The Smiley Smile Message Board

This may not be strictly OT. Don't care, it deserves a wider audience than The Sandbox.

Over the years this board has had dark times but I will never, ever forget the sympathy and consideration shown to me here five years ago today when my wonderful mother passed away, from all posters including those who rightly had no need to be even civil to me given my treatment of them. That warmed my heart and made those early dark days a little lighter, a little easier. Some have themselves left us, other have moved on but many are still here - you'd think we'd have found something better to do by now, huh ? - and to all, I reiterate my gratitude and heartfelt thanks. We are basically good people.

Wonderful words, Andrew -

thank you for sharing these thought with us.

Thanks for sharing those sentiments, Andrew.

I believe the reasons that unite us, that bring us here one time or another, are as diverse as the members themselves. We have casual fans, veteran collectors, historians, musicians, engineers, the list goes on. Post a question, regardless of how arcane, and you'll have an answer in short time. We each have our strengths and weaknesses. But at our core is our shared love and admiration for that quintessential garage band that started out in Hawthorne, CA, some fifty-three years ago. Safe to say Smiley would not be the same place without each of us. And the Beach Boys, each with their own set of strengths and weaknesses, would not be quite the same band without each of them.

And, Andrew, seeing she gave you life and guided you throughout, I'd imagine she must have been, and still is I am sure, a wonderful woman. 

Thanks for sharing that.


I like to think of us as the village from the Asterix comic books. It's more of a European thing (Franco-Belgian book), so US folks might not know it? Basically, it's a bunch of good-hearted Gauls (warriors, fishermen, blacksmiths, etc.) who love to pick fights with each other all the time - but at the end of each adventure they feast together, celebrate each other's company and share the (http://i57.tinypic.com/2ihnhjr_th.jpg).

(http://oi58.tinypic.com/n4v0x1.jpg)

Which characters correspond to which forum members? Who gets bound and gagged before the feast can begin?

Seriously though, the vast majority of heated argument on this board clearly conveys no personal malice or bad feeling. It's just strong opinions.

I'm from the USA and I love Asterix comics! Thanks for posting that panel.

Thank you for sharing that, Andrew. And thank you too Jim for your own wise words.

Lovely stuff  ;D

It appears AGD get's pretty emotional in the early hours of the morning  :lol

It would have been late in the evening for him, wouldn't it? But yes, it's lovely stuff.

I think we sometimes forget that if any two of us on this board worked in the same office, we'd probably be best office pals.

I think you're right.

thanks agd, this board is indeed very special. i am humbled by the vast knowlege on display, and i lke the friendliness of the board. just clicked over here from a very dysfunctional board that does not tolerate veering too far from the consensus, and it's a relief to see how harmonious smileysmile.net is.

Early morning, before I went to work. I live in southern England.

And thanks for the kind words... but this thread is about you, (collectively) not me.  All families fight, and fall out, but there are times when the herd instinct predominates, and circles are formed. :bow

There are so many different people bringing so many different perspectives and different niche areas of interests (the collectors, the studio geeks, the live gig guys, the historians, the political commentators, the useless guy with nothing to contribute but tiresome dad jokes, too name but a few).

And all of them passionate about the same thing; the boys and their music, and the importance and change it's made to their lives - which endures beyond the squabbles and the disagreements, and gives us something to share. 

I'm glad to have found this place, it's kinda soothing.

Absolutely. 

I don't know why, I just thought of Honey,  I Shrunk the Kids.  Four kids who have nothing in common with each other are often arguing about petty things. But in trying to survive they find out how much they love each other. 

This is my first post. Though I've been reading this board from some time. I have been living with cancer for a year and a half. During that time, my childhood/teen obsession with the Beach Boys has been fully revived and then some. I listen to their music every day. And I read you guys almost every day--at home, in the hospital, etc. Without being aware of my existence, you've been fine and funny companions. Thanks!

Thank you for taking the time to post that, and i will definitely keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Welcome - everyone here brings something different and valuable, and it really is a nice place to be. I was a bit scared when I first joined - because like you said, you know everyone but no one knows you - but that feeling will pass fairly quickly. Hope you enjoy the place  :)

Welcome!

Feel better!

There are some truly witty posters, here.  

And if you may indulge, a frosty Smiley virtual brew!  :beer

(Sure wish these guys would find some more girly cocktails! )

And, you have great taste in music!  :thewilsons

Some of the other forum participants may indeed be good people, but you are (and will always be) the Darth Vader of The Beach Boys fan community. And you are likely proud of that.

 :lol

That's a quote I will not soon forget

Smiley Smile Presents: Phil Cohen Strikes Back

Goin' To The Beach
(http://madbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/darth-vader-summer-holiday-1.jpeg)

"Come to the dark side - there's shade."

AnnLee, I hope you get better and you will most certainly be in my thoughts and prayers. The Beach Boys have gotten me through some dark times as well. Keep posting!

(http://www.empireonline.com/images/features/100greatestcharacters/photos/25.jpg)

A love thing, it is.


Thank you for sharing these words, Andrew. A lovely post.

That would make Mike The Emperor, right?  ::)

(http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Mike+Love+Fox+Friends+American+Concert+Series+3OiNJVXjv7ol.jpg)
(http://media.aintitcool.com/media/uploads/2013/emperor.jpg)

He'd shoot lighting out of his good vibrations fingers if he could.

Thanks for the thought PhilCohen.


This is a really nice thought - thank you for taking the time to write and post it.

It's wonderful to have you, Ann. We're all rooting for you to stay healthy, and it's humbling to know the copious amounts of dumb things we say is keeping someone company.
Stay a while and post more often.

Welcome, that's a very lovely post.

Hope you feel better very soon, you have good help  ;D

After reading AGD's and Annlee's post, I can only say 'thank you' (but not really) for that post. Both totally unnecessary and out of place. One could of course also consider taking an outstretched hand, even if one doesn't really like the other ...


But I might have overlooked the accompanying sarcastic smiley...

Best tonic in the world----The Beach Boys' music. And if this board can help you through your day, so much the better. :=)   

The words "time" and "place" come to mind.

AGD, I'm sorry you ever had see that comment.  And thank you for thanking what is often the finest online community there ever has been.

Did the Beach Boys ever record "Kumbaya?"   If so, a link would be appropriate.  :lol


(just kidding, btw)

If laughter cured all ills, this place would be the Lourdes of the interweb. Just when you think we're all about to get a room, someone throws a custard pie! … you've gotta laugh or you'd cry!

Welcome AnnLee, I hope this plan brings frequent smiles to your face! :)

Good post, Andrew. I lost my mom a little more than two years ago, and due to the timing of her death, the TWGMTR album is bittersweet for me. I still can't listen to "From There To Back Again," despite the greatness of the song.

I hope the kind words you received on the board helped bring you peace.

And AnnLee, get well soon and keep posting here.

Dear Moderators,

                   I hereby resign my membership in this forum. Please close my account. And do not make my e-mail address available to any forum member. I've had enough of internet forums, and I must act now, to protect my privacy, personal security and safety.


Phil Cohen

Welcome Ann, best of luck and hope you will keep posting.   :)

I ask that you please reconsider your decision, for this will make stalking you an incredibly difficult endeavor.

What, the Steve Hoffman board?

Goodbye Phil, we hardly knew ye.