Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: Jon Stebbins on June 02, 2007, 08:14:52 AM David watches Fox news for the comic value...he's no Republican in philosophy...he's more liberal than most Dems...but truthfully politics is too narrow for him, he's an improviser. Carrie is a reformed or recovering former Reagan Republican who now sees the light and has very progressive views...still has a soft spot for Ronnie though.
No way Dennis was conservative in most political views...he related to bums much more than country clubbers. Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: Awesoman on June 02, 2007, 12:27:06 PM David watches Fox news for the comic value... Funny, I do the same thing with CNN and MSNBC... Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: Magic Transistor Radio on June 02, 2007, 03:16:13 PM I guess you could say that I am liberal when it comes to art and music. I really enjoy the underground progressive music that is done fully for creativity. I will say the same for indie movies. For the most part, I don't care for the performers that are on the latest money making style of the time like the American Idol garbage.
I do have one question though. What is an older philosophy? Communism/socialism or Capitolism/free markets? In other words, what makes one more proggressive then the other? Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: the captain on June 02, 2007, 03:25:47 PM I do have one question though. What is an older philosophy? Communism/socialism or Capitolism/free markets? In other words, what makes one more proggressive then the other? Well, capitalism is older than communism, and I don't think either is truly progressive--they're both well over 150 years old. In the U.S., anyway, I think progressive isn't a term for either of the two. It is just a term left-leaning politicians have claimed for themselves because it implies some kind of change of the "old guard," as opposed to the right-leaning politicians' use of traditional/conservative imagery. Both sides are capitalists, although some Dems incorporate some ideas that lean toward socialism. And I'd say neither side is remotely progressive. Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: MBE on June 03, 2007, 01:40:40 AM What I think is funny reading this is that some of us are really bad at disguising our own views and instead attribute them to our favorite Beach Boy. I don't mean that in a bad way because I am sure I do it too. I literally find it funny though. :-D
Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: Uncomfortable Seat on June 27, 2007, 08:47:47 AM I know that Blondie and Ricky were against apartheid. That's what We Got Love was about. I remember years ago thinking that was the subject of the song and wondering if it was right, then I think it was a Mojo article that revealed that I was correct. I was quite pleased with myself! 8)
Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: mozelly on June 27, 2007, 09:52:04 AM I'm really prefer that The Beach Boys stay out of the political pit. I believe it's good they can perform at either Democrat or Republican functions and consider it an honor to do so. It's quite clear most celebrities lean to the left here in the states. Although, Elvis Presley when questioned about the Vietnam war, said he was just an entertainer and his public opinion on the war was irrelevant. Dwight Yoakam when asked about his politics in the past has said that he didn't want his political views to screw the way people saw his work,but he would consider himself a libertarian.
I lean to the right pretty hard and I can deal with one of my music heroes having some personal problems ,but the first time they bash my political or religious beliefs ,their records get dumped in the trash. I've read articles criticizing Jack White for not getting political in his music, I hope he doesn't ,anymore than the few hits here and there I've heard. It's hard to take any celebrity serious, conservative or liberal ,when it comes to politics. They don't live in the same environment that we average folks do. This isn't the place to get into this discussion, so I'll leave it at that. Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: shelter on June 27, 2007, 11:42:58 AM I think it's good if musicians speak out for their political beliefs. Music is about expression. And if you care about what's happening to your country, your people and the planet that you live on, you've gotta be into politics. I'd take a good political message over yet another cheesy love song or one of those dumb 'Give me something to break!' type of Limp Bizkit songs anytime.
Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: Amy B. on June 27, 2007, 12:48:22 PM I can deal with one of my music heroes having some personal problems ,but the first time they bash my political or religious beliefs ,their records get dumped in the trash. I'm not sure they're bashing anyone's beliefs by expressing their own. Just like books, albums are a form of expression. Some books talk about politics; some don't. Some music talks about politics; some doesn't. I don't see how a musician has any less of a right to talk about politics than anyone else, including your average cable TV political pundit. I might not listen to a song where I don't agree with the lyrics, but I don't know that it's grounds for boycotting that artist. Elvis didn't put political messages into his songs (unless you count "In the Ghetto"), but he met with Nixon and told him that drugs were bad, Communism was bad, and the Beatles were bad for the American spirit. Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: Wilsonista on June 27, 2007, 12:53:23 PM David watches Fox news for the comic value... If only Fox had any comic value....... Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: shelter on June 27, 2007, 01:05:58 PM Elvis didn't put political messages into his songs (unless you count "In the Ghetto"), but he met with Nixon and told him that drugs were bad, Communism was bad, and the Beatles were bad for the American spirit. Elvis was also known to be a homophobe and a racist. Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: MBE on June 27, 2007, 02:20:52 PM Not even going to dignify that with a full responce but your slander to Elvis Presley is ignorent at best. Before you make such harsh accusations learn a little bit about what you are saying.
Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: MBE on June 27, 2007, 02:26:00 PM Also must say that Elvis did like the Beatles, but he was offended by of some of their more blatantly drug oriented songs. He may have later developed a pill problem but he was not part of the "drug culture" and disapproved of it. What he said to Nixon didn't mean he didn't respect them as entertainers and earlier that year had invited Ringo to be on a (ultimately scrapped) closed circut TV special.
Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: pixletwin on June 27, 2007, 02:28:16 PM Not even going to dignify that with a full responce but your slander to Elvis Presley is ignorent at best. Before you make such harsh accusations learn a little bit about what you are saying. WORD. 8) Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: mozelly on June 27, 2007, 04:05:03 PM i'm not saying an artist can't express themselves, but when those expressions are opposing to my own beliefs, why would I buy their music? As a listener,why would I want to hear someone bash my own beliefs in a song?
That's just goofy. Bruce Springsteen And John Mellencamp are two good examples of what I mean. Really loved the early stuff, but both went from" blue collar singers" singing for the working man to so far left ,they left their fans. Sheryl Crow driving around in a Bio Bus telling people how to conserve energy and stop global warming. I wonder how much pollutants she pours into the air manufacturing CDs or travelling to concerts etc...? It's hard to take her music serious when you think of the one sheet of toilet paper idea ,which was not a joke as she now claims. Elvis is RULES and you know it. Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: the captain on June 27, 2007, 04:39:54 PM I don't care what musicians' politics are, or whether they bash my beliefs in song. It is irrelevant to me: it isn't as if I have to vote them into office. Why would I take a musician's politics any more seriously than those of the guy next door, or some woman at work, or of any other random person?
Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: MBE on June 27, 2007, 07:16:07 PM I like how Dylan wrote about politics. Either he said it with humor, or it had a universal message against racism etc. When you directly attack someone or somthing who is not going to mean much in 20 years I think it's dumb. It dates the song, and second it takes too many liberties. Lennon wrote in "Attica State" "Rockafeller pulled the triger that is what the people feel." Obviously not all the people ARE going to feel that way and the ones who don't won't relate to the song. Sure Lennon had the riight to voice his views, but it' didn't last like say the universall message of "Give Peace a Chance". Music should always be somthing that brings all people together not tear them apart. If you look back at the fifties and sixties music brought about more social change then anything else. Why? Because it was for everybody.
Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: mozelly on June 27, 2007, 07:42:38 PM I agree with that.
The main thing I'm saying is , it was good the Beach Boys ,no matter what there party affiliation, were able to perform for a Republican President and a Democrat President. They put politics aside and did it. Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: shelter on June 28, 2007, 09:20:34 AM Not even going to dignify that with a full responce but your slander to Elvis Presley is ignorent at best. Before you make such harsh accusations learn a little bit about what you are saying. I read at least six books about Elvis. Unfortionately I don't have those books here at the moment, but I recall a story in the book "Elvis in Deutschland". In the book it says that a homosexual guy once tried to hit on Elvis and that Elvis ran out of the room in a panic, screaming something about that guy being possessed by the devil. I don't remember where exactly I read it, but I somewhere read that one or more of Elvis' background singers were sometimes offended by the degrading and sometimes downright racist comments that Elvis used to make about colored people. Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: the captain on June 28, 2007, 01:37:13 PM I don't remember where exactly I read it, but I somewhere read that one or more of Elvis' background singers were sometimes offended by the degrading and sometimes downright racist comments that Elvis used to make about colored people. :lol Like using the term "colored people"? Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: MBE on June 28, 2007, 09:45:05 PM Not even going to dignify that with a full responce but your slander to Elvis Presley is ignorant at best. Before you make such harsh accusations learn a little bit about what you are saying. I read at least six books about Elvis. Unfortunately I don't have those books here at the moment, but I recall a story in the book "Elvis in Deutschland". In the book it says that a homosexual guy once tried to hit on Elvis and that Elvis ran out of the room in a panic, screaming something about that guy being possessed by the devil. We'll I will tell you the story about both but I can put them both in proper context. Elvis was on the set of Fun In Acapulco and an extra kept grabbing his balls making Elvis squirm and ruining a shot where he was being lifted on a surfboard.. Elvis was taken aside by the director and asked why he didn't stay still. Elvis quietly explained it, and without calling the guy out the director simply said there were too many people in the scene and asked the one who was grabbing Elvis to sit down. Elvis was sensitive to the guy's feelings and handled it well. As far as the black issue Elvis did an interview with Jet magazine in 1957 where he spoke out against the rumor that he was prejudiced. At a time where very few public figures from the south would have stuck their neck out like this, he said that many of his favorite singers were black and he thought everyone was equal. While this seems like a mild thing to do then, for Elvis to do this in 1957 he was taking a huge risk about loosing both promoters and audience members. He frequently gave to black causes, hired black musicians, broke the race barrier by attending black public events, and never once did anything remotely racist. The thing on stage was that he was having an affair with one of his white singers and she had decided to go out out with one of the members of the band instead. He was a little jealous and made a few crude jokes about her on stage. She got mad and told him to stop it, he also got mad and went on stage that night with a bad attitude. He made a joke about his black group eating catfish, that was out of character. It wasn't said in an overtly racist tone, but he usually didn't do racial humor. Then he told the white singer to get off the pot if she didn't like the way he spoke of her. She and two members of the black group walked off stage. They quickly made up and it was put behind them. all. All would swear up and down that Elvis had no color prejudice and simply was in a foul mood that day. In fact one of Elvis' friends Jerry Schilling, who you should know from his Beach Boys involvement, dated of of the black singers with Elvis' encouragement. If you don't take my word on this please read the following book. It is the most important document written about Elvis' positive effect on race relations and lack of color prejudice. http://www.amazon.com/Dispelling-Myths-Todd-Rheingold/dp/0966219708 Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: shelter on June 29, 2007, 06:01:55 AM I don't remember where exactly I read it, but I somewhere read that one or more of Elvis' background singers were sometimes offended by the degrading and sometimes downright racist comments that Elvis used to make about colored people. :lol Like using the term "colored people"? Oops. ;D Sorry, I'm not American so it's a bit hard to keep up with what term is considered politically correct there nowadays and what isn't... Seems to change almost every other week... :) Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: shelter on June 29, 2007, 06:06:48 AM OK MBE, thanks for writing all that. I'll be more careful with accusations like that in the future.
On a sidenote: have you ever read the book "Elvis: What Happened?". It's the one that two former Memphis Maffia members wrote about him after they got fired, and it's full of all kinds of wild accusations. It's probably not exactly the most reliable source of information... But do you think they just wanted to get their revenge, or do you think there's some truth in it? Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: Rocker on June 29, 2007, 06:07:35 AM Elvis didn't put political messages into his songs (unless you count "In the Ghetto"), but he met with Nixon and told him that drugs were bad, Communism was bad, and the Beatles were bad for the American spirit. Elvis was also known to be a homophobe and a racist. I'm sorry, but that is bulshit. I haven't read "Elvis in Deutschland" yet, but being german, I know that here's alot of trashtalk going on of Elvis. There are not many good books about Elvis out there, and those who are good mostly are not written by one of my fellow-germans. I guess MBE has explained enough. I just want to add, to get back to the Beach Boys, that the one singer from the Sweets that remained on stage during that "Catfish"-incident was Myrna Smith who later married Jerry Schilling and worked with Carl Wilson on his soloalbums. You oughta get "That's the way it is" and you'll see how nice Elvis was with the colored people in his group. He also never made a secret out of his love for black-music and was good friends with Muhammed Ali and James Brown. No hard feelings from my side of course Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: MBE on June 29, 2007, 05:28:58 PM Thank you for reading my post and I do appreachate you taking what I said to heart. I hope that somebody buys that Dispelling the Myths book because it is terrific. Anyhow Elvis What Happened is not too great a book. It was written by a tabloid journalist Steve Dunlevy who twisted what the three bodyguards said. Not that they shouldn't take some blame. Elvis had fired them because their excessive roughness had led to some lawsuits. He may of hired two of them back because they were old friends but they instead decided to get revenge by writing this book. Some of the stories are true but they are told out of context in order to make Elvis look bad. For instance the drug stories are told without any regard to some of Elvis' real health problems with his colon, blood pressure, insomnia, and glaucoma. The only things in the book really untrue are the stories that Elvis was prejudiced or anti Semitic. They also are wrong about Elvis not liking other performers. They were hurt and angry and while they say the wrote the book to wake Elvis up, really it was something done out of anger.
Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: pixletwin on June 29, 2007, 06:00:47 PM The only things in the book really untrue are the stories that Elvis was prejudiced or anti Semitic. They also are wrong about Elvis not liking other performers. They were hurt and angry and while they say the wrote the book to wake Elvis up, really it was something done out of anger. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Elvis was even known to play raquetball at the local Jewish recreation center in Memphis (which believe it, has a LARGE Jewish population). Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: MBE on June 29, 2007, 09:56:12 PM Yes it's true his mom was 12.5 or 25 percent Jewish I forget whcih. His co best man Marty Lacker was Jewish, and he was also close to many other Jewish people such as George Klein and Larry Geller.
Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: carl r on September 11, 2007, 06:22:13 AM Just to add a bit to this sleeping thread here, a clip on you tube shows Brian's heart was absolutely in the right place -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytx4bs5YxGs&NR=1 Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: Roger Ryan on September 11, 2007, 09:11:48 AM Thanks for the "Smog" link. This is the first time I've had a chance to hear that little recording and I have to say that Brian sounds exactly like Mark Whalberg as "Dirk Diggler" professing his philosophy of life (and porn films) in "Boogie Nights"!
Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: carl r on September 12, 2007, 01:43:07 AM :lol
I wonder if the song he talks of writing eventually became "Day in the Life of a Tree" ? He sounds sincere about this, about as much as you'd expect. Anyway, I gather he cut down on his air miles from the mid-60s, which is more than I've managed. Maybe he also adjusted his fleet of Rolls Royces ? :police: Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: Smilin Ed H on May 18, 2008, 10:56:45 AM "Again I can't say they did based solely on a boot because I have all the fanzines and news stories of the era and I would think at least one would mention something this big. Never heard of it in a book or saw a picture either. AGD can you tell us if they played for Carter???"
Not that this means anything, but to tidy this up, according to AGD's Bellagio site, the BB did indeed play Carter's Inaugural Gala on 21 Jan 1977 (http://www.btinternet.com/~bellagio/gigs77.html). Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: Surfer Joe on May 18, 2008, 01:10:23 PM Brian once said he was bi-partisan. Think he meant bi-polar. You can be arrested for being bi-partisan in North Dakota - it's right up there with being ported, relieved, stroked & bored. ::) How could you possibly be bored after those first three? :lol Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: MBE on May 18, 2008, 06:33:46 PM "Again I can't say they did based solely on a boot because I have all the fanzines and news stories of the era and I would think at least one would mention something this big. Never heard of it in a book or saw a picture either. AGD can you tell us if they played for Carter???" Not that this means anything, but to tidy this up, according to AGD's Bellagio site, the BB did indeed play Carter's Inaugural Gala on 21 Jan 1977 (http://www.btinternet.com/~bellagio/gigs77.html). I know it says it there but I just would like to see some documentation. I think it would have garnerd some press. Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: Smilin Ed H on May 18, 2008, 11:35:08 PM I'd assumed the purpose of Ian and AGD's work was to counter some of the erros in Badman so they'd researched everything.
Title: Re: Beach Boys and politics Post by: MBE on May 19, 2008, 02:01:19 AM They have done a great job, but I do wish to know the details. It's still hard to think that Leaf wouldn't have mentioned it in his newletter or his book. Priess, Elliot, none of the roughly contemporary books says anything. I never have seen a picture either.
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