The Smiley Smile Message Board

Had some time this weekend, and read The Beach Boys America's Band written by Johnny Morgan. My review of this book may be found at my Reuminations blog. The address is   http://peternreum.blogspot.com  :-D

My library system got this book for some reason.  Your article doesn't give me much to look forward to, when I get my turn with it.  They got Jim's book too.  That sounds fascinating.  I will look into adding both to my collection when I can fit them in the budget.  May be worth it just for the photos in the case of Morgan's book.  I didn't know it was coffee-table size.  That's what made me buy the Silver Anniversary book by John Milward.  Hope they get Carl's book at the library, as that's the only way I'll ever read it.  Carl's book isn't even stocked in my local book stores.

Thanks for the article, Peter.

sorry for following an off topic tangent - but assuming by Jim you mean Murphy, that book is fantastic; don't miss it.

Peter, I read your review, thank you.
Regarding the images in the book, are there pictures you'd never seen or that are unlikely to be on the photo threads in this forum or that active fan who has looked at most readily available pictures would find new and revelatory?

Yes Emily, Mr. Murphy's book.  Very much looking forward to reading it.  I'm next in line at the library!  It got so many good reviews I almost bought it when it first came out...But it's not cheap.  Couldn't find any kind of discount either.  I've been buying a lot of big Cd sets since October, and trying to finish my Christmas gifts.  Gets tough when almost everything I want is over $50.  The next thing for me is the Party! set.  I almost pulled the trigger at $15, then the morning after release it was up to $20.  I'll wait.  Sure to go back down soon.   -Will

Oh that's an incredible book! So much information. A little slow for me at first but eventually became a book I couldn't put down.
Lots of pictures which I haven't seen before, plus an appendix with some interesting extra info.
I had downloaded the book as it was cheaper but plan to use it for reference so will eventually get a hard copy.

Jim's book is, simply, essential.

Yes, Emily I was referring to Jim Murphy's book. The answer to your second question about seeing new material in the Morgan book, I would have to say no.But years ago, I had a few chances to look at every image of nearly every photographer who ever took pictures of The Beach Boys., so, I am a little jaded.

As I pointed out i another thread, Morgan seems to be mistaken about key points of Beach Boys history. One is that Brian was still with Landy as late as 1979, but was evading his handlers to score drugs. We know Landy was let go in late '76 and didn't come back until late '82. Also, there's a picture of the Beach Boys in the Netherlands with Bruce Johnston dated 1974, when we know Bruce left in '72 (except for guesting on some recordings) and came back in around 1978-79. That is, unless Bruce guested with the guys in '74 in the Netherlands, which I find unlikely. Those kinds of inaccuracies are deal-breakers for me.

Given that the band didn't play anywhere outside of North America in 1974...   ;D