The Smiley Smile Message Board

I was given a framed photo of the BBs for Christmas, and am curious if anyone has thoughts about the date and location of the photo:

(http://i40.tinypic.com/y1f08.jpg)

I contacted the website from which the photo was purchased, Rock, Paper, Photo, asking for the date and location of the photo, and they replied, "All we have is info from the photographer's rep which states it was circa 1960s and most likely England. Unfortunately we don’t have more info than that."

The photo was taken by Dezo Hoffmann, who was born in 1918 in Slovakia, worked in Paris as a photojournalist prior to WWII, and was based in London after WWII.  He is best known for his photos of The Beatles, beginning in 1962.  He died in 1986 after having taken approximately one million photos of pop musicians and showbiz personalities.

From the looks of the guys I’m guessing the photo was taken sometime in 1969.  They are on a walkway with what appears to be a park on one side and with a large river on the other.

Here’s a pic enhanced to show the background behind Mike and Carl, showing what appears to be some type of fortress and perhaps a cathedral dome across the river behind Mike and Carl:

(http://i41.tinypic.com/9hngn6.jpg)

Any ideas and info from Smiley Smile message board readers will be appreciated!

Comparing your photo with the footage from An American Band, I'd say Bratislava, Slovakia (formerly Czechoslovakia), specifically June 18, 1969. http://www.esquarterly.com/bellagio/gigs69.html (http://www.esquarterly.com/bellagio/gigs69.html)

(http://www.bratislavasightseeing.com/images/58.jpg)

Sorry for getting a bit sidetracked, but I absolutely like what he's done with The Rolling Stones, the grass-enclosed shots are one of the best that capture the unity of the band. Afterwards, it wasn't anymore, the guys divided into camps.

Funny, my first guess was Czechoslovakia, because of the photographers country of birth... perhaps Prague, and I was about to check it out... but metal flake paint beat me to it. Good work, mfp!

I have seen one or two more pictures from this same session, I think.

Thanks SMILE Holland. The clothes are the vital clue in this instance as they are the same ones that they wore when they were signing autographs during the AAB footage (although Bruce's commentary makes it sound like they were greeting fans in Prague when they were actually in Bratislava). John Milward's Silver Anniversary book features a two-page b&w photo from the session.

Is it just me, or have the band never, and I mean never, looked cooler than they did in this group shot? (Maybe Bruce's hat excepted). They are stylin'.

They do look very very cool in this period.. Carl and Dennis were very cool looking guys especially.. I think he should have shaved more often in the 70s. Has a great look when clean shaven.

Hmm, memory fail, not the same session, but probably the same tour (and photographer?), and obviously Bruce liked the hat.  ;D

(http://i43.tinypic.com/2btxrl.jpg)

Looking at the numberplate of the car right, this pic was probably taken in the Netherlands (it's a poster from a Dutch magazine), either June 1st or 2nd, I guess.

Edit: the small flag right to Dennis' arm is giveaway as well...  ::)

I thought this was a good attempt as well (except for the gloves).

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

I'd give that honor to this shot:

(http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/500/70824254/The+Beach+Boys+another+tent+pic.png)

Bruce looks pretty badass with the 'stache and red coat in the pic in reply #8, though!

 God, they all look so stoned in that pic.  :smokin

Denny and Carl, yes. Al... meh.

Bruce and especially Mike look embarrassing

The other Mike Love looks so much like 1969 Mike Love its got to be an tip of the hat.

http://www.mikelovemusic.com/

Interestingly, Carl, Dennis and Mike are wearing essentially the same clothing as they did at their Amsterdam television appearance, June 2 1969 http://www.esquarterly.com/bellagio/gigs69.html (http://www.esquarterly.com/bellagio/gigs69.html)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqyx4TW4Ptw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqyx4TW4Ptw)

 Airbrush Bruce out of this and then your statement will be correct. Bruce only looked cool in 1971, maybe 1972. Dennis, Carl, and Mike look good in these pics. Mike's hatless period worked.

Thanks so much Metal Flake Paint!  The scene on the other side of the river, as well as the clothing in the American Band Video, definitely nail it as June 18, 1969 in Bratislava, Slovakia, part of Czechoslovakia at the time of the photo and concert.  Really appreciate your great detective work!

Glad I could help :)

Said AAB clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o35NgnPVZlI