The Smiley Smile Message Board

Hello there...haven't posted in a looooooong time!

has anyone accomplished this?

Mike and Bruce's Beach Boys are playing in Lancaster which is like a 30 minute drive for me. The tickets are a flat rate of $75 and there is no way in hell I'd pay that to see their production after experiencing SO much for just $375 last year.

However, I printed out my meet-n-greet picture last year as an 8x12 and thought it would be cool to some day (or days...) get some (if not all) the boys to sign it.

Since it is not a far drive, I was considering going up to the venue and waiting outside for when they pulled up and walked into the venue, hoping that I could get Mike and/or Bruce to sign it. Has anyone ever tried this or can anyone provide any insight?

And yes, I know it sounds a bit hypocritical to want their signature yet...I won't go to their concert. I don't want my feelings to fuel any debate in THAT area... ::)

I don't get that part..  :-\

Well, firstly, I'd say you should probably go to the show. Mike & Bruce's band can put on an *astonishingly* good show, and it's well worth that sort of price. If you're making the trip anyway you'd be daft not to, in my opinion.

That said...

I've met the band, or members, outside gig venues a few times, as well as occasional backstage trips and so on, and the advice I'd give is this:

Try to meet them *after* the show rather than before -- they might turn up as much as five hours early on some occasions, to soundcheck, while on others the principals will turn up literally minutes before the show, leaving the backing band to soundcheck without them. But they always leave at around the same time.

Mike will almost certainly sign anything you stick in front of him, and be at least minimally friendly. He'll want to get away quickly, but he will talk to you while signing your photo or whatever, and if you *do* go to the gig itself he might talk more if he recognised you from the show (first time I met him he recognised me as "the one who knew the words to *all* the songs" because I'd been mouthing along to stuff like All This Is That, Til I Die and Summer In Paradise during the show -- he really pays attention to the audience).

Bruce... varies. I've met him a few times now. A couple of times he's been absolutely wonderful, chatting with everyone, joking with them, signing anything people wanted signing and generally being lovely. One time I met him he was just plain *weird* -- he has a strange sense of humour, put it that way -- and the other times he's been minimally polite -- not rude, but clearly not wanting to talk, saying "thanks for coming" or something but making it clear that he didn't want to talk or sign autographs or anything like that. I've also seen him be *astonishingly* rude to other fans on one occasion, but only one. Don't expect to get Bruce's autograph, or even eye contact, but it might happen.

I don't really explain myself well do I?  :lol

Last year, I got to see all five beach boys from a dead center seat in the second row, attend soundcheck, meet and chat with the band, interact with them during the show, and have easily one of the most memorable nights of my live thus far for $375. It was worth every penny.

In 2010, I saw Mike & Bruce for $30 and that show was great, really it was! I cannot justify paying $75 to see a show Beach Boys show that is just "great" after my experience last year. Especially when it isn't really "The Beach Boys" in my eyes nor do I comprehend the sudden leap in ticket prices. I won't hear any new songs and I can probably do all of Mike and Bruce's routines if I wanted to. "wheeeeeeeeen" "Bruce won a grammy!" "This is Paul McCartney's favorite song"...

I still have artistic respect for both men and their recordings but, I would not "get my moneys worth" seeing them in concert again. Unless Bruce whips out "Deidre"...  :bow

Thanks for such a great response Andrew  :)

As I said to lowbacca, I've seen their show and totally agree, it is impressive. But I just had a such an unbelievable time last year. It exceeded all expectations and frankly, I'm afraid of spoiling that. I really want to remember the beach boys as a happy unit like when I met them, and that's getting harder to do...  :(

When I met the boys, Mike met your description. He was very kind and fairly talkative (complimenting my 50th ann. shirt etc.) but Bruce was probably the nicest to me out of all five beach boys! I made them all cards (don't know if they all ever got to read them, the host took them and said she'd "Give them back" ::) ) Anyway, as I was leaving the photo-op Bruce pulled me back, shook my hand and thanked ME! I was a puddle of fandom. :lol

I suspect the reason for the raised ticket prices is the venue. That's a theatre venue, and one of a run of "classier" venues (theatres, arts centres and so on, rather than fairs and casinos). Generally, if the show is in a theatre, and in the spring or winter, you get longer setlists including rarities, while in the summer or autumn, or if you're in one of the less "classy" venues you get "only" about thirty songs, mostly hits.

So my guess is it'll be a longer show, something like this one at the same venue at about the same time of year eight years ago -- http://members.tripod.com/~fun_fun_fun/5-1-05.html , which would explain the higher price. Though don't blame me if I'm wrong and you go and it's a 15-song run through the hits ;)

To be honest, then, I would not try to meet up with them again. You clearly caught Bruce on a day when he was on-form (and when I've met Bruce and he's been on form, he's been absolutely wonderful) and meeting him on an off-day might spoil your memories in the way you're afraid the show will.

Not that he's a monster or anything -- like I say, the worst he's ever been to me in the many times I've met him is minimally polite, and everyone has good and bad days -- but I'd say you're more likely to come out with a lowered impression of him than a raised one after that.

Wow! I didn't know M&B even played some of those songs in their band...you're so good to me, the warmth of the sun, TILL I DIE?!?  :ahh

As tempting as that sounds, I think I have a new idea....(although I fear I already know the answer) do Mike and/or Bruce do any sort of fanmail?

I got Ringo Starr's autograph this way...about a month before he said no more! :lol

Yeah, I've seen them do all those songs a few times. And Kiss Me Baby, Here Today, You Still Believe In Me, Sail On Sailor, Let Him Run Wild, Forever, Good Timin', Heroes & Villains with the Bicycle Rider chorus... it really does depend on where you see them. I'm lucky enough to live in the UK, where they often extend their sets even more, but even in the US their theatre sets are often *very* different. I'd put this Mike/Bruce/David set I saw in 2008 up against almost any of the reunion tour sets -- http://members.tripod.com/~fun_fun_fun/4-12-08.html

No idea about fan mail, I'm afraid.

Minus the extended observance of Pet Sounds tracks...that nearly IS the reunion setlist! :o

To the fellow above talking about eye contact with Bruce. Other than when he may glance at you during the show, having eye contact with Bruce can lead to a very disheartening experience. The first time we were within breathing the same air distance, Austin 1969, it was great. But we were in a pub after a show. The other times, numerous, I got a cold , cold feeling. But I still like Bruce. Been too many years and too many instances to  slag now. He is what he is, a rock star in a ever present self- protective bubble.

If that's Lancaster PA, then it'll be in the American Music Theater, which means an extended setlist. I saw them there in 2005, and the show was excellent (and that was with Kowalski drumming). If you're such a snob about not laying out $75 or so for a couple hours of great music played wonderfully just because it's not Briiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnnnn, well... the Bloo is that way.  :wall

Zackly. This is why, during the reunion tour, I was so down on people who were saying "you wouldn't get this kind of setlist from Mike & Bruce's band, it's all Brian's doing!" -- the setlist for last year followed pretty much *exactly* the pattern of Mike & Bruce's shows. It was better, because it had Brian and Al, and obviously, as competent as Christian Love and Tim Bonhomme are, they don't make up for Darian, Probyn, Nelson, Scott, Paul, and Mike, but it was in all important respects the same show Mike & Bruce have been playing for years.

My C50 ticket was $80 bucks and it was a way better value. ;D

You should still go and see any incarnation if you have the chance. It won't be too long before none of them ever tour again...

True That.

It's hard for me to put "rock star" and "Bruce Johnston" in the same sentence.

For the two "Andrews" in this thread:

Papa Do Run Run and the Surf City All-Stars are great bands too. You should go see them!   :-D

Well, Papa Doo have Adrian Baker in them, so that's a no from me. As for the Surf City All-Stars, I'm sure they *are* a great band -- especially when they, like Mike & Bruce's band, play with two original Beach Boys. As soon as they start playing fifty-song sets including Kiss Me Baby, Til I Die, All This Is That, Here Today, You Still Believe In Me, Sail On Sailor, Please Let Me Wonder and Let Him Run Wild, like Mike's band often do, I'll consider going to see them, too.

Well, and as soon as they play somewhere within 5000 miles of me.

SurfRiderHawaii met Mike backstage with his wife. I don't think it was a pleasant experience from what I remember.

As young master Hickey points out, Papa have Baker, and for me, Dean has much the same effect.

I did but it wasn't my wife but the woman I was dating. I'd characterize my experince with Mike as highly unpleasant but yet he did still sign my tour poster, as did Bruce.

Bruce was very cool and we had a fun talk about England, his kids, Kona surfing,  yada.

What happened again?  Did Mike try to hit on your girlfriend, Surfrider?

It's a surprisingly unpopular opinion on here but going to see The Mike & Bruce experience following the C50 tour is almost pointless IMO..

Once you hear Al on Rhonda, Brian on IJWMFTT, Mike on Surfin U.S.A and see David shredding on guitar, all on stage together, there's just not point going back.

The pinnacle has been reached.

Oh, what you miss, Shady.  It's not C50 which was an almost spiritual experience, but, it is a wonderful and really fun presentation of the material.  Each band had wonderful musicians; Al's has Figueroa, Hinsche, Cannata, Carter.  Brian's band, you saw at C50, and Mike and Bruce have great guys as well.  

If you love the music, and go with an open mind, you might get a really pleasant surprise.  ;)

I saw Mike and Bruce twice in Dublin and you're right it was really fun but I honestly have no desire to see them again. Also minus cowsill I'm not a huge fan of the M&B band.

If the C50 show was the end I can't think of a better way to end it. That night was a dream come true.

First, I'd like to address your comment....which I didn't find all that helpful or kind. Yes, that is where the show is. Who said I was a snob? Maybe I'm a little hard up for cash at the moment and think a little bit before spending $75.

I've been to two Beach Boys concerts. Reunion Tour Epic Experience and, Mike & Bruce at Pier Six Pavilion, Baltimore, MD in 2010 and that show was extremely impressive. They played for nearly 3 hours on the hottest day of the year outside (110 degrees!) I am not knocking their show. However, as someone else mentioned, seeing and hearing Brian Wilson (the creator of so many of these songs might I remind you) hearing Al Jardine's surprisingly young voice, and being blown away by Dave's hot guitar licks all on top of, Mike's tactfully rock and roll voice and Bruce's stage charisma AND seeing them all ENJOYING EACH OTHER.....I wonder just how much I'll enjoy a show of primarily greatest hits at about half the length of the reunion show, and with half the beach boys and, with half the quality.

It was announced today, that Mike & Bruce will return to Pier Six Pavilion on July 20th....however I'm going to see fun. that night!

If it's a theatre show in spring, though, it probably won't be "a show of primarily greatest hits at about half the length of the reunion show".  It'll almost certainly be a setlist that's much the same as the reunion tour setlists. I won't argue with your "half the Beach Boys and half the quality", but I will point out that half the quality of the reunion tour is still pretty damn good, and you'd be getting half as good a show for a fifth of the price you paid, so from a pure cost/benefit point of view you'd actually be better off with this than the reunion tour.

Seriously, the long theatre show I saw Mike, Bruce and David do in 2008 was actually better than the shorter, outdoor, reunion tour shows I saw last year, though not as good as the longer Wembley show. The only thing that made the 2004 Mike & Bruce show not as good was that Mike Kowalski was drumming. It's your choice, of course, but I honestly think you'd be missing out by not going.

Thank you for so much productive input Andrew, I'm mulling the idea around...I just don't know right now. Man...this sounds like I'm making a life or death decision, doesn't it?!?  :lol

My point is, you're prepared to drive and hang about in the hope of getting something signed without actually supporting the artists (which, as you know, includes Brian & Alan). The snob comment ? Yup, looks like that to me: "It's only Mike & Bruce, can't be truly great without Brian". Oddly, folk conveniently forget that the band were truly great for many years in the 60s and 70s without Brian onstage. Yes, the C50 was something very, very magical and special, but it's not going to happen again and as has been stated, in maybe four five years there will be NO touring originals. Grab what you can, while you can. here's the AMT setlist from 2005: I'd imagine this year's won't be dissimilar.

1. California Girls
2. Do It Again
3. Surfin' Safari
4. Catch A Wave
5. Hawaii
6. Dance, Dance, Dance
7. Do You Wanna Dance?
8. Little Honda
9. Surfer Girl
10. Don't Worry Baby
11. You're So Good To Me
12. Darlin'
13. The Warmth Of The Sun
14. Wendy
15. Getcha Back
16. Then I Kissed Her
17. Duke of Earl
18. Come Go With Me
19. Why Do Fools Fall In Love?
20. Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring
21. In My Room
22. 'Til I Die
23. All This Is That
24. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)
25. California Dreamin'
26. Disney Girls
27. God Only Knows
28. Sail On Sailor
29. I Can Hear Music
30. Still Cruisin'
31. Little Deuce Coupe
32. 409
33. The Little Old Lady From Pasadena
34. Shut Down
35. I Get Around
36. Good Vibrations
37. Sloop John B.
38. Wouldn't It Be Nice
39. Help Me, Rhonda
40. Barbara Ann
41. Surfin USA

Encore:
42. Kokomo
43. Fun, Fun, Fun

Know something ? That's about 35% longer than the GH sets Brian was doing in 2005 (yes, Brian does GH sets too) - here's one from England, 7/15, common songs highlighted (I saw this one too and it was pretty damn good.):

01. Do It Again
02. Do You Wanna Dance
03. Then I Kissed Her
04. In My Room
05. Surfer Girl
06. I Get Around
07. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)
08. Dance, Dance, Dance
09. Please Let Me Wonder
10. Little St. Nick
11. Breakaway
12. You're So Good To Me
13. California Girls
14. Sloop John B
15. Wouldn't It Be Nice
16. Pet Sounds
17. God Only Knows
18. Sail On Sailor
19. Marcella
20. Our Prayer
21. Heroes & Villains
22. Good Vibrations (Smile version)

Encore 1:
23. Johnny B. Goode
24. Help Me, Rhonda
25. Barbara Ann
26. Surfin’ USA
27. Fun Fun Fun

Encore 2:
28. Love And Mercy

I've actually heard people say the IN CONCERT double album is awful just because Brian's not on it..... Not kidding.

That is crazy, but I wish the album did have a BW live track from his random early 1970s concert appearances.

Isn't he allowed to have an opinion? He's seen both M&B, and the current reunion tour. To call him a snob is unfair. I do agree that driving to the venue just to meet Mike and Bruce, but not actually go attend the show is a little strange, but he's entitled to whatever he wants to do. He never said it can't be great without Brian, rather....he likes it better when Brian, Al, and Dave are there. He saw the five remaining Beach Boys do their thing this summer, and he's unsure if he wants to go see Mike and Bruce's band without three of the principle members. And those tickets aren't cheap.

My M&B tickets in 2011 were $20 bucks, looks like they are charging a little more since C50. Hell, my C50 ticket with the ticketmaster fees was the same price as this M&B show.

Only 4 more days until the great Mike/Bruce/Shamu summit!

Anyone going?

http://events.1059sunnyfm.cbslocal.com/orlando_fl/events/beach-boys-seaworld-orlandos-bands-brew-bbq-fes-/E0-001-054288053-4

"Bands Brew & BBQ Festival features:
o Sizzling BBQ from SeaWorld’s own culinary team and from local restaurants including: Tony Roma’s, Cecil’s Texas Style Bar B Q and Sonny’s Bar-B-Q
o Harley Davidson of Orlando has bikes on display throughout the event
o Craft Brew Sampler includes your choice of 10 samples with over 25 domestic and imported craft beers to choose from.
o VIP Packages includes reserved seating for the concert and a meal.
o VIP Package and Craft Brew Sampler are available by visiting SeaWorldOrlando.com"

This is sounding better and better! All I got at my C50 show was a stale pretzel for $10 extra bucks!

I don't believe that a Beach Boys concert must include Brian Wilson to be truly great. In all honesty, he didn't do that much on the reunion tour at the concerts. I never heard his piano, and he never stuck out in the harmonies to me. All of his leads were GREAT though! I hate to chop things up this way but, in a live concert setting (judging by experience and clips I've seen) I think Mike, Carl and (on the right night in his time) Brian were vital to making it "truly great" (whatever that means.) So for me, last year was the closest I could ever come to that. And might I add a lot of respect for Bruce Johnston when he actually played and sang prominently in the late 60's...I'd love to know how much he gets paid to clap his hands and sing "Disney Girls" now...

Both of those setlists sound like really good and enjoyable concerts, again, I'm not putting down the Mike & Bruce show...I've just seen it already. From their 2005 setlist there are only 7 songs I've never heard live between the two BB concerts.

Just Brian's presence with the band he founded was good enough for me. If all he did was lean over and rip a one-cheek-sneak fart into the microphone, I would have given him a standing O. Many of his leads were bonuses as far as I'm concerned. His piano playing was secondary. He wrote the songs - he invented those harmony parts that he and others were singing. He should have been there and by God he was - in spite of his physical and mental issues. For a 70 year old man, I thought he did fantastic!

He got more involved from the Chicago show on. He started becoming more prominent in the harmony stack and occasionally even hit some falsetto parts

So OK already! The time has come. For those who were not around in the late 60's when most people laughed at the the idea of the Beach Boys going forward, you have seen history in the making. I'm sorry you missed it, whether by choice or just being born too late. It was a great ride.  Enjoy what you can from what's left. But please, don't continue to try and make up for it by seeing X number of shows, incarnations, of the past. It will never be the same. That ship has sailed, Summer's Gone .

Just say "NO!" to "Duke Of Earl" in any Beach Boys related concert.

^ One Million Percent AGREED.

As illustrated by the 2005 setlist, it won't be half the length, there will be deep catalog songs that even Brian hasn't played for close on a decade, nor will it be half the quality. You could better apply that to the standard BW GH setlist with considerably more accuracy and since Cowsill took over the drum stool, the gigs got much, much better. Mike's show's used to be ho-hum, then when Brian started touring solo he upped his game. Result: win-win for the fans. This is twilight's last gleaming. Bask in it while you can.

That's it in a nutshell.

I presume you think seeing Brian, Al and David is pointless as well?

Me personally, I would rather see Brian than the M&B band. Not because of anything like 'OMG what douchebags', but more because I'm a fan of Brian more than I am of the others (although I personally feel that they are all better together). More to the point...I'm a big fan of Brian as he is now , not just for what he's done in the past. As mentioned in another thread, I actually really dig his voice and can enjoy it as it without having to make excuses. That wasn't always the case.

It was dropped from Mike's band's setlist around the same time Chris Farmer left, in (IIRC) 2006.

Same for me. (C50 gig was something extraordinarily special, though.)

And I guess another BBs LP wouldn't excite me as much as another BW solo LP right now. TWGMTR was an okay/good last LP for the BBs - now bring on more crazy Brian stuff, please.  :) I've loved the Gershwin record, the Disney songs and above all TLOS (way more than TWGMTR) so right now I'm really excited for another BW solo LP. And even if it turns out to be another BBs record.. there's no harm in that. "Summer's Gone" would have been a great last album track, though.

We should fly oldsurferdude down to the show as "sorry" for his ban.

for goodness sake, will you stop talking about osd for a sec? he doesn't warrant even a mere mention of him.  ::)

There is a concept called "humor" that I suggest you look up and cool it already. I realize this board hates my guts and I am about done with this place.

don't be touchy, i wasn't referring only to you but also the other guys who went on remembering old surfer. hell, he even has his own thread!!!! personally, i have no problem with you. apologies if i appeared a lil bit harsh. no insults really.

Apologies from me as well, I was joking around when I posted about OSD at Seaworld. I am just on edge right now with this place since I seem to be the new board whipping boy.

Oh, for goodness sakes!  Goodness gracious!  OMG!!!

OSD is simply the new SOS around here! ...... Let him not be forgotten!

Only if we can get him the most exclusive VIP package with an on camera meet-n-greet!

Great idea, or we can have OSD hijack shamu to crash into the stage.

 I can see it now, Old Surfer Dude riding on the back of Shamu and urging her (?) to leap onto the stage while going 'wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen'

I've told this story before here but feel compelled to do it again. In 2003, in Biloxi, as the crowd was seated waiting for the next song and Mike rambled on about real oldies, up popped Duke of Earl. This wasn't the first time I was subjected to this song being in the setlist. But this time was different because I actually got up from near the front and walked out. I got some strange looks, but I was trying to send a message to Mike. It sucked!

Hey, Mike loves Doo Wop, which is something of an under appreciated bit of rock and roll history, and a Mike/Bruce concert is his soapbox! Let the man do his thing.... If it sucks, that's another story, as there are much better Doo Wop songs to bust out!

Duke Of Earl is a classic record, an early 60's retro-doo wop trip with a ton of self-aware humor. I don't want to hear The Beach Boys do it, tho.

It could sure work at Sea World though, as Mike can christen himself "Duke Of The Pool"

Bruce can also do a skills show with shamu that involves Mic adjusting.

A final irony of the BBs story is that in the same week, Brian won a grammy, while Mike played Seaworld with Shamu the whale.

You make it sound like Shamu was part of the band, did Shamu have a lead vocal?

He sang SIP with Mike.

Mike had some good contributions on that Grammy award winning album, and, isn't Brian - and Al - whining because they WANTED to appear with Mike & Bruce at Seaworld...

They wanted to appear with M&B at MSG, Wrigley Field, etc...

:lol :lol :lol

I was hoping Mike would do a synchronized swimming routine with Shamu while crooning "Shamuhama"

:lol


And for the record, I hate Duke of Earl.

This is the only version I like

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwJ3FMLlrSQ

:lol

Of course you do, Billy. Of course.

Agreed!
I'd like to see Gene Chandler in concert.

If Brian joined the M& B Show, he would quickly see the reality of being in the Beach Boys - post 50th Anniversary Tour. And MSG, Wrigley Field, etc. would not be part of that gig. Maybe minor league ball parks, though. I believe that was part, just part of Mike's reasoning to continue as M & B. Once everything died down and Brian was playing the Seaworlds of the world - consistently - would he still be motivated?

I don't even want to address Al right now. He is starting to appear as a sad figure.

The more I think about, and as much as I find the whole Sea World thing hilarious to no end, I really can't blame Mike at all for his view on where he plays, how he tours, what's in it for him.... I wonder how Mike feels when he sees Brian get endlessly rewarded and honored for things that he himself contributed to heavily in a large part. I wonder if Mike was up there getting a Kennedy Center Honor along with Brian (and the rest of The Beach Boys: c'mon) if his attitude would change........ or....... if we'd just get another Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame type speech.... I wonder if he just figures "Brian can take all the worship, acclaim, endless fellating, awards, honors, while I'll just keep on doing what I love and do well until I drop, regardless of what anyone cares or thinks" ...... I can certainly get with that.

To be honest, if it was me...I don't care what kind of venue it was. Sea World, a casino, drug rehab clinic, Samuel L Jackson's House of Pies...as long as I was performing in front of people, I'd be happy.

In many ways, Mike is a man who can count his blessings. He has physical health, spirituality, a loving wife, beautiful and talented children, money, and professional accomplishments. He has a lot to be thankful for and is probably a happy man.

But, when I think about Mike and Brian's relationship, I remember this old golf saying. It's not the perfect analogy, but in some ways it's applicable:

When God created Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, He turned to Nicklaus and said, " You will be the greatest the game has ever seen". He then turned to Palmer and said, "But they will love you more".

No, Mike isn't the greatest, but you get the point.

They all did receive their awards on the Capitol building didn't they? He didn't give a Hall of Fame type speech because he hadn't been fasting for days...

That analogy would work great if everyone loved Mike more than Brian.

I think the analogy works in the idea that the people who go see Mike and Bruce play and who don't really know the Beach Boys story of their names, all love Mike as the frontman, even if they don't know who he is or care about all the stuff we fuss over here....

I like this version.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1SwN70b0bw

There are so many classifications of fans who might see the Touring Band, and for many reasons, unconnected to the knowledge depth of the catalog or even know all the band members and could care less.  It is a night out. And, they have a couple of hours of great music.  Then they go to dinner or wherever.  

It seems difficult for an under 30 fan to get their head around the lineup, which Brian was rarely involved in for around 25 years.  We had two other Wilsons for those years alongside, Love, Jardine and Johnston.  People didn't even question why Brian wasn't there.  The two bros were, until there was Carl until '97.

Lots of people get season tickets to venues and pick 5 shows to see and the Touring Band is among them.  Fans come in all demographics.  They go because they like the music.

Now THAT is how you sample effectively.

.

.

Hahaha I never knew what that sample was until now. Cypress Hill rules.

I could never smoke a blunt on my own though, jeez, I'd be wrecked. Blunts rule though.

Bluntchat: Let Redman teach you "How To Roll A Blunt" (http://youtu.be/hmDx3kTeaIg), an important skill!

Got an email today that the Beach Boys would be performing near me.  Followed the link and found that they'll be at the Morongo Casino...100 miles east from where I live.   :-[  I am always up to see the M&B band but 100 miles away??  That's the one thing I hate about Mike's tours.....they tour in such out of the way places. COMPLETELY inconvenient and you always have to put in a drive to see them.  And that's been the case with me here in LA every time I've seen them.

Near is such a relative term. 'Come see Mike and Bruce... they're performing in the very same plane of existence as you! Have Fun Fun Fun til Picard takes the Enterprise away....'

.

:lol

I once drove 500 miles to see M&B. Worth it.

Yeah. I mean, Florida, FFS - total backwater... and Lancaster PA - wide spot in the road.

I've driven 100 miles for breakfast: in Delaware, that's pretty much out of state.

I can think of at least 4 vacations that were planned around Beach Boy concerts. In the 70's and 80's. Some way more than a thousand miles away.

I flew from St Louis to LA to see Brian at the Roxy and Hollywood Bowl shows, then flew home. Does that count?

I flew to Manchester, Glasgow and London from Dublin for Beach Boys/Brian shows.

Just getting that out there

I flew to NYC and Chicago from LA for shows....so I can proudly flash my "I've traveled for the Beach Boys!" badge just as well as anyone else.

Not sure it's too much to ask that I can expect one of my favorite bands to play somewhere a little more convenient especially in a huge market like Los Angeles, California--they're "hometown" afterall.  It's a valid complaint.   Not exactly making a big stink about it...just noting the issue. 

Yeah yeah yeah or play St Louis or Kansas City or Memphis or countless places that wanted/deserved to have shows, but didn't

Trust me, both Kansas City and Saint Louis have had their fair share of shows over the years. I know, because I was at all of them. I too flew to Vegas to see Brian play The Joint at the Hard Rock in October 1999. Forgot about that one in my previous count. This was prior to his ROXY show. This also was just weeks after seeing Beach Boys Family and Friends in Topeka. I wore that shirt, Alan's tour shirt, to Brian's concert. Under my blue blazer of course. Never had to buy a drink all night.

Cool, this was my post 409  

 this is my post 238  :(

I went from Phoenix Arizona all the way to Tacoma, Philidelphia Atlanta L.A.. Northern California where the girls are warm so I could see a Beach Boys concert, yeah!

I've flown 3500 miles to see Beach Boys shows, both Mike & Bruce and pre-1998.

Beats me. Furthest I've ever traveled to see them is just over a thousand miles, for the two Italian shows last year. Otherwise the furthest has been about 200 miles or so.

one way or round trip?

Given that AGD's spoken earlier in this thread of having attended gigs on the east coast of the US, and that according to Google the distance from London to New York is 3459.34 miles, I'd assume one way.

1992. Flew 6500 miles and went to the gig that night. ;D

I drove about 3 miles from my house to see the Beach Boys (with Carl) for free in 93 :) :) :)

Just to get back on topic...

I bought 5th row center stage eisle seats for Mike and Bruce's Beach Boys here in Baltimore, July 20th...sold my fun. tickets!

Now that I'm actually going to the concert, can anyone besides the extremely helpful Andrew Hickley, provide some insight on meeting Mike & Bruce and getting my meet-n-greet photo from last year signed?