What will happen to Brian's band

[brucejohnstonfan]

Meaning that Mike sees the touring Beach Boys as a show that must go on ; would the wheels keep rolling without Mike ?

I recall an interview--couple years ago now, maybe?--when Mike said he could envision a Beach Boyless "Beach Boys" touring. Unless I'm imagining that. (But I don't think I am.) And for my two cents, I see no heresy in such a thing whatsoever. Some people go to see the people themselves, but others go to hear the music and see a great show. If that's the case, once the guys hang it up, why not have an officially sanctioned entity? Again, I realize some people would have no interest in such a thing. But others would.

The Four Freshmen are still performing and I'm gonna assume all the original passed long ago.

[Aum Bop Diddit]

I saw in "Goldmine" that Bob Flanigan of the Four freshmen passed May 15 at 82.  Ross Barbour is the last living member but doesn't perform at 82.  Flanigan last performed in '92 though he was involved with the hiring and such. So the touring group has been without originals for some time it would seem.

I'm no Blooie, but I just have to say how much I love Brian's band.  They've been so major in bringing us a rejuvenated Brian Wilson and inspired, impeccable performances of his music.  They are simply a great *band*.  And an important chapter in the Brian Wilson story.  Staying together regardless of Brian's physical presence (visualizing Brian happily retired!) as mentioned is not without precedence.  I'll add the Ellington Orchestra, Sun Ra's Arkestra.  Oh, and like Beethoven and stuff.

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

I agree completely! I have a lot of problems with Brian's band when you start comparing them with the Beach Boys, but as their own distinct unit and as a real band that backs up Brian: they're unbeatable!

[pancakerecords]

The Sensational Alex Harvey band still performs, sans the late Mr. Harvey.

[oldsurferdude]

The Glen Miller Orchestra still tours. Why not the BB when the day comes?

Ugh, with all due respect I personally don't think that's a good idea. You only have to look to The Drifters or the Coasters or one of those groups that tour in splinters now, with different members doing different things, to see how it destroys a group's credibility. A touring BB without any originals destroys, IMHO, the credibility of the group and is just a tarnish of the name. All of this boils down to opinion, but the Be-atles probably had it best when they agreed, I think when they were still formed, that they wouldn't reform without all four members present. In Hari's words: "We aren't going to get Dave Gilmour or Roger Waters and call ourselves the Be-atles."

You nailed it!

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

I agree, but to put yourself in the shoes of guys in bands who aren't the main guys: you have to give them some slack in wanting to keep playing and being out there keeping the name of their bands alive! It might be embarrassing sometimes or reek of money-grubbing, but most of the time, guys who backed up the singers/songwriters for decades through thick and thin (even before any sort of success or fame) generally get the crap end of the stick $$$-wise and can very often be dead broke while their former bandmates are sitting on piles of money.... I'm not saying I deny when such a thing frankly sucks and is silly, but it helps to have some respect and compassion for these guys!

BTW, David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Rick Wright did damn well without Roger. Not as good, but damn well.

Oh, and oldsurferdude: you are aware Mike is an original member of The Beach Boys, right?

[oldsurferdude]

I agree, but to put yourself in the shoes of guys in bands who aren't the main guys: you have to give them some slack in wanting to keep playing and being out there keeping the name of their bands alive! It might be embarrassing sometimes or reek of money-grubbing, but most of the time, guys who backed up the singers/songwriters for decades through thick and thin (even before any sort of success or fame) generally get the crap end of the stick $$$-wise and can very often be dead broke while their former bandmates are sitting on piles of money.... I'm not saying I deny when such a thing frankly sucks and is silly, but it helps to have some respect and compassion for these guys!

BTW, David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Rick Wright did damn well without Roger. Not as good, but damn well.

Oh, and oldsurferdude: you are aware Mike is an original member of The Beach Boys, right?

Whoa!!!!! You are a walking BB encyclopedia-wiki-Man, I never in a million years would have  known   that-you have my eternal gratitude. Any other facts about the band I should know about???

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

Yeah, you should know that Mike had talent and is basically one half of what we know as the Beach Boys: there's really just Brian and Mike! There's the melancholy emotion of the Beach boys and there's the outgoing fun side. Brian and Mike represented both of those sides with the other guys tying it all together. Yes Carl and Dennis are awesome, but they basically stepped in and held up Brian's end when he stepped back. You can hate Mike all you want but he is pretty much one entire half of what The Beach Boys are.

[bgas]

Yeah, you should know that Mike had talent and is basically one half of what we know as the Beach Boys: there's really just Brian and Mike! There's the melancholy emotion of the Beach boys and there's the outgoing fun side. Brian and Mike represented both of those sides with the other guys tying it all together. Yes Carl and Dennis are awesome, but they basically stepped in and held up Brian's end when he stepped back. You can hate Mike all you want but he is pretty much one entire half of what The Beach Boys are.

Not even.  had you said 1/4 you might have some leeway. But 1/2?  Don't think you'll have too many followers. Mike is nowhere near half the BBs. He definitely has/had talent. He definitely keeps the band on the road, and he's a good front man.( the best one for the BBs) but still, nowhere near half

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

I just mean half conceptually/sensibility-wise. I don't mean to imply he has even half the talent as Brian, but as far as the yin yang of what The Beach Boys are: Mike is half!

[Jason]

I just mean half conceptually/sensibility-wise. I don't mean to imply he has even half the talent as Brian, but as far as the yin yang of what The Beach Boys are: Mike is half!

The old "you can lead a jackass to water but you can't make him drink" adage comes to mind with this argument; I wholeheartedly agree with you.

[Wirestone]

there's really just Brian and Mike! There's the melancholy emotion of the Beach boys and there's the outgoing fun side. Brian and Mike represented both of those sides

but as far as the yin yang of what The Beach Boys are: Mike is half!

Y'know, the problem I always have with this argument -- eloquently put by Mr. Love himself in the Endless Harmony doc -- is that it ignores the fact that Brian had just as much to do with "Surfin' U.S.A," "Fun, Fun, Fun" and "Little Deuce Coupe" as Mike did. Arguably more in some cases. And it ignores the fact that Mike wrote lyrics to "Warmth of the Sun," and most of "Let the Wind Blow" and "All I Wanna Do."

I won't deny that personality and vocal-wise, Mike and Brian compare and contrast neatly. But they _each_ were tuned into the fun and melancholy, and to say otherwise diminishes both.

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

Well, as far as the particular Mike quote you speak of: I have to agree with it!

I'm talking about the big picture rather than the fine print! Yes, Mike and Brian overlapped wonderfully. All the guys did. But it's just something about the two distinct personalities/sensibilities of Brian and Mike that, in my opinion, defines what the Beach Boys are as far as what the strongest most visible impression is.

I don't know why this angers so many people. It's funny how anyone can sit there and accuse the frontman, co-lead singer, frequent lyric writer for monster hit songs, of one of the biggest most important bands of all time as being anything less than half of what the band is at it's basic core.

It's not all about who wrote what all the time. The basic DNA of the Beach Boys is Brian's (and the other guy's) emotive falsetto vocals matched with Mike's punkish nasal leads and bass vocals. That's the basic SOUND of the band. That unique contrast defined and carried The Beach Boys into the position they arrived in..... Yes, there was a lot of wonderful overlap, but I'm talking about the basics.... And as far as that goes, Mike is half responsible for what we know as The Beach Boys!

OK, I'm gonna go find a deserted island to swim off to now.

[oldsurferdude]

Well, as far as the particular Mike quote you speak of: I have to agree with it!

I'm talking about the big picture rather than the fine print! Yes, Mike and Brian overlapped wonderfully. All the guys did. But it's just something about the two distinct personalities/sensibilities of Brian and Mike that, in my opinion, defines what the Beach Boys are as far as what the strongest most visible impression is.

I don't know why this angers so many people. It's funny how anyone can sit there and accuse the frontman, co-lead singer, frequent lyric writer for monster hit songs, of one of the biggest most important bands of all time as being anything less than half of what the band is at it's basic core.

It's not all about who wrote what all the time. The basic DNA of the Beach Boys is Brian's (and the other guy's) emotive falsetto vocals matched with Mike's punkish nasal leads and bass vocals. That's the basic SOUND of the band. That unique contrast defined and carried The Beach Boys into the position they arrived in..... Yes, there was a lot of wonderful overlap, but I'm talking about the basics.... And as far as that goes, Mike is half responsible for what we know as The Beach Boys!

OK, I'm gonna go find a deserted island to swim off to now.

No, no-stay right where you are and keep feeding me more info about the BBs that I already knew before and how Myke is one half of the BBs-you know, interesting stuff like that, More please.

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

Well, if you know it: embrace it!! Gold lame n all