Bruce departure

[Barnyard]

Anyone recalls Bruce saying, when he departed back in 72, that he was leaving because he didn't want to get old in the band singing the same surf tunes???

[phirnis]

It's in the Badman book, apparently from a Melody Maker interview he did in 1974:

"No, I'm not with The Beach Boys anymore. I didn't want to go on singing oldies for the rest of my life."

[Barnyard]

Thank you!!

[Nicole]

The irony

[shelter]

The irony

He was 29/30 years old at the time, it's perfectly understandable that he was still ambitious and not as willing to rest on his laurels (creatively speaking) as he is now.

[punkinhead]

in his state of mind at the time, he was going solo, in which, had he not sold I write the Songs and made it his own, would it have been as big of a hit?

[phirnis]

He also said it had taken him three years until he finally realised that Brian wasn't going to come back to the group. When Bruce came back in 1978, however, the Beach Boys were going to make their fourth record in a row featuring major Brian involvement. Maybe he was keen on bringing out the best in Brian. Or maybe he was just willing to help an old friend/colleague.

[Alex]

Jack Reiley said he had Bruce fired...Bruce says he "pulled back" when "the magic pulled back"... and the BBs weren't an oldies band yet when Bruce left...it would be a couple more years until that happened.

[Smilin Ed H]

Despite Bruce suggesting he left because he saw through Reiley and didn't like the impression being given that Brian was considerably more involved than he was (although iI believe Brian was more involved than is often thought), you read the interviews around that time and neither Mike nor Dennis are particularly flattering towards him, though I guess it was a hot and cold thing.  Remember that he bailed out of the trip to Hawaii to record the live album in the 60s (not such a bad idea), but was on hand for the vocal overdubbing sessions shortly afterwards. Remember that there were moves afoot to have him replaced by Billy Hinsche at the end of the 60s, though by who, I don't know.  Remember also that when he returned properly (after all, he's on most of the albums in the interim, including POB), Carl didn't want him on the group photo for Ten Years of Harmony. However, he was on several albums as an official BB during this period, had toured with them and the compilation was even named after one of his songs (which was included in the collection)!  Those crazy Beach Boys folk... Why couldn't they just grow the f*** up?

[joe_blow]

As much as I like Bruce, imagine he had stayed on as a bass player during the Blondie/Ricky live era. Where would Bruce have fit in? It would be neat to see teh band rockinn' away and Bruce smiling in shorts and clapping his hands. Oh well maybe I am off a bit.

[Alex]

Despite Bruce suggesting he left because he saw through Reiley and didn't like the impression being given that Brian was considerably more involved than he was (although iI believe Brian was more involved than is often thought),

Even if Reiley was a huckster, I still like what he did for the group's music and image. And I really can't see Bruce fitting in with Blondie and Ricky. Imagine if Bruce sang Sail On Sailor instead of Blondie...   That song would've lost it's driving edge...

[Aegir]

As much as I like Bruce, imagine he had stayed on as a bass player during the Blondie/Ricky live era. Where would Bruce have fit in? It would be neat to see teh band rockinn' away and Bruce smiling in shorts and clapping his hands. Oh well maybe I am off a bit.

Bruce was always a clapper (see Central Park '71) but I don't think he started wearing shorts until the 80s.

[Custom Machine]

Remember that he bailed out of the trip to Hawaii to record the live album in the 60s

I've always wondered if Bruce really did decide on his own not to go to Hawaii for the 1967 the Lied in Hawaii live album, or if it was suggested to him that he would not be needed at those concerts since Brian was going to be there.  Back then, in most of the public's mind there were five members of the Beach Boys, and Brian Wilson was one of them.  At the time of the Aug 67 Honolulu concerts, which were also filmed, Bruce had not appeared on the cover of any of the four BB albums since he had begun touring with the band, although he can be seen in a few photos on the back of the Pet Sounds album.  While most BB fans knew Bruce had replaced Brain in the touring lineup, I'm assuming either Capitol, the band members, or perhaps the BBs management wanted it to appear that the BBs were still a five member group with BW as one of the five.  (I recall Mike Love announcing at a Dec 1966 concert, "Some of you are probably wondering where Brian Wilson is.  He couldn't make it tonight.  He's pregnant!")  It wasn't until the Dec 67 release of Wild Honey that it would be readily apparent to a record buyer that there were six members of the Beach Boys.

Any thoughts as to whether Bruce really did decide on his own not to go to Hawaii, and if so, why he would make such a decision if he really wanted to remain a member of the band?

[Smilin Ed H]

He did play with Blondie and Ricky for a few shows.

[GLarson432]

Rieley, not Reiley.  Or any other variation.

I before E except for C unless it has the sound of A (thank you Miss Wilburn from 1962).

Rieley.

[Alex]

Rieley, not Reiley.  Or any other variation.

I before E except for C unless it has the sound of A (thank you Miss Wilburn from 1962).

Rieley.

Damn, I keep misspelling his name!

[Andrew G. Doe]

Any thoughts as to whether Bruce really did decide on his own not to go to Hawaii, and if so, why he would make such a decision if he really wanted to remain a member of the band?

He's stated in an interview that the whole Hawaii thing was "just too weird", and when I asked him about it a few years ago, he just shook his head and said "drugs".

[Smilin Ed H]

Fishing trip. 

[punkinhead]

Oh my gosh, watch Bruce on the Knebworth 80 concert, he tries adding a clap about everyother song...even the end of Lady Lynda, when they do it at the request of Mike

[shelter]

or if it was suggested to him that he would not be needed at those concerts since Brian was going to be there.

Seems very unlikely to me. With songs like 'Good Vibrations' and 'God Only Knows' on the setlist and just four people who could play an instrument? I'm sure they could've fitted in an extra musician somewhere.

[Alex]

or if it was suggested to him that he would not be needed at those concerts since Brian was going to be there.

Seems very unlikely to me. With songs like 'Good Vibrations' and 'God Only Knows' on the setlist and just four people who could play an instrument? I'm sure they could've fitted in an extra musician somewhere.

And since Brian played organ, Carl was playing bass...if Bruce had been there, he could've played bass and just maybe there would've been a slightly "fuller" sound in that show.

[Bicyclerider]

Particularly since they were recording it - although maybe they thought they'd add an extra guitar in the studio afterwards?

[The infamous Baldwin Organ]

I was surprised that Al had sang lead on Wouldn't It Be Nice on the '67 Hawaii shows, even though Brian was there.

Still one of my favorite BB moments.

[Aegir]

Are there any recordings of Brian pre-73/74 singing Wouldn't It Be Nice live?

[Andrew G. Doe]

.