The Smiley Smile Message Board

After attending a show from the 50th anniversary tour with all five surviving Beach Boy members I'm disappointed in hearing the news about Mike and Bruce's Beach Boys touring South America this Fall.  I understand that maybe Brian wants to take a break, but no Al and David included? Bad decision in my view.  >:( :'(

Question: If you have the opportunity to see Mike and Bruce in concert in the future, will you go?

I think I want to remember the 50th anniversary show as my last Beach Boys concert that I ever saw unless all five members (or at least Mike, Al, Bruce, and David) are back together again in the future. What do you think?

I'd hate to see Mike and Bruce playing race track casinos back here in the states. I just don't think they'll be able to book the larger venues like they did with the 50th anniversary tour. They would do much better if they added Al and David.

I guess I have no problem with them using the name...it's the way the business is.

Yes.

I won't. Seeing Mike and Bruce perform the '63-65 surf & cars set list doesn't interest me at all.

yes

Precisely.

God, no.

I think I'd rather just have my one 50th Anniversary show be my one and only Beach Boys concert ever, if it really is the case that Al and Dave (and Brian) are done after September. 

If the 5 of them get back together again next year for some shows, I'd try to go if it worked out geographically and financially. 

The only way I'd see Mike/Bruce as the Beach Boys would be if I didn't have to travel more than an hour and the tickets were free/dirt cheap.

I'll always go and see them if they play Manchester or Liverpool. If they play elsewhere in the UK I might if I had some spare cash, if it was convenient and/or they were doing interesting sets.

The five times I've seen the Mike/Bruce band(s -- there were four different line-ups) have ranged from a relatively nice fun time to some of the best gigs I've ever seen. It's two people from a band I love, plus some great backing musicians, playing some of the best songs ever written. Why wouldn't I go?

Hell yes.

I'd pay my life savings to see Brian, a hefty amount to see Mike and Bruce, a week's check to see Al and his family of friends, and perhaps $20-$30 to see David.

It's a no from me. I think this'll be my last hurrah as far as any of them go, actually.

If the M&B band did a full UK tour like in '08 I'd go to any within a reasonable distance (anywhere here, in Yorkshire, maybe Manchester and Liverpool and the like). If they only do 1 like last year in Epsom I'd go to it, even though it's a fair journey.

Anyway I'm not gonna worry about post-C50 dates till after the 2 London concerts. Too much to look forward to.

Unless it was free or very very cheap, no.

Nope. Brian and the Boys will never be seen live by me. I couldn't go on this tour and it looks like this is over. I'm not too sad.

I'd go for free and have before. There's always a chance you could meet some cool fans. Otherwise, probably not.

I hope Cal Saga takes off and over eventually.

The Beach Boys' show that I saw on 5/17/12 was at a casino in Bethlehem, PA. I don't know if any horses were around, though.

Somebody in an above post mentioned that he didn't want to see "a 63-65 surf and cars set list". Check out some of Mike & Bruce's recent set lists. They did not differ significantly from the current reunion tour set lists.

If the price is right and the distance isn't too far...yes.

No horses - just a regular casino. I was there too. That must have been the smallest place booked on the tour - 2200 seats - was very intimate.
I could see a M&B show going down very well there.

Unless someone else is paying for it, probably not.

I did not realize there is so much disdain for Brian's early surf and turf songs in here. Yes, I would go see Mike & Bruce if they came to town, as I happen to love all of Brian's music.

Absolutely!  Bethlehem in May was my very first BB show and I left singing the praises of Scott Totten and John Cowsill.  Loved everything about the show, but it would be worth the $$$ just to see their ace playing alone.  Add some of the Boys to the mix, Brian's tunes, and you've got a fun evening.

Probably not, Brian yes.  But i'd rather hear new music than ever see any of them live again.

Andrew , exactly my feelings

I'll add a "me too" to Andrew's post.

It makes me sad to even think about this scenario :(

I would see the Mike and Bruce show, sure. They've been stepping up their live sound and setlists since 2004, and they've only become better. Even on the meat and potatoes shows they've sounded better. Why not? People need to get over their ridiculous biases.

Is it actually known that the post-Brian tour (possibly tours) will be only Mike and Bruce?

Sure I'd see them, at a maximum ticket price of $30. No more. It is what it is, and doesn't make for a bad night out. For the same reason I'd see Creedence Clearwater Revisited or some Turtles retro package tour. Good timin'.

Aw but Brian performing Gershwin at Toronto's Massey Hall - that's a memory bank moment...

Upon further reflection, if they had Al and Dave with them, I'd consider it, sure. I'd rather see them fill a lot of those spaces with family members than with people like Adrian Baker, though.

and Adrian Baker was last with them, like when?

Yes, I would see them again.  I passed the last two times they came to Oklahoma, but I will see them again if they do.

Don't you know the rules? When comparing touring bands, you have to use 2002 as the base, when Brian's band were doing long, interesting sets full of songs like Til I Die and Busy Doin' Nothin', while Mike's band had Adrian Baker and Mike Kowalski in it and was doing shorter sets of only surf songs.

If you actually let in any information from after 2002 you might take the side of the Evil Mike Love in something, and then where would you be?

No from me. Price or line-up has nothing to do with it.

Well I saw them before the reunion...so why not after too?  It's still my favorite band.  I'll go watch any of the principle's band's and enjoy the songs being performed live on stage. 

This. Good to know there's at least one true fan on here as opposed to a bunch of phonies.

 :p at ya!!!

 ;D

Will always support and be interested in what they want to do, but not going to gigs does mean we will not be fans.

.....

sometimes, a facepalm isn't enough.

Yup, there's no reason why I should stay at home if they're playing somewher near me. The C50 shows were magical but that's no reason to stop going to shows!  8)

Truth hurts, doesn't it? :)

Again...this.

No, i just don't understand why do you need to be such a douchebag about this whole thing.

You're speaking nonsense, and baiting people besides.

I like all of the Beach Boys. Mike and Bruce included. After first seeing the Beach Boys in 1978, through the years, and then blown away with the 50th tour, I'm really disappointed that Al and David aren't staying on with the touring group. I want to remember them all together, thats all.

This thread wasn't meant to set up a Brian vs. Mike vs. Al debate. Sorry if part of it turned out that way.  :jedi  :o

I don't think you are a phony if you don't support Mike and Bruce. I hope they do well! It is a watered-down product, though.

My point is that Brian needs the Beach Boys and the Beach Boys need Brian and each other. Brian has accomplished everything in his solo career that I think he wants to. These guys need to find a way to stay together. Look at how much bigger and better this tour and album has been, 50th anniversary aside.

No phony here, just a caring fan.

It's called "being a true fan". Being a true fan means that even if the band splits into the three factions again you still go to see them if they're around. I shouldn't have to explain this on a fan forum, but hey.


Response above applies here.

I cannot understand why more people don't feel this way. Especially those that call themselves dedicated fans. Someone who calls themself a fan shouldn't turn their noses up at one incarnation of the band and pass up the oppurtunity to hear their favourite music performed live.

I'm not trying to call anyone out and say they aren't true fans (though it may seem like it), no malice intended.

Guess I'm inferior as a fan, but I'm also the sort of guy who wasn't interested in Pink Floyd shows in the 90s because Roger Waters wasn't with them.

I understand to a point, because it took me 9 years to go see Mike & Bruce after Carl passed. Without Carl and Al I just couldn't imagine them being any good, but I found out in 2006 that I was wrong. But it took me actually going to a show to prove myself wrong. I guess seeing both Brian's & Al's shows, and how good they both were showed me that if they could be good, then so could Mike & Bruce; and they were!

If David Marks is there - Yes and I'll pay to see it.

If David Marks is not there - No, unless it's free admission and it's within walking distance.

Plus, not one band offers the "whole package."  You have to go see all the different bands to get to see different songs being performed.  Al does "Wild Honey" and "Honkin Down The Highway" among other gems, Brian may do more SMiLE stuff, Mike/Bruce do more of the 60's stuff and they have Cowsill, which for my money is the guy I want to see playing drums on these songs...hands down the best drummer of any of the bands.  So each group has a lot to offer. So, if it takes them all touring in different groups to hear these great songs--so be it.  I like these guys so why not support them?  If they come together for another round of reunion shows...I'll be there too!

I understand that folks may not view the Michael and Bruce band in the same light as Brian or even Al's band; I certainly understand that the licensing of the Beach Boys name to Michael certainly rubs people the wrong way.

Personal biases aside...they're still alive, they're still touring. They won't keep it up forever. Might as well enjoy them while they're still around.

I'll add a me three. I'd go see any of the principle members if it was convenient for me. The 2008 Mike, Bruce and David show I seen in Edinburgh was right up there with any Brian show i've seen. If Al had brought his show over here i'd have went to that too.

Really, who cares who is and isn't a 'true fan' and who does and doesn't fit into some set of criteria someone's decided makes people a 'true fan'?

In my case, I own at least one copy, usually more, of everything the band have released, plus all the solo albums by Brian, Mike, Al, Carl and Dennis, and lots of obscure stuff like the NASCAR CD. That would make me a 'true fan' by some definitions. But if, for example, a Surf City All-Stars show with David Marks and Dean Torrence were somehow to be announced in the UK, I would be far less likely to attend that than to attend a show where Brian played the whole of the Smiley Smile and Love You albums back to back -- so that would make me 'not a true fan' by other definitions.

It's not actually a badge of honour to show undiscriminating loyalty to an entertainer. People should only go and see shows that they actually think they will enjoy -- going to gigs is an expensive, time-consuming business.

So while *I* will undoubtedly go to see Mike and Bruce if they come near me again, I don't think any less of anyone who *doesn't* want to go to those shows. If you wouldn't enjoy it you shouldn't go.

That said, I do think some of the people who dismiss the possibility of attending their shows are doing themselves a disservice. I'm very much a fan of the artier end of the band's catalogue rather than the summer fun stuff, but Mike's shows in recent years have, at their best, been as good as any gigs I've been to. And certainly those who publicly dismiss Mike's band on the basis of what they heard about a show in 2001 or something are being extremely unfair to a lot of very, *very* good musicians.

But if someone just doesn't want to see Mike and Bruce's band, but still thinks of themself as a 'true fan', I don't think it's anyone's business to tell them they're not.

Well it appears to be a very serious business for "The Real Beach Boy".

I think the Real Beach Boy may actually Bruce Johnston posting here. He seems to make brash and absolute judgements like Bruce also seems to. 

I am a true Beach Boys fan, and I would not spend a lot of money or time to see Mike/Bruce...it's not his place to tell me I'm less of a fan or not a true fan because of that.

Bruce infiltrating one of the moderator positions on the Smiley Smile board...while it would certainly be one for the ages (and certainly hilarious to watch the same people who talk sh*t about him immediately backpedal on all of their viewpoints while he's here), it's not true. That, and if you've ever read a post by Bruce on the Britain board, he signs his posts with his name, current location, and the date.

No, it is my place to tell you. ...just kidding. ;) All I can say is, is that fandom has changed a lot over the last ten years or so. Beach Boys fans were a pretty united bunch for 40 years or so. Over the last ten, I almost feel like I have nothing in common  with many of you, and I would have never felt that way prior.

I don't really think you're Bruce Johnston, by the way. I just thought it would be funny if a band member actually posted here under a moniker like that.

Nah...my handle is just a friendly jab that started as an in-joke with one of the other mods and spiraled from there.

Man, I'd go to see a band playing Beach Boys songs that had zero original members, zero members even connected with the band at all. it's great music and cool to see live.

Man, there's a whole giant section of the country that the tour skipped. I think if M&B mine that area, they'll sell out. Just to name a few spots: Kansas City, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Des Moines, Tulsa, Saint Louis, Twin Cities, Indy, Columbus, Cincy, Louisville, Memphis, Little Rock, Wichita. Massive chunk of population to draw from with the buzz to last quite a while. They'd be silly to overprice it though.

man, it's really weird that they skipped entire sections of the country but have played like at least 10 shows in the NYC area.

They did play Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati on June 12. I was there....highlight of my concert attending life.

Is it official that Al and David won't be on this South American tour?  It's for sure the same backing band Mike/Bruce had before the reunion?  Or, is just official that Brian isn't going to be there?

I'd make an effort to see Dave, as he's the only living Beach Boy I've yet to see live. 

Mike and Bruce are BBs-lite.

:lol Nice way of putting it. Works for me.

On another thread it says that a Latin American news site says it will be Cowsill, Totten, and the usual Mike/Bruce players including Christian.  No Brian, Al, Dave, or BW band members.  Mike also told a SoAm newspaper that the shows are not part of the 50th reunion tour.

I'm not sure I'd call it BB Lite. I'd call it the usual incarnation approved by the membership of BRI including Brian Wilson, and they don't mind licensing the rights because they get a cut of the proceeds.  Not too brief, though.

Even as someone with no interest in seeing the Mike/Bruce shows, "BB Lite" is putting a little too fine a point on it, I think. Here's the way I think about the Mike and Bruce shows. Firstly, however I may feel about him behind the scenes, Mike is just as important a member as Brian is. The sets over the last five years have been very very good from Mike and Bruce. Hell, there have been songs in those shows that I'd love to see make their way into the current shows. Seeing the Mike and Bruce shows is as valid as seeing the Brian solo shows or the Al solo shows. I do take umbrage at the use of the name Beach Boys, since there's literally only one original member on stage at the time (other than the period when they had Dave with them). I think one of my bigger gripes with the Mike and Bruce shows is the sheer number of other people taking lead vocals on some of the songs. With Mike shaking a tambourine and Bruce playing a keyboard that isn't actually audible, it can sort of feel like you're just watching a tribute band with a couple of actual Beach Boys sort of supervising. I realize that's exactly the same thing you get with a Brian solo show, and I realize it's hypocritical of me to feel there's a distinction. But I also think one of the things that had been contributing to BW's shows trumping the Mike and Bruce shows was that there would be new music in there constantly, as Brian would continue to release new records. So those shows were as much about Brian still being an artist with new musical things to say, while the Mike and Bruce shows were about nostalgia and a fun evening out.

No.

Prior to this tour, I would have said "Heck no."  However, seeing how much fun my husband had at the 50th anniversary concert we attended (his first concert in his 37 years of living, in fact), and his request to "Do that again", I would have to say that we will probably catch the Mike and Bruce show should they swing through the area again in the near future.  In all actuality, I would be even more excited to see Al's Endless Summer Band, especially if David and/or Dean Torrance were to join him.  And a Brian solo show is still on my bucket list, so I would be knocking down little old ladies to get tickets to a semi-local show.

In short, I know that our time seeing any of the Boys in concert is limited, and I will take what I can get.

I think Mike has done a great deal to persuade BW-centric fans (like myself) of his good intentions and dedication to great performances with this latest tour. What's more, Cowsill and Totten are monster musicians, easily the equal of many of Brian's guys. While distance and price would play a role, I would be much more likely to consider seeing the Mike and Bruce show these days.

... That being said, I would hope that it ends up being much more than the Mike and Bruce show. As in, the Al and David and Scott B. and Probyn and etc. show.

I'm pretty curious to know what some of these musicians will do after this tour. Brian might want to keep doing it for another year, but would Probyn or Nelson or Darian?

I'm a Brian Wilson fan.  Not in a blueboarder/wacko-worship way; I'm just a fan of his particular composing and production style during the 60s.  Mind you, I don't like all of the Beach Boys canon, and not even everything Brian produced (I do not love Love You).  I also think he's batshit crazy, which is a quality that I value in a person.  I wouldn't even consider going to a C50 show if Brian wasn't part of it. 

Put it to you this way...last year, I wanted nothing to do with a Mike&Bruce show that was just a Red Line train ride away.  Yet I saw Brian twice, once in another country, and the other at a venue way the hell outside the city. 

I would see the Wondermints & Co (aka Brian's usual backing band) whether they were playing Brian's music, their own material, or a concerto consisting of kazoos and comb-n-wax-paper. 

I would not see California Saga if they were playing in my backyard. 

Probably not, although my reasoning has nothing to do with any bias against any one "faction" of the band.  I'm not generally a huge fan of live music - I make exceptions for what I view as "once in a lifetime" opportunities, i.e. seeing Brian Wilson perform Smile at Carnegie Hall, or seeing the reunited Beach Boys on what could very well be their last tour together.  Going to a concert just for the heck of it has never particularly appealed to me, whether it's music I love or not.  I'd rather listen to the studio recordings in the comfort of home or my car

...Or you can look at more recent stuff like fall 2008, when Brian was playing his entire new album and Mike and Bruce were playing four to six songs from after 1966.

Just because it's not as clear-cut as it was ten years ago doesn't mean Brian isn't still more likely to do the farther-out stuff.

Personally, though, I'd be entirely happy to go and see Mike and Bruce again -- their orchestral show at the Sydney Opera House showed they were a hell of a good band.  I wouldn't be as desperate to go see them as I am when Brian's in town, though...

Cheers,
Jon Blum

I think the guys like to work.

From my interactions with the band, I have the impression that none of them makes a particularly luxurious living. Several have or had day jobs, and not all in music, either. Some have guested with the Jan and Dean group and done BW/BB tributes as well.

(Also, the Wondermints essentially broke up five or six years ago.)

Jon, what you say is true, but you didn't mention the part where a couple of years ago Brian was doing the greatest hits package, while Mike & Bruce were adding more deep cuts stuff to their shows. Look, all three factions do the greatest hits. When you have as many hits as The Beach Boys had, the majority of each show will be like that. I've been to enough shows since 1969 to know that they all play to their audience. It is what keeps fannies in the seats.

Apparently Rolling Stone picked this story up too.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/mike-love-books-beach-boys-shows-without-brian-wilson-20120626

Thanks for posting. Just read it.

Oh, great. Brian's having "a Blast". He's really happy about TWGMTR being #3.  He's apparently ready for a NEW Beach Boys album. The 50th tour looks as if it could be extended. And Mike is going to screw things up.

I AM a true Beach Boy fan. This is bad. I hope Brian takes Al and Dave and sues Mike for use of the Beach Boy name!!!   >:( >:( >:( :o

Overreact much?

There's still a strong chance we'll get more material from Brian and the Boys, as well as more concerts next year...read the Ray Lawlor thread and other things that talk about how much BW is enjoying all this. 

It's not necessarily all over because Mike/Bruce and do a few dates in South America. It could be over, but it's not a certainty.

Let's just keep calm, carry on, and enjoy the reunion while it's happening.

It seems like the South American dates were booked before the reunion tour.

By all means enjoy the reunion. Please! You're all in for a real treat!  ;)

It's pretty much over for us in the states so I'm just thinking of the future. There could be a second leg of the 50th tour but....

I hope Mike and the group start talking to each other. It sounds like there is no communication. Why wouldn't Brian know about the South American dates? Those dates could be postponed or canceled. You could take the 50th Tour to South America.

Maybe we thought that Brian was tired and glad the tour was ending. That's apparently not the case. Good for Brian!!!

Tell me whats more important: Extending the 50th tour or booking/keeping dates with your own band in South America???  >:D  :thud

I remember seeing Mike's band on television and feeling so sad and embarrassed that this is what had become of the Beach Boys.  Obviously since the majority of the current band belongs to Brian, Mike is going to have to assemble a new one and if it's anything like his last one, then no thanks.

I know! So bad, that some were saying their shows were as good as Brian's. I didn't realize Brian's band were the new Beach Boys. BTW, TV mixes generally suck, so I wouldn't base a judgment from a TV show.

Okay, but I still have no interest in seeing them.  They're just a nostalgia/oldies act and they aren't a band.  They're Mike Love's backing musicians.  They call themselves the Beach Boys when they have no right to do so.  They are NOT the Beach Boys.

Absolutely! And Brian and his band should be The Beach Boys with Myke and Brewcee having to ask Brian for his permission to perform with  him for a sideman's cut.

No.  Brian shouldn't call himself the Beach Boys either.  The Beach Boys are all of them collectively.

To be fair, I wouldn't mind if they toured as Mike Love and Bruce Johnston of The Beach Boys.  But they are not THE Beach Boys.

I care not your personal reasons for not seeing them, their yours and yours only. I was balancing out your feelings/incorrect assumptions. Mike pays to call himself and his band The Beach Boys, so in fact, he does have rights. Please don't mix up your feelings with the actual facts. As Curly once elegantly stated "Truth is stranger than fiction, judgy, wudgy."

The Beach Boys are whatever the Beach Boys want the Beach Boys to be. and a lot of the time, that's Mike, Bruce, and some dudes in their 40s and 50s.

I think we all know Myke Luhv has the license and pays for it. Well, license schmicense-Myke and Brew calling themselves the Beach boys  borders on insanity. Most people haven't a clue who both of them are. Collectively,sure, but if one surviving founder has the right to call himself the BBs, it's Brian for sure. And yes, I know that BW gets compensated for every Myke show.

No. I want to remember all of them as one entity together, as my generation's Beach Boys, from the second row dead center. I will never go see any of them again, regardless of the lineup or name.

Hardcore.

I honestly don't know. I never really had the itch to go see Mike & Bruce as I have Brian. Was strangely ok with missing them at Epsom last year, f'instance. I'm never impressed at anything I've seen of them. The band's too small, and the harmonies and instrumentation really suffers. Whereas Brian's organisation seemed to understand that you need a big band for this kind of stuff.

And Brian agreed to it. Brian does not want to be called the Beach Boys.  I'm sure if he did Melinda would have been right on it.  More to the point, he doesn't want to travel over 150 days a year to represent the Beach Boys.  If that's insanity, well, Brian once called a solo record of his "Sweet Insanity" so you can call him whatever you want.  Also, that licensing fee might be hefty.  One of the reasons The Monkees ended their reunion tour early is because the guys themselves weren't making enough money for their hard touring work.  Their ticket prices were high but they had to pay high licensing fees to whatever group owns the name The Monkees.  Every time Mike played as the Beach Boys it was a ka-ching to Brian and Al and if they don't want to have a 150 date a year touring schedule but want the money it brings in, more power to them.  If the Brianistas and Alanistas don't want to go, then don't go.

I'm starting to wonder if people are taking the music waaaaaaaay too seriously or perhaps I'm not taking the music seriously enough?   I don't disagree with anyone's descriptions of the two bands.  I know what to expect when I see Brian and I know what to expect when I see the Mike/Bruce show...and I still enjoy both.  I honestly can't have just one.  I'd rather have Brian sing "God Only Knows" than Christian Love singing it and I'd rather have Mike sing "Fun, Fun, Fun" rather than Brian.  And as others have said, I just want to hear these songs being performed by the guys who's voices were on the record.  Considering they're not going to be around forever, now isn't the time to skip seeing them if they come through your city.  That's the way I see it, at least.  

I could swear I read somewhere the license was up for renewal next year. Is that right?

The Beach Boys in any incarnation from the beginning through last year never traveled with a backup band like Brian put together for his solo career. You can't just lay that on Mike's post Carl band. In 69 I saw the Beach Boys with I think, only Ed Carter for a backup band and it was a great show. Brian was the exception and we are now spoiled. :)

Good point. I always thought the ensembles in the 70's were pretty huge though - Various Dragons on keys, Hinsche, Carter, Meros, percussionists, two drumkits, synths, horns, keyboards everywhere, Blondie & Ricky for a time.....

In any event, we are talking about quite some time before I was born.  ;D

I don't mean to say M&B don't give the music any respect by saying that though. But it's a difference of opinion in how the music should be presented between the two camps. And, arguably, Mike's wallet has a say in that (the odd symphonic show aside).

I think my gut is telling me I am one of those people who doesn't believe it's really The Beach Boys unless there's a Wilson on stage. But then, I wouldn't see The Beach Boys without Mike either.

If it is, I'm sure it will be revisited if any parties are unhappy with it.  It also takes Carl's family into account.  Isn't BRI Brian, Mike, Al, & Carl's family?  Do any of those four have more power than the others, or are they all equal?  In other words, what happens if it's two against two?

Why can't we just let these guys sing and play their music wherever, whenever, and in whatever configuration they wish while they are still on earth to do so? As much as I'm sure they love their fans, (aside from the scary geeks like us) I think they do it first and foremost for themselves, their families, their bank accounts, their egos. It's simply what they do and why stop if there is an audience for it, be it a massive stadium, an intimate theater or a state fair.

I think we all know Myke Luhv has the license and pays for it. Well, license schmicense-Myke and Brew calling themselves the Beach boys  borders on insanity. [/quote]

A guy who deliberately refuses to spell Mike Love's name right making pronouncements about insanity.  I love this board sometimes...

Heh,
Jon Blum

A guy who deliberately refuses to spell Mike Love's name right making pronouncements about insanity.  I love this board sometimes...

Heh,
Jon Blum
[/quote]Bluhm, glad you're so easily entertained. Can you say Myke Luhv?

The only local appearance the BB's are doing here is sold out...and I couldn't afford the ticket prices anyway. I really underestimated the level of interest in the reunion. So yeah, if this year is the only year they come around, I'll go see Mike and Bruce if it's priced more affordably. But hoping this is not the end.

Bluhm, glad you're so easily entertained. Can you say Myke Luhv?
[/quote]

I think it's OSD's (probably smart) tactic to avoid any lawsuits!

Wouldn't really be worth it. C50 (and whatever Brian may do with the guys after) is like the grand finale to me. Under certain circumstances, I might see Mike's BB band, but automatically I would have to say no.

Not unless it's a tour where they revive a good deal of cool 1963-73 stuff not done commonly. Same as before. I never bothered except when they were promoting WOTS with an orchestra which was very worth seeing. I won't even see Brian on a hits show.

Yes. I'm a fan, it's what I do.

A true fan at that!

Listen. I'm still disappointed that Mike Love and Celebration aren't officially released on CD yet! My first BB concert included Mike Love teaching us the words to 'Country Pie' (not written by the BBs but still a BB song). Does Mike Nesmith and Pacific Arts still own the rights to the Celebration album(s)? Will we ever see a CD release? (I think the 'Almost Summer' soundtrack was on MCA records and the Celebration album was on Pacific Arts?)

I LIKE MIKE! I'm a fan. But the last time I think Mike and Bruce were in Pittsburgh, PA, they were at the Meadows Racetrack and Casino. Yes, racetrack. The 50th Tour played at the Benedum which use to be called the Stanley Theater. Legendary place here in Pittsburgh. Beautiful theater with great acoustics. I saw the Beach Boys play there many times in the 1970's and 1980's. I don't want to see any version of the BBs play at a racetrack.

If Mike and Bruce released a CD I would buy it along with the other BB solo CDs. I've always supported them.

I hold the memory of the 50th show in a special place. It can't be topped. For those of you who haven't seen it yet, well, you'll see for yourself.

I'll say this again: Brain needs the Beach Boys and the Beach Boys need Brian and each other. STAY TOGETHER!

And when am I getting Mike Love and Celebration on a CD release??!!!  ??? ::) :o

Trust me, I'd love to see the band stay together. But if they go back to the three groups, I have no problem seeing them individually. I'm a fan. I love the music. The Michael and Bruce show is a lot of fun, Brian's show is wonderful, and Al's show is good, too (when he actually can get a booking!).

Well, I guess Andrew can lay claim to being the guy who pines for a CD reissue of Looking Back With Love (a worthy endeavor, mind). But Mr. SloopJohnnyB, you deserve some kudos. NO ONE talks about reissuing the Celebration stuff on CD, and it really should be available again!

YEAH!!!  Celebration!  Can't wait until I can find that on 8 Tack tape!

Yes it should! :rock  ;)

i'd go

Ditto.

So, my opinion has changed slightly since seeing the Boys the other day. I knew Mike was a great front man, but I didn't REALLY know how great a front man he was until I saw him in person. He's pretty electrifying. I think if the tickets were inexpensive and I liked whoever was in the backup band, I'd go. If for some reason they kept Darian, Nelson, Scott, Probyn, et al, that would push the likelihood of me going much farther up the list.