The Smiley Smile Message Board

Okay, I love "I met ...." stories. I know a lot of you guys have met one or more of the Beach Boys, and I just thought it'd be cool if we all shared our stories or impressions of what happened. What was said? Who was a jerk? Who was cool? It'd be nice to have it all in one place.

Oh, by the way:

Mike, Bruce, David: Met all three in Manchester in April. Dave first, he was already there. He was cool, totally down with the crew, signed the Surfin' Safari / Surfin' USA CD booklet, shook hands, and said "See you at the show". Bruce and Mike got off the same bus, both commented separately on some guy's 40th Anniversary Pet Sounds CD, what a nice package it was. Mike didn't say much, but posed for photographs and signed both my CD booklet and Pet Sounds on vinyl. Bruce commented on the sun, which had just appeared from behind the clouds, made a joke with another guy waiting, signed my Pet Sounds and posed for a photo.

Brian:, same venue, 2002. Actually, didn't meet him, it was a near-miss. He got off the bus, looking literally like he was in a trance. When he saw the dozen or so people waiting, he snapped out of it like in a movie and said, "Hi guys!". We all responded, and gave him his space. No-one approached him, which was cool. However, after the show ended, there was a big crowd round his bus, and tons of people were just staring at Brian like he was a zoo exhibit, just sat there, looking very ashen, once again entranced, eyes straightahead and sad. It kinda made me feel a little sick, to be honest, so I left immediately.

Now it's your turn!

I exchanged a few words with Taylor Mills after a Brian Wilson show and Al Jardine's secretary once responded to a letter I wrote to him (and included a big signed photo of Al - which I thought was pretty cool)... That's as close as I ever came to getting in contact with the Beach Boys...

Not very impressive, is it?  ;D

I dunno, many people find Taylor VERY impressive.  ;)

Yeah, it depends what the "few words" were...:D

ALLENTOWN FAIR, Allentown, PA (1979) 
About an hour before the show, I saw somebody that looked like Bruce Johnston, standing next to the stage, on the ground level. He had on the usual white shorts and polo shirt. I pointed him out to my buddies, saying "That looks like Bruce Johnston". All of a sudden, he walked through a gate, and began walking through the crowd. Nobody was noticing him. There was no "Hey, Bruce!" or clapping, or anyone following him. He walked right by us (we were on the ground in front of the stage), so I got out of my chair and started following him. Bruce walked all the way to a concession stand, where he ordered something to eat and drink. By that time, a couple of nuts like me were gathering around him, making small talk. Bruce was very friendly. At that time, I was totally obsessed with Brian Wilson, so I said to Bruce, "Is Brian here tonight?". He didn't look at me, and he responded, not unfriendly, but matter-of-factly", "I don't really know. We never know right up til showtime if he's going to sit in with us". Then, somebody asked, "How's Brian doing?" Bruce responded, "He's doing great". And, with that, Bruce got his food, walked back through the crowd again, and disappeared back behind the stage.

HERSHEY STADIUM, Hershey, PA (1985)
A friend of mine said that he knew someone in security who was going to get us backstage. "Yeah, right", I thought. Anyway, near the end of the concert, right before the first encore, the Beach Boys were playing "Surfin' USA", we were in the first row, and, unbelievably, this security guard walks up to us and says, "Come with me." He's leading us back stage just as the group is walking off stage. Each of my buddies met a different Beach Boy. I literally ran into Mike Love and handed him my ticket stub and a pen, and Mike signed his name on the stub very legibly. We hung around the side of the stage talking to John Cafferty (of The Beaver Brown Band); he could not have been more down to earth. Then the same security guard came over again, and said, "Come with me" again. I thought he was leading us away, but he took us directly to the back of the stage, where we watched the group perform "Good Vibrations", "Barbara Ann" and "Fun Fun Fun". It was a neat perspective, watching from behind the stage, facing the audience and watching the band from the back. I still remember the looks on the audience's faces, clapping and singing along.

A BOOKSTORE, Washington D.C. (1991)
I took a day off from work to drive four hours to a Brian Wilson book signing; very risky I know. I got there two hours early, and just hung out at the bookstore. The line slowly but surely got huge; I was fourth in line. And Brian showed up! He walked up to his chair and table, looked at the huge crowd, and said funnily, "Oh boy!" He looked great, wearing black jeans, white shirt, and a black leather jacket. His hair was highlighted and neatly combed. He was about six feet from me, and I just remember thinking, "This guy is not like the rest of us." I know that sounds corny, but Brian does put out a certain vibe. Brian sat down and immediately started tapping his foot, tapping his fingers, and humming some tune. He looked happy. Dr. Landy's aide, Kevin Leslie was there, but he wasn't too intrusive. There was some Joe Manager who was trying to take charge, but he was in way over his head. This manager said, "Mr Wilson will sign his name, and a short greeting before his name, but he will not sign any memoribilia, just books." I was worried, because I brought along an orignal Pet Sounds album that I wanted Brian to autograph. Anyway, the very first person in line asked Brian to write something real long like, "To my best fan from Washington D.C who has followed Brian....". Brian couldn't handle this and the manager stepped in and said, "Mr. Wilson will sign his name with only your name as the greeting." I had a camera with and I handed it to the guy in back of me. I told him, "Just keep hitting this button and take the entire role of film." I got to Brian and asked him to please sign, "To --and my name". It was kind of sad, and nerve-wracking, to watch Brian write. I am not making fun of him or criticizing him, but he could barely write. His hand was shaking terribly, and he didn't know how to write the words. Kevin Leslie would bend over and talk into Brian's ear, spelling each individual word. I don't know how Brian got through everyone. Anyway, just as Brian was signing my book, the manager was called away, so I took the Pet Sounds album out of the bag I was carrying, handed it to Brian, and said, "Brian, would you please autograph this for me - right on the white goat?" Brian took the album, signed it, and handed it back to me. I shook his hand, and said, "Brian, thank you so much for all the music." He looked at me expressionless, and didn't say anything. I was so excited that I pulled it off, that I briskly walked out of the bookstore. I got half way to my car when I realized that I forgot to get my camera back. I ran back to the bookstore, thanked the guy for taking the pictures, and drove away. I now have the autographed Pet Sounds album and a decent picture of Brian and me framed. I also remember/question one other thing. Why didn't I just hang around at the bookstore - for another two or three hours and just watch Brian? I mean, I drove four hours just to get there, I was obsessed with the man, and I could've observed him live from ten feet away. I guess I was overtaken by the excitement....

Great stories! These are the kind of thing I was looking for...I just love these kinda tales.

That was awesome Sheriff, especially the bookstore story.  I can't imagine standing there talking to Brian like that, I don't think I would even know what to say.  It was nerve wracking enough talking to him on the phone during that Katrina thing he did.  My heart was racing the entire time.  They allowed everyone to ask him one question, and I remember asking him why he recorded the Surf's Up piano demo (I know, not the best question) and he said that basically he just felt like it for kicks.  I told him it was one of my favorite things he recorded, and he said thank you.  Then I asked him what he was up to for the rest of the night and he mentioned something about working out.  That was pretty much it.  It went by so quickly but I'll never forget it...that's the closest I've ever come to "meeting" a Beach Boy.

I've never met, or even made any particular effort to meet, Brian or the Beach Boys. I suppose the closest I've come is during some old (circa 2004) blueboard chats with "Brian." (Never can tell...Brian, Melinda typing for Brian, Melinda without Brian, whatever.) It was right before the first Smile shows in the U.S.--debuted here in Minneapolis. I told him he and the band could stay at my house if they wanted and we'd do a singalong and he said he thought they had accommodations already. I asked what he had for dinner and he said chicken caesar salad. He asked what I had and I said pepperoni pineapple jalapeno pizza. I asked him what "over and over, the crow cries uncover the cornfield" means and he asked "who are you, Mike Love?" Whether it was him or not, it cracked me up.

These are some cool stories. I guess Bruce has directly responded to things I wrote on the Beach Boys Britain board, but never anything too interesting.

I met Al Jardine a few weeks ago at a Surf City Allstars concert in Manalapan, NJ. It started raining as the concert was ending, so the band was running pretty fast to get to their bus or whatever. I wasn't even trying for Al, actually... I kept my expectations low and was trying to intercept Matt Jardine or Chris Farmer as they were coming out the back. But then they walked away. All of the sudden, Al darted by me. I screamed out, "AL!!!" and he turned around. My mind was racing, I couldn't think of what to say. I wanted to say something like, "Al, I really love your music, Santa Ana Winds is one of my favorite Beach Boys songs, I can't wait for your new solo album to come out, etc, etc," but I blanked. So instead I just blurted out "I love you, man!" and shook his hand. Worked enough, he smiled and said, "Thanks!" and then ran off. My girlfriend, who had a camera, didn't even realize I was talking to Al so she didn't take any pictures.

I met Mike & Bruce at a show in Pennsylvania in 2005. It was a cool Thanksgiving week night and we were waiting for the Boys to arrive from their appearance in New York during the parade. Dad and I arrived to the location early so we stopped for a bite, then walked around and in the theater. As it came closer to showtime we decided to wait in front of the building and a big tour bus came up and wouldn't you know it, it was them! Most of the band members flew backstage (especially Bruce, didn't even see him come out!) and Mike actually came up to us and asked "Is this where we are playing?" we said "yes". We asked for a picture/autograph but he went to a woman (what a shocker!) and it sounded like they knew each other. After he talked with her he came back to us and said "So, you want a picture & autograph?  Follow me." So we went to the door that led to backstage and he signed my Pet Sounds CD sleeve right on the white goat "Love, Mike Love" and got a really good picture with him. I was kind of bummed I didn't get to meet Bruce, but who cares, I got Mike to sign Pet Sounds! Then after the show, I bought a couple of items from the booth (poster & license plate) and actually caught the group heading to the bus out front and got most of the band to sign it (mostly Randall & Cowsil) but I ended up getting Mike again to sign both items and I caught Bruce before they left. I had him sign both items, plus the Pet Sounds sleeve and while he signed the sleeve he asked "Is Brian's (signature) on here?" I laughed and said no not yet (because I haven't been to a Bri show at that point), didn't get a pic. with Bruce but it's all good. That was definitely a show and evening to remember...I still remember it crystal clear three years later (geez!)

I saw Brian & Alan in D.C during the Pet Sounds tour and a bunch of us waited out the back to where the bus was parked and we tried to get their attention to stop! but no go. I think I saw Darian before the show walking somewhere (get some coffee?) but I chickened out and didn't say his name to see if it was him, I still kick myself for that  >:( but what a great show it was (also during Thanksgiving week actually, in 2007).

I have never met any of the Beach Boys and have, in fact, only been a big fan since 2004, although I've always liked their music.

I did talk to Brian during the Katrina phone calls. You could request a day and time, so I requested a Monday at 7 pm EST, I think. He called at 2 pm EST, and I hadn't thought of a question to ask yet. My caller ID said "Private name, Private number," and even though I've seen that many times before, I knew it was him and I got really nervous just picking up the phone. I was surprised that it was him right away, and not some assistant confirming I was home to pass the phone to him. He was extremely gracious and sweet. I believe he was gracious with everyone, but I sensed that he sensed I was nervous and possibly was also responding to the fact that I'm female (Brian has a soft spot for us, yes?). He spoke in a quiet, melodious voice. "Thank you for your donation." "No, thank you for what you're doing!" "Do you have a question for me?" Uh....[ask utterly dumb question to which the response is "Oh, are you  kidding? Of course I would have, yeah!"] Sensing that I'm nervous again, Brian asks sweetly, "Do you have another question for me?" "Uh, no... [what?? come on, Amy.] But I just want to thank you for making my two favorite albums, Pet Sounds and Smile!" [my nerves are worse now because I had the opportunity to ask something else and can't think of anything] "You're welcome." [awkward pause]  Brian finally puts me out of my misery in being so nervous-- "Okay, well, thanks again, Amy. Bye!"

The following evening, Brian (or whoever in Brian's name) gets on the blueboard. I type, "Hi, Brian. How are you?"
He responds. "Hi Amy. It was nice talking to you on the phone. Do you have another question for me?" My mind goes blank again, until I finally think of another dumb question. "If you had a chance to work with anyone, who would it be?" "Paul McCartney."   Oh, right. I knew that already.

Anyway, I will never forget speaking with him. It must have been hard for him to talk to all those people, and he could not have been nicer.

I'm enjoying the stories very much. It's really neat to find out that, despite all the years of praise, honors, and acclaim, the Beach Boys have remained, overall, kind and friendly to their fans. Here's a quasi-meeting:

THE WHITAKER CENTER, Harrisburg, PA (2000)
I went to see Brian perform Pet Sounds. Unfortunately, the orchestra was not present. There was no opening act, and a few minutes before the show began, Melinda comes walking in and sits a few rows in front of us, a little to the left, with another lady. You could hear the buzz and see the people pointing. Well, a few minutes later, guess who comes walking into the theatre? David Leaf. Being the longtime BB/BW nut that I am, I immediately recognized him. And, yes, I let everyone around me know that I knew it was David Leaf. Then I had to explain to everybody who he was. At the beginning of the concert, Brian called out to the audience, asking where Melinda was sitting, and he constantly looked over at her throughout the show. And David Leaf, well, he went right to the front row, and it wasn't long before he was standing right in front of the stage, a little to the right, singing and dancing his head off! I was surprised to see David so animated; from watching his interviews he didn't remind me of the type. Anyway, after some songs and right before Pet Sounds, there was an intermission. My friend and I got up to walk around to check out the merchandise stands. And, unbelievably, right in the walking area, in front of the stands, stood Melinda. She was talking to three or four people, and you could walk right up to her and talk to her. So I did. Honestly, I didn't say anything, I just stood there looking and listening. I remember her talking about Brian, saying that he was nursing a cold for a few days, and didn't feel too good today. I specifically remember her saying that "he doesn't seem right, he doesn't sound right. I can tell. He's struggling." Really, and this will shock some of you, I thought he sounded great. We made a little more small talk, Melinda signed a few programs for some fans, and the group just broke up and we returned to our seats. And enjoyed Pet Sounds immensely.

Dennis died before I was a fan so I never had contact with him.
 
Mike signed a ticket for me after a 1993 box set show. He saw during the concert that I was digging the rare numbers and I kept giving him a thumbs up which he eventually returned to me. He signed my ticket Dr. Love which I think is funny.
 
At that same show my dad gave Bruce a high five, and I have asked him a few things on BBB. He didn't like my idea that he would souind good singing the Monkees Daydream Believer. Oh well. He seemed pretty impressed though when I asked him about My World Fell Down and the Barry Mann album.

Al I talked to on the phone to ask him a question for my Beach Boys project. Just let him know what is was mostly but he was very, very nice. This was around 2003

Carl signed an I Get Around PS for me learning about me through a somebody we mutually knew. I guess the guy gave Carl the sleeve and sent it off to me.  This was about 1995 or so.

Brian I interviewed formally for about 20 minutes on the phone in 1999. He was very friendly and had a good memory. His response's were brief as they are in most of his interviews since Landy was fired. He  talked very lovingly about Dennis.

Met Carl & Alan at Westlake Audio back in March 1985  while mixing The Beach Boys (them, not me) - short, pleasant conversations. Didn't know who I was or why I was there but made me welcome.

Dennis - a brief meeting at Brother in October 1981, again very gracious and man did he have charisma by the bucketload. Hellva handshake too.

Bruce, met several times, again beginning at Westlake (and am in regular email contact with): he makes no bones about this being a business to him, and just cannot understand why the likes of Ian, c-man & I are so all fired obsessed with who did what, when and is there any documentation. Actually, it amuses him hugely ! That said, a nice guy who will take time to answer my questions, and still one of Brian's biggest cheerleaders. Also very funny in a strangely English kind of way.

Mike - not met him. Yet.

Brian. Ah, Brian... met him many times since 1985, ranging from meet & greets when he patently didn't want to be there through more relaxed encounters to purely social when he's, quite simply, utterly charming and one of the funniest people on this planet, not to mention having a memory like a computer. Probably the #1 encounter was when he played "Rhapsody In Blue" - it was an incredible experience, not only for the performance (which was stunning) but also to witness first-hand the calming effect the music had on him. That's the Brian I choose to remember.

Am loving these stories, but I have to ask Andrew, why were you there?

Flew out to LA to do some research, and had a few phone numbers thrown my way. That week, I met the following all at least once:

Brian
Alan
Carl
Bruce (invited me to the studio, stood me lunch)
Steve Levine
Jasper Dailey (did breakfast in Rodeo Drive - lovely man)
Chuck Britz (interviewed him in the control room of Western 3 - does it get any better ?)
Steve Desper (drove me around for a day, played some interesting stuff, gave me a tour of the Capitol tower, including the tape vault, told me the tale of Dennis' famous recording in the Tower)
Van Dyke Parks (lovely evening at his place)
Steve Kalinich (stood me dinner)

One helluva week. I've only ever had one bad experience with a BB-related person. Not going to say who, but they messed me around for a whole week then when I couldn't fit into their schedule (becuase I was flying out), threw a tantrum. Many people have a lot of time for them in the fan world. Not me (not a band member, past or present, btw).

Hm, how cryptic, Andrew...

AGD I think you have been pretty fair to Mike over the years, perhaps you will meet.

I will post my meetings with BB when i have more time..But i do have a Question or Observation..Bruce walking thru audience to get some food + drink before a show..??..HMM..All concerts have a huge spread back stage for the band + another one for the roadies..All leftover food can be taken with them after show which is what roadies usually do.... I suspect Bruce walked thru the crowd to talk to fans..Ive seen him do that before..Also BB never seem afraid to walk around with their fans before or after a show..Ive allways been impressed with that..Thay like to interact with us which is not always  the case with other entertainers..!!

Nothing to compare to above stories but did meet Billy and Jeff a few years ago. Nice guys.

Brian at a signing.

The story I remember though was at the end of a show south of L.A about 93. As we were leaving the venue we had to cross a walk-way. Below us screaming broke out. Sounded like about 10 girls, young ones at that, and a few guys shouting. Looked down and a few limos are lined up and its the BBs getting in. Thought the screaming was for Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise or somebody. Not a bunch of 50 year old guys. Made me think what it must have been like in their heyday.

Now the story I always liked was from Dave in KC from the old ego board. Something along the lines of being berated by Bruce for having his kids up so late! :lol

Ricky Fataar -- 1997 Beatlefest outside of Chicago. I had bought the Rutles' "Shangri-La" E.P. on 10-inch vinyl, and I had each of them (sans Eric Idle, who wasn't there) autograph it for me. I said, "Hey, Ricky, any chance of a Flame reunion?" He laughed and said, "Wow...That...was a WEIRD album!" I also asked him something about "We Got Love," and he said, "You know...I wrote the bloody song, but...I just don't remember a thing about it!" That Monday morning when I was on the way out of the hotel, I saw him at a table in the restaurant, and I asked him if I could snap a picture of him. He smiled and said, "Sure!" And before I snapped the picture, he said "Wait a sec..." and he put on a pair of sunglasses and held up the restaurant menu and said, "Okay, go ahead." The menu had a kind of psychedelic painting of teacups!

Brian -- first encounter was in the summer of 1998, at the Borders on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, when he was doing autograph signings to promote Imagination...and I'm still kicking myself for not bringing my autographed Orange Crate Art poster that VDP sent me, autographed!! Oh well....heck, I was a young guy, barely out of college, and it was when I had just started a long-distance relationship that has since become a marriage. :) I brought a picture of my girlfriend [now wife, of course], who was holding the liner notes from the 1990 Capitol Pet Sounds CD. When it was my turn, I showed it to Brian, and told him that I met her because of Pet Sounds. He said, "Wow....thanks!" which I think is the most he said to anybody that day...

Second encounter....the night before Thanksgiving 2006, backstage at the Beacon Theater in NYC...just a little background...in 2000 Susan (aka "hobielang") introduced my wife and me to Jeffrey Foskett, and he had also been getting friendly with our friend Christine...and he always sets Christine up with good seats, backstage passes, whatever...and Jeff usually says hi to us if he sees us before or after a show, still remembers us...anyhoo, he had given Christine some tickets to that show at the Beacon, and she had originally offered them to PSML's Leon Lively and wife, but they had to turn 'em down because they were flying out the next day and couldn't reschedule the flight....so Christine offered us the tickets. When we picked them up at will call, there were all-access passes included! So my wife wanted to go backstage after the show just to say hi and thanks to Jeff...which we do....and a few feet away is the man himself! He was pouring himself some coffee or water or whatever was in the pitcher...My wife somehow gains more balls than I ever had and walked over to Brian and said, "Hi, Brian, I'm Lisa and this is my husband 37!ws." He smiled and offered her a handshake. "Hi, Lisa!" and then he shook my hand with a smile.....HE SHOOK MY goshdarn HAND!!!!!!! HOLY CRAP!!!!!! "We met because of Pet Sounds." Brian said, "WHOA!! Great!" And that was that...but it was weird...he actually smiled, he made eye contact, he offered handshakes...totally different from a lot of people's observations! And what was really crazy...I'm pretty tall -- six-foot-two -- and I actually had to look up, bend my head back, to be able to look the guy in the eye....

Al -- same night. Minutes after we met Brian, we decided what the hey, we'll see if we can meet Al Jardine too....and we somehow kind of join in on a conversation, with my wife commenting about how she likes the song "California" and appreciates the mentions of Travels With Charley. Al then confessed that he'd never actually read the book. She then said, "You sounded great on 'I Know There's An Answer.'" And Al very enthusiastically replied, "Isn't that a GREAT song?! I always loved that song!"

We also talked to Nelson that night...my wife has a thing for him....she also had a thing for Mike D'Amico, too, so it must be a thing about secondary percussionists...wow, was she happy to find out that D'Amico's back, so they have BOTH of 'em in the band now....anyhoo...Nelson told a great story...he rolled his eyes and said, "Lemme tell ya what happened a few years ago...only Brian Wilson can get away with this s#!t..." In sum...Brian was in England getting some award. There were servers wearing black jackets. Bono comes up to Brian, and he's wearing a similar black jacket. He said, "Brian, I'm a big fan. Your music has been a huge inspiration to my work. I'm thrilled to meet you...etc. etc. etc." Brian says, "Thanks....Could you get me a Diet Coke?" And the kicker: HE GOT BRIAN THE DIET COKE!!

We've met all four of the 'Mints at various times, too...Probyn especially is fun to talk to...

 :)

I thought I would chime in.  Met some people, some were emails, etc.


Brian:
I met Brian in 1998 when he did an in store appearance in New York for Imagination.  Met Melinda as well.  He really didn't say much.  When I got up to him in line I told him how "Til I die" is the greatest song in the world.  He said "Thanks a lot."  I was nervous.

When I saw Brian in like 2002 or so, Melinda was sitting next to us in the theater.  She actually took a CD insert for me backstage and had Brian sign it during intermission.

Mike and Bruce:
They were playing a fair in 2005 at Woodstock, Ct.  Mike signed my copy of M.I.U. and Friends.  Bruce saw my copy of the S.o.t. Smile and said he doesn't sign bootlegs.  I said Bruce I also have Going Public.  He said throw it away, I did.   He didn't sign anything.

Van Dyke Parks:
I have talked to VDP on the phone.  He has signed numerous things for me over the years.

Frank Holmes:
Talked to him on the phone, he signed my Smile stuff that I sent him through the mail.

Marilyn Wilson (and the Honeys)
I just talked to Marilyn this year.  She is a real estate agent.  I got her number from her personal website.  Called her, I could tell she was nervous about me calling a lot.  I assured I would not call again.  She actually called my house when my cd's arrived and she had the rest of the Honeys sign my stuff as well.

Steve Desper:
I am still waiting for my stuff, he is using my cd book of The Flame with Brother Records, trying to persuade them to make a Flame cd.

Dean Torrence:
I emailed him and got him to sign Love you.

David Marks:
Emailed him, he signed my early cd's.

Hal Blaine:
Email, he signed  bunch of stuff I sent him.

Carol Kaye:
Again emails, REALLY NICE PERSON.  Signed a million things, sent me picks and various photo copies of her press.

David Leaf:
During the Pet Sounds orchestra tour, he was walking in the audience.  I was the only person to spot him, he signed my program.  He was standing there with Fred Vail.  I couldn't believe I forgot Fred's name so I didn't ask him to sign anything.  Damn.  I was still so excite to meet David that I blanked out for a second.

I would love to meet Ricky Fataat... I met Eric Idle and my friend had Neil Innes sign my Rutles stuff.

I'm a bad boy - made a couple of bad exclusions to my list:

David - met him first at a Stomp convention in the UK, in passing as he was 'on show', so to speak. Then a few years ago when staying with Suze (Hobie) Lang in CT we lunched together. The guy is a riot - funny, deadpan, and seriously good company. Last year at Suze's BB convention in CT, spent a weekend having a great time with him and Carrie (who is also a joy to be with - the interaction between the two of them is amazing) both at the gig and socially.

Marilyn - interviewed her and the Honeys in the UK, 1983, then in LA 1986 visited at her (then) house in Encino. Nice day, met Carnie & Wendy, was introduced to bagels and played "Caroline, No" on the sandbox piano (very badly). And Ginger gave me a lift back to my hotel.  :)

Wow, there are some great stories here.  It must be interesting to be a Beach Boy...at concerts you're always in the public eye, and everything you say or do, whether you're having a good or bad day, etc., will affect people's perception of you.

I'm kind of fuzzy on the exact years...they all blend together, but here are some of my experiences:

1999: After the 2nd show at Humphrey's in San Diego, two fans I had met at an Al Jardine show and I went to look for Mike & Bruce.  I had very little faith that we would find them, but I humored them.  We took a random turn by a pool, and there was Mike being ushered to the tour bus by security!  One of the fans that was with me was 10x more excited than me, so I let her talk to Mike and have him sign her poster from the 60's.  He was polite, but didn't say much.  He stopped for some pictures and was on his way.  He signed my copy of the "Listen To The Air" CD, which is a Japanese release of Mike & Dean's "Rock & Roll City".

1999: After the Al Jardine show in Oceanside (the best show I've ever been to by any artist), I met Billy Hinsche for the first time.  At the time, he didn't know about the setlist archive, but he remembered my name the next time I saw him, and has remembered me ever since, which is cool!  I met Carnie and she signed my poster from their first public concert at the Shrine Auditorium.  We talked for about 5 minutes, and she was very nice and friendly.  I told her about the setlist archive.  This was around the time she was posting on some message boards.  Later that year, I did a poll on the setlist archive about songs that fans would like to hear at BBFF shows.  One option I listed was "Breakaway" sung by Carnie.  That song came 2nd in the poll, but to my surprise, it was added a couple months later!  I'd like to think that the poll had something to do with it!  I also talked briefly with Adam, who was friendly but in a hurry to leave.  The whole band signed my poster, but I didn't get to meet them...the band manager took my poster for them to sign and brought it back out to me.  Meanwhile, random teenage kids were going back there to meet the band...security was kind of lax.  In fact, there was no security after the concert!

2000: I didn't get to meet Brian after his show at Humphrey's, but he did wave to me when I waved at him from the front row...the only interaction that he had with anyone in the audience that I noticed.  Billy was at this show, and I was shocked that he remembered my name from when I met him in Oceanside the year before!  I asked him how he remembered, and he said, "It's my job to remember!" with a smile.

2000 or 2001: I was at the IPO in LA either in 2000 or 2001.  Al Jardine was supposed to play but cancelled a few days before the show due to some drama with the lawsuits, I think.  I decided to go to show anyway.  Tony Rivers was the last act to play.  Before he played, though, I decided to go to the lobby, and there was a buzz in the air and something was up.  Brian Wilson was there!!!!  He seemed a little overwhelmed by the people crowding around him.  One young teenage kid was staring at him with his mouth open in utter awe, which I think made Brian uncomfortable.  I managed to get a picture with him...I don't remember what I said, if anything.  I might have just asked for a picture.  He looked in a daze in the picture.  Later during Tony Rivers' set, he asked Brian to join him for the encore, which seemed planned, but he declined.  I met Alan Boyd at this show, and he was very friendly and we talked BB for a good long while!  I also met Darian Sahanaja, who played with Tony that night, and he signed my Live at The Roxy CD, as did Brian later when I saw him in the lobby.

2002: Then-new-band member Scott Totten invited me backstage to meet Mike & Bruce.  Scott was very friendly and down to earth and welcoming...he even remembered one of my friends that he met that day 4 years later!   I wasn't sure what to say to Mike & Bruce, so I just asked for pictures with them and my 3 friends that were with me.  They both signed everything we gave them even though they seemed busy talking to friends.  Although I have been backstage with Mike & Bruce many times, this remains the only time that I've taken pictures with them...I should get some new pics next time!

2003: I got backstage at Pechanga Casino with my date and we grabbed some snacks from the room with the food as the band was getting ready to zip out to the next venue.  We did talk briefly with Bruce, and I told him that I did the setlists.  He thanked me for doing the setlist archive.  This is a little-known fact, but before Bruce started frequenting the BBB Board, he kind of used my guestbook on the setlist archive as a message board, posting a few messages on there.  How I wish that I had had an actual message board on there!  I had him sign "Going Public" or "Surfin Round The World" CD...can't remember which one, but both were eventually signed over the years.  He gave me kind of an embarrassed smile and said something to the effect of, "Wow...you have this?  Why?"  During the conversation, I mentioned that I'd like to hear Disney Girls, and he mentioned that it was hard to perform songs like that because most people want to hear the hits.  I don't remember whether I got to talk to Mike at this show, but I do remember him bustling by, talking to somebody.  John Cowsill was backstage while we were getting snacks, but I don't remember what we said to each other, if anything.

2004: After the show at Pala Casino, I said hello to Jeff Foskett, who took off really quickly to meet his daughter at one of the entrances.  I waited until he was done talking to her and said hello, and he was really nice and told me where to go to meet Brian, but said there were no guarantees that Brian would come down to meet us.  It seemed like the whole band was there, but I wasn't sure what to talk about while I waited for Brian.  Brian didn't show, and we took off.

2005: I saw Dave Marks' show in Anaheim on the weekend of the Landmark Dedication.  The rehearsal was open to anybody who walked in.  No one even checked for tickets at the door, which was a first for me.  I don't think that I ever saw anyone that was asked about a ticket.  Before the show, Dave was milling around the lobby, stopping to smoke right outside the front entrance.  Many people didn't seem to realize that it was him, although friends were stopping by to say hello.  I had absolutely no idea what to say to him, so I didn't approach him.  They put on a great show that night!  Billy was busy with some guests, but stopped to say hello to me and my friends anyway!

2005: I went to a VERY far small town named Gilroy to see Al Jardine play at a small benefit concert.  There were only about 80-100 people at the show, out of the 300 or 400 that showed up at the benefit picnic.  As we walked from the picnic area to the concert venue, we saw Al sitting on a bench with his wife talking to some friends.  We said, "Al!" and said something to the effect of, "We'll see you at the show!"  He gave a tired smile, and went back to his conversation.  We got to be right up front, 3 or 4 away from Al, who was on a stage that was about 2 feet off the ground!  The show was great, and it was a rush to be that close!  After the show, we told Stevie Heger that we had driven from San Diego (MUCH farther than anyone else at the show!) He invited us to meet Al backstage and he was very nice, but was very tired.  The show had been delayed because the activities at the benefit had gone on longer than scheduled.  We took a picture with a camera that was low on batteries and the picture turned out horrible because there was no flash!  But that was easily the biggest BB-related thrill I had had since the 1999 BBFF show in Oceanside where I got to be up front as well.

2005: I was watching the Humphreys show from the balcony that is accessible to those with backstage passes.  Bruce was milling around up there before the show, and I pointed him out to my date.  She waved and said, "HI!", and he waved back and smiled.  Other than that, I don't recall having much contact with Mike or Bruce after the show, but I do remember talking with Scott backstage for a bit before the band took off quickly for the bus.

2005: After the Brian show at the Hollywood Bowl, I bumped into Billy Hinsche, leaving the restroom!  We chatted for a bit and took a couple of pictures and we were on our way.  It was pretty late, and pretty cold (it was September!), so we no one wanted to stick around for too long after the show...I also had a 3 hour drive home!

2006: A few months later, the same friend I took with me on the road trip to Gilroy and I went to Cerritos for another Al concert, this time in a much bigger venue.  Billy Hinsche was nice enough to help us get backstage.  We talked with Al for a good 5 minutes about various topics.  Al was VERY friendly and signed some (excellent) pictures that my friend took at the concert in Gilroy.  Matt was very impressed with the pictures and suggested that Al should consider them as publicity photos.  We had sent him copies of the pictures, along with a SASE, but hadn't received them back.  And although he had signed those pics at the concert, Al eventually did send the original pictures we sent him, signed and personalized, a few months after this show, which I thought was really nice of him to do.

2006: Jeffrey Foskett was nice enough to provide passes for me and some friends and we got to hang out in the green room with about 100 other invited guests.  I had gotten backstage passes before at Brian shows, but never got to meet Brian after those shows.  This time, we got to see Brian, but so many people were crowding around him that we didn't get to him.  He was in the room for only about 15 to 20 minutes because of one weird woman who kept butting into every conversation with Brian, Al, and other band members, pretending like other fans didn't exist!  Al stayed much longer, and posed for some pictures, and was very friendly with fans.

2006: I went backstage at Humphreys again with a friend and we got to meet most of the band again.  We met John Stamos and my friend was bold enough to ask him for his drumsticks, and he obliged!  Mike was back there and talked for quite a while with fans.  We talked with Bruce for a while, interestingly enough about cars!  I know nothing about cars, and am not really interested in them.  They were all talking car talk, and Bruce turned to me and asked me a question about what I thought about a certain car.  I had no idea what he was talking about and had no idea what to say...I don't remember what I eventually did say after an awkward pause!!  I do remember everyone looking at me and waiting for my answer!  Awkward!  But it was cool to be back there talking with Bruce.  Scott was nice as always.  I was at another Mike & Bruce show a month later in Alhambra and I was right in front of the stage and Scott waved at me.  I saw him after the show and complimented the show and we took off from there...another 3+ hour drive for me!

2007: At the Adam Marsland Chaos Band's show, I got to talk briefly with Alan Boyd, which was cool.  Before their set, though, I had to run out to my car to get something.  When I came back, someone had taken my seat.  It was Marilyn Wilson-Rutherford!!  She was partially sitting on my jacket.  I reached over to get it and she apologized and asked if I had taken her seat.  I don't remember what happened after that, but I think she just made space for me and I wound up sitting next to her.  I asked if she was Marilyn (although I already knew!) and she said yes, and she introduced her husband and her son.  After the concert, we all got up and she started chatting with friends, and she introduced me to them, even remembering my name, which was cool!  They all seemed to know each other, so I didn't really fit in the conversation so I waited for an opportune moment to slip away.

2007: The Dave Marks show at Rusty's Surf Ranch was great!  I got to meet the Honeys and take a picture with them!  I told Marilyn that I had met her just a few months back, but she didn't remember, but she was still very friendly.  The picture turned out great!  I talked with Billy before the show, who I ran into in the insanely small restroom.  I wasn't sure what to say to Dave Marks, so in between sets, I just asked if I could get a picture, and I think an autograph (although I can't remember what he signed, if anything).   He was very nice, and even though there was a guy that was obviously a friend he hadn't seen in a while right next to me, he took the time to stop to take the picture before talking with him.

2007: I think that this was the first time that I got to talk to Randell.  He was very friendly and took time to talk and didn't seem to be in a hurry to go anywhere.  I think I mentioned his stint with Mike Love's solo tour, and he was surprised that I knew about that.  We talked about different Beach Boys songs, which was cool.  I did see Mike & Bruce chatting with fans, but I didn't get to talk to either one.  But I was totally happy talking with Scott and Randell...it's funny but although I have had many chances to talk to Mike & Bruce, I just find myself not knowing what to talk about!

2008:  After Al's Las Vegas show, there was a meet & greet for anyone interested.  About 75 fans or so stuck around and lined up to take pictures and get items signed.  Al seemed a little distracted behind the greeting table while he was talking to a friend about old times.  I wanted him to sign my placemat from the restaurant, which had his picture on it.  He tried to convince me to buy a publicity photo.  My picture with him didn't turn out great, so I went through the line again and bought a picture this time, and the picture turned out a little better the 2nd time around.  Matt remembered me and my friend from the Cerritos show.  His wife had just had a baby, and he was understandably wanting to go home!  Billy introduced me to his mom, who is a sweetheart.

2008: My date and I went backstage at Humphrey's and hung out with Scott and talked for a bit.  Tim Bonhomme remembered me, as did Randell, which surprised me...but the more I think about it, though, it makes sense.  Even if you see someone only once a year, if you do see them regularly, you will remember them after a while.  Kind of like your dentist's assistants...only you see them every 6 months.  You remember their face, but not necessarily their name.  As we entered the room where everyone was eating, I scanned the room for Scott, but didn't see him immediately.  Bruce asked, "Are you looking for the the Lovester?" I said that we were looking for Scott and he pointed him out.  Mike came in just as we were leaving to grab our seats on the balcony so we didn't get to say hi, which I kind of regret, because she would have loved to have met him.  After the show, there wasn't a meet and greet, so Bruce was seen only briefly and Mike was not around.  But we did get to hang more with Scott and talk for quite a while.  I talked with Randell again, too and complimented him on "The Warmth Of The Sun", and he was genuinely appreciative.

Wow...I thought this might take 30 minutes to write about, but I've been typing for about an hour and a half!  I kept remembering more and more events as I went along, and kept having to insert them in there!  There are probably others I'm missing.  But it has been a true blessing to be able to have met and talked with so many involved with the BB-related touring groups. 

Conclusion so far: if you'd rank the four living Beach Boys from "friendly and down to earth" to "slightly arrogant", Al would be first and Bruce would come in last, am I right?

:lol

Eric, that's great, thanks for sharing all those wonderful stories. The way you're able to get backstage and other interesting places (restrooms!), you oughta be an undercover agent. Glad to see all of your hard work paid off, although it was probably a labor of love....

Thanks!  Yeah, the setlist archive started with just an idea that bore out of my tendency to want things organized!  I saw setlists all over the internet and I thought that they should be put together in one spot for easy access.  There hasn't been any financial compensation for my work on the archive, but the benefits truly are priceless, and I'm very grateful!

I've always been curious: had anyone on this board met or seen Dr. Eugene Landy and what their experiences with him was before his demise? Not trying to controversial, just curious (which is just as bad sometimes ;D :-D)...

I had the odd luck of getting to help shoot a TV spot for an upcoming BB concert in Washington--they were in my hometown of Des Moines at the time, and we went down and taped them at one of the oldest hotels in town, where they were staying.  This was the summer of 1985, and  they were playing at the State Fair.  (Saw that gig--the only one thus far!)

Got to meet Bruce, Al, and Mike.  Though we were there from 2-4pm, Carl was still asleep, so...no Carl.  Bruce was the first to arrive, and was very upbeat and friendly.  Al was next...he was OK, but kinda cranky.  Didn't like the hotel room, kinda complained about everything around him.  Mike was also OK...very quiet.  Hardly said a word.  Just did his lines and vanished (meaning, the script, that is!)

I ran into Brian several other times, most notably in the elevator of the KROQ building where I worked at the time...this would be 1988, right after his solo album came out.  I was visiting a DJ at KROQ, and Brian and Kevin Leslie got into the elevator at the same time as me.  I almost didn't recognize him, he was in such great physical shape, and very very handsome.  The thing that tipped me off was the twitching at the corner of the mouth.  I know it doesn't seem likely that a big Brian fan wouldn't recognize him right off the bat, but keep in mind, he hadn't been out much publicly until just that year!

Also saw Brian headed for the porta potties at the Topanga Canyon acoustic concert--he seemed GIANT.  And he had the most powerful voice of the day, though he stumbled through a lot of lyrics!

Saw VD Parks backstage at the Pet Sounds Hollywood Bowl concert, but didn't approach him...he had a circle of well-wishers around him, hugging him, and I didn't want to interrupt.

I bet meeting Brian would be very different in different periods. I knew someone who met him in 1964 and said he seemed like an intellectual. Articulate and brainy. I heard a story about someone who met him in 1970 or so. Said he was very normal and nice but that he was wearing a suit at Tower Records which they thought a little odd for the era. Knew a lady who knew him in the late 70's said he was nice but rather odd and shy. It seemes he used to be a lot talkative and aware of his surroundings overall. 

You just reminded me that I did see Van Dyke after the Smile show at Pala Casino.  Some people were coming up to him and asking for autographs and pictures, but he was mostly talking with friends, so I got kind of shy and didn't say anything.  Looking back, I should have told him how much I love Orange Crate Art...even more than BWPS!

I bet meeting Brian would be different hour to hour, too. By many accounts, he is a very smart person and sought out knowledge when he was young. I'm sure he had moments where he sounded intellectual, but then he also had shy moments. On the 1964 Christmas CD interview, he sort of sounds similar to today's Brian-- answering some questions with one word-- "Right." In the 1995 IJWMFTT doc, he comes off as articulate in spots, like the Arthur Koestler moment, and even in that 1997 George Martin special that I strugged to post the other day, he comes off as pretty introspective. I'm sure he has his moments now, but as we all know, he can also be a totally weird person who speaks in two-word phrases. To be sure, there has been an arc where he's changed over time, but patterns have always been there. In most cases, meeting strangers (fans) would cause him to become uncomfortable or shy at best, so the more articulate side of him wouldn't show.

It could be that different parts of his personality were always there. The 1964 meeting I mentioned was a gathering with a few fans, and I think radio promoters, in a hotel suite so he might have been a little more at ease then. Or at least a little better at covering up his unease. Look at 1976 for example. On the SNL appearance he seems super nervous. His leg is shaking his mouth is twitching. On Mike Douglas, filmed I think the same month, he seems a little hyper but pretty articulate-even witty at times. So I see what you mean. It's just that over time he seems less (and I hate to use this word) "normal". I mean that respectfully but you can tell he has been through a lot since say 75-76 and even more so since his voice became slurred in the mid eighties. Not to say that he isn't a great guy, and still very warm at times. It's just that there have been changes or damage to his nervous system in some way. All said though he is better then anyone could have hoped for in the final year before Landy (both times) and the the final year or two with Landy. 

I've never met any of The Beach Boys, but in 1991 I did meet Van Dyke Parks.  He was playing the old Lone Star Roadhouse on W. 42nd Street in NYC I think he was touring Tokyo Rose at the time.  A friend called me and told he was at the show already and if I came down I could get tickets for the late show.  So my wife and I headed down, we were just married at the time, and brought our thank you cards because we planned to give another friend who was at the show his, and save the postage.  When we got there he was still playing his first set, so we bought tickets for the second show, but the ticket seller said we could go in for the remainder of the first set if we wanted.  We went in found our friends and sat down at a table.  When the set was over, a slightly inebriated Van Dyke Parks ambled over to our table with some friends of his and sat down with us.   I was shocked and couldn't say anything for a few minutes, but finally we started talking, I don't remember what we spoke about anymore, except that we told him we were newly weds.  Right before he went back on stage we asked, and this is something I never do, if he would autograph one of our wedding thank you cards.  He did, and said something really nice, he was just a very sweet man.  I've misplaced the autograph, but it's somewhere in the house I'll post it when I find it.

Met Landy a coupla times while he was in charge of Brian for the 2nd time. Ummmmm... let's just say he was very interested in everything he did being seen in the best possible light. Frankly I found him rather pathetic in his patent desire to please (I got the impression that if I asked him to get Brian to walk across the street naked, he would have told Brian to do it without thinking), yet at the same time very sinister given the control he wielded over Brian. In his presence Brian seemed almost cowed, definitely subservient: it wasn't pleasant at all. Like most petty despots, he couldn't see that what he was doing was sometimes very wrong, and not in Brian's best interests. Sadly, Brian sems to attract such people.

I really wonder what's going through his mind whenever he's having one of his 'weird' moments... Is he really not his normal self for a moment? Is he having some sort of paralizing panic attack? Does he sabotage things he doesn't want to do by purposely acting weird? Or could it be that he's sometimes playing a role because he just enjoys being a wacky, eccentric rock star?

All of the above?

With the exception of Dennis (I became a fan in 1985) I have had the privilege of meeting Brian, Carl, Mike, Al, Bruce and some of the backing band and family members numerous times between 1991-1997. My imprssions:

Brian- 
 1. 1988 Tower Records LA, Sunset Strip.  First time  I met any of the Boys.  Stood in awe, got my 88 Album signed and left.  In a brush with mediocrity, caught sight of Gene Landy in a really cool, Al Capone-style pinstripe suit.

2. 1992. Book signing LA. Brian was in good spirits.  He chatted with me and signed everything I asked for (Book, Pet Sounds and Sunflower Albums, Poster).

3. 1994. Backstage at El Camino College in Torrance, CA.  Brian showed up in a limo with Melinda, pre-wedding.  I approached him with another fan whom I did not know.  The guy asked BRian for an autograph and Brian declined.  Immediately thereafter, I asked Brian for a picture with him and he happily obliged (go figure).  I have always felt sorry for that other guy... 

Carl-

backstage approximately 8-10 times between 1991-1997.  Carl was always in a hurry as he was perpetually late.  Always my favorite guy to meet.  Always friendly, always accommodating.  Always signed everything, always took photos, etc.  Last time I met him was August 1997.  He was in poor condition.  This was the only time my name did not appear on the "pass list."  I almost left when I found that out.  Instead, I decided to stick around the venue (Glen Helen Blockbuster Pavillion) hoping my luck would change.  I waited by the security shack for the group to arrive.  When the bus pulled in , I told them my tale.  Said that if I had trouble, tour manager Matt Sheppard told me to advise asst. tour manager Joel Gast (all of which was true).  Joel was on the bus and told me to get in.  I entered and found all of the guys (except Mike) plus the backing band.  I sat down  across the aisle from Carl and Gina and rode approx 100 yards into the venue.  Needless to say, glad I decided to stick around.  This turned out to be my last BB concert.

Al-

Like Carl, always friendly.  Al always appreciated knowing you were a "real fan." For instance, caught him backstage in 1993.  Asked him to sign two items.  He replied he only had time to sign one.  As I handed him the item, I mentioned that I loved his vocal on "Strange Things Happen."  He must have been shocked that anyone would even be aware of that vocal as he thanked me and advised "I'll go ahead and sign the rest of your stuff."

Mike-

Again numerous times between 91-97.  Surrisingly quiet and  unassuming.  Would always accommodate the fans requests, but would also be just as happy to keep on walking if you didn't really try to stop him.  Always my least favorite to meet only because he would never talk much.

Bruce-

Schizophrenic.  Met him 8-10 times.  On about half of those occasions, he was the absolute nicest guy in the world.  He would actually START conversations with me, and once we talked about BB history and music for at least 45 minutes backstage.  Other times, he was a complete jerk.  We  all have bad days, I guess.

Matt Jardine-

Very friendly and accommodating. Happy to talk and genuinely pleased someone wanted to meet him.

Richie Cannata-

backstage, 1997.  Maybe the friendliest guy I have ever met associated with the Beach Boys.  The concert I spoke of above, Richie heard my story of missing my passes.  He kept coming back to me bakstage to to make sure I had tickets ("Are they good seats? Do you need anything else?") and that I was allowed to stay backstage.

Stamos

Friendly enough.  Took pictures with my wife.  He was always surrounded by a bevy of female "hangers on" wnone of which insluded his then super model wife.

Jonah and Justyn Wilson.

Met them at the Brian/Al Pet SOunds concert at UCLA in 97.  They were actually sitting right in front of me with Carnie and Owen Elliott (unfortunately, no Wendy).  I approached them and told them that the only thing missing that night was their Dad. They were friendly and seemed genuinely thankful.  The coolest moment of that show was the sight of Justyn and Jonah being the first to get out of their seats and start a standing ovation for Al as he entered the stage to "Than I kKssed Her."

Southbay, you're a lucky man....

Late 1970s (should remember the exact year, but don't) some friends and I were hanging around McCarthur Court in Eugene, Oregon talking Beach Boys after the concert. We were the last ones there when Brian and Stan Love came walking through the scene of Stan's collegiate stardom.

Brian had just about nothing to say, but Stan was pleasant enough. 

I was struck that Brian was wearing that same leather jacket with the fur collar seen on the picture sleeve for the original US 45 release of California Girls from more than 10 years earlier.

(I had run thru all my film during the concert, so no photos. Should get those Kodachromse scanned! In those days, they allowed fans to shoot photos and allowed such things as heavy metal cameras into concerts. But those days were nearly over.)

Yeah, that's basically what I was expecting from the controversial man. Still, do you agree with someone's (sorry, forgot who) assessment that Landy's actions during the later 80s-early 90s were because "Brian made him that way"? Hearing that kinda opened my mind to the possibility that he was basically creating a new Murray (possibly subconsciously) to bully him.

Landy got a rush from the fame that rubbed off on him, but that's no excuse for what he did. I don't blame Brian at all.

I was very fortunate, yes.  Too bad all true fans could not have had a similar experience at least once.

I clean pools and one of my customers said that she dated Mike Love in the early 80s. I know she was telling the truth because she is not very proud of it. She was one of those ladies that got around (if you know what I mean). Now she is a completely different person who has settled down and married.

What, like Mike isn't the settling down and marrying type?

I think in Mike's case, settling down and marrying are mutually exclusive.

WELL. Ive met them a few times and it was always by accident.. never tried at all.. 1st concert i went by BB was 1973 hollywood Paladium..Met all of them momentarily ..But a couple of the guys more than just a moment..Met BW + Marilyn out in parking lot..Brian looked like the guy on the Holland cover..No beard ,,Overweight wearin a double breasted pea coat..didnt say that much + marlyin + i talked while i looked at Brian + told him how much i admired him..when i used the word GENIUS. Marlyn said to Brian..did ya hear that brian..?/ He then grunted + gave me his autograph.. He seemed ..shy..
withdrawn + nervous..when i said genius..he seemed to need that like he didnt have the confidence he used to have.. Also
talk to Al who was very excited + confident..The others i met for a few moments...Also no limos..the showed up in their own  Cars...Audi..VW van..Bmw..etc..GREAT 70's show

1977.. Met Dennis at meet + greet when he released..POB.. At a record store west Hollywood..Not Tower.. Very charming guy..

1983.. santa barbara bowl..Met all of them for a moment but actually talked to Al..Bruce.. Brian.. + Dean Torrence + Eugene Landy..Al + Bruce  were friendly + talkative..Talked about a new lp + new music..BW had just come back from Hawaii + lost a hundred lbs..Very tall..Was friendly + when i told him i was a fan from the beginning He started to sing.. Just Once in My Life..And i started to sing with him + he enjoyed it..He was also served with papers in a law suit + actually was reading it + understanding it..BW also gave me a hard time for smoking pot before i met him..Had my pic takin with him + was really nice to me..

1985..Harry Langdon studios pics for 85 lp..There are at least a hundred more pics no one has ever seen in the archives.
Met them 2 days in a row..2nd day bought PS + SS + had them autographed..Al + his new wife were VERY friendly = Kind....More than the rest

1995.. Cerrittos Ca.. Met them all briefly after the show..Al was hangin on stage after show.. So i went up to talk with him + got a set list autographed..The best impression i have of Al is..When U talk to him he looks you In the eye..Not afraid of eye contact with fans..Nice guy..Talked to him about..Loop De Loop..Told him it was a HIT..!! He asked WHERE i had heard that..I told him boots + he laughed + asked for 20.00..LOL..!!  Told him i liked MIU + he said i was the only one that bought It..!!

That's funny. Mike Love had the same reaction when the Goldmine interviewer said he had Smile boots. That interviewer had guts: he mentioned Smile boots, and told Mike that he liked Sweet Insanity, but it would've been better with group vocals...

Also, loved the story of Brian in 1983, I think we'd all like to sing "Just Once in My Life" with Brian...

Woah, memory jogger !  Bruce drove me to Harry's in '85 to see those pics before standing me lunch and an excellent interview: yup, there's a lot more, but what turned up on the back of the '85 album was the best, in my recollection.

That is such an interesting comment and observation. It reminds me of that Hal Blaine-told story when Brian returned to the studio in 1975(?) and Brian played a snippet of "Good Vibrations" and said to Hal, "Do you remember this song". Like Brian wasn't aware of his impact, and needed reassuring.

Thanks for sharing your stories...

I worked backstage at Chastain Park Amphitheatre in Atlanta during the summer of 2004.  I was a runner and basically was needed to fetch whatever was needed for the particular show of the evening.  I would even have to pick up band members from their hotel and drive them to the venue (although this was mostly backup band members).  When Mike and Bruce's Beach Boys came into town I had quite an exciting day.  Although I didn't get to drive Mike and Bruce anywhere I did pick up the backup band and had a nice conversation with Chris Farmer.  I mostly ended up hanging out with the tour manager; driving him around to run errands (like picking up his 18-year old girlfriend...and he had to be roughly twice her age).  He told me some interesting *inside* stories about the band. 

I was decked out that day in my Beach Boys Hawaiian shirt that was covered with the group's album art.  When Mike and Bruce finally arrived Mike saw me and said "Cool shirt!".  In fact, my very avatar image for this message board is a picture I had taken of me and him that night.  I really didn't spend much time talking to either Mike and Bruce since part of our job at the venue was not to *bother* the talent too much so I kept my distance.  Still it was quite a cool day for me being the Beach Boys nut that I am. 

He told me some interesting *inside* stories about the band. 

I must admit, I'd have had a hard time trying to hide my astonishment at the fact that there is anything interesting about that band.  :P

Just kidding. Cool story. :)

That post was awesome, man. But I can't let you get away with a leading sentence like the one I highlighted above. Come on, what were some of the interesting, inside stories. You can tell us, nobody's listening....

John - I was there and I actually shook his hand as he walked in. I got a photograph when he got of the bus and he was escorted in by a security guard. He looked a little scruffy from memory and a little pale and spacey, I was speaking to one of his American security guards later and said Iwas quite lucky to shake his hand as he never usually does it. A few people came up to me inthe pub afterwards and said I was a "jammy sod"! If you were at the gig (I'm assuming you mean at the Apollo in Manchester) I had a banner up on the balcony that said "Brian is Back!". Jeff Fosket mentioned it during the gig - if you've got an ahem, "dodgy" copy of the gig you'll hear him mention this. I later got Brian to sign the photo after a Smile show at the RFH in 2004.

I remember Foskett singing a snippet of "Brian is Back".

And the crowd singing Happy Birthday, and "You're So Good To Me" breaking down. :D

Reminds me of the 2006 Brian encounter I previously posted about...my wife and I had gone to the concert the night before as well. We and a few friends were hanging out near the stage door after the show, and Brian walked out and went straight to the bus, which was parked right there. After a few minutes, the shade on the windshield went up, and lo and behold, there was Brian sitting in the front passenger seat, looking emotionless and, frankly, exhausted. I think he may have waved once or twice....but what I found kind of embarrassing were people standing in front of the bus and having their pictures taken....the phrase "museum exhibit" entered my mind several times...

Now...as for other encounters...my wife and I were going to be in Chicago while Brian and the band were playing in the area, and he happened to be doing a show at the House of Blues in Chicago while we were there, so of course we went. Our friend Christine e-mailed Jeff Foskett and managed to get him to set us up with "after-party" passes....it was basically a big meet'n'greet in the main auditorium. Brian didn't come out, but most of the band did. And I managed to meet all four of the Wondermints and had them all autograph the liner from my copy of Wonderful World of Wondermints.

I think Probyn was the first one, and his signature includes a doodle of a rabbit. I complimented Probyn on his lead vocal on "Don't Go Breaking My Heart." He said that when he recorded the vocal, it was right around the time he and a longtime girlfriend had just split up, so he was singing it from the heart!

Mike D'Amico was next...I felt bad for asking him, because he was busy carrying an amp or something at the time, but I didn't want to miss the opportunity...I asked him if he'd mind signing something for me, and he immediately dropped the amp, came over, sat at the foot of the stage, and said "This is the first time I had a chance to sit down in SIX HOURS!" heh...I felt better then. Rob McCabe and I praised him for "Cellophane," and my wife joined us all with a chorus of "Good to have you back" (he skipped the tour the previous year to work on the Wondermints' album).

Darian came over and said, "This guy has THREE SONGS on our new album! He's getting creative on us!" I asked Darian to autograph the liner; he smiled and said, "Sure!" Then when he saw what it was, his eyes widened, and he said, "WOW! Thanks for buying this!" I've heard from more than one source close to him that 1) he's really honored when he sees that people like his music, and 2) although he loves performing Brian's music, he's very shy about his own music, which is one reason that a Wondermints concert had been a pretty rare thing...

Nick was last. He was having a drink; again, I felt guilty disturbing him because he was obviously doing his thing, but again, I didn't want to miss the opportunity. Just as friendly as anybody else, he signed the liner, using a stylized "N" that formed a square-root sign with "ick" under it followed by "= serf's up," followed by square-root-of-negative-one.

Afterwards, my wife and a few other friends talked to Probyn for a bit and got some interesting info (that's pretty much irrelevant now after what has happened since!), and....Probyn LOVES talking to fans, obviously! Heh...security was trying to usher us out, so Probyn said, "Let's just move five feet and see if we can get away with it." About fifteen minutes later, security comes by again and tries to usher us out. Probyn once more said, "Okay, let's move ANOTHER five feet!" Heh...that happened about four times!

And after we left and Probyn went to his Probyn business, we hung out by the entrance, and Jeff walked out...one of the guys in our little group practically pounced on Jeff..."Jeff, I have a single that you did way back when, and it's pretty much 'Little Deuce Coupe' done inside-out!" Jeff was clearly beyond exhausted (it was a pretty late show) and he just kind of, as politely as he could, said "Really? Wow, that's great!" and kept walking. The guy persisted. "Hey, Jeff, if I gave you my 'Guess I'm Dumb' single, could you have Brian autograph it for me?" Jeff kept walking, and with every ounce of his strength, replied, in a very exhausted voice, "go to the Carl Walk." "You think he'd--" "Go to the Carl Walk!" heh...

So....that's it for me....I've met Ricky, Brian, Al, Nelson, and the Wondermints. I had a close encounter with Paul Mertens once...my wife and I befriended Dan Addington about ten years ago (and we now live about a block away from him by a set of odd coincidences!), and Dan had invited us to a puppet show that he hosted at his art gallery. And...something I forgot about: Paul's wife was in charge of the show! Dan told me that he noticed that somebody in the crowd at his prior puppet show looked very familiar. He checked the guest registry and saw a familiar name, and he thought, "Ahhh, that's who that was!" but he still couldn't think of how he knew the guy. He was talking with the woman in charge of the puppet show, and she told Dan that her "husband is a big Brian Wilson fan." That's when it hit Dan. He went over to Paul and told Paul, "Every time you were in Chicago with Brian Wilson, I was there!" So...a year later, Mrs. Mertens did another puppet show at the gallery. One of the "acts" in the puppet show started with an announcer asking the crowd for a warm round of applause for some dude named "Popcorn," and here is a picture of what I saw next:

(http://www.banana-and-louie.org/images/PaulAsPopcorn.JPG)

. Then Paul's wife came out operating a life-sized puppet, and it turned out it was a fictitious reunion of a husband-and-wife lounge singing team, and they sang a song that was similar to "Reach Out And Touch Somebody's Hand."

Well for starters, Bruce Johnston is really an alien.  :-P

Seriously I don't remember all the stories in exact detail but one interesting tidbit was the mother of the girl that the tour manager was dating (who was also along for the ride) apparently dated Dennis Wilson at one point.  He told me some stuff about Al Jardine's then-legal actions against Mike Love as well as little fun facts about the band members.  He did ask me not to share this stuff on message boards...not that he said anything you couldn't already draw your own conclusions to. 

I did drive one of their touring people (who had the nickname of *I believe* "Swifty") to the pharmacy and played him Gettin' In Over My Head as he had yet to hear it.

Here's a larger pic of me and Mike:

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/18/23763938_25a79454be.jpg)

Also an interesting story is that one of my good buddies is now the backstage manager of Chastain.  He had the pleasure of doing a show with the group who had John Stamos along for the ride.  He sent me a text message the night of the show exclaiming that he had just showed "Uncle Jessie" where the bathroom was.  He later went on to tell me this was one of the highlights of his life.  :-P

Did you ever find the pictures from 1973. I would love to see them.

me too  :)

Mike's right, that shirt is really cool.

(Is this the first time the words "Mike's right" have appeared on this board? ;) )

Sorry i dont know what you mean pics from 73....??..I will say there are tons of pics from 85 Harry langdon shoot.. I worked at GP Color at the time..Pro lab to the studios + pro  photographers...I actualy  saw every single pic taken..Handled the contact sheets .. copy negatives etc..I actually had some of those outakes.. Printed them + put them in frames in my studio
I ended up losing those when i got divorced..I seem to remember that i read somewhere when Harry died the BB bought alot of those for their archives...Nice stuff..!!

Sorry I got you confused with Custom Machine
http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,5207.20.html