The Smiley Smile Message Board

Just wondering if anyone is doing the 'meet and greet' package on Brian's summer tour with Al and David. I decided to pony up and purchase it because this opportunity may not come back to Pittsburgh again. Anyone know if the meet and greet is being offered in the other venues? Autographs are part of the meet and greet along with the sound check and front row seat. I missed out on the Mike Nesmith meet and greet which I really feel bad about. I had a great seat at the concert, though. Great show by Nesmith!

I'm really looking forward to the show. Can't wait to see songs they'll be playing. I think Al will have a big part with the vocals. At least I hope so. Deep playlist? We'll see.

Anyone else going?

I dunno, I might consider this. But seeing as how they only have a handfull of shows booked so far, I don't think anybody even has an idea of how large of a tour this is going to be. 7 shows? 15? 30?

There was a VIP package for the Atlantic City show, but I didn't buy it. A regular ticket will do me just fine. I spent $400+ for the C50 VIP package, and except for the photo with the band, it was a real let down. We were herded in and out like cattle.

I was able to see the sound check for the BB 50 show but they didn't offer us the meet and greet. Hopefully it will be worth it. I think the info included an autograph, photograph, and T-shirt.

This will be my first 'in person' meet and greet with Brian, Al, and David. So what would you take to get signed??

I have an early 45rpm cover sleeve with David which I think I'll take. For Brain and Al the Smile box or LP would be nice. Maybe the upcoming BB50 LIVE CD for all three to sign? I have a Beach Boys Love You box (Japanese mini LP/CDs) which would look really cool signed by Brian and Al. (still my favorite Beach Boys album, I think!)

What would you take to get signed if you had the chance?

I'd hope the Brian/Al/Dave meet-and-greet would be a much warmer process than the C50 one.  In all honesty, none of these meet and greets are ever perfect.  They're all going to be rushed and they're never going to be exactly how you'd envision them.  I was happy to do the ones for C50 but only because I expected them to rush us in and rush us out. 

Anyway, I'd love to get my Pet Sounds LP signed.  I'm completely kicking myself now but I had many opportunities to get it signed by the group but purposely chose to have only Brian's signature on it.  For some reason I felt right just having Brian's on it and no one else's on it.  Anyway, now I'd love for the rest of them to sign it now.  That or also get "Love You" another favorite.  It would look nicely next to my "Surf's Up" and "Sunflower" albums signed by the group!

I would take a few things to get signed, but expect problems. Live Nation is a PITA with that stuff, but it is not impossible if you are patient and wait for your chance.

Also don't be surprised if you're not allowed to bring items of your own but forced to accept the items THEY provide to get signed.  Like a special poster, picture or maybe program.  There's always that too.

Where are you finding the information and links to purchase the meet and greet package?  They just announced a date in Northern Michigan!  I'm very excited!

How much are they asking for this one? The autograph oppourtunity really makes things interesting for me. A member in the Mike & Bruce Beach Boy's band is helping me out with getting my meet-n-greet picture from C50 signed by them  ;D

It's a little pricey at $250. It's probably one of those once in a life time chances to meet Brian, Al, and David together. I don't think Live Nation is involved with this one.

Check the link for 'Stage AE Pittsburgh' or google it. When you see the shows scroll down to Brian Wilson and click.

Here's the link. It has the info about everything included:

http://www.promowestlive.com/index_pittsburgh.php?venue=stageae

I don't have the ticket or instructions yet. I hope there aren't restrictions on what they sign.

Are they doing this anywhere else?

Is there one for the show in Highland Park, IL, this July? I didn't see anything about one last time- now that I could probably afford it.

Are they planing on selling meet and greet packages for every show, or is this only for one or two performances?

From the Stage AE website:

 Stage AE - Pittsburgh,Pa
Sunday July 21, 2013; Gates open at 6:30 PM
$49.00 - Reserved Pit Seating
$25.00 - General Admission Lawn
All Ages
This show is outdoors - Rain or Shine!

A limited number of VIP packages will be available through Ticketmaster.

VIP Meet & Greet - $250.00
Includes:
1 Premium Reserved Seat in first 2 rows
Entrance to Soundcheck
autograph, meet & greet, photo with Brian Wilson, Al Jardine & David Marks, and T-shirt

VIP Soundcheck - $125.00
Includes:
1 Premium Reserved Seat in second-third rows
Entrance to Soundcheck

__________________________________________________________


So it says 'autograph, meet & greet, photo with Brian Wilson, Al Jardine & David Marks'. It doesn't say autographed photo, program or anything. I'm hoping they'll sign our items. Either way it's going to be a great show.

Congrats acedecade75 and everyone in Northern Michigan! Check the venue website for info or call. No telling how many more shows they will add and where they will travel.

Anyone else out there?

Mike Nesmith announced and sold his meet and greet tickets on his VideoRanch website. I had no idea it was announced.  :'( I'll probably never get a chance like that again to meet the NEZ. A group of us fans waited near the tour bus but his manager said he would only sign at the meet and greet which was held after the concert. We waited anyway. Mike came out and said "Hey Guys" and then got on the bus. We said hello and thanked him for coming to Pittsburgh. (I still can't believe it!) Fantastic show. I don't blame Mike. Rules need to be made and kept and it could have been a safety issue, too. I blame myself for not checking his website. I was sitting 5th row center so I can't complain. But when people started exiting the theater with their autographs I felt a little sick. He was quite generous signing at least one Monkee item and numerous Nesmith items. One guy ended up with seven Nesmith autographs on various items. It's really cool that Nesmith did that. I'm feeling sick again.  :P Rumor is that he's doing more shows with Micky and Peter as the Monkees later this year. Maybe then....

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to this show.

I think that's very fairly priced for what you get. It's the same stuff as C50 VIP with a little less merch, and two less Beach Boys...and I paid $375 for that!

I agree! It's very fair and you have to consider that they may not come to your home town next time. Good luck to all. Hopefully they'll keep this tour going and they'll add more dates.

He is -- tickets for a show in California go on sale a week on Monday.
As to what to bring for a Brian/Al/David meet & greet, I'd suggest that at least one of the items be Al's solo CD. They're all on it, and when I briefly met Al last year he really lit up when I mentioned how much I liked it, and became very talkative.

Of course, it says "autograph, meet & greet, photo with Brian Wilson, Al Jardine & David Marks, and T-shirt"  so don't be surprised if you bring alot of items and they refuse to sign more than one; probably all of them on a single item. 

One autograph from each is fair and fine by me. I wouldn't expect them to sign more than one.

Great news on the Monkees. Someone at the Nesmith show said that they are going to try to get to the places that they missed on the last tour. I got the impression that Nesmith really enjoyed performing on stage. I hope a new album is in the works. Keep it going!

Yeah. Bring "a lot" of items. But don't expect "alot" of autographs.

I think it's cool that Nesmith only charged an extra $50 for the meet and greet versus about $150 for Brian, Al, and David. Of course, tickets were limited, but real fans that stayed up half the night had a crack at them. I actually signed up for the list, out of curiosity, and was up at the time when they were offered and it landed in my inbox. I couldn't pull the trigger, though, between even a modest $50 cost and the fact I'm not the absolute biggest Nesmith or Monkees fan. While I enjoy his music and enjoyed his show, I figured there were bigger fans than me who would get more out of it and/or had more things to sign. Glad that they got to have their moment with their hero at a reasonable cost.  If only Beach Boys fans could get such an opportunity without paying so much.

I just purchased the Soundcheck/Meet And Greet VIP package for the Atlantic City show.  It's through Ticketmaster and they're mailing the actual tickets to me.  But does anyone know how the soundcheck/meet and greet will work?  Does ticketmaster send you details about this seperate from the tickets?

Thank you for not using "BAD"

I like DBA "Doing Business As - David, Brian & Al"

I picked up my ticket(s) but it didn't come with any information.

I called my local venue Stage AE. They didn't have any details but suggested I call back the week of the show or check Brian's website. I think they usually send out information a week or two before the show.

I think I had to call Live Nation last year for the Beach Boys show. I think they ended up sending me an email.

I'll post here if I hear anything.

 Last year when I ordered the VIP package through VIP Nation, they told me at the time of purchase that a VIP itinerary would be emailed out about a week before the show.  I purchased the VIP package for the Atlantic City show this time through Ticketmaster, and honestly, I'm surprised that they give me any information about the pacakge.  They're mailing me the tickets, but they didn't say anything about getting an email before the show.  I wonder who's handeling the VIP packages?  I don't think they're being offered at every show.   Whenever I've purchased an expensive show package before, I've always been provided with some information regarding the VIP portion shortly after the purchase was made.  This time, there's been nothing communicated.  I'm sure the VIP package is legit, I just like to have an idea of what to expect and what I'll need to do to be part of the VIP experience.

Just noticed that Wilson Phillips are listed on the bill for the Interlochen performance; are they scheduled to play all the dates, or only this one? 

It was announced after the fact that they will only be making a special appearance at this gig.

 I wonder if they will be an opening act, or if they will be joining the band during Brian, Al, and Dave's performance?

Man, that will be good either way; wish it wasn't so darn far. Do jets land close to interlochen?

You can fly into Traverse City which is only about a 15 minute drive to Interlochen.  Interlochen is a great venue.  I saw my first Beach Boys concert there in 1992.

Looks like airfare is around $400/driving in gas will be around $280( both round trip) 
not so good. probably won't make this show...

I wonder if this is the beginnings of a return for the 'Beach Boys Family and Friends' band/tour? Al and his family and friends really rocked it the first time. With Brian in charge and David included it really would be the 'Beach Boys Family and Friends' (tour). Bring in Matt Jardine and maybe a few others and there you go. Brian could sit back and relax and let the others share some of the lead vocals.

Wishful thinking on my part but I think there is more of a chance of this happening than the BB50 line up getting back together. Or so I have been told here on the board.  ::)

How many people would you have to have on stage though (which was perhaps one of the problems with BBF&F in the first place)? Especially as Brian, Al, Chynna, Wendy, Carnie, Matt etc. would be making little musical contribution. I can't see how it could work.

Yeah, that's insane. Plus, as nice as California Saga are, once you get the older generation involved (or vice versa) and you get a 'FAMILY AND FRIENDS' show you lose a lot of real world credibility.

Beach Boys/ Real World Credibility-- who would ever think that?

I just received my tickets for the Atlantic City show.  According to the ticket, Brian's special guest is "Al Tardine".  I think it's really in poor taste for Ticketmaster to misspell the name of the performer.

 Also, these are the Soundcheck/Meet And Greet VIP tickets, but there was no mention of any details regarding the VIP portion.

Mine just has 'Coors Light Concerts Present Brian Wilson'. No mention of Al and David on the ticket. It does have 'VIP' on it but no mention of the meet and greet. It would be nice to know the details but I guess that will have to wait. I'll be watching my email for info.

As far as the misspelling they should have caught that and corrected it. For a company as big as Ticketmaster that kind of thing shouldn't happen.

I hope they play 'Honkin' Down The Highway'. It's the perfect opportunity and how cool would that be seeing Al and Brian sharing the vocals on a "Love You" track live in concert? Maybe we'll see a few surprises.

No offense to anyone who does go to these meet and greets, but out of principle I wouldn't even pay a cent for something like that. I would absolutely love to meet Brian, Al and David, but not if I have to pay for it. There's something very degrading about shaking someone's hand and knowing that the other person only does it because you paid him. That's like platonic prostitution.

Fully agree.

No offense taken. I think of it as the entire experience of being at the sound check, the meet and greet and a nice seat at the concert. Sports are very popular in my city but I can't see spending $100-$200 on a single hockey game. Spending extra money on a concert like this that doesn't come around (ever!) too often is my decision on how to spend my entertainment dollars. Sports fans will disagree but to each his own.

Is it a little weird or degrading to pay someone for a autograph or photo? Yeah, maybe  ::) , but it's something that I would never do on a regular basis. Back in the day you had to know someone at a radio station or the concert promoter to get a back stage pass. For those of us not connected we can pay extra to see the band up close. Oops. degrading, again... ::)  :lol 

I know I would never try to track down or stalk these guys on the street for a autograph. This is a controlled, safe setting for them and a fun experience for the fans. Autographs? Mine will sit on my record shelf or on the wall where I can enjoy it.

Again, for me it's how I want to spend my entertainment dollars. Why not do that on one of my favorite bands.

They do have to pay some extra money for security and using the venue in that way, so there is a cost involved. I'm sure they're making some money, but it's not all going to them. It's not any different than an autograph show. Not everyone would pay for that, either, but if people want to meet these people, get an autograph or photo with them, the option is available for a price.  The performers might tell you that people make money off of them when fans sell signed items on E Bay.

I feel the same way.

So here's my update on the meet and greet experience. For me it went very well.

I ended up calling my local venue Stage AE in Pittsburgh two weeks before the concert. A nice young lady told me to call back the Thursday before the show. I did that and was told to be at the VIP entrance at 4:30 p.m. I asked about bringing a camera and was told that it was OK as long as it wasn't a professional camera with multiple lenses. I don't remember asking about the autograph but I had already picked two items that I was going to take with me to sign.

The day of the concert I was ready to leave my place when I got a phone call asking if received information about the meet and greet. I told the woman that I called Stage AE and they told me to be there at 4:30 p.m. Apparently information was not sent out. she asked if I received an email and as far as I knew I did not. That was it.

I arrived before 4:30 p.m. and waited in line. A women eventually came out and I recognized her as being Tara. (Tera?) She said that the autograph would be done on a photograph that they would provide. BIG disappointment at that moment.

Some of you may remember Tara as being the hostess for the Beach Boys 50 meet and greets. We had to sign some sort of agreement at the BB50 sound check that (I think) we wouldn't take pictures, walk single file, don't act like idiots, and don't look at any of the Beach Boys in the eye or something. I understand the need for rules but wow, this was kind of scary. I thought if I did anything wrong that I was going to be taken out back and who knows what. In the BB50 sound check I kept looking back and Tara had here eyes on us the whole time. When the BBs gathered around Brian's piano to rehearse "Add Some Music" some of us squeezed out a few photos. Yeah, I don't like to break rules but this really was a once in a lifetime thing. Don't know if it will happen again. The general audience were taking pictures during the BB50 concert but I still felt like we were being watched by that TARA!!  :o She's OK. She was just doing her job.

We eventually got into the facility which has a huge bar and lounge area. David Marks came out in the public area to get family and friends in through the public entrance. David grew up in near by New Castle, PA and still has friends and family in that area. Everyone respected his presence which was nice to see.

We were taken out to the stage and we sat in the first two rows for the sound check. Fantastic time watching everyone rehearse. Really enjoyable.

Immediately after the sound check we were taken back in for the meet and greet. They were handing people a photo and they would take it to Al. He would sign and pass it to Brian and David. In the mean time they were asked to step behind the three for the photo.

When it was my turn I had my Beach Boy 50 tote bag in my hand along with my 45 rpm cover sleeve of Surfin' Safari (for David to sign) and I had a Japanese mini LP box (which houses the mini LP CDs). The box has the cover of The Beach Boys Love You album. I had to give up my bag and 45 rpm to Tara but I kept that box in the palm of my other hand. The gentleman who was handing out the photos (I had noticed him on stage during the sound check, maybe the stage manager?) noticed the box. I asked him please (oh please oh please oh pleease...) could I have this signed? He said 'Well..... I told him that I'd forfeit the photo if I could have this signed. He said OK.  :angel: I showed the 'Love You' box to Al and I said 'Honkin Down the Highway'! He smiled and signed. I told him how the album really makes you happy when you're down or something like that . This is why they want to keep the line moving.  ::) The whole time I was waiting for Tara to pick me up and throw me out of the window.  ;D I heard her ask what I was holding. Brain signed. David signed. I wanted David to sign the 45 but I'm now rally glad that he signed the Love You box. I headed for the exit of the meet and greet but they told me to go and get my picture taken. My heart was racing the whole time.

Listen. As I was doing this I really felt that I had the chance of being asked to leave the facility. Being thrown out. I didn't have to sign an agreement this time but I still felt like I could have got someone upset. I took a chance and got lucky. I later heard that some people were able to get things signed and others weren't. Someone had a part of their body signed and were going to have it tattooed permanently. Cool. I feel for those people who didn't get their item signed. I fell very fortunate. I think that we should have been told to have 1 item ready to go and it could be signed. Tara had said that it 'would be too much' for the Boys to sign personal items.

I'm proud to say that with my one and only chance to have Brian and Al (and Dave) sign a personal item I didn't choose The Smile Sessions or Pet Sounds. I chose The Beach Boys Love You album!  ;D

I sat on the opposite side of Brian for the sound check and and for the concert I was front row just in front of Brian and his piano. I really did enjoy the entire night more than the BB50 show...or it's a close tie.

They allowed cameras. I was able to take some nice photos. I hope I didn't distract the people sitting next to me as I scribbled down notes in a small notebook and took pictures. I think they were watching something else anyway. The rain didn't spoil anything. It came and went. It was a night  I won't soon forget. I just feel fortunate that they came to my town.

Thank you to Brian and all involved.  :)

I'm sure I'm not the only one who had a good experience?

 It sounds like your experience was better than the Atlantic City meet and greet.  The Atlantic City meet and greet was a mess!

I talked to people who were at both meet and greets and yes the Atlantic City wasn't as good as the Pittsburgh event.

The photo that they signed in Pittsburgh was on a nice thick paper and it was a high quality photo of the three standing on the beach (minus Mike and Bruce). The one used for BB50 and currently seen on Brian's website.

 There has also been a lot of question as to whether or not the cheap papers they handed out at the Atlantic City show were actualy signed by Brian.  Nobody saw these pictures being signed.   One person on Brian's message board said that Brian's signature on these did not pass third party authentication.  I'm very curious about the replacement autographed photos that they are supposedly sending us.  The whole mess has been a real bummer.

Jeff Foskett AS Brian Wilson is actually a rarer signature than Brian Wilson and will net you more on ebay. Probyn Gregory as Jeff Foskett as Brian Wilson is even rarer. F for FAKE!

I don't think I ever quite understood the autograph mentality. I never passed third party authentication, of course. There have been a lot of questions...

I suspect a lot of Brian's own signatures wouldn't pass authentication!

I posted this in another thread but I'll post it here, too.

Well, this is the signature that Brian signed in front of me in person:

(http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w605/SloopJohnnyB/Other%20Stuff/brisig5_zpsd4bba43f.jpg) (http://s1332.photobucket.com/user/SloopJohnnyB/media/Other%20Stuff/brisig5_zpsd4bba43f.jpg.html)



This is the signature on the BB50 program that I bought at the BB50 concert:

(http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w605/SloopJohnnyB/Other%20Stuff/brisig4_zps563cfe7e.jpg) (http://s1332.photobucket.com/user/SloopJohnnyB/media/Other%20Stuff/brisig4_zps563cfe7e.jpg.html)



I feel very confident that Brian signed the BB50 program. You can see the upward tail at the end of Wilson. Also the 'bump' in Brian. Brian might have been tired but he signed the programs. He had to sign many, too. My opinion.

I don't know what happened in N.J. but I'd like to see the photo they were given. My only concern is that they signed one photo and then made copies from it. Still an autograph. I don't want to speculate on what happened when I wasn't there.

Signatures can change over time but you still have some elements that remain the same.

The two sigs are like night and day.
As you saw Brian sign in front of you, we'll presume that one is real. But the BB50 doesn't appear to be signed by Brian, but is more likely Jeff signing to appear as Brian
Any recent ( last 10-15 years) signature not personally witnessed is suspicious....

Whataya wanna do with it? Pawn it or sell it?

(http://i39.tinypic.com/rkqyb7.jpg)

I'll have to have my guy come in to have a look at it...

(http://www.truewestmagazine.com/jcontent/images/stories/Sep-2011/sep11_what-history-taught_mark-hall-patton_pawn-stars.jpg)

"Brian Wilson signatures don't actually have any value right now except the sentimental value the owner may ascribe to it... maybe if this were historically important... also, something about the Civil War that was previously scripted."

Then we'd have to watch the horrible spectacle of the doughy young man that shall remain nameless trying to do Brian's Fun, Fun, Fun fade falsetto.

Ontor - in the words of Chumley...AWESOME!  :lol

(for the record, I have Ray Manzarek's signature on my Kurzweil K1000 - he signed it after playing it during a Manzarek / McClure gig in Cleveland...outta take that baby down to the boys @ Pawn Stars)

They are different but they share a few key elements.  Mainly the shaky/uneasy lines that form each letter.  Jeff definitely has signed on behalf of Brian but his attempts at his signature is a little bit more obvious..see the pictures below.  Each of the Brian sigs on those items are NOT by Brian--most likely Jeff.  You can see how wildly different they are from Brian's actual signature.  Those are more night and day than the one SloopJohnnyB posted above. 

(http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=226353&stc=1&d=1340064946)

(http://i.imgur.com/1lE28.jpg)




A friend of mine got something signed by Brian--in person just last week.  This was  the result:

(https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=a1291e20bf&view=att&th=140082ed2c02e50c&attid=0.0.1&disp=emb&zw&atsh=1)

Looks like when Brian is in a rush or just not interested in signing---the less pronounced the signature is (as this last picture proves).  This often is the case when Brian is signing more than one item in a row.  His first signature is the best but as he continues to sign...the less letters there are and the more squiggles there are.

The signature on the back of that cd booklet is the 'Jeff' one I have on my C50 programme along with the rest of the group.  Cost me £75! Leaves a bit of a sour taste.  I would rather have paid the same for the signatures less the fake Brian one.  The reason I kept it is it still looks good framed.  Fortunately I have a few other Brian autographs personally obtained.

Listen, Brian chose Jeff to write those signatures for him. Do you know better than Brian does? This is exactly the kind of support that Brian needs to make autographs these days. Would you rather he stay home and refuse to sign anything anymore? You must be blinded by your love of Love.

 I don't think there is anything wrong with those signatures-- They look classy, and a heck of a lot better than Brian's real signature.  Brian should really have Jeff sign all his autographs from now on. I mean, it's obvious Brian doesn't like doing it, and so he signs like crap!

and while he's at it, let Jeff sing for Brian too! and then, maybe he can ease into his spot at the piano so Brian can stay home; after all, it's fairly obvious he doesn't like to tour....

Hilarious. :lol

I dunno, the autograph issue is rather dicey for sure. Seems like they would be opening themselves up to a lot of unneeded hassles by faking autographs when they don't need to be selling them in the first place. I have a 2006 west cost PS tour poster signed by Brian and Al in person and Brian's sig is minimalistic as always but not shaky at all. I also have a signed C50 group photo where his sig isn't shaky either.

Sure, if I had to sign a fresh tonne of tour programmes I don't think my sig would look identical on EACH AND EVERY SINGLE ONE. Jesus.

I mean, as a contrast, is there a photo kicking around of a signed Smile box? We know BW signed about 100 of them, as there's photos and video of him doing so?

Brian's difference in signatures could easily be related to a health issue such as peripheral neuropathy which can cause numbness, tingling or pain the arms/hands. I noticed during the concert Brian would quit playing piano and just let his arms hang down at his side. His problems with his back could has caused pain and numbness in his upper extremities. We just don't know.

I think bottom line is that if you don't receive an autograph in person you really don't know who might have signed it. It doesn't matter who it is. I don't care if there is a certificate of authenticity or something saying 'this is real'. You just don't know.

There are folks who are good at authenticating these things sometimes. Brian is just more difficult because his signature is so sparse. I have a number of Al autographs, including several I got in person as well as through his fan club stuff, and they all look very similar but certainly not identical.

That's my picture. I paid $100 for that last year. Are you telling me that's a fucking Jeff Foskett autograph?  :angry (or I'm just misunderstanding and you're saying it's a rushed, real Brian)

Which one is your pic Ego?  The TTWII CD booklet or the C50 programs?  By the way, sorry for using your pic---it was saved on my computer since last year when the whole autograph issues were coming up.  Your picture was crucial to compare signatures.

And yes, I'm real real sorry to say, friend, that the signature does not look good. mikeddonn also confirms it for the item he purchased as well.  Another friend of mine who's a collector of Beach Boys signatures also claimed the same.  There are a few elements that don't look right: the bubbles on the "B", the lines he makes for the "rian" part in Brian.  The "W" isn't right.  Plus the thickness of the signature is very off from Brian's technique.  Hate to be the bearer of bad news  :(

And here's the video of Brian signing the Smile box sets.  There are variations on the signature as he signs more and more.   In this particular case, he seems to care about the signature---personally I believe because he cares about the product he's signing.  Brian can be moody like that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7SL2Q780Kw

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Z567AWQ2J48/UfK0QKdgb6I/AAAAAAAASiE/_Js5-fAL3hw/w852-h472-no/bw.JPG)

if you pay for a signature you're gonna get a crappy one. If you meet them you may get luckier. I don't see the prob ^^

I remembering being a kid at some convention or other... Lou Ferrigno walked up to me and started badgering me to pay some ludicrous amount for an autographed picture. I may have been 13 or something, but I looked at him and said "why the f*** would I ever want to do that?" He looked really sad for a second, mumbled, and walked away.

In conclusion, take it from a 13 year old in New Jersey: don't pay for autographs. Why the f*** would you ever want to do that? If they sign your stuff as a memento when meeting 'em, that's nice tho.

(http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/pc/Lou+Ferrigno+Lou+Ferrigno+Comikaze+Expo+JP8mFafjYs_l.jpg)

Nice examples of signatures Justin.  The Surf's Up one is very similar to most of the recent more sparse signatures of Brian's.  I'd say if anyone wanted a good example from the last couple of years as to how Brian signs then this is the one.  Some of them, depending on speed and how tired he is aren't even as detailed.  However, one could still tell Brian signed it, even a squiggle!  He seems to go back on the bottom of the 'B' and joins to the 'r' from the bottom up and then across.  The 'Jeff' one seems to loop up and through the bottom circle of the 'B' rather than under the 'B' like the way Brian does it.  I also don't know why they would open themselves up to these allegations by selling forged signatures.  Just don't sell them.  Surely it's not to do with the $$$!

.

The booklet. I'm pissed. It was always in the back of my mind, but......I went to two shows last year, supported this band because I believe in them...bought TEN FUCKING CD's because Mike Love wanted his precious album to go #1, (the deal was buy ten, get one auto'd)....and this is how they repay their fans? Brian's too mentally ill to sign something? No, just lazy. No excuse. Not good enough. I know Jeff (or whoever) is just doing as he's told, but morally it's messed up. It's wrong. It should stop. I'm tired of all these excuses. I know the man isn't in the best of health - physical or mental - but this isn't fair. Do it to someone who doesn't give a sh*t. I have that booklet framed with a copy of Pet Sounds, hanging proudly on my wall. What a fucking joke, BRI. I hope Melinda or someone reads this (unlikely) and feels very, very badly about themselves and the things they do behind the scenes.

I'm pretty sure the Brian Wilson signatures on the 50th anniversary program are him. Like some have said, no two autographs are alike and trying to compare autographs and say "they're both similar" is not a good strategy. Age and health definitely play a factor. Here's a good non-music example of how autos can differ in such a short time:

(http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/4299/8gor.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/138/8gor.jpg/)

This is a 2002 card signed by Warren Spahn, one of the greatest left handed pitchers of all time. It comes from the Topps baseball company which he signed for.

(http://imageshack.us/a/img715/9893/warrenspahn.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/715/warrenspahn.jpg/)

This is a postcard he signed for me in 2003, just a few months before he died. Notice how different the autograph is? Signed on a similar surface too.

If you're still unsure, there's many autograph authenticators out there if you need peace of mind.

Wrightfan, I would still look at those 2 signatures and think the same guy signed them.  Egohanger, you're correct.  There is no excuse.   If Brian doesn't want to do it he doesn't have to.  But BRI should not be getting anyone else to do it for him and passing it off as the real deal.  Incidentally, did you buy the CD booklet from the store or at a concert.  I was going to buy one of the booklets as well from the online store but went for the programme instead.

I hear ya, man.  I'm real sorry.  I'd be pissed too. A bunch of people bought signed copies of Keith Richards' autobiography from his official website a few years ago only to find out later that they were all signed by autopen.  

The very first time I saw this signature was at one of the Gershwin shows.  They were selling the CD in the lobby and I saw these signatures and I knew right away that they were off.  Way too clean and most of all: way too consistent.  As you can see even in the pic of the Smile box sets: the signatures all had variations yet they all shared the same characteristics.  The fake Brian sigs are all exactly the same and for me, the biggest black eye is that both the "i's" in Brian and Wilson were dotted--in each and every signature.  That doesn't match up too well with Brian's real signature.  I remember a fan during the C50 Irvine show had asked a crew member to get Brian to sign his Pet Sounds CD for him.  He got it back and he showed it to me.  It had the fake signature on it.  I didn't have the heart to tell him.  :(

I'm not sure why Brian stopped signing--but it seemed to be very sporadic.  Some of the C50 tour books were actually signed by him and also some of the 8x10 pictures they had also were signed by him...so it was very inconsistent when he would/wouldn't sign.  It may have to do with what you said: laziness but really, they shouldn't  have Brian sign at all if he doesn't want to.  To have a fake signature on there is unacceptable.

I know this has bummed you out but you still have a good memento from a great tour and you do have authentic signatures from the rest of the band on that booklet.

Thanks buddy.  The "BW squiggles" signature (as I like to call them) seems to be the standard signature Brian gives out especially when he's in a rush or just not interested in signing.  At most signings I've been to--this is what he's done.  At the various "Lucky Old Sun" signings and  the Smile signing in Long Beach last year--everyone got the squiggle signature.

Bought it at a show.


Yeah, I just needed some time to cool down. I always knew in my heart of hearts that there was a very good chance it wasn't real. And, for what it's worth, I wanted it as a memento of the "summer of The Beach Boys" - it really was a momentous thing - and it still works as that. I'm not naive, I know this goes on, and there's not much you can do to stop it, but....Jeff, if you're reading this - work on those squiggles!!!!!!

I realize my original comments may seem harsh, and I'm not out to offend anyone - but you try plonking down a Benjamin for a Jeff Foskett autograph.
Maybe if it was on a copy of "Through My Window"...I'd pay a quarter of that. :)

Exactly Justin.  You're right to mention the consistency of the fakes and the dots above the i's.  That was also what made me initially suspicious.

I suppose we ought to delete our breakdown of the fake signatures so that the official phantom "signer" who may be reading this doesn't take our notes and improve his techniques!  :o

I also look at it as a great memento to have.  And it's the only item I have with 4 (real) Beach Boys signatures! ;D

Or pay us to sign them! ;)

The only autograph of Brian I have was a gift so authentic or not I am not out a dime! :-D

From Jeff?! :-D

I don't think anyone here takes any offense to your post Ego. I'd be more than pissed off if I were in that situation. I remember Mike Love on stage in Virginia trying to sell the 10 pack and I did think about it for a good minute. I passed but I did buy the signed 50th lithograph off of the official site about two weeks ago. I hope it's Brian's signature and not Jeff's.

Feel free to post a picture, lee...but not if you will be majorly disappointed to find out it may be fake.  Some things are best not known for sure!

Here you go Justin. Either way, I'd prefer to know.

(http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/9062/kudz.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/442/kudz.jpg/)

Rest easy Lee,  it looks like the real deal to me. ;D

Definitely real.

Ive got half a dozen or so real ones and they certainly aren't all the same. The only one I didnt get personally, but im pretty sure (99%) was personally done with someone I know, looks a lot like the suspect ones.

Ill have to get in touch and make sure.

Absolutely---you're in the clear lee!  Treasure it well!

That's great news! Thanks guys.

I'm not posting, I know, but here's something directly applicable to this discussion:

http://live.autographmagazine.com/forum/topics/brian-wilson-autographs-on-the-current-be-careful

Here are a bunch of versions of Jeff's take on Brian's signature

(http://api.ning.com/files/R2ijbELhVHh0ivyc2sSbgSfBwdZNG0Kp5yH8jc4Dj1DUk3TURZgysFAoSBmDPInBoj9IuKKjRXzHYL0JXyB0Aewv6WnQflhy/bwilson_jefffoskettexamples.jpg?width=750)

 This whole situation is really getting under my skin.  I've never been a big Jeff Foskett fan, but I'm getting more angry with him each day.  Regardless of the situation, he should understand that it is WRONG to sign somebody else's name and then pass it off as genuine.  Even if he is taking autographs for fans and signing them for free, does he not realize that he is ruining items that people treasure?  I have a picture that has been signed by Carl and Dennis.  I've been trying for years to get Brian's signature on it as well.  But I can only imagine how I'd feel if it had been ruined by having a fake Brian Wilson signature put on it!

 Brian always has the right to refuse an autograph.  But, when an item is put out for sale by his management and marketed as his autograph, it should be authentic!  At the Atlantic City meet and greet, we were given cheap pieces of paper that were ghost signed by Jeff.  Brian's management SOLD us these meet and greet packages with the promise of an autograph of Brian Wilson.  This is down right fraudulent!  Supposedly, they are sending us replacement pictures.  I've very curious to see if these have Jeff's signature as well.  There probably aren't enough of us, but we should be looking at a lawsuit to get our money back.

 And what about the 50th reunion merchandise?  These items were not given out for free.  Management put them out for sale at a high price and advertised them as authentic signatures.  It now seems obvious that at least some of them were not.  This is fraud!

 I certainly don't hold Brian himself at fault.  He very well might not even be aware what has been going on.  But his management does!  It is wrong to treat fans this way, and it is fraud to knowingly sell fake autographs!

 

That really bothers me. Does Jeff does not understand that is an incredibly deceitful thing to do.

Can somebody explain to me how we know absolutely for sure that Jeff is signing as Brian?

Same thing I was thinking. How do you know that it's Jeff?

All of those signatures could have been done by Brian. If Brian slowed down and really tried to sign his name it would look a lot different than the fast, quick Brian signatures. Different every time.

People want to be a bit careful throwing the word lawsuit around. They might be on the receiving end of one rather than taking one out. Youd want more proof than hearsay on a couple of message boards.

Indeed. If it`s genuinely true then it`s shameful stuff from all concerned.

acedecade75, is there any way you can post of photo of the signed photo that was handed out at the meet and greet? I keep hearing about it but have yet to see an example of what it looks like. I'm curious.

This is from the Ann Arbor MI signing...a real one.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151639606442605&set=a.123573307604.102701.656877604&type=1&relevant_count=1&ref=nf

Couldn't post the picture to the board here, but that's a link to it.

 I'm away from home at the moment, but I'll post a picture later today.  We got two of the pictures at Atlantic City.  I believe that the signatures of Al and David are real, but I don't think the Brian Wilson signatures are autehntic.

As a longtime autograph collector I'd figure I'd chime in and give my two cents:

First I would suggest anyone questioning the authenticity of a Brian Wilson signature send their autograph in for third party verification preferably to an organization such as PSA/DNA.  They aren't fail proof but are one of the most trusted sources for authenticating documents and autographs.  They even handle work I believe for Fortune 500 companies and have assisted in several legal cases as well.  They aren't necessarily cheap but in my opinion are fair and will give you the peace of mind you are seeking.

Second if what many are alleging here happens to be true it's really nothing different than the "clubhouse signature" racket that unfortunately has rendered many autographed baseballs (and baseball memorabilia) from the 40s/50s/60s worthless.  Back in that era it was a common practice for a clubhouse attendant (or sometimes even a bat boy) to take a baseball down into the clubhouse ostensibly to get the autograph(s) requested by an individual or organization.  Instead of getting the autographs requested, the attendant with full knowledge of the baseball club in question would sign the ball himself forging the signatures of the players in question.  Years later as methods of authenticating such things became more sophisticated, many of these baseballs were found to be worthless and labeled "clubhouse signatures".  It wasn't exactly the "Operation Bullpen" scandal of a few decades ago but nonetheless has rendered a significant quotient of memorabilia from that era worthless and caused many a headache for the collector.

In essence my advice would be to anyone obtaining a signature from any athlete, entertainer or public figure either make sure you see the person sign the piece before your very eyes or in the alternative make sure the piece is authenticated by a highly regarded third party verification service such as PSA/DNA.  

I get that Brian may not be signing all of these things, but why is the default that Jeff is signing them?  Couldn't it be anyone?

Somebody on the internet said it so it has to be true.

This is why you should always demand a skin core sample from Brian and bring your own melon baller to extract it in a quick improvised biopsy. You need the DNA. Failing that I guess some cotton swabs on the inside of his mouth for that gunk would do for authentication purposes.

Needless to say, never trust Jeffrey to do it for you and on no account hand him the cotton swabs or q-tips you're using.

Here are my Wilson autographs, all signed right in front of me. They don't look much different from the "forgeries".

(http://i41.tinypic.com/r0p6ja.jpg)

(http://i44.tinypic.com/2n9xn5v.jpg)

(http://i44.tinypic.com/v3dpmr.jpg)

(http://i39.tinypic.com/bg1kdw.jpg)

(http://i41.tinypic.com/20ktxls.jpg)

(http://i42.tinypic.com/jkj8ch.jpg)

(http://i41.tinypic.com/2ypce53.jpg)

Oh! Such blatant forgeries! Its as clear as day!

They do actually look a lot different to the forgeries.  For one thing, how many times did Brian dot the i's on your personally obtained ones?  Then look at the forgeries.  Now sometimes Brian might dot the i's but nowadays it's less likely.  Another thing I posted earlier is that Brian comes back along the bottom of the 'B' to the 'r'.  He doesn't go up through the loop. Again, compare your's with the forgeries.

Not necessarily proof, but there's been at least one report of a fan who's given something to Jeff to take into the tour bus to sign for Brian - and when he comes out, the signature isn't Brian's.

Someone needs to put their money where their mouth is and send one of the alleged forgeries into a third party verification service and see if it comes back fraudulent.  Basically a lot of words being thrown around without any real smoking gun.

The forgeries do mostly look like forgeries. Brian doesn't close his capital B's and the fake ones are mostly closed B's. I doubt he's the only artist to have people sign for him or use mechanical auto-signatures. The only way to guarantee authenticity is if he signs it in front of you. I'm not even sure what the point of getting an autograph is other than if they sign it in front of you. I was under the impression that autographs are an excuse to have a social exchange with a famous person and a memento that such exchange took place. Most people's signatures aren't that financially valuable.

Here is a link to a picture of the signatures they handed out to us at the Atlantic City meet and greet.  My main point is that they sold us a package that promised an autograph from Brian Wilson.  These were not just handed out for free.  It is fraud to advertise and sell and authentic autograph and then knowingly deliver a fake signature.

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u196/acedecade75/bw.jpg

Yip disappointing that they did that.  Hopefully you'll get new authentic ones sent out to you soon.

I agree. I would be under the impression that there was an actual signing session for the money you paid. Brian has signed things for free at record stores, for example, and I'm sure it doesn't take that long to do it.  If you're being handed something pre-signed, it should have been indicated in the marketing blurb for the event, then at least you might consider the fact it could be auto-signed or signed by a band member.  There's a certain amount of contempt involved in getting someone like Jeff to forge signatures. I'm sure he has other things to do with his time, too.

 Also, at the Atlantic City show, they took full advantage of selling these meet and greet packages for a high profit.  There must have been at least 150 to 200 people at this meet and greet.  All these people purchased the meet and greet package under false, or at best misleading advetising, and pretty much everybody left upset and dissapointed.   There were obviously way too many people at this meet and greet.  They knowingly and willingly oversold it for the sake of making a few extra dollars.   This is not the way to treat fans!

" pretty much everybody left upset and dissapointed."

Were you polling, Mr. Luntz?

Depends on how you choose to look at it.  In the world of autograph collecting the value of an individual's signature is only determined by what a merchant is willing to sell it for and what a buyer is willing to pay.  Last summer during the C50 there were scores of autographed Beach Boys tour books for auction on eBay some with Buy It Now options on them.  From memory the general asking price for a Beach Boys C50 tour book signed by all five members was $500 (US).

Now if you were someone who purchased one of these tour books under the impression that they were signed by all five band members, it would be disappointing to say the least to find that the "Brian Wilson" signature was forged.  In addition in some collecting circles potential buyers won't touch a "group sign" whether it be by a band, cast or team if one of the signatures in the grouping has been proven to be a forgery.  The reason being is that the forged signature "contaminates" the piece and thereby lowers its value or worth.  So in theory someone purchasing a "group sign" piece with a forged Brian Wilson signature might not only have wasted their money on a forgery but also be in possession of a piece which is essentially damaged goods in the eyes of many collectors and therefore unsellable.  

Ironic really as its on a fake picture as well. A photo shopped C50 promo.

All this is why I don't collect autographs. Too easy to fake and I don't see the point unless you get it in person. I mean I suppose I would love a signed POB for instance, but I can't pay the money for it not knowing if it is real.

Again do some research on third party verification.  In reality there is really only a small handful of authenticators that are widely respected in the trade due to the fact that they have a extremely high success rate in being able to spot forgeries.  Obviously nothing is 100% fail proof but if you ever have any intention of your collection being anything other than a huddled scrapbook you would probably want the authentication anyhow.  

My other piece of advice to you or anyone else who might want to purchase a signed photograph or piece of memorabilia online is do some research first.  Signatures by highly sought after entertainers, athletes or public figures usually go for several hundred dollars.  Therefore if you see someone selling an autograph by someone of this ilk for around $100 it is likely a fake.  As a rule $200-$250 is usually the rock bottom price that sellers will ask for in these cases and it only goes upwards from there.  Also be aware that there are some autographs that are so rare that the likelihood of finding them on the internet or anywhere else is a near impossibility.  For example there are only relatively a small number of items in circulation that have been signed by all four Beatles.  From the last time I checked none of these items include a guitar and there are truly only a small number of record albums containing all four signatures in circulation.  The same goes for items that have been signed by a party that is now deceased.  I can't tell you how many autographed Jimi Hendrix guitars I've seen in my time and most of them have been forgeries.  None of them have third party verification attached to the guitar and despite that fact most of them still command prices upwards of thousands of dollars.

Which brings me back to the third party verification thing.  Given the nature of the internet and the number of scam artists that exist it's pretty much a must in almost all cases.

Has anyone got a confirmed, signed in person, signature where Brian dotted the i in Brian?I

Yes.  More than one.  And a couple from the 70's with circles above the "i".

Just as a little update, the Atlantic City replacement autographed pictures arrived in the mail today.  They are actual pictures on photostock.  And I believe that both of them ARE truely signed by Brian.  The signatures on these two pictures are very much in line with what I've gotten from him personaly over the years.  So, at least the people in charge did attempt to make things right.

That's good to hear. Hopefully it will take the edge off the disappointent you all had in N.J. The same thing happed a few years back in Pittsburgh with The Monkees. Someone was sick and Davy finally came out to take a picture with fans. (no Peter or Micky) I didn't bring camera but ended up with an autograph instead on a item that I brought. I thought security was going to assault me but I was able to get away.  ::) We were to get a meet and greet, photo and I think a autograph. Many people were upset. Same kind of thing. Davy was really cool, though. He had a home somewhere east in the state of Pennsylvania. I can't believe he's gone.

It's turning out to be a great tour for Brian, Al and David. I'm looking forward hearing about possible surprises at the Greek Theatre. It should be interesting.

Just saw this. Check out the Greek Theatre website. Looks like Jeff Beck is sharing the bill. Nice to see Al and David there in the mix. Wow! :

http://www.greektheatrela.com/events/event_details.asp?id=2543

When Brian's new album is released I'm sure he'll take Al and Dave out on an extended tour in support of that album.

That's good that you got it sorted out, and that the replacements were sent out quickly. :-D

Don't despair completely. I have gotten Brian to autograph between 5-10 items personally (right in front of me) between 1988 and last year.  While reading this thread I pulled some of them out (others are in my office at work) to inspect them.  I can tell you no 2 are alike and some of them differ wildly.   the b in Brian differs, the detail in "rian" (sometimes it's there, sometimes it is just a line), same comments go for the W and the ilson. Other factors come into play as other posters mention above--how many cds, etc. is Brian signing, how tired is he?  All of these factor into his signature. In my own profession I have days where I may sign a hundred letters at a time, my signature on those letters will vary as I look at them because I am signing very quickly.  Point is, we can speculate but unless we were actually in the room with them we don't know that it wasn't Brian signing just due the variance in the signature.

Depends.  I have two Brian signed albums right in front of me, each signed by Brian himself less than five feet from me.  The BW 88 Album the Capital B is not closed.  The Sunflower has a closed capital B.