The Smiley Smile Message Board

Can he make up his mind?

from http://www.live4ever.uk.com/2010/08/brian-wilson-not-interested-in-beach-boys-reunion-afterall/


Brian Wilson’s Beach Boys reunion flip-flopping continues full speed ahead. As the band’s 50th anniversary approaches Brian let Spinner know that reuniting with Mike Love , Bruce Johnston and Al Jardine for this occasion is not a priority for him.
Asked about the possibilities of a 50th anniversary gig he replied: “We don’t know yet,” . “I don’t think so, though.” Wilson then put a clear punctuation mark on his statement by adding, “I don’t really enjoy working with Mike and Bruce, y’know?” he explained. “It’s not my style to work with those guys.”


Read more: http://www.live4ever.uk.com/2010/08/brian-wilson-not-interested-in-beach-boys-reunion-afterall/#ixzz13ahJm6b9

When did he say he wanted to do it?

Well, at the 2006 Capitol tower reunion he said, "I'd rather work with these guys than with anyone else in the world."

Brian is probably scared.

Of what, though? He's had twelve years on the road now. And he's performed with Al. Is it Mike the bogeyman again?

I think the rooftop talk was just jabber. Now when push comes to shove, his heart is definitely not in it. His brothers are not there for Brian to bounce off of and he just doesn't want to deal with the bad vibes from both bands during the process to achieve the presentation. I don't blame him. Plus which, he feels that he has nothing to prove and rightly so.

But this is his life's work, since he was 18 years old. He should look at it as a celebration, not as a test.

Maybe so, but after all the hard feelings and lawsuits, well, that trumps celebrating anything. He's celebrating that he's ALIVE and is still delivering the goods, minus the other folks. And for peace at home.

Well, it's obvious that the other guys need this reunion more than Brian. Ultimately, Melinda will decide, don't you think?

I don't think that he wanted to ruin the occasion by saying 'It's not my style to work with those guys'. Seriously, I don't get why people keep talking about a reunion that more than likely ain't gonna happen. Too much baggage involved.

In case no-one else has noticed, the date on the article in question is over two months ago.

Hard to say what is jabber and what is genuine from Brian. I can say from first hand experience, having been in Brian's presence a dozen or more times in the last 30 years, that the Capitol Rooftop reunion was the most candid and relaxed I've ever seen Brian. That day his commentary was the most natural and least programmed or uptight sounding out of all the times I've heard him speak in person. I obviously don't claim to know what's in his heart...but he was definitely projecting good vibes that day.

Why would "they" need it more than Brian, "they" are the cash cows exposing the brand and legacy to many more thousands of listeners.

I think there are just too many memories. The only thing that could turn it the other way would mean a benefit for a charity
like the Carl Wilson Foundation

'Nuff said.

Unfortunately, more often than not, Brian's work with the Beach Boys has been test after test.

I think Brian just wants to settle down, be done with fighting with the Beach Boys. He has a band that listens to him and does what he tells them to, so why should he care about a band that's most likely going to struggle with him over the content of a reunion?

'Scuse me if I offend anyone here, but these reunion threads have gotten old.

At any given time, somebody from the Mike & Bruce band or Brian & his band or Al Jardine band will say something during an interview and the speculation and rumors about a reunion start all over again. Brian's decision will gate any kind of Beach Boys reunion. And as we all know, he can say anything during an interview and whatever he says could be construed as yay or nay concerning a reunion. Look how many times he's changed his answer to his favorite Beach Boys song for instance. Think how much hoopla he would cause if he says yes to a reunion or Beach Boys Smile release. He knows what he's doing. If/when he's ready to say anything other than "No", he will!

A lot of Beach Boys fans don't want no for an answer. They want to see something happen. But as you can see so far, Brian has been adamantly saying no to a reunion. Maybe he will change his mind, maybe he won't. Maybe one nice call from Mike to Brian will change his mind. Maybe the definitive decision has already been made, or maybe not until the beginning, middle, or towards the end of next year. There's plenty of time, so why keep talking about it - it can be decided in one day or not at all, who knows? Nothing we say on these message boards will change anything, but if/when a decision is made, we will be the first to know.

I'll say this. If Mike Love sued my ass twice, I'd say all bets are off concerning a reunion. I wouldn't blame Brian a bit for saying no. FGI.

Al and David, at least. And Mike and Bruce for the prestige and glory, if not the money.

The first lawsuit was necessary, as Mike was cheated out of song credits and royalties for many songs. The second lawsuit was just plain ridiculous and seems to have done Mike more harm than he might have expected. I think Brian is most offended by the second lawsuit, not the first, which was settled.

Excellent idea! Do it for Carl and the fight against cancer. That should soften all hearts. And in memory of Dennis as well.

Agreed - tasteful.

If The Beach Boys were to do it like that, there's no way it couldn't be tasteful. Or at least, they wouldn't be allowed to do the usual corny merda we've come to expect from the Mike and Stamos Band.

I am not surprised that Brian isn't interested. In an interview from around the time BWPS came out he said that 'The Beach Boys were a drag". Now, I know Brian often changes his mind on things, but I wouldn't be surprised if this is how he really feels. During most of his time as a Beach Boy he was in a very unstable condition and it was the worst time of his life. I think he probably wants to get away from that. The lawsuit probably didn't help either.

Until official word comes out on this supposed reunion, I'm gonna take anything that Brian, Mike & Al say with a grain of salt. I've learned over the last 40 years to never believe a word that they say, especially Brian.

There used to be a documentary on Brian and the group on youtube (can't remember which one it was) and it had the most telling ending of Brian being unsure whether he'd like to get back together with the other guys or not. In this footage he doesn't seem to rule it out completely and he asks another person in the room, "What do you think?" and on comes "Do It Again". Best ending to a BW/BB documentary ever.

If I'm not mistaken that would be "Wouldn't It Be Nice"

You are correct.

In fairness: Why is it assumed that it's the Beach Boys that necessarily NEED Brian??? No one that goes to their shows is mumbling "where's Brian???" (Or "where's Al," for that matter.) Their shows sell out -- or nearly -- consistently, venues love to book them. What do they NEED Brian to come back for??? From where I'm sitting, it's the Brian camp that needs "The Beach Boys." "Smile '04" was a long time ago, and the Brian Band albums aren't exactly changing the world -- Brian "needs" this more than Mike. Mike is set. Mike banks major coin every time he steps on stage. Does Brian with his 46-piece band playing 2,600 seaters???

50 years is a big one. Of all the stupid things the Beach Boys have done to undermine their career and reputation, turning their back on an obvious buck has never been one of them. And it won't be. Whether on stage, or not, plans ARE in the works to commemorate the 50th. All this talk about "NEED" -- these guys are unbelievably loaded, truly. As far as hurt feelings and making peace -- these guys have been humiliating and betraying each other since before there was even a BAND. Lawsuits??? These guys have a pretty thick skin.

I guess I am pretty off key here, but I always interpreted Brian's response there as sarcasm towards the interviewer rather than asking for somebody elses opinion  :-\ As in he has just said he doesn't like Mike, so obviously he would not reuinite...?

Haven't watched it in a while though :)

So, Mike sells perhaps more tickets than Brian(he does 2500 shows a year-he should)so you're saying on that basis they don't need Brian-but then you say they're all loaded, so who needs anybody or any reunion? Besides his incredible band Brian brings himself along with the credibility factor that Myk's oldies band lacks. No Wilsons (especially Brian) no Beach Boys.

What is this credibility crap? Mike & Bruce's band is credible. No more or no less than Brian's band. If are you going to state crap like that, then please do a player by player comparison and prove to me, and the rest of us, why Brian's bandmates are more credible than Mike's. Thank you.

Last time I checked Mike Love WAS a "Wilson." Mike's band is very, very, good. Maybe it lacks the cutesy schtick and hair-do's -- but the band sounds great. And I think if you compare setlists, Brian's act falls into "oldies" territory as well, no??? I'm not knocking Brian's act, but let's all face facts about what's what.
 

The only entity that needs this reunion is the hard core fans (us).   A reunion with a good positive publicity blitz would shine the light on the BB name and sell some records, but none of those guys "need" to reunite.   Maybe Al.

To me, a reunion without Brian Wilson is not really a reunion. Al and Dave can join Mike and Bruce for a little mini get-together and that would be nice, but without a Wilson on stage, and the guy who wrote most of the hits and sang on some of them, it ain't really a Beach Boys reunion.

Howie, in my experience, here and on other MBs, the people who trot out the threadbare comments about Brian's band being better than Mike's are those who've not actually experienced M&B since 2004 or so. Back in 1991, I saw The Beach Boys (with Carl & Alan) in London. They sucked. Two years later, they were outstanding. Bands change, but Mike and Bruce will always get a kicking from a certain quarter simply because they are Mike & Bruce and not Brian.

Granted, Brian plays new material now and then, but on the whole, he goes down the GH route.

I agree to a point, but in their 50 years Brian has spent very little time in their touring lineup. So the argument that who wrote the hits and sang lead on some them, really doesn't hold tight. We cannot do anything about Dennis and Carl, but having all of the surviving members on stage would definitely make it more special.

I've never seen more than four official Beach Boys members on stage, so to see five official members would be very special. Haven't seen Al since '92, and I have never seen David live. So it would be special in so many ways. And to have the main songwriter and lyricist of the Beach Boys together on stage would be a thrill for me. BTW I also think the Mike & Bruce show musically is as good as Brian and Band.

Thank you for saying that - Mike is a "Wilson" even without the surname - and, both bands are very  talented...but I don't get whoever  thinks they are grading "report cards" on musical talent and competency.  It is comparing apples and oranges.  

It is the "sum of the parts" when "taken as a whole" which make a band. It is how they work together on stage, and support each other, and that doesn't mean giving a fancy intro.  They are "in-sync!" (not lip sync) ("synch" comes up with spell check on smiley smile)

They attract different audiences for the most part...but you will find people who see both bands whenever possible.  

Que Sera Sera... ;)

Something tells me that over the last 10 years or so(check this) Brian has "oldies" act has included Imagination, Smile, TLOS, but I could be wrong, you know.

Not talking about bands-the credibility "crap" is Brian on stage-THAT'S your credibility, doc. No, no-please let me thank YOU.

I think that, at 37 years old when first performed, Smile probably qualifies as an 'oldie'.  ;D

Of course, Brian has performed new material (and I'm glad he has), but there's an excellent reason why, maybe one song excepted, Mike & Bruce haven't: they've not recorded any (as The Beach Boys), as the terms of the BRI license prohibits that.

Mike is a Beach Boy as much as Brian. If I recall correctly who sang lead on these hits- Surfin' USA, Fun, Fun, Fun, Shut Down, California Girls, Do It Again? Wasn't that Mike Love? I think it was! So, the question remains- what is not credible about Mike Love singing songs that he originally sang on records? I just want to understand, is all. And, "thank you very, very, very, very, very much...", as Carl would so very nicely say it.

Smile-a 2004 release that was written in 66-67-not a newie nor an oldie really-is there another term available??

That ain't necessarily so...(I could not resist) - if it is a "themed" tour, yes, you are correct and half the show is a "similar" setlist. Exceptions might be "The Little Girl I Once Knew" which Brian does (and, yes, Boys I am waiting  ;) and Little St. Nick (one time in July - which was cool) but if it is a "Brian Wilson" show it is a very similar format.  

Brian does nearly every lead.  Mike "shares" the leads in a more traditional BB style.  Everyone has a chance to "shine" on the BB stage...that is the primary difference, despite the fact that Mike is both the un-controverted "front man/band leader" and Master of Ceremonies...

But, Brian's show is a "Brian" show...with "Beach Boys" music...and a some of his own individual work, including the endearing "Love and Mercy" at many of the "encores..."

Hey, Mike does 'Cool Head, Warm Heart". That's fairly new in context to the rest of the setlist.

As others here have noted, most of the songs that Mike sings all year long were written by the big guy himself-try comparing it to Gershwin if you want-George wrote the music that was performed by others. He's got the credibility-He'll go down in history. Same with BDW. It's not brain surgery, Doc.

Yes he does...and has off and on since it was released a few years ago on the Hallmark "Songs From Here and Back." I think it is a nice song and the live arrangement is very "tight" and supports the fact  that Mike is a pretty decent songwriter in his own right.  

Well, I'm not buying it, old...dude! Yes, Brian will go down in history, but so will The Beach Boys. Your agrument is very, very weak, seriously!

Big bucks aside, surely the main point of the 50th anniversary reunion is to celebrate the Beach Boys 50 year legacy. To say thank you to the fans and the fans to say thank you to the band. To show that despite the heataches, tragedy, mental illness, falling outs and lawsuits, the music itself has made the ride worthwhile. If that doesn't mean enough to Brian to make even just one appearance with the group then any reunion is going to have a hollow ring to it. It has zero to do with who's touring band is the better one.

Terrific post! After reading what you just said, I had to chucke that we fans act just like them.

didn't ask you to buy it, doc. It's not an argument, rather an opinion. Yes it may be weak but it could also be an interesting topic of discussion. :jedi

Let me be clear. Mike and Bruce don't do it for me. Without Brian Wilson at the reunion, I don't give a rat's posterior about any reunion. It will mean NOTHING to me. Congrats to Al and Dave if they re-join The Beach Boys band (where they've belonged all along) but without Bri there, it ain't a real reunion for me...........

Even if all Brian does is show up to the reunion, squats down and takes a brute on a plate, that'll be OK with me.

A 'reimagining'... ?  ::)

Mike & Bruce have done that in an outstanding segue with "Let Him Run Wild". The fans in London in 2008 thought they'd died and gone to heaven.

Indeed, it was weak. Sorry, I don't mean to be snarky, but no, not interesting at all. It's an old, tired subject that gets beat to death. Any of the survivors have every right to perform those songs. I've seen Brian, Al, and Mike & Bruce. They all have competent, credible bands behind them. As for the word "Argument", I mean it in its strictest sense, and not as in fighting.

Let me be clear. Mike and Bruce don't do it for me. Without Brian Wilson at the reunion, I don't give a rat's posterior about any reunion. It will mean NOTHING to me. Congrats to Al and Dave if they re-join The Beach Boys band (where they've belonged all along) but without Bri there, it ain't a real reunion for me...........

Even if all Brian does is show up to the reunion, squats down and takes a brute on a plate, that'll be OK with me.
[/quote]

Well, alrighty, then. If I was supposed to take all that from your original post, then I apologize.

True there have only been a handfull of years when Brian was a productive touring member and Mike and Bruce do a fine job without him but it may be worth remembering that Pink Floyd were fantastic live without Roger Waters but the sight of him performing again with them was a truly emotional impact for the many fans who considered them part of the soundtrack to their lives. Some were moved to tears. Of course if Brian has an off day BB fans could be weeping for a completely different reason................

Yeah, but this time around, Brian should be a more fully functional member on stage with The Beach Boys, moreso than since 1964. I'd enjoy it either way, but it will be more special with Brian out there, for sure.

I'm a HowieEdelsonite on this.

Myke and his band along with Al and Dave will then, in fact, be the real BBs.

@ mikes beard

You brought up a good point: Has Brian ever been a productive member in the BB touring band? I saw at least a half dozen shows personally, and I'd have to say never. He did a solo spot at a 89-90 show I attended, but did little to nothing with the Boys' themselves. Live Aid is the best performance that I think I've witnessed with him onstage.


EDIT: Post 60's touring member.

Edit-Myke along with Brian, Al, and Dave will then, in fact, will be the real BBs.-

It's frustrating because in the early years before the issues took root, Brian was a pretty good live performer.

Yes, I meant post 60's. I edited my original post.

Except that on the Live Aid show, his microphone was turned off.

Untrue. You can hear him on WIBN, I believe, along with Al Jardine.

Not in my house it wasn't.

 
Of course, Brian has performed new material (and I'm glad he has), but there's an excellent reason why, maybe one song excepted, Mike & Bruce haven't: they've not recorded any (as The Beach Boys), as the terms of the BRI license prohibits that.
[/quote]

What would be required as per the terms of the BRI license for a recording to be credited to The Beach Boys?

What would be required as per the terms of the BRI license for a recording to be credited to The Beach Boys?
[/quote]

The presence of all three remaining voting board members of BRI.

I stand corrected. If I would've read further in the Definitive Vocal Credits thread, I would've seen that you had already put that idea to rest. Also, listening to the clips on YouTube I can hear Brian now. Last time I watched, I didn't know what '85 Brian sounded like, so I didn't hear him in the mix; thus, the idea made sense.  D'oh!

A "no-ldie"?

It's a very good point actually. As Smile was never released until 2004, you could very well argue it as a new work with roots going back to 1967.

Oh the Myke front: yeah, Gershwin gets played by others and gets the credit, but didn't Myke like...... write..... uh,..... the lyrics to just about all of those songs listed? Means he's the CO-WRITER of the song. As in WRITER, as in CREATIVE PARTICIPANT in the song's creation..... More than enough cred to sing them today.

A newldie?

Eric-Never said that Myke was not a writer of some lyrics or that he needed credibility to sing said songs-the point expressed was that Brian's presence gives the M&B band the credibility they lack now-remember NWNBB. :-*

Understood. I'm just saying that Myke being co-writer of so many of the songs him and Bruce are singing gives him more than enough credibility to do so whether Brian's onstage or not. Actually, he has almost MORE cred in a funny way being that he was the band's frontman since day one and that Brian was an ever diminishing presence live-wise for most of The Beach Boys career..... But this only goes for THE BEACH BOYS. Brian on his own shows/tours is the man!

What/where would Mike be doing now without Brian?  Singing Kokomo and cover songs in some rinky dink bar band?

You want a reunion? I mean a real one? Then you get all the surviving members of the band up on a stage playing music at the same time.

Does Brian have to be playing the same music as the rest of the guys? If so, that could be a problem...

Smile isn't exactly fresh material, y'know.

Brian also barely plays tunes from Imagination (and why would he, it's crap), TLOS didn't seem to get much of a look in during last years shows, and Desert Drive seems to be the only song you'd get from GIOMH, which was written in the 90's and is hardly avant-garde BW. If you're trying to argue that Brian plays sets full of fresh new material at the expense of his BB's tunes, you're insane. Or a bloo....

Last year's shows? Based on your post, nothing is worth arguing. Read into it what you want. Yeah, that Smile junk is pretty rancid. Guess its time for some "fresh" Myke classics to be let loose on the world. Bruce, too-pass the sweetner, please.

Well, what would Brian be without Mike?

He certainly wouldn't be The Beach Boys. I'm sure he'd be something great, maybe an even more awesome version of Burt Bacharach, but there would be NO Beach Boys without Mike, Dennis, Carl, or Al (or Dave)...... or Brian!

The Beach Boys were a BAND. No matter who wrote what, they made their mark as a band with 5 personalities. Mike wrote lyrics, sang lead and was the frontman. That's putting in a good chunk of work towards what we know The Beach Boys to be and why we love them. So, can this tired "what would Mike be without Brian" merda be put to rest?

He did play different music on stage before a few times.

Like I said above, I don't care if he bites off a bat's head, pulls a Jim Morrison, or just sings "Shortenin' Bread" or "I'm a Little Teacup", as long as Brian gets up there with the others, I'm good with that.

If he were to do the above mentioned things then it should be a good show in all. Also Mike should strip naked and streak across the stage before carving HEALTER SKETLER and WAR into his chest with a broken bottle. Bruce not to be upstaged will then attempt a stagedive (and hopefully miss the crowd) and Al will either smash his guitar up or set it on fire. As Dave walks off stage he will mutter into the mike "Ever get the feeling you've been cheated?"

How about they do a re-staging of the 1979(?) Universal Amphitheater Dennis/Mike er..... drama with Stamos standing in as Dennis!

Or maybe they could hold a raffle as to who stands in as Dennis!

OldSurferDude, does this idea get your vote?  :p

If they're doing a real re-staging, let oldsurferdude be Dennis!

That's not what I meant, and you know it. Try and show me evidence that Brian plays shows consistently (IE, not 'Lets play the record in full' shows) full of his solo material at the expense of his BB's stuff, and I'll get a tattoo of Mike Love on my face.

Seems like a mighty drastic offer. Who'd want to walk around having people think your butt was on yer face?

As long as I have free license to chase Myke around the stage, catch him, tie him up and have a live pig roast >:D

Can you please explain the "Myke" moniker to me? Your name starts with old..., but this seems so childish.

To bother you, that's why. :p

Childish!

No, but you get to erupt into fisticuffs with the man, and then get locked in a closet.  :p

Yo, old...dude, believe it when I tell you that I'll never give you the satisfaction.  :p

Pretty sure you already did, dr. :lol

Exactomundoe! :thumbsup

bgas may have answered both of us, but your post reads last...think about it!

Hey, uh, let's contribute something halfway productive here, eh boys? I mean, I know these reunion threads have taken their toll on this board and there's not much more to speculate about because it's been done to death already, but c'mon.

"People, I just want to say, you know, can we all get along? Can we get along?"

- Rodney King

Mikie, I asked a simple question, because I really did not know. I was polite about it, and you see the response that I received. My politeness only goes so far.


EDIT: Just to be clear, he posts this way in every thread that is about Mike Love.... hence, my "childish" remark.

Hey, why don't we just give OldSurferDude his own permanent thread in the Honored Guests shrine?

One-Stop-Shopping for all your Mike bashing needs!

Don't feed the troll.  :deadhorse

Couldn't it be a new thread space? Maybe MIKE-Bashing Guests(or similar) and all his posts, regardless of the subject, would be automatically sent there. Then you'd only have to read them if you wanted to; and rather than putting them at the top of the page, it would be at the very bottom, so you'd REALLY have to be looking for them.  :p

That's an idea!

I have to admit, though it pains me as I am probably Mike's biggest fan, Mike bashing can be very very funny, and OldSurferDude does so often with quite a bit of panache, therefore I say, give him a thread in Honored Guests.   :p

Mike dances terribly.  ::)

In other news, the Pope is Catholic, bears crap in the woods and AGD can be a bit prickly without his morning coffee.

Childish is the father of the man. :love

speaking of trolls... ;)