The Smiley Smile Message Board

I've been wondering 'cause i read somewhere Brian was interested in doing another tour with BB, And so i'm wondering are they going to plan another tour??

I'm hearing that the Mike & Bruce band are booking South American dates for once the reunion tour wraps.
No confirmation on that, just info passed on from a reliable source.

It seems kind of sad but inevitable. The only thing that made me think maybe Mike and Bruce wouldn't just go right back out again was that their tour would just situationally seem to lose some credibility. It was one thing for Mike and Bruce in recent years to go out only having to acknowledge that once, many many years ago, a fuller BB band with Brian had toured. But if they go back out, it'll be more like "dude, like a few months ago you were five, and now you're two again?"

I still wonder if Mike makes more money on his own "BB" tours compared to the overhead cost and having to presumably split more of the money on this tour. Yes, they are probably selling more tickets and have a higher ticket price on this tour, but I wonder if that offsets the increased costs and profit sharing.

Seems the whole organization currently has been purposely silent about what happens after this tour. I think only Bruce directly referenced this before the tour even started, implying this was a one-time thing that wouldn't happen after August.

As much as I am a fan of Brian's solo work, after seeing them live, I no longer want to see the BB apart from each other. Period. They may be 'good' apart, but I'm spoiled now. Together is where the magic is.

No kidding!

I do wonder what Mike will think of the band once it shrinks down to his old group...he won't have that large sound behind him doing what Brian's band did for them on this tour.  But knowing Mike...a gig's a gig and a check is a check.  He'll probably miss it but he moves forward.  But would Mike actually say "no" to the group continuing on as the whole group?  Would he care about the money too much to deny the memberes who would want to continue?  Ultimately, Brian's the nucleus here.  If he stays...Al will probably stay and so on.  It seems like whether everyone doesn't want to admit it or not--Brian's actions determine what happens in the future.  I see him wanting to take a substantial break after this and I can see Mike will want to keep on touring.

And if Mike and Bruce go back out on the Hayrides, what'll happen if the Fab Five get back together again for another string of dates?

"hey general public, Y'know how we reunited in 2012 despite the fact that the Beach Boys hadn't ever stopped touring? And then we split up and went our separate ways but the Beach Boys kept right on touring? Well we're reuniting again even though we never stopped touring... At least, until we all go our separate ways again, at which point we'll just carry right on touring...!"

Things I'm sure of:

-- Mike will never leave the road.

-- Brian will not take on the full BB touring load.

-- The record is successful enough to mean more recording.

Therefore, I theorize:

-- They will make another album (or two) with Brian.

-- Mike will keep touring.

-- Brian will not. But he may well be up for mini tours every year or two.

-- I kinda hope that Al and Dave keep working with Mike, and that the larger backing ensemble continues. But we can't really know for sure whether that happens.

-- They're still figuring it out. Sure, Mike probably has to have a near-term plan for the rest of the year. But I'd bet all the parties are looking at 2013 and 2014 in a really different way now.

Mike doesn't have to say anything. He can let the music do the talking, which he has been doing for many, many years now, without Brian, without Dennis, without Carl, and without David.

I'm okay with it if Brian doesn't tour fulltime. I just want there to be more albums, and for Al and David to stay. I'm okay with Jeff staying, as I like his voice better with this blend, personally. Might as well make him a full band member; he certainly has been there long enough.

I don't like being a naysayer. I truly do get all the touchy-feely reunion fuzziness feeling like everybody. I think it's amazing, and I hope it continues.

But I also don't for a second think Mike isn't capable and willing to scale back and go back to what he was doing. He did in 1998. They lost Carl, then Al quickly after, then Matt Jardine, and before the end of the year, the band was barely recognizeable compared to what it was less than 12 months earlier. By the middle of the following year, Marks was gone too.

It's all about the band's name, and the ability to lobby to get use of that name. The only thing that will stop Mike from continuing on with whatever version of the BB's he wants is if both Brian and Al don't allow it. If even just Brian goes back to what he has done up to this point, of agreeing to Mike having the license to do his own thing, then nothing would prevent the 2013 "Beach Boys" to be just like the 2011 "Beach Boys" and nothing like the 2012 "Beach Boys."

Hey Jude: "It's all about the band's name, and the ability to lobby to get use of that name. The only thing that will stop Mike from continuing on with whatever version of the BB's he wants is if both Brian and Al don't allow it. If even just Brian goes back to what he was done up to this point, of agreeing to Mike having the license to do his own thing, then nothing would prevent the 2013 "Beach Boys" to be just like the 2011 "Beach Boys" and nothing like the 2012 "Beach Boys."

A compromise would be to allow Mike to keep the franchise and use the name calling his act "Mike Love's Beach Boys" so that people know the difference when Brian wants to record or tour.  Bruce and David wouldn't mind, as long as there is work for them.  Al has a bit more of an ego -- I don't think he'd be up for touring under that moniker.  But he doesn't want to tour 170 days a year, anyway, and the reunion has given him new visibility -- the Endless Summer Band would be a bigger draw, post-2012.

Both Brian and Al get checks from BRI whether they're touring or not, correct?  I can't see them objecting to Mike playing over 100 dates a year if he wants to and collecting a share of the pot.  I'm not sure Al is that interested in that much touring either. He's brought up going out as a full Beach Boys reunion every other year, not every year.  He can still gig around sometimes with his sons if he wants to play, but I can't see him wanting to leave his ranch to play a bunch of gigs in South America.  Unless he really wants to see South America.

Yes, all of the members of BRI get a cut of Mike's BB tours. But Brian and Al (and Carl's estate, and Mike for that matter) only split the licensing fee (which is, as the industry goes, usually something like a flat fee in addition to or against a percentage of the tour proceeds). In other words, Mike still makes much more money touring as the BB's than the cut that the other three parties get. Which in the most basic way makes sense, as he's the one of those four parties going out and actually performing.

Given Al making that appearance in early 2011 with Mike's "Beach Boys", I would guess that for better or worse, Al would probably re-joing Mike's band at this stage if they wanted him to.

This is why I continue to wonder whether Mike actually made more money touring without the other guys in 2011 for instance.

Interesting ideas, and I know that was something I wish Mike would have done with his band over a decade ago. But I don't see it happening. If they were into correctly labeling the band and doing a "truth in advertising" sort of thing, they would have done it long ago. The name with appended words doesn't work to anybody's liking. Mike, Bruce, and David toured in 1998 as "America's Band" and that didn't work. Al did the "Beach Boys Family and Friends" thing and nobody but Al liked that.

As I mentioned before, the only thing that I would think would give Mike pause to go back to his solo "Beach Boys" would be the public sort of re-evaluating his use of the band's name in light of all five having been part of it in 2012.

But the masses proved in 1998 (and numerous other times in other ways) that any band on stage using the name and I suppose with a few dudes in Hawaiian shirts is all it takes.

Given the potential flat-fee nature of the license, I'd say that's a possibility.

On the other hand, they're playing some big venues. And you have the added things like the VIP packages. And the added shows. I'd bet that Mike is coming out ahead of where he might be otherwise, but perhaps not as much as one might expect.

What's most important, though, is that this solidifies the brand. There's a new record. There's some artistic credibility. There's lots of press. Even if Mike is making less this go round, all of those added things will enrich his future endeavors with the band.

You know what would be the best case scenario, and I know it won't happen, for reasons that we are all aware of, but...

Let's assume (for sake of discussion) that, after this reunion tour, Brian will be working on the next Beach Boys' album and won't be touring. What would he tour and why would he tour? So, all they have to do is remove Brian's piano from the stage, and keep everything else in tact - including the band members. If Brian isn't touring, his band members can stay in "The Beach Boys", and Mike will just have to explain things to his son and his band.

Then, when it's time to record the next Beach Boys' album, haul them all into the studio. How 'bout that?

Mike is a road warrior and will tour until he can't tour no more.  With that said, I can see the guy give the band a big group hug and then a heartfelt "Until next time fellas...  But for now...Bruce, let's go..we got a plane to catch to South America.  See ya guys."  While a whole lot of opportunities are surely opening up for Mike right now nothing can stop him from moving forward and I don't see him waiting around for any amount of time to wait out what Brian or Al or whomever wants to do in the future.  "When you figure it out, just give us a call..we'll be on the road. "

I'd like to see Mike, Al, Bruce and David continue on for a few more years as a touring unit.

This'll earn me a chorus of boo's but I wouldn't be shocked if Brian retired from touring completely after this.

Let's face it, we may love these guys but they're really getting up there. I don't know how many more years touring will even be something they're capable of.

I don't know man. Al seems to be in GREAT shape. (Speaking of, has he ever spoken out about his diet / exercise? ) Bruce has a ton of energy. Mike also seems to be a very good health. B Dub is the only one I'm worried about. I guess the back issues really took a toll on him. The whole eyes half closed thing has me concerned. The first time I remember seeing that was during the interview for... was it the Gershwin album, where his manager kept telling him to keep his eyes open? Wonder what that's about...

Exactly. There is a short-term plan and a long-term one.

The short-term seems to be to finish up the tour (which now extends about a month longer than planned). Then we'll see the commemorative releases in the fall, and possibly the live album / DVD / whatever.

Mike and Bruce will probably tour on their own during the fall / winter / spring. Brian will need a long break. It's easiest and most convenient to go back to the status quo, although it would be great to have Al and / or Dave keep trucking with the band.

But I'd bet that everyone behind the scenes is thinking seriously about summer 2013, and about 2014. What would be needed to create a new album? How would another big tour go? What do Brian and the other principals want to do? These are all things that need to be thought through seriously. There are pluses and minuses to all of them.

Frankly, I don't think anyone knows. I think there are hopes. But there are real challenges. Without the 50th anniversary theme, would the band draw such big audiences? While TWGMTR is good, any follow-up album would have to be outstanding to justify another Brian returns tour. And do Brian's guys want to actually become the backing band for the Beach Boys?

There are a lot of possibilities. But the quality of the album and the shows surely suggests that this isn't the last we'll see of this lineup.

Tony Bennett is still going in his 80s. So is BB King (overweight and with diabetes to boot). Brian's mom lived to be 80. I think he could be persuaded to do more dates. But I don't think he'll do something of this size again (and he really only toured this heavily once in his solo career -- the 2004-2005 Smile shows).

?? What does The Band has to do with The Beach Boys ?

I think Mike and Bruce will continue to tour and Brian will take a break or retire from it. It seems Al would be one who would really like to keep going. I have a feeling Mike might not invite him to join them afterwards (based on just a feeling). Who would lose the most? Brian can tour as a solo artist, as can Dave and  (but to a lesser extent in financial terms).

That's what I want.

It's interesting that a certain well respected scholar of all things Beach Boys hasn't been to this thread. At least not yet.  ;D

I don't think Al wants 150-170 dates a year though anyway. He was getting tired of so many dates in the 90's. Plus he will want to work with his sons at some point,.

I really think Mike is making a lot more money than previously..

When was the last time The Beach Boys sold out The Hollywood Bowl? Or be able to charge (and get!) $1250 for a v.i.p ticket?? From what I gathered, before this tour,in the USA at least, they were on the county fair/casino circuit? And have been for many years?

Personally I would love for them to continue as they are now, but like most, cant see it happening,mainly due to the limitations of Brian & age. Which is why we need to appreciate this very real magical time for what it is!

Does anybody know exactly what is wrong with Brian's back? Perhaps some type of corrective surgery would help. Maybe it would get him in the mood to do more touring or recording. Although, a 70 year old man is never really a good candidate for a major operation.

Add in the occasional date with Brian (previously announced, obviously) and this'd be poifect. Of course that relies on Brian wanting to do this, and while I can't see him keeping up with this as is, I could still see the occasional show or maybe even very short tour with him on stage. Even if the other guys slowed down, only playing a few dozen shows a year, that'd be totally understandable at their age. Or even stopping outright, really (heh :'( )

But yeah - if Brian wants and needs to take it easy from here on out, the group touring with the occasional Brian performance (if he wants to) while still recording as Brian, Al, Mike, Bruce and David would be perfect. If not, I'll take Brian still recording with them and maybe as a solo artist while they tour, still. I'm really hoping they stay together, as what's been going on thus far has been really, really great overall.

I wonder how easy will it be for the Mike and Bruce version of the BB's to sell tickets after the reunion tour.  It might be a good thing for the group to go on hiatus for a while and avoid over-exposure, although their time as singers is drawing to a close. 

Not to be a "Debbie Downer", but if you think about it, This would be an ideal time for The Beach Boys to break up for good, and even retire the name "The Beach Boys". I mean, they would have done one last tour that was highly successful both financially, and perhaps even more rewarding on a personal level. They would have also done a HUGELY successful final album of original material as "Produced by Brian Wilson", which is an album that I think I can safely say has exceeded miles beyond even the most pessimistic of dreams. And let's face it, the final 30 seconds or so of Summer's Gone is an almost poetic way to close the chapter of a group that should not have survived. The fact that this band has survived beyond the "airplane tarmac fight" or the 1978 Australian tour goes against virtually all forms of logic and common sense.  ;D

I would not be surprised if we actually get a new entity after the reunion. California Saga have set themselves up and rehearsed. I could see some of those guys going out on the road with Mike/Bruce/maybe Al and Dave too.

I can see some of the CalSaga kids stepping up too, but what happens when all the originals have retired or, inevitably, died?

Would the kids be allowed to fly the flag as The Beach Boys? Presumably some will inherit the BRI voting rights and have that say.

And what happens to the creative side? Would they be able (and would the fans accept) to write, record and perform new material, as The Beach Boys? Or should the be nothing more than an oldies band (and TWGMTR would have to be embraced by that term), emasculated/neutered/rendered non-creative so as not to dilute The Original Beach Boys creative legacy?

That said, how much creative talent is there among the kids? Judging by the last Wilson/Philips album, those girls' creative juices have run dry... I haven't heard In Bloom or any other combos so would be keen to know more.

Easier, probably.

No, I don't think The Band could do it without Levon Helm.

RIP Levon Helm!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvijfZp3_eU

'teh hell is the "airplane tarmac fight"?

Go see the "Dennis and the ultimatum" thread. (Based on my perusal of the board posts thus far, I'm sure that you know all about this slightly garbled reference, actually.)

Turning back to the thread topic, I can see Mike looking for ways to use parts of what's been deployed on the 50th tour for his future gigs. Certainly it would make sense to incorporate California Saga into his show, both for the idea of "torch-passing" and to simply give the oldsters some downtime during the show. Until they decide (if they decide) to mount another full-on tour with BW in tow, Mike should be able to create tiered engagements where he has various combinations of original members (Al, David, occasionally BW and his crew) based on the venue.

What will really be interesting to find out is whether BW decides to do any more solo tours after this.

how about both Brian and Al leave the touring band after the current tour? , they, (Brian and Al) take a break, and then resume back in the studio working on the new songs. Al's voice would be a nice add to Brian's on the demos and when Mike , Dave and Bruce are ready to come off the road, there will be material ready for them to add to.

I would imagine that Brian's half of the current band will come off the road as well.. they are a important part of Brian's studio environment.

Indeed. Well, in this guy's current absence, my take is that Mike will go back to touring with Bruce (and Alan ? Probably not. And David ? More likely but not a given) because it's what he does... and Brian will do what Brian usually does, which is forget all he's been saying about carrying on and go out on his own again. I'm thinking there may be undercurrents and rips that we fans know nothing of. I doubt it's purely financial.

On a personal note, I'd hate to see the band dilute the awesome and almost totally unexpected success of the tour/album by prolonging it. Buffalo Bill did a farewell tour that lasted some two years and by the end, the attendances were pitiful.

And... why can't Mike go out as The Beach Boys ? What else can he do ? Pump gas ?

Personally I hope mike and Bruce tour wih David and Al in tow while Brian stays home, makes albums and waits for the boys to drop by to add vocal overdubs. That worked fine back in the peak era and, if we believe everything we're hearing now, has just produced another good album.

Andrew - this year's colossally successful reunion tour, put the band back in some of the big venues.  Some of the smaller theater venues really took a big hit this season, because of the absence of the Touring Band, who were perennial seasonal headliners.  Some of these theaters are not casinos with another means of support and do a lot of educational community work.

That said, there is that enormous networked base, at least in the States, which seem to have had a annual standing invite.  Some of the venues are in outlying areas, that would never make the cut for the more regional venues that the reunion tour use.  They seem ready, willing and able to have the Touring Band back for their theater goers, and, the draw of The Band, which surely is good income for both, helps keep live theater alive.  And, take the kids and grand kids along.

And, who is to say when people should retire?  As long as good health is intact, and the desire to work is there, people want to hear the Beach Boys music.  I think Brian became more energized as the tour unfolded and his mobility seemed better.  By the time they get back to England, for that apparent end of the reunion tour, a bit of rest and regrouping might be in order.  There is a certain charm in playing for smaller venues.  Those venues kept the music alive when all fell apart after Carl's death.  Who would give up that momentum that took years to build?  And all that good will?

I think I understand the image thing you might be referring to, (and you'll tell me if I'm mistaken) but, that fan base which might not be the high-end very well put together specie of this deluxe tour.  The Band and The Music is more accessible to more fans, even if it's not the glamour version, with all the special effects, of this tour.  JMHO  ;)

What this tour did, most importantly to me, was allow the fans a place to recognize and honor Dennis and Carl.  It was a formal chance for the fans, complete with video footage.  People I ran into found that so important.  That done, they can move on, or go back, or do nothing, should they choose.  I don't think we've heard the last from them, and why waste all that hard-earned collective wisdom and never be creative again?

Sir Elton John had an interesting  spin on that.  In The Union movie with Leon Russell, Elton said he wanted to make his kind of music, and whether it was a big hit, was irrelevant.  He just wanted to keep creating what he wanted and make a difference doing it. 

The Mike Love BBs have every legal right to tour as they do and they put on a great show, I just can't really consider them the real BBs with two members (one really with Bruce doing very little these days) in my opinion. Brian Wilson and Al Jardine are missed at shows and this year really proved it.

Alan's voice adds a lot to the harmonies.

Legal, schmiegal-Myke is one and Bruth aint and no Wilsons to be found anywhere. If you gp to see the fake show just keep askin where' the rest of the godamn band is. Don't be shy about askin for yourmoney back   jusy giv em hell about it

It would be the perfect time to retire the name.  Go out on top...not as some county fair oldies act. 

Uh oh. Seems like they ain't gonna stay together after this year. Ah well, at least we got this tour and album. Here's hoping that they continue recording together, however unlikely that might be.

Don't forget the other bloke…

I'd have to say, this would be a shame. Simply because the shows have been so good and so right seeming. I would hate to see them give it up entirely -- at the very least, they could do a handful of shows each year, possibly some limited recording. But that will all shake out, I suppose.

I don't expect them to do much on the recording side, simply because older acts like them don't sell anymore - except the GH comps like SOS. TWGMTR debuted high, and now, only a couple months later, is almost off 200. SOS will continue to sell year after year, because it's got the familiar hits on it. Things might be a bit different if radio had a place for 2012 BB's music. but we all know how horrible radio playlists are now. It won't surprise me if Al and David tour with Mike and Bruce, but Brian? He's never been a road dog. Yeah, he's toured a lot in recent years, but I don't believe for a minute that is his choice. The albums don't sell, so the money's gotta come from somewhere, and on the road is where Brian's handlers have put him. As long as Mike, Bruce, Al and David are out there representing his music "live", he really shouldn't have to do it...but we will see.

Mr. Marks is the wild-card in all of this. ;)

"Only a couple months later" means it's their longest and highest chart run in 35 years.  They've just had seven weeks in the Top 100 -- friggin' Smile didn't manage that.

I'd wager that the Beach Boys and Capitol are very, very happy indeed with the sales of "Radio", and would be glad to have another go...

Cheers,
Jon Blum

If TWGMTR had bombed, I don't think we'd even be discussing this right now.  The Beach Boys and Capitol Records have made a lot of money and have had a lot of success this year.  I think it's more than likely that the powers that be will want to try for more.

Exactly. The album did miraculously well.

How long was "Still Cruisin" on the album chart? I know it didn't peak very high, but it did go gold, so I would think it must've hung around the 200 for more than a couple months. One thing I don't like about the Soundscan era is how veteran acts will chart really high the first week out...and then quickly drop off the chart. It sounds impressive to say, for example "Bob Dylan had a #1 album in 2009", but then it drops off within just a couple months, unlike the 70's when he would be on the chart for half a year or more.

I'm hoping they reform again periodically after this tour.  There's no reason why Brian can't do whatever he wants to do as a solo artist and switch off to Beach Boys work whenever he wants.  Now that the "bridge" between Brian and Mike Love has been completely restored, he should have the freedom to work with them as often as he wants.  Let's hope Brian sees it that way too. 

Has TWGMTR gone gold yet?

The "reform every so often" concept sounds like a good compromise, but unfortunately, while these guys have defied all sorts of odds and still put on a great show at age 70+, they don't have a ton of years left to "reform periodically." I'm not saying they can't perhaps pull of a 60th Anniversary Tour, but age may take it's toll at an even more rapid pace at some point here.

If they have any interest in doing more stuff together, sooner rather than later might be a good idea, meaning a new album and tour in 2013 perhaps.

Yeah sooner than later would be preferred.  I would like to see them get together once a year at this point, maybe letting a year and half at the most pass until they work together again.  If things are truly as great as it seems between Mike and Brian--there's no need to approach any future work so gingerly.  The door should be wide open on both ends to feel free to call on the other for more collaborations.  My impression is that Brian likes his freedom and if he wants to write a solo album--he likes the option to do so.  I just hope that he can now permanently add "The Beach Boys" to his "to do" lists among his other projects.

That worked for about a year and a half. That is nothing if you compare it to the 50 years of history this band has. Ideally, it's a great idea; it reads nicely. But it was hard to keep it when these guys were at their peak... don't see why would it be easier now.

Obvious reasons to start with -- they've grown up, no one's got poorly diagnosed mental illness, they're all on the same page for what they want out of those tours, and none of them is on ludicrous amounts of drugs...

Cheers,
Jon Blum

How depressing would it be if they never toured or released another album. I can't imagine a world without The Beach Boys doing something

At first, I though this whole celebration and Summer's Gone would be the perfect ending for their career. I got to see them live, Smile is out, one last great album... The perfect ending.

...but who am I kidding! I don't want them to stop! I want more! More songs, maybe see them live for the second time, Billboard number one! Bring it on! Granted, they aren't getting any younger, but they are not that old!

I always thought it was silly that we had three different groups going out on tour, performing essentially the same show. I mean, sure Al and Brian initially picked more album cuts and lesser known hits, but eventually Mike and Bruce started doing that, too. So what would I rather have, Help Me Rhonda being performed by three different groups? or the group members TOGETHER singing it? I prefer together.

I don't know about overall charts, but Tower Records in Japan has a "Western Music" chart, and the album was in the top ten of that chart for quite a long time.

Call it quits after the 9/28 London show, go back to doing what they've been doing since 1998. What's happened this year has been amazingly fulfilling and has, indeed, defied all reasonable odds. Don't push it. Leave with a golden memory, untarnished, unsullied. Don't f*** with it.

I think Brian's going to want to write another album.

I also think it could easily be better than "radio" was, although I thought the album was spectacular, all things considered.

When they did this album, there was still a lot of doubt about how they would work together, A lot of the songs were pre-existing, etc.  Most of the stuff Brian wrote to complete the album was high quality material.

If they write another album, they'll have more time to record it, and also Brian will be a little more comfortable from the get go.  Also if he continues the strength he left off with, we're in for some great music. 

I don't see any reason not to only expect another album, but to even expect a BETTER album. 

I don't necessarily want another masterpiece.  I'd love another album if it's fun -- for them, as well as for us.  There shouldn't be any pressure to top "Summer's Gone" -- they've done their against-the-odds triumphant grand finale, anything else we get is a bonus, or one more encore.

If Brian wants to unleash the rest of his suite, that's fine, but I'd be happy with another album with stuff of the standard of "Isn't It Time".  One more piece of candy left at the bottom of the bag...

Cheers,
Jon Blum

I agree, with the caveat that in my opinion, that album in itself could be a masterpiece. 

I hate to burst everyone's bubble, but I highly doubt that any suite will be finished regardless of whether they do another album. In fact, is there any proof that any of it got beyond the demo stage? And how do we know that the random snippet from the upcoming DVD is from "I'd Go Anywhere"?

But anyways regardless, I hope they do more studio work. Live concerts are cool too, but the studio recordings are what is gonna be sticking around longer. And if Brian's writing good material and he likes being around the guys, why not have his projects be Beach Boys projects. It would take off some of the load of being the producer, singer, and songwriter, and let the other guys pick up some slack. Plus he could still have the security blanket of his band with Darian and company as he has this year. I think it only makes sense. I don't understand why people think they should end on a high note. If they are still functioning on a high level, why not keep working together. I think the possibility of more great work more than weighs out the chance that what they do might not be that great.

I think it is like that due to a limited number of people buying today compared to then. Bakc then many bought the album, casual fans would aslo quite often buy the album. Nowadays you have fans buying the album, but the people who used to buy the album after a few months would rather download illegaly today. at least i would think so.

22 weeks, peaked at #46.

US charts (http://www.esquarterly.com/bellagio/charts.html)

I do this so you don't have to.  ;D

Did you ever consider going on Mastermind back in the day?  ;D

Applied five or six times: apparently "The Life and Music of Brian Douglas Wilson" wasn't considered a serious enough subject back when Magnus was in the chair.

That's funny you should mention that, because I wonder what sort of questions they would have come up with.

Seems a serious enough topic for me anyway, especially in the context of more recent years.

PET SOUNDS 50th TOUR 2016 ;D

(Nothing would surprise me after this year)