Official thread for Brian & Al's Official Response to Mike/Bruce Band Tour in the LA Times

[Shady]

Wouldn't it make more sense for The Beach Boys to play Dodger stadium as opposed to Wrigley field

[Justin]

I'm guessing these dates ARE for well in the future. Those venues don't arrange shows two weeks beforehand. Ok, I'm talking out of my ass for MSG and Wrigley, but I do know the Bowl gets these things sorted out waaaaaaaaay in advance. Certainly more lead time than your average Nutty Jerry.

Right.  Unless Brian is already referring to next year regarding these plans then that is another issue all together.  But considering the tone of his response and the sense of "urgency" it implies, it is as if Brian and Al are upset that they're still CURRENTLY not on tour with Mike--right this minute.  As if somehow the MSG and Wrigley shows would have been booked had they all agreed they'd stay together earlier this spring when the reunion tour started.  The tour STILL would have ended 2 weeks ago.  MSG could have been already booked, sure...but Wrigley Field in the fall/winter?

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

I personally could care less about Mike's commitment to his venues, his fans, his bandmembers and his crew. Gimme a break - we're talking peanut numbers here. It's like saying "I'd like to accept your invitation for dinner at the White House Mr. President, but Tuesday night is Bingo night at the VFW."

 Seriously.

So he should cancel his October concerts, tell his band and crew they'll just have to go hungry this year and let down the SOuth American fans who bought tickets?

Is there something else they would be doing at the moment if Mike and Bruce weren't on tour? What's the big deal?

[Sound of Free]

It's interesting that Brian mentions David only when he talks about misleading pictures being used in ads for a Mike and Bruce show. Otherwise he mentions Al a lot, that the two of them want to keep going. Where does David stand?

[Justin]

Wouldn't it make more sense for The Beach Boys to play Dodger stadium as opposed to Wrigley field

For the weather and location?  Sure.

But Wrigley Field has been doing these summer concerts for the last few years and they have been extremely popular....other acts:  Jimmy Buffet, Billy Joel/Elton John, Paul McCartney.

[guitarfool2002]

I think it's as much about preserving identity and sharing the spotlight, as much as sharing the spotlight would sacrifice some of that identity and "The Beach Boys" member identity becomes something other than what was advertised for the past several years when that spotlight is passed around.

Using the VFW bingo versus White House dinner invite scenario, what if the person calling the bingo was the superstar of that event and got all the attention, versus being one of a hundred nameless and insignificant guests hustled in and out of the banquet room at a state dinner? Some personality types would seek the attention and notoriety of being the big fish in the smaller pond versus the more outward significance of the larger event.

[SMiLE Brian]

Using the VFW bingo versus White House dinner invite scenario, what if the person calling the bingo was the superstar of that event and got all the attention, versus being one of a hundred nameless and insignificant guests hustled in and out of the banquet room at a state dinner? Some personality types would seek the attention and notoriety of being the big fish in the smaller pond versus the more outward significance of the larger event.

I think you nailed Mike's train of thought on this matter.

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

Where does David stand?

That's what I'd love to know. He could probably cut though this B.S. pretty quick.

[Sheriff John Stone]

I wonder what some of these "fans" would say if it was Brian who had solo concerts booked immediately after the reunion tour, and Al came forward to lobby for a continuance of the reunion tour? Or, WOULD have Al come forward if it was Brian who had commitments? I doubt it. Do you think Brian would've cancelled his solo dates?

[Doo Dah]

Good point. Guitarfool. I was kind of channeling former Cleveland mayor Ralph Perk, who's wife declined dinner at the Nixon White House since Tuesday was her bowling night. Only in Cleveland, and only in Beach Boys land.

[ontor pertawst]

I wonder what some of these "fans" would say if it was Brian who had solo concerts booked immediately after the reunion tour, and Al came forward to lobby for a continuance of the reunion tour? Or, WOULD have Al come forward if it was Brian who had commitments? I doubt it. Do you think Brian would've cancelled his solo dates?

Yeah, what if Brian recorded Country Love, huh? Not so much of a genius NOW, is he?

[Doo Dah]

I wonder what some of these "fans" would say if it was Brian who had solo concerts booked immediately after the reunion tour, and Al came forward to lobby for a continuance of the reunion tour? Or, WOULD have Al come forward if it was Brian who had commitments? I doubt it. Do you think Brian would've cancelled his solo dates?

Loose talk like that will have you committed to a gulag in Hawthorne, California.

[ontor pertawst]

We have ways of dealing with troublemakers. Do you have any idea how painful it actually is to fill your heart to bursting with spring? Think about it.

[Shady]

I wonder what some of these "fans" would say if it was Brian who had solo concerts booked immediately after the reunion tour, and Al came forward to lobby for a continuance of the reunion tour? Or, WOULD have Al come forward if it was Brian who had commitments? I doubt it. Do you think Brian would've cancelled his solo dates?

I think the confusion would be the same.

But that's such a inconceivable hypothetical. This is a move on Mike Love could do, most sane people would take a few months off after a massive tour like C50 was. Not Mike love, he's back on the road in tow days.

[Mike's Beard]

It sure is a nice cover to pretend he's motivated by employing The Little Guy (TM) and spreading joy throughout Mudvilles and Centervilles the world over.

Rather than say, exerting more control, getting a bigger chunk of profit, not dealing with Team Brian, and being the main attraction not having to listen to the crowd go absolutely bonkers over some fella behind a fake piano.

Plus, Al leaves a trail of Grape-Nuts wherever he goes. That's got to get annoying.

Maybe but then on the plus side none of the band ever has trouble finding Al when they need him and David gets to eat three square meals a day. Actually didn't Dave say at a press conference that he was in it "mostly for the grape-nuts".

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

But that's such a inconceivable hypothetical. This is a move on Mike Love could do, most sane people would take a few months off after a massive tour like C50 was. Not Mike love, he's back on the road in tow days.

Well, he said the dates were originally spaced out better but adding dates to the 50 tour made the window smaller.

I don't fault a man for loving what he does and having the stamina to do it at his age.

[ontor pertawst]

Well, at least Christian Love won't go hungry.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

I wonder what some of these "fans" would say if it was Brian who had solo concerts booked immediately after the reunion tour, and Al came forward to lobby for a continuance of the reunion tour? Or, WOULD have Al come forward if it was Brian who had commitments? I doubt it. Do you think Brian would've cancelled his solo dates?

Good point.


I hope Dave doesn't end up forgotten in  all this, either.

[EgoHanger1966]

He IS an employer. I would feel bad if I just left my regular touring band flat. And that configuration of "The Beach Boys" relies on Mike to be there - it's not like Bruce could headline a show.

[Sheriff John Stone]

I wonder what some of these "fans" would say if it was Brian who had solo concerts booked immediately after the reunion tour, and Al came forward to lobby for a continuance of the reunion tour? Or, WOULD have Al come forward if it was Brian who had commitments? I doubt it. Do you think Brian would've cancelled his solo dates?

I think the confusion would be the same.

But that's such a inconceivable hypothetical. This is a move on Mike Love could do, most sane people would take a few months off after a massive tour like C50 was. Not Mike love, he's back on the road in tow days.

But, Brian and Al don't want to take time off after the massive tour. They want to continue - NOW!

But, you didn't answer the question. What if Brian had a few (like Mike & Bruce, a few) shows booked shortly after the reunion tour, and, there was a movement underfoot to continue as The Beach Boys. Would Brian - and his wifeandmanagers - say, "Sure, we'll just cancel our previously contracted solo shows so we can continue as The Beach Boys..."

[ontor pertawst]

Mike Love's fake facebook account chimes in with misspelled fakery:

"Refrain from writing me all the messages about the band not together anymore. It's a long story and frankly it doesn't have to do with anyone but us. I'm sorry to have disapointed any of you but true fans won't mind either way."
 
(That's what I get for taking messages at face value. Oh am I ashamed! I blame brianwilson.com posters.)

[EgoHanger1966]

Mike Love's facebook account:

"Refrain from writing me all the messages about the band not together anymore. It's a long story and frankly it doesn't have to do with anyone but us. I'm sorry to have disapointed any of you but true fans won't mind either way."

Gotta love an appeal to "true fans."  

It's not really a long story at all, and they MADE it a public issue. You wanna stir the pot? This is what you get.

[Justin]

What if Brian had a few (like Mike & Bruce, a few) shows booked shortly after the reunion tour, and, there was a movement underfoot to continue as The Beach Boys. Would Brian - and his wifeandmanagers - say, "Sure, we'll just cancel our previously contracted solo shows so we can continue as The Beach Boys..."

Quit it.  More logic like that, that makes us understand Mike's point of view will get you kicked out of this board!  Only "we hate Mike" comments in this thread, please.   

[Justin]

Mike Love's facebook account:

"Refrain from writing me all the messages about the band not together anymore. It's a long story and frankly it doesn't have to do with anyone but us. I'm sorry to have disapointed any of you but true fans won't mind either way."

Gotta love an appeal to "true fans." 

Mike is right to respond that way.  The only reason why Mike and Brian are responding to ANY of this stuff with press releases and formal letters is because of the backlash they're getting from the public/fans.  It's a cylce that goes on and on.  The media is eating this up, stirring the fans with no end in sight. 

[SMiLE Brian]

Mike Love's facebook account:

"Refrain from writing me all the messages about the band not together anymore. It's a long story and frankly it doesn't have to do with anyone but us. I'm sorry to have disapointed any of you but true fans won't mind either way."

Gotta love an appeal to "true fans."  

"true fans" aka official Mike Love fan club members.