The Smiley Smile Message Board

Just listened to Pink Floyd's The Wall this afternoon. I was thinking about how it would have sounded if the BB's would have accepted the offer to do some (if not all) of the backing vocals.  I know Bruce sang on one song, but if I'm not mistaken I could have sworn that they were all offered a chance to perform on the album. I think it would have sounded excellent, especially if Brian was at least in his MIU vocal range..rather than his Love You range.

What the hell happened?  I think they had a BB album deadline to meet at the time (LA Album). 

Anyhow, I think it would have been pretty cool for the group at the time seeing as how successful the album was and how "cool" Pink Floyd was compared to the BB's.

"Originally, Waters had wanted to offset the heaviness of the song with some light Beach Boys- style harmonies, and actually booked the Beach Boys. Mike Love decided that Waters' themes didn't fit with their wholesome (ahem) image, and declined. Beach Boy Bruce Johnston however, did agree, and, along with session singers, managed to recreate the Beach Boys sound." Another Brick in the Wall: The Stories Behind Every Pink Floyd Song Cliff Jones, page 133. Written about the song The Show Must Go On.

A little insight from a book I have on the Floyd. For the songs  The Show Must Go On and Waiting For the Worms Bruce Johnston, Toni Tenille, John Joyce, Joe Chemay, Stan Farber, and Jim Haas are credited with backing vocals.

I wonder why Carl didn't sing on it. I would think that it would be right up his ally! Suprising that Bruce, of all people, would agree!

I bet that if Pink Floyd asked them to sing on Dark Side of the Moon in 1973, they (including Mike) would've done that.

The session was scheduled for 10/2/79, at Sundance Productions starting at noon but it was canceled that morning, reportedly by the BB once they learned of the themes of the LP. Bruce and pals (including Toni Tennille) did the job about a week later.

That was cutting it pretty close considering the album was released on 11/30/79!

I heard from a very reliable source that they cancelled at the last minute because Brian became intimidated when he heard the title -- he assumed it was a tribute to Phil Spector's WALL of Sound...   :afro

Just recently getting into The Wall, is The Show Must Go On the only track to have Bruce on backing vocals?



BTW, on the subject of PF and BB...I was thinking if there was a correlation between Wish You Were Here's photos of the four 'elements' and the 'elements' on Smile...coincidence and/or just Brian being ahead of his time?

I always thought that Bruce and the others sang on WAITING FOR THE WORMS. But then again I could be wrong.  :smokin

I thought it was "Take Up My Stethoscope and Walk"

I'm sorry, I misread, yeah, it was Waiting for the Worms

I think God was ahead of the times when he created them.

More likely they just evolved to the point where Brian took control.

Wasn't the Cliff Jones Pink Floyd book withdrawn when the author was sued by David Gilmour due to inaccuracies in the musicians' credits on numerous songs ? AGD has confirmed Bruce's connection to The Wall, but maybe the rest of the book should be taken with a pinch of salt. It's certainly unavailable in the UK.
According to the Wikipedia entry, though, an amended edition can be purchased in the USA and Canada, have these issues been addressed in this edition ?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliff_Jones_(musician)

He ignored the golden rule: when writing about living musicians, make damn sure you get your facts straight, or have a very good lawyer.

Is there any actual evidence that it was all Mike Mike and Mike who pulled the plug on this?

That sounds like too convenient of a "fact" to me.

Well folks there he goes again with declining the good stuff!  :thud

None at all - all we know is the session was booked for noon-5pm on October 2nd 1979 at Sundance Productions in LA, and the BB cancelled that morning. All Roger's ever said (in public) was that "They went off to do their own album".

BTW, the session was only for "The Show Must Go On".

I doubt the egos of Mike Love and Roger Waters could be contained in the same room together.

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Ah, here goes anyway. I was just wondering, how "wholesome" the BB's image was at the time? Their leader was a self-confessed mental case and drug addict. Their drummer was a raging alcoholic. Their guitarist had quite recently performed in an inebriated state. Lead singer was married for the 27th time. Second guitarist threw away respectable career as a dentist to become a rocker. What was left of their wholesomeness at this point, or were some of the un-wholesome aspects of the band kept from the public at this point? I know Brian's problems were well known, and with Dennis... Just look at him. Just thinking.

I know, maybe they shyed away because of the dark psychological and political themes, but still... Wasn't it a bit too late in the game to worry about wholesomeness?

There's a story about Toni Tenille going to see a Floyd show and a trendier than thou fan turning to her asking her what on earth was someone like her doing there - then she explained she actually sang on the album!

"I know, maybe they shyed away because of the dark psychological and political themes, but still... Wasn't it a bit too late in the game to worry about wholesomeness?"

Seems odd that Mr Positivity wouldn't but his sidekick, Mr Conservative, would.  Maybe we're looking too deep here. Maybe they just couldn't be arsed.  BRian wasn't in a fit state to record with his own band, never mind anyone else's.

let's also keep in mind that that "wholesomeness" theory is not from a credible source.

There's more about it in the Pink Floyd FAQ book, which is an amazing read!