The Smiley Smile Message Board

I visited the BBs wikipedia page today and noticed that current members are listed as:
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I know it's probably someone playing around with it, but seems a slightly obscure thing to do. It did get me thinking that if there were to be a reunion, John Cowsill would be a fantastic addition. When I saw BBs at Epsom John was a real standout, great drummer and great vocalist, and has a bit of a BBs vibe. Anyone know who drummed on the Do It Again session that happened recently?

What a curious listing. Cowsill, but no David Marks (as much a current member as Al or Brian in my eyes and many others'). And no Stamos?!?!  Maybe JC's go the world's best PR!

I think someone needs to differentiate between THE Beach Boys - Brian, Mike, Alan, Bruce, David, Dennis (1944-83) and Carl (1946-98) - and the touring Beach Boys: Mike, Bruce, Christian Love, John Cowsill, Scott Totten, Tim Bonhomme & Randell Kirsch.

In the beach boys lineups article, the touring members are listed as 'additional members'. Begs the question of whether "the beach boys" actually has any current members.

According to BRI, currently The Beach Boys comprise Brian, Mike, Alan & Bruce.

I was so disgusted to see John Cowsill's name there I proceeded to remove it

Where's that info Andrew? Does BRI have a website?

Was told by one of those named above, quite recently.  :)

Ah ok, quite interesting!

Maybe a legal definition of the band as they prepare to release new material under that name?

AGD, of the four you list, only three are BRI shareholders.  So what's the rationale for excluding David Marks?  Has it even been discussed? 

Did you ask the question?  He is an original member after all, and a great lead guitar player.  From the list above, they seem to be lacking one.

Or do they look at David more in the same light as Blondie and Ricky?

David signed away his rights in 1971 (he was scammed by Murry, basically). Bruce's position is slightly more complex: he sold his share of the corporation back to BRI, but that was all, so he's a non-voting member.

David, nor Blondie or Ricky are current Beach Boys. They are former ones, though. Brian, Mike and Al are Corporate Beach Boys, while Bruce is an employed full member.

Odd, quoting oneself... anyway, I might have to amend the above statement.

Andrew, when did Bruce become a full member of the band again? Asking because I'm sure it wasn't in the late 70's when he returned. As I recall, there was some flack about including him (photos) on Ten Years of Harmony (even though 2 of his songs were included on the comp).

There was a move to doctor the gatefold shot to include him (a la CATP), but Carl nixed that: his idea was to include Bruce in a separate, small shot. I think Bruce turned that idea down.

Aside from BRI issues AGD, David wasn't involved in the recent "Do It Again" session.  What is your feeling about if he'll be included if there is a reunion show(s)/album?

I remember several years ago you had a Brian Wilson, end of career check-list. (BWPS - check/ then BB Smile Sessions, Rock and Roll Album, BB Reunion).  Obviously your radar is 'spot on' in predicting these things!  So I wonder what you see with DM and the BBs?

It surprised the heck out of me when I first heard that Al wasn't a 'full' member of The Beach Boys until 1973.

Technically, David is not an "original" member, as he replaced Alan in the lineup, correct?

SURE they could use his guitar playing!

My feeling about David's involvement in any 50th anniversary shows is very simple - he has to be there. He was a Beach Boy from March 1962-October 1963. He's on the following releases:

  6/62  Surfin' Safari/409 [#76] #14
10/62  Surfin' Safari    #32
11/62  Ten Little Indians/County Fair #49
  3/63  Surfin' USA/Shut Down [#23] #3
  3/63  Surfin' USA    #2
  7/63  Surfer Girl/Little Deuce Coupe [#15] #7
  9/63  Surfer Girl #7
10/63  Little Deuce Coupe #4
10/63  Be True To Your School/In My Room [#23] #6

Three Top 10 A sides...
A Top 20 A side...
A Top 20 B side...
Two Top 30 B sides...
A Top 50 A side...
A Top 80 B side...
Three Top 10 albums...
A Top 40 album...

... and all in 16 months. Singles and albums David was on had an unbroken run in the US charts from August 11th 1962 to May 30th 1964. Pretty good stats for a 'temporary replacement'.

As regards any new recording, simply in terms of musicianship I'd say he's a shoe-in, never mind historical authenticity.

As for being an original/charter member, depends on your definition: there at the first rehearsals ? Yup. On the first single ? No. On the Capitol contract ? Yup. On the first album ? Yup.  On the first TV appearance ? Yup. He was certainly there at the very beginning.

I like the way David put it in his recent interview (see the recent thread), (and Jon's book points out), that "there were 6 original Beach Boys".  David was always there.

It's all semantics at this point.  Was Ringo an original Beatle?  He wasn't there at the start but was on every album.

I was totally ignorant of David Marks until I joined this board.  I love his music - he's a total BB in music, vibe and spirit!

Mahalo AGD, make me very encouraged to hear 'you' say it!

You got me convinced too!  thanks

Had he stayed a BB, he certainly would have strengthened the BBs albums beginning with Friends. Maybe no need for Bruce. Then again, who would play the keyboards live.

Um, Dennis, Carl, Carli Munoz, Daryl Dragon, Ron Altbach, Don Lewis, Billy Hinsche, Mike Meros...

removed, sorry.......

David Marks played with Mike, Bruce & co. Sunday night in Danbury, CT.  He stood next to Mike throughout the show and handled several guitar solos.  Is he "back" for the long-term?