The Smiley Smile Message Board

I've read a number of references here lately to Bruce being a really great piano/keyboard player, which kind of surprised me. I admit, I grew up with the 80's traveling jukebox BB's, and I can't say I ever was aware of Bruce doing much with his keyboard onstage - he seemed more interested in clapping along with the songs, although I would often see his hands on the keys, but I sure couldn't detect his playing in the mix. Can someone point me to some examples of Bruce's playing?

The Nearest Faraway Place. He used to do that as a solo piano number way back in the sixties.

Oh, and Wild Honey's title track's magnificent organ solo is played by Bruce. His finest hour, I think.

According to Hal Blaine's book, the Wrecking Crew guys held his keyboard playing in very high esteem.  But yeah, he doesn't do much in the Beach Boys live show and hasn't since he rejoined in the late '70s.

The Fender Rhodes on "Endless Harmony" is Bruce.  That's a pretty solid performance.

He actually plays almost all the time on the Knebworth live. I haven't really paid attention to how much of it is audible, but at least he was trying. In the old times mics didn't need constant adjusting?

Yeah, I think he was regarded by some as one of the finest piano/organ players in L.A. That's what I heard. I don't know if it's true but he is a very good player that's for sure.

Disney Girls from The Ol' Grey Whistle Test:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4m5SfdZ_n4

Was just about to post this.  It's such a great performance until he goes completely over the top in the last verse.  Mike Love in the background is a plus, though.

Wonderful keyboard player. You can hear him on Caroline No and Disney G in the "Hotel Tape" video on youtube also. He plays his ass off in the Olympia 1969 (1968?) concert somewhere on youtube.

That ain't Mike?

The guy who seems to have fallen asleep in the background is not Mike. i guess it's the host of the show.

And I agree that although it's a nice performance Bruce just tries much too hard to be soulful on this one. There's a radio broadcast of a show from 1980 in Detroit or Philadelphia (I really don't remember) where he's got it right.

he did two solos on that, but only one was kept! why did they do that? they sound epic in stereo both striving for the attention of each ear, wicked stuff! Hope for stereo release of that song alone!

Lonely Summer, didn't you bring up this same topic just last month? Several good responses followed after your question in that thread...

Brian's piano playing on 2012
 http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,13480.msg291826.html#msg291826

During much of 1971, Bruce was the only keyboard player in the band.

And I guess that's why Bruce's and Brian's pianos aren't very high in the mix. Both of them don't keep playing through a song and when they suddenly stop when their instruments are high there's a big hole in the sound. Therefor they have Darian and Scott

Why is Bruce so lazy about playing keyboards and singing in recent years?  Is it some kind of passive aggressive thing against the band and/or the audience?  I assume he believes people should only get paid if they work hard, so why is he hardly working?  Though I suppose his duties as audience fluffer are something he thinks are more important than actually playing and singing. 

Every tour Bruce has participated in, there's always been another "lead" keyboardist in the group who takes all the prominent keyboard work.  It's practically unheard of to have two keyboardists equally mixed in a show unless each player has completely different roles where one is on an organ and one on a piano etc.  Bruce's musical input is not a priority when you have others who are doing the job for him.  His keyboard is plugged in for himself--- not necessarily for us.

I really don't get the slagging Bruce gets on the keyboard thing.  Do you want him to be up there like Yanni or something?  It's not like he was once the "Jimi Hendrix" of keyboards---why are people so stuck on this?  He was hired because of his voice--not because of his keyboard skills.  He's up there singing every song, he plays keyboard on most if not all the songs also...what's the big problem? 

Bruce needs to be more like Rick Wakeman and Keith Emerson. Surround him with Hammond B-3s, Moog synthesizers, grand pianos, and Rhodes keyboards. Then "Bruce Historical Johnston" will finally be complete!

I know eh!  And Mike doesn't play his tambourine as much as he should either, and they mix it way down.  They should put those two at the back to concentrate on their instruments.

Good point - if he didn't have a keyboard in front of him (audible or not), BHJ would be upfront with Mike most of the time gesturing for the audience to clap.

And a CAPE! If he wore a long sparkling 24 karat cape of gold, then I would take back everything I said.

(http://i46.tinypic.com/14azms5.jpg)

No, he's gotta go full Phantom for full entertainment value.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8167/7658311028_e51ace6522_z.jpg)

That's what I wondered, too. No, he doesn't need to do a 20 minute organ break mid-show, but since the guy is obviously talented on the keys, it would be nice to hear him play. Seems like the only guys in the group that took their instrumental skills seriously were Dennis and Carl. For Bruce and Brian, the piano or keyboard is mostly just a prop these days. But thanks guys for sharing the above clips, good stuff.

AH, I haven't watched the clip in a couple of years, I thought it was Mike when I saw it.  That will be Whispering Bob Harris, probably wishing he could be enjoying a Stinger chew bar and a copy of Q magazine.

Really?  Hadn't heard that before...wasn't Daryl with them the whole year?

This is spot on.

A bunch of success haters, we all are!  :lol

Ye Gods that is an awful hystrionic version.  Never liked this song.

You jest, but I think much truth is to be found in your remark.

I hate the mentality that when anyone complains about one of the Beach Boys or their assorted sidemen, it's because we're jealous of their success.