The Smiley Smile Message Board

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-beach-boys-foskett-20120602,0,5692551.story

Go Foskett!

Holy jesus, he's 56 !!!!!! wow, would have NEVER guessed.

I thought Jeff was in his mid 40's. That is probably the nicest thing I have ever said about him. LOL

David Leaf resurfaces! As one of the biggest advocates of Brain Wilson as a solo artist, I wonder what D.L. thinks about the reunion.

great article.  Makes me really happy for Jeff. :)

Jeff has really won me over with this tour/new album..

He's a hard worker

It;s funny to think that Jeff's getting up there in years. How much longer until he loses some of his range and needs someone to handle the falsetto for him? If the Boys keep on going long enough, they'll have to get a Foskett for Foskett.  :lol

Say what you will about the guy, but he's more of a beach boy than Blondie or Ricky.

If Jeff Foskett, a touring member who joined them at a low point in their career, is more of a Beach Boy than Blondie and Ricky (official members who wrote and contributed to the band, as well as Blondie getting a lead on a classic Beach Boys song), so is John Stamos.

Even John Stamos is more of a Beach Boy than foskett.

Now you're just being silly!

How about no?

 I'm not writing this post to bash Jeff, but quite honestly, the article is garbage!  There are two major points that bother me.

 First of all, there are five living Beach Boys and two that have passed on.  These are the guys who have created this 50 year legacy of music, and these are the guys who the reunion tour is dependant upon.  The Beach Boys have been using backing musicians for many many years and they are an important part of the live performance.  But really, they are replaceable.   It could just have easily been Adrian Baker, Matt Jardine, or somebody else contributing the backing falseto.

 Second of all, if we're going to talk about supporting musicians with the band, EVERY band memebr should be recognized.  Yes, Jeff has an part in it, but so do the other guys.  Scott Totten is doing a wonderful job as music director.  Darian has ibeen nstrumental in pretty much everything Brian has done since 1999.  And the list could go on for every other musician on the stage.  Why is Jeff highlighted so much more than these other great musicians?

Because over the past few years, he's become essential to Brian. No Foskett, no Wilson. On tour, on record, or in promotional appearances. That's the truth, according to folks who know the backstage dynamics.

Read the article today.

Love the Foskett!

 :hat

As much as I respect the contribution of Darian and others, the fact is that Foskett is absolutely the most important person in that band for Brian Wilson. I have no idea why people on this board dislike him so strongly, but the fact is the wheels would have come off the wagon a long, long time ago were it not for the trust Brian has in him. He seems like a loyal, sincere person in interviews, and he takes care of business vocally. What's the problem?

I can't speak for others on the board, but for me it's his falsetto I hate. It sounds weird and forced, which when compared directly to the spiritual qualities of Brian's falsetto, just can't hold water.

I love Holland but, no offense, who cares about Ricky and Blondie?

They're all great, but they highlighted Jeff partly because of his longtime association with Brian. As the article says, he met Brian in 1976, and he has Brian's trust. He seems to be around Brian all the time, and while that may be one reason people dislike him, it may also be essential for Brian's mental health on tour. Jeff is stability. He has promised Brian he won't let him down, on stage or off. I personally don't really care for Jeff's falsetto. It lacks warmth, in my opinion. I also think a major media outlet should have highlighted Darian and the role he played in BWPS. But anyway, I do think Jeff deserves kudos.

You watch your mouth. Without Jeff Foskett, there would be NO Beach Boys reunion or album, nor would there be any Brian solo albums, as Brian would be too busy locked in his room in the fetal position if Jeff wasn't in his life. That's Why Jeff (aka God) Made The Reunion. Brian wasn't playing shows with the Beach Boys or putting out solo albums in the 80s and 90s before Jeff started touring with Brian regularly. Brian staying at home would be for the better anyway, as Jeff sounds just like Brian in his absolute prime in the 60s while also sounding real "soulful" and sounding exactly Carl Wilson did in his prime. He is the best vocalist in the Beach Boys and you should be shot for saying otherwise, I'm afraid.

I understand Foskett has to do the falsetto on Brian's solo shows, but I don't understand why he has to do them at The Beach Boys shows. I'm pretty sure they hired some guy to do those, you know, maybe in, hmm, 1965? His name, you ask?

Bruce Johnston!

I don't understand the use of a non-Beach Boy, especially in the studio, to do parts that either Brian, Al, and Bruce could do. Live, I'm pretty sure you could have Al do a good version of "Don't Worry Baby", and Bruce could do the falsetto on things like "Fun Fun Fun" or "I Get Around". However, that would require Bruce to stop messing with his mic and/or clapping his hands.

:bow

Oh, it absolutely does not. I'm sure he would agree too, unless he's delusional. But it's such an integral part of the sound and they need someone who can hit those notes consistently. The band know, like and trust Jeff, he's a solid leader, and he seems to put Brian at ease.

So yeah, I get folks like yourself not liking his voice....that's personal preference. What I genuinely can't understand the level of animosity in Runnerdialzero's post, for example. Why is his presence so actively offensive to you?

I don't think that Bruce has sung falsetto regularly live for decades. And it doesn't sound at all like a "Beach Boys" falsetto. Plus, he's already lost his voice for about a week of the tour -- he couldn't perform a single lead vocal.

The five surviving guys need a falsetto ringer. What's more, they needed it when Carl was alive, too. They used one on the road for the last 30 years, and on record for nearly as long (Foskett is singing on BB85 for instance, only uncredited).

What's different this time around is simply that Foskett is somewhat more prominent and has a close personal relationship to Brian. And some people don't like his voice.

I was just playin' ^_^ or exaggerating a lot on your post and others' recently, at least. I do think the notion that Brian wouldn't be very productive or be playing shows without Jeff is a bit silly, as he's done it before. The guy completed Smile with Darian and wrote TLOS with Scott, for instance. I'm not gonna say Jeff is worthless, I know that's not true, but to say the tour, album, and Brian's solo career rests almost entirely on Jeff's shoulders just isn't something I can agree with. Kinda feels like a slight on Brian, too, although I'm sure it isn't meant as such.

But yeah, the rational extent of my problems with him lie solely in his vocal performances and the fact that said vocal performances are so prominent on Brian's albums and the new Beach Boys album.

Ah...:-[ a little slow on the uptake, only because I have seen threads full of venom for Foskett. Fair dos, I see what you're saying.

No Foskett- No C50 Tour

Period!

:\

I hope Jeff Fos-DOESN'T-quit!

(That's one's for you old-timers, like me.)

(And can you imagine the rudeness of somebody to actually yell that during a quiet moment in the SMiLE concert? Sheesh...)

On 5/17/12 I saw The Beach Boys in Bethlehem PA, which included the soundcheck, the photo op/meet & greet, and, of course, the concert. Without exaggerating, I probably focused on the Brian-Jeff interaction about 90% of the time.

Because Jeff sings the high part, he is crucial to the show because of the overwhelming number of pre-1967 songs being performed. He isn't just singing the occasional falsetto, he is driving most of the songs vocally. It's not like handing the high part over to somebody on an occasional basis (parts of songs, occasional songs) like they did with Al, Carl, Bruce, Bobby Figueroa, or even Brian himself in the late 1970's. Live in concert, Jeff Foskett is the Brian Wilson of the vintage 1962-64 period. He sings the high part on every song, and he does it well. That can't be underestimated. So much of the "ragged" reviews the group got in the late 1970's and early 1980's were a result of not having "that guy", or at least not having a guy that good.

But, Jeff is also a lot more. During the soundcheck, it is Jeff who keeps Brian company, talking with him, joking with him, helping him get his messages across to Scott and the group.

During the photo op, Jeff was in the same room as The Beach Boys. Jeff was joking around with ALL of the guys, as if he were one of "them". It was Jeff who was getting them all to smile on cue, not just Brian.

During the concert, obviously Jeff covers for Brian when Brian needs help. Jeff makes the eye contact, sometimes his smile is just what Brian needs. Sometimes, when Jeff sees that Brian has things under control, Jeff will take a step back into the background on stage.

Jeff does other things as well. He assists Scott (not insinuating Scott needs help). Jeff interacts with the backing musicians on stage, exhorting them or simply laughing at an inside joke. I also saw Jeff interacting a lot with Al, Bruce, and David. Jeff also announces the band. And, not to mention that Jeff plays some fine guitar.

But, most importantly, in some ways, IMO, Jeff takes the place of Melinda. I relayed the story about how Brian tried to make a quick exit from the stage before the set was over - only to be intercepted by Jeff who cut off Brian at the pass (in a good way). Sometimes we may interpret Jeff as being insensitive. I don't know, maybe he is at times. But, I think that Jeff has earned the respect to be able to say "no" to Brian Wilson. And there ain't many people who can do that!

I think we agree that Jeff is important. However, some people insist that he still can be replaced. By who? Or is by whom? :-D

Cool, I didn't know this!  Any places on the record where he's more audible?  I'd love to try and pick him out.

How is this even a debate??? They NEED Foskett!!! Brian and Bruce can't hit those notes and haven't been able for some time. Foskett does a phenomenal job and anyone that denies that is a fuckin idiot! I've been a Beach Boys zealot my whole life, but reality is beyond obvious- they are old as hell and without the support of the backing band they'd sound like crap! I'm not talking sh*t I'm stating the obvious, so I reiterate- HOW IS THIS A DEBATE???

Wow. Just, wow.