The Smiley Smile Message Board

I don't see how Brian or Mike would relinquish Head Honcho status so will BB 2012 have two leaders on stage, in effect? And how does that work - they sing lead alternately? They do song introductions alternately? Brian gets to do the lighter joke and Mike gets to do his schtick?

Secondly, will we get Darian et al as part of the package or just Jeff and one of Mike's co-singers? Who plays bass and drums? Keyboards?

I think the setlist will be decided upon, then a more neutral musical director (i.e. someone like Scott Totten as he is the current M.D. of the touring Beach Boys) will be the actual bandleader.

I Think HJ means frontmen.

THat would be a toughie as BW tends to read from a TelePrompTer and genuine interaction with the audience is rare, so we rarely get a glimpse of his terrific sense of humour. Mike, however, goes for genuine interaction with the audience when he might be better off relying on a TelePrompTer, so that the glimpses we get of his sense of humour are more rare, which would be terrific. Not sure how their two styles would complement one another. If it was left to Al, he'd spend so long talking about how he suggested Sloop John B to Brian that we'd never get to hear any music. I think Dave should be pointman for this tour.

I'm hoping being around Mike again on stage makes Brian crack jokes again like its 1964.

Mike's said that the band will be most of Brian's band plus Scott Totten (guitar/falsetto vocals/band leader) and John Cowsill (drums/vocals) from Mike & Bruce's band.
That would line up with the band in the Do It Again video, which is
Scott Bennett (keys)
Gary Griffin (keys) - has toured with both Brian and Mike at different times
Probyn Gregory and Paul Mertens - horns (I suspect if Probyn's in the touring band he won't play much guitar given the number of other guitarists on stage)
Brett Simons (bass)
Scott Totten (guitar)
Nick Walusko (guitar)
John Cowsill (drums)
David Marks (guitar)

Plus Brian, Al, Mike, Bruce and Jeff on vocals.

I'd assume unless and until we hear otherwise that that will be the band we get - and it's pretty close to my ideal choice, so I'm not complaining (I'd swap Darian for Gary Griffin and Randell Kirsch for Brett Simons).

I suspect they will have a meeting among all of the band members + then rehearse..Including a dozen extra songs besides the regular set list..The other songs will be moved in + out at will..I also suggest Mike Love release his solo lp at this time..No label then print them up + sell em at the shows.. I think all the BB should have their cd"s sold at shows plus the new LP + DVD..The tshirts should be only about the reunion..I suspect 2 1hr sets.Total 40 songs without encore so a total of 45 songs..Mike will be the front man but defer to BW..SOMETIMES..Out of respect..They should have  60 songs well rehearsed..
Go out in  a Blaze of glory,,,Have people talkin about the BB reunion for years..! Include video tributes to DW + CW..Then play a song they wrote..IMHO

Deleted my post. I misread the post.

 :'(

Kind of off-topic with this thread, but I really wish Billy Hinsche and Ed Carter had been invited.

"Can a Reunion Tour Have Two Band Leaders ?"

No, which is why I suspect there will be just the one calling the overall shots (after consultation with the other principals).

David can sing - very expressive voice!

True, and obviously he will sing on stage. I was just listing who did what on the Do It Again video, and it looks like David only added guitar, not vocals.

I'm glad they've gone for this approach, at least - Mike and Bruce's band are still great musicians, but they are really vocally subpar - listening to boots, youtube vids, tonnes of details get lost. Brian, or his people, at least had the good sense to chuck more extremely talented vocalists into the blend, despite the lack of a decent bass singer besides Brian.

I would have thought that Darian would have some involvement, either on stage or in the preparation, simply because he played such a major role in the presentation of Brian's live set. Brian surely values him.

Seconded…  I'd like to see Carli Munòz up there too…

http://www.beachboysband.net/TOURSCH/BB_TOUR_SCH.htm

THE BEACH BOYS

featuring Original Members:
Mike Love
Brian Wilson
Al Jardine
David Marks
& Bruce Johnston

with *
John Cowsill
Jeffrey Foskett
Scott Totten
Darian Sahanaja
Paul Von Mertens
Scott Bennett
Probyn Gregory

*Backing band subject to changes.

I have to say, Mike has been very magnanimous with what he's said about Brian's band being great and most of them joining the BB for the tour.

Logic dictates it is the best choice musically and personally for Brian's comfort zone, but it is really good of Mike to agree and publically praise them so highly.

The assembled band, being the surviving 'original' Beach Boys plus the best musicians from Mike and Brian's bands (and David of course) should be a formidable musical force.

As for two band leaders, I'm not sure that can work. On stage I expect Mike to call the shots with Bruce, Al and Brian all having the opportunity to speak to the crowd and introduce songs too. Behind the scenes there's no doubt that there is one coherent force behind all this.

Great to see Darian listed. Odd that Nick and Brett aren't on the list though. Who's going to play bass?

I disagree - Mike and Bruce have two singers, Scott and John, who are at least the equal vocally of anyone in Brian's band. Randell Kirsch is also very good. I think the problem with their vocals, to the extent it exists, comes with Bruce and Christian both having quite weak voices.

Luckily, the two best vocalists from Mike & Bruce's band are involved in this tour, so we have the best of both.

As the listing says, the backing band is subject to changes.  If it were me, I'd have Randell Kirsch play bass, simply because he's used to playing with Cowsill.  It'd make for a tighter rhythm section.  Nothing against Brett Simons, mind.  He's a good player, too, and I've no doubt he would do a great job.  Nick Walusko did play on the Do It Again remake, but I don't know if his presence is necessary on stage.  He's a good player, but there are already four guitarists on stage (Marks, Jardine, Totten and Foskett).  I guess we'll find out soon enough.  

As for front man, is there really any question?  Really?  It's what Mike Love does best.  Sure, we'll likely hear from Brian, Al, David and Bruce, but Mike will be front and center.  As it should be.

Re: setlist-I would imagine the setlist to be 50 songs, with a number more rehearsed.

I'm glad Darian, Scott and Probyn are involved in this-maybe it means rather than soften up, Mike has said, "Let's get the best guys for the job"?

I also wonder whether Ed Carter and Billy Hinsche would want to do a 50 date world tour, although it would be nice to see them there as well

I hope you're right about Randell being the bass player. Brett is obviously very good at his job, but Randell's been playing Beach Boys music for thirty years or more, has a good working relationship with Foskett, and as well as having experience playing with Cowsill is also an extremely good vocalist (though whether they'd need him on vocals when they have so many people capable of taking the falsetto parts is another question).

Either way, no matter what Stamos-shaped annoyances turn up, and whoever plays bass, I can't see the shows being anything other than wonderful with that band. It'd be a shame if Nick doesn't play, and it'd be nice to see either Mike D'Amico or Nelson adding percussion, but given the practicalities of having so many people on stage it's about as good a line-up as I could imagine. Having Billy and Ed there would be nice for nostalgia reasons, but I can't see anyone doing a better job of actually playing the music than this band.

That's probably what Stamos will be doing, although I really like Nelson Bragg back there. 

Nelson's great value, a really nice guy as well as being a great talent. If I had a band, I'd want him along for the good company! 

I'm having trouble believing that this is actually happening.  If the lineup is as we think it might be, I DO NOT want to  miss this tour.  I've gone to see both bands as often as possible over the past few years and prospect of seeing these people on the stage together  just blows my mind.  Yep.  Blows My Mind.  And I haven't used that  phrase for decades.  :happydance

Very wishful thinking but Brian perhaps?  8)

I wouldn't bet the kids college fund on that one Rocky!

Darian directly told me after an 09 BW show that he generally declines to participate in BW hits-only tours. I would be surprised, but quite happy, to see him on this one.

And given that I have no doubt Brian has any real interest in doing so, that means it's Mr. Love.

Well, I hope he does a good job.

I could see why you would say its Mike. And maybe that is true. But my guess is it's Brian, with Jeff as his mouthpiece, considering the fact that they are using Brian's band as the backing band, even though Mike's band has been touring for the last God knows how long as The Beach Boys. Plus, lets be honest, Brian holds all the cards in his hands. If this tour takes place without him, it's a minor blip. If he is part of it, its BRIAN WILSON IS BACK WITH THE BEACH BOYS on major media outlets.

I think it's a no-brainer that Mike Love would be the frontman.  That's been his role in the band from the get-go.  Brian may have been the musical leader of the band but he was never the frontman and was never a great "frontman" for his own band; why would he start now?

I think it very unlikely that they would be publicly announcing his participation without at least having asked him first.
Which would suggest that this tour will be more than a 'hits-only' one. Like I've said befor, I'm betting we'll be getting something like Mike & Bruce's 2008 and 2004 setlists, or Brian's 2002 ones.

I don't know if I would count the listing on the BB band website as any sort of official announcement. It is suggestive, though.


I think the band selection was Brian's major contribution to the project. That and Jeff. Now that those things are in place, I think BW's role is mainly to work on the record and look pretty onstage. I think BW has a lot of respect for Mike as a showman and actually might consciously choose to defer to him in terms of presentation, the majority of the setlist, etc.

And let's not kid ourselves: The space between the average BW band and ML/BJ band setlist is pretty small these days. ML comes ahead on the adventuresome front sometimes, too. I doubt it will make much of a difference which one of them creates the master setlist (hint: It opens with California Girls).

If I had my way none of the Beach Boys would be in sole charge. I'd be calling for a stage manager who would be in charge of everything from stage layout, lighting and even what clothing is worn.

Mike and co would choose the set-list from, as has been mentioned, a core list played every gig plus a number of revolving rare songs.

 

Well, I'll put it this way: on stage Mike Love will be the guy that talks to the audience, and introduces the songs, maybe aside from a little Bruce here, and a little Al there, and maybe a little Brian. But I think the setlists will be a compromise between Brian/Melinda and Mike.

Like, for instance, I would imagine we won't get stuck with stuff like "Surf City", "Little Old Lady from Pasadena", and "Duke of Earl" like the Mike/Bruce contingency is known to include. And I'd think the "rarities" included won't be stuff like "Still Cruisin'".

All I hope is that we get a setlist that shows off early surf 'n car songs, introspective material like "Please Let Me Wonder", some Pet Sounds and SMiLE and a llttle helping of '70s material like "This Whole World", "Sail On, Sailor", and "Good Timin'". That would be just fine.

I'd be quite surprised actually if we didn't get at least one of Still Cruisin' and SIP - and I'm fine with that, those songs work well live.
But I'd be equally amazed if we don't get Good Timin', Sail On Sailor and a few Pet Sounds album tracks *as well*.
And that's how it should be, really - a celebration of all facets of the band's career.

Here's hoping!

And a live Cabinessence with Mike singing the tag -- how cool would that be?

I've just had a thought (dangerous, I know) but.....would this be the first time Brian has sang Kokomo?

+1!!!!!

Nope--he can be prominently heard on the Spanish version of the song. 

He sang it live previously. He appears with the the group singing it live in a Full House episode.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOZ5dEiZYCo

I hope Nick is in the final lineup. He played on Do It Again, seems kind of sad to leave him out this late in the game!

You can totally hear his voice in that mix. It would have been weird if he were on the original studio version. It would have had that wacky, crazy '80s Brian vocal sound that you hear on things like "Island Girl". I wonder if it would have affected it commercially? And I also wonder how it would affect the fan base if he were on it.

Cheers guys-I even typed in , "Brian Wilson Kokomo" into YouTube but it didn't come up with that. Good point about how it may have sounded if he had been on it. I'll ask the Blueboard!!

Yeah Brian's voice is definitely in that mix.  If you listen closely, it sounds like he's just babbling his own lyrics.   :p

It really does. He manages to stay along with the melody, somewhat.

You wonder what Carl must have been thinking......am I really sharing a microphone with Dave *@*#&*#&# Coulier??? What the hell happened to us?

Yerp. Cracked up the first time I saw this. I love Brian. I really do.

Oh Lord...after seeing that, and especially Brian's leather trousers, I'm off to PC World to purchase a new keyboard. Thanks guys!

 It always cracks me up seeing Bob Saget wear a suit and tie to a Beach Boys concert.

That would be very cool! :)

Would it be then safe to assume that Darian hates the "greatest hits" section of each show then?  Even the Lucky Old Sun and Gershwin tours had a section of greatest hits...it's not like Darian could completely avoid it.

They undoubtly will have a great band ! I only hope that they will be in shape and sound as good as the band certainly will

I think you'd have to be a massive funhater not to enjoy playing those songs for an adoring crowd in the context of a much larger, artistically driven show. And he's no fool, I bet he loves the 'hits'. He certainly looked like he was having fun when I saw him at the RFH. I guess Darian doesn't like the 'Mike&Bruce' model of touring, which is understandable.

How many Brian tours has Darian skipped?

I think he skipped the 2009 North American 'mini' tour.... but someone would have to confirm.

I know in 2008 he didn't take part in the half band tours.

He actually appeared in the late 09 North American dates. That's when I talked to him. Darian said that he didn't usually do those kinds of shows, but that he ended up coming on the tour anyway and found it surprisingly fun. And the shows on that leg were amazing. BW's unexpected high point as a live performer.

He did sit out some 08 touring. As surfergirl says, I saw a stripped-down BW band in the summer of 08, and it featured Gary Griffin. Billy Hinsche filled in on some European dates for Darian that year too, I think.

Blah, my bad - I thought that was the stripped down one.

Summer of 07 tour in Europe he wasn't at either! So wasn't Nicky Wonder interestingly enough. Only time I can remember Nick not being there!

Billy Hinsche joined BW's 2007 European tour when Al Jardine withdrew at the last moment

I guessed he didn't take part in the 2009 european summer hits tour? At least he didn't show at the gig I attended in Germany - Griffin was there.