The Smiley Smile Message Board

Just wondering if anyone knows who sings the "we could ride the surf together.........." part in Surfer Girl at the University of Michigan shows in '66. I know Al usually sang it on tour, but I'm positive it's not him. I really think it sounds like Dennis, but my friend heard it and said they're is no way it's him. Either way I like it, it's not Brian, but it definitely has it's charm. I know I'm probably the only person who cares about that one line at one show, but I love knowing those little details even if they're pointess and it would just be really cool if it was Dennis ;D

Tell your friend he's wrong. Dennis sang the middle eight on Surfer Girl quite often during that period, it wasn't an unusual thing.

Yes, it's Dennis at Michigan U '66 alright.  If you listen closely, you can even hear the hi-hat and snare rim hits get louder in that part, 'cause Dennis' voice was suddenly "on mic".  You can hear the drum level go back to normal again after he sings the bridge.  Sometimes during this period Al would sing the bridge, though, as is the case a month later on the Euro '66 tour and a year later during the "Wild Honey" tour.  Dennis sang it again at St. John's on the '72 tour, but you can barely hear him on the bootlegged audience recording of that show. 

Incidentally, as good as I think Al and Brian both sound when they sing that bridge, Dennis in '66 added a real special, romantic quality with his vocal.  Dreamy, even. 

Denny sang the bridge at one show that day, Al sang it at the other, IIRC.

Worst Surfer Girl bridge.....Wolfgang's Vault has a 79 concert. Al yells "Dennis take it" and he just murders it, screws up the line then Al sings it with him. Not good :(

well remember, according to stebbins dennis was gonna die anyway...

By the way-to clear up some confusion over the years. If you look at Bellagio-you'll see that I list two shows.  The show at Michigan State U in Lansing-listed in Keith Badman's book as December 10 1966 was actually held on Oct 21 1966. I have a review and advertisements.  However, the show that Brian attended was indeed at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, the following day-Oct 22 1966. It was homecoming weekend and U of M played Purdue.  I have met two fans who attended said show- which was opened by the Standells.  They were told at the beginning of both of the two shows that night that they were being recorded for a possible live album and to cheer enthusiastically.  They were all shocked and gob smacked when Brian came out at the end- one fan called it "surreal".  There are photos in existence at Getty images-which show Brian rehearsing the group for the show in the Hill Auditorium-that day. I inquired about the shots and they were indeed taken by a local Michigan photographer.  So it is a well documented night.

Ian, before the U of Michigan gig (Ann Arbor) the homecoming chairman & cochairman mention their big win over Minnesota that day (not Purdue). 

Thanks for that correction- that is indeed what it says in my notes- but not what I typed of course. Oops