The Smiley Smile Message Board

I'm sure some of you have seen this already, but it's being widely reported that after 60+ years, Bruce is stepping down from Mike's touring Beach Boys to concentrate on other projects:

https://ultimateclassicrock.com/bruce-johnston-beach-boys/

No, that was new to me.

Well, Bruce will have his reasons. A man of his talent should be (if he chooses so) creating some new music. But after all he's done he certainly has every right to lay back and enjoy family time.


But I wonder what will happen to Mike. Wasn't one of the requirements of his getting the license that at least two "real" Beach Boys were part of the act? As far as I'm aware whenever Mike appeared without Bruce during the last ten, twenty years it was as "Mike Love of the Beach Boys" or something similar.

I wouldn't be surprised if that license agreement changed or will change in the near future due to the new reality. Im sure none of the BRI owners are against him touring and the revenue stream it provides on principle, especially when there's no one else to take the mantle except maybe Al. (Would be nice if these two and David Marks couldn't make something work as one last hurrah.) Unless that happens, Mike now has the honor of being the last officially-billed performing Beach Boy. God bless him.

Mike's statement on Facebook:

Bruce has been such an important part of our story, and I wanted to share the statement I gave to Rolling Stone today regarding his hiatus from the touring band.

“Bruce Johnston is one of the greatest songwriters, vocalists, and keyboardists of our time. We’ve had the honor of his performance and participation for many many years with The Beach Boys. Change is always promised in life, today we find ourselves in a chapter of change, but not an end. Bruce shifts his focus on what he does so well which is songwriting and recording. I personally look forward to collaborating in the studio with Bruce in the very near future. I am very supportive of Bruce and I have every confidence that he will produce great music. I am delighted that Bruce will join the band on special occasions and when his schedule permits including The Hollywood Bowl performances celebrating the 250th Birthday of our great nation. I love & respect Bruce Johnston.”

Well I mean we can't do everything forever. Surprised all the remaining BB's haven't all flat-out retired already.

Best of luck Bruce!

Damn, though does this mean Bruce still remains an official member, but one who is largely retired from touring bar the odd special appearance?

At any rate Bruce deserves to rest on his laurels, and glad that he’ll remain active with his studio projects - which I look forward to seeing the end result of

I just saw that a guy I have been following on Instagram (chriscronmusic) has been hired to step in to replace Bruce. Crazy world.

https://www.instagram.com/chriscronmusic?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Does "official member" have much meaning at this point?

I'm not sure that Bruce has ever been a corporate owner.
As I understand it,  "The Beach Boys" is a trademark of the corporate entity "Brother Records Inc" (appropriately known, for several reasons, as "BRI").
Original BRI was owned 20% each by Brian, Dennis, Carl, Mike and Al.
Following Denny's 1983 death, BRI bought out his stake as part of a deal to cover his various debts etc.
Thus, for approximately the next 14 years, BRI continued with Brian, Carl, Mike and Al owning 25% each.
Following Carl's 1998 death, his sons Justyn & Jonah inherited his 25% stake.
So from 1998, BRI continued with Brian 25%, Mike 25%,  Al 25%, Justyn-Jonah 25%.  A few years ago BRI sold a big share (half?) to Irving Azoff's Iconic compnay.

Who now controls Brian's share? Well, that's interesting question, isn't it?  One would assume some sort of trustee on behalf of his natural and adoptedd kids.