The Smiley Smile Message Board

May be a misunderstanding about his 'final European tour' mention and no source, but here is the story.

http://www.aspentimes.com/news/17601406-113/aspen-times-weekly-a-midsummer-nights-brian-wilson

Brian's talked about retiring at least twice in the past. I'm pretty sure he didn't.  :)

He will retire, one day, as we all will.

The author of the article seems to be making an assumption of “retiring for good” based on unspecified information. Yes, Brian made allusions to it in a few interviews, but then afterwards said he wasn’t retiring. Also, it may be a fine point, but I don’t recall him every using the specific phrase “retiring for good.”

I’m not a Brian fanboy in denial; I could easily see him entering a near de facto retirement at any time. I’d argue last year’s tour schedule was approaching that, at least in terms of retiring from regular touring. But there’s scant evidence he’s going to imminently enter any sort of true “retirement” where he doesn’t enter a studio or do a single live gig. Not sure why this article needs to dwell on that; it’s not like they’re a PR person for Brian trying to drum up ticket sales by implying it’s a “farewell tour.”

I’m not even necessarily convinced he’ll never get near Colorado again, as the article also melodramatically implies. If he does indeed do a “PS50” tour in the UK next year, I could easily see him taking a swing through the US for some PS dates too.

Brian will never retire on purpose.

You're right. He might just retire accidently.

If Brian were to decide to hang 'em up and quit with the touring, I'd get it.  I'd miss him, for sure, but I could see why it might be an attractive option for Mr. Wilson. He'd miss out on the money any tour might generate, and there's the lost opportunity to promote any current material to consider, as well.  But I get the impression Wilson has never been entirely comfortable playing to the public (to say nothing of the constant travel touring demands out of a person).


That said, I hope we never see the day where Brian Wilson decides he's no longer interested in writing and recording.  Can you imagine?!?  Now, that would be the biggest loss, I think.  As long as the muse is with you, Brian, please keep pumping out those studio productions. :)

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Now, all that said, the one circumstance I'd definitely want to see Brian on stage for again would be another reunion of the surviving Beach Boys.  I'm just conjuring this out of thin air, but something like say, some kind of Beach Boys joint-celebration of the Pet Sounds/Smile era, would be absolutely incredible.  Seeing, for example, the Beach Boys performing all of Pet Sounds during the first act, with the BWPS-styled Smile tunes following the intermission?  That would be so Won-Won-Wonderful, and I'd be crushed if everyone but Brian were to sign on for something so very cool.

Shame it will never happen.

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But back to recording... Who knows?  Maybe (just maybe) the 'Boys will find it in themselves to reunite long enough for one more studio album?

Don't get me wrong: I fully recognize that That's Why God Made the Radio is a fine way for the group to bow out; ending things on a very high note, and all that.  But I still very, very much want to hear a completed Life Suite (preferably sung by the Beach Boys) one day.  That, and, for all we know, Brian and Mike may even have some more terrific tunes up their sleeves?

As much as I adore TWGMTR, if we could get the remainder of the Suite, coupled with some more new Wilson/Love material, I'd be awaiting that release with baited breath.

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But even if -- as most suspect -- the band never does get back together again, I'd still be very interested in future solo albums by the guys in the group.  A follow-up to No Pier Pressure, for example, would be most welcome.

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So, the TL;DR:  "Don't leave us, Brian!"

Hi all,

Let's wait to hear from Brian before making any conclusions.  Until Brian and the heads of the online forums say for certain everything else is hearsay and opninions. 

not after this last tour!

Even if he retires from touring, I'm sure he'll do shows every now and then. I'd say it's pretty hard on him to travel and stuff.

We all retire eventually, whether we choose to or not...

A day before he said he'd keep going (http://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/569981/Beach-Boys-Brian-Wilson-drugs-Love-Mercy-film-new-album) until he dropped.

Articles from local news organizations are usually filled with inconsistencies. Ill believe it when I hear it from a more reliable source. 

Pretty sure they only meant Brian's falsetto had retired for good.