The Smiley Smile Message Board

So I have two questions regarding Dennis as an artist.

First, when was the last recording session he was present in?

And secondly, when was the last time he recorded his own music? Was it "Labor Day"? Did he do any vocals after '80? Its interested me.

Its just so sad to see the disappearance of Dennis the artist after LA. I mean I guess we have those Cocaine Sessions, but whatever.

"Endless Harmony", November 11th 1979 at Jardine's barn.


Correct, "Labor Day", September 3rd 1982, at Unicorn. I'm told he laid down a guide vocal.

I'd give anything to hear that vocal. Hell, I'd pay anybody here to track down the tape, if it even exists. What I would like to know is, what was his last Beach Boys session where he was still considered an active band member? By the Keepin' The Summer Alive album sessions, he was "officially fired", right? Did they actually treat it like he was just doing a guest player session? I mean, where they actively trying to make him not part of the band anymore?

Well, he was part of the album cover and listed as player on the credits right in the middle of the other boys. He's also on pictures, shown as the drummer. So I guess everybody knew it was just seen as time for him to straighten up. Nobody could've been that stupid to fire Dennis Wilson from the Beach Boys without the chance to get back after a short time

Curious as to where you were told he laid down a guide vocal?  I was there with him, and I'd be hard pressed to remember anything about that session!  I have much more vivid memories of Gage's birth, (and the insanity of trying to get Dennis to the hospital and keep him around there), then i do of that 'memorable' session...  And I was the source of the original sheet that mentioned this session to begin with!

Was "Labor Day" just a placeholder title, seeing as though the session obviously took place right near "Labor Day"? Any chance we'll ever be able to hear this?

When did Dennis essentially "give up" on Bambu? And why? Did the drugs, life, etc just become too much for him to focus on that anymore?

The sessions for Bambu extended sometime into 1979, although most of the audio dates from 1974-78. All Alone (the released version) was apparently recorded sometime in 1979 despite claims it was done in 1978 - Dennis had recorded another version in 1978 that was very rough, basic electric piano, drums, bass, and synths for instrumentation, and a half-finished vocal. It was originally thought that the "electric piano" version was from 1979, but apparently the two were mixed up. I Love You was tracked in October 1978.

I don't know if any other audio exists from 1979; the previously mentioned All Alone seems to be all that's known.

I heard a rumor about a reference tape (presumably compiled by Dennis) from sometime in 1978 that contained some possible tracks for a potential LP; it might have contained Wild Situation and Time For Bed, don't recall 100%.

This is about the 5th time on here that I have read a post where you mentioned your memories of that day. I'd LOVE to read some of your stories about it.

I've skimmed thru the "Cocaine" sessions, and I was wondering, what were the Dennis compositions? Was "Oh Lord" a Brian and Dennis co-composition or was it just Brian? If it was a co-composition you'd think they'd include it on BB85 as a kind of tribute. But of course, that woulda gone against the fun in the sun 45 year old man pretending to be "rad" vibe of it.  And what about the rest of the songs from those sessions, credit goes which ways?

And since POB did so well, do you think these post Bambu recordings might be released, or do you think they'd just stick to the the early 70's solo stuff that still hasn't been put out?

Something a little different, but I wonder why, when it was clear Bambu would take longer than maybe expected, no single with some finished stuff was released... "Tug of love" "Under the moonlight" would've made great A-sides and maybe give Dennis and co some reason to concentrate on the album as well as the needed money for Brother studios...

For some reason, he seemed to have zero interest in singles.  I pleaded with him to release "Constant Companion" as a single as soon as that one was completed, as I had a feeling there was something about that song that might catch on.  His interest was only in releasing albums, although in earlier days he did get a kick out of how many 'B' sides were bestowed upon him.
As for the money needed to keep Brother Studios open, it was pretty selfsufficient with bookings from outside clients when it was sold out from underneath him...  Money wasn't the issue that brought that house down.

I've mentioned it before but I really can't understand why the group didn't salvage some Bambu material for KTSA. Unlike many fans this is my favourtie post Holland lp but it still really could have benefited from a couple of Dennis tunes. My understanding is that Dennis voluntarily sat out the album sessions mainly due to problems with Mike and dislike of the material being undertaken. Surely any effort to get his stuff on the lp by the others would have bolstered his interest in the project and gave him something to focus on? I think "Love Remember Me" would have been perfect for this record as it's a fantastic song and could have gave KTSA a little more emotional depth. I think "Love Remember Me" "Santa Anna Winds" and "Endless Harmony" would have made a very powerfull 1,2,3 punch ending.

Speaking of KTSA, since it was the last original BB album released during his lifetime, did Dennis ever make his opinion known on that LP? I know he wanted MIU to self destruct, and this is definitely more of a piece with that, so I can't imagine he liked it very much. But anyways...

There was a British fans' description of a meeting with Dennis in June 1980, after the Wembley or Knebworth gig, probably in an old issue of STOMP!...can't find it at the moment...but I'm pretty sure I remember the quote word-for-word.  When asked what he thought of the (then) new LP, Dennis muttered "@#$% garbage...I'm not on it". 

When songs from MIU & KTSA were played, I know that Dennis wasn't playing drums, but was he onstage at all when they were performed live?

He played drums live on "Come Go With Me" when they did it years later...not sure about "Peggy Sue".  I think those were the only 2 MIU songs ever performed live, and he probably played on the studio versions since they were recorded in '76 during the 15 Big Ones sessions.  He also played drums live on "School Days" from KTSA.  Otherwise, he vacated the stage.

I honestly think a boxed set of Dennis' work could be compiled, from the very first stuff in the early 70s, continue with POB & Bambu with outtake/alternate versions, then the early 80s/last sessions.....i'm interested enough for that

When asked about nine years ago...Peter Reum told me, after considering the question...that about four boxed sets could come from unreleased Dennis material.  This was pre Pacific Ocean Blue/Bambu of course.

I'd also like to see the recordings by other artists on which Dennis did play. I don't think there are that much, but some for sure

More than you might think: check it out here - http://www.esquarterly.com/bellagio/guesting.html (http://www.esquarterly.com/bellagio/guesting.html)

Yeah, thanks. I was thinking about your site.
Just if anyone's interested, here are some songs that Dennis is on, playing drums:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8YN1HoMwtc (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8YN1HoMwtc)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAnOy6N0DrQ&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAnOy6N0DrQ&feature=related)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Js0M3fQ0ejo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Js0M3fQ0ejo)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csfnErCT-LI&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csfnErCT-LI&feature=related)

Of course Carl is on the last one too

Did anybody else notice that the song that "Dennis" (Bruce Greenwood) plays in the Summer Dreams movie uses chord progressions quite akin to "Stop look around" (see my quote) by Ricci Martin, which had Carl and Dennis on it?
Here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaugccN6njk&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaugccN6njk&feature=related)

Ed, can you elaborate on the real reason Brother Studios were sold if money wasn't the issue???

Seconded!  I'm really curious about that...

There's a lightbulb over me head that's flashing the word "politics".  ::)

Page 192 in Dennis Wilson - The Real Beach Boy book..."The problem with Brother Studio is that it started becoming a drug hangout," says Jerry Schilling. "Carl was not going to support that, and Dennis did not have the finances to foot it alone."

Speaking of "Dennis Wilson - The Real Beach Boy book" is there a date (or timeframe) for an updated version?

tentatively this year, have much of it done, but more to do...and several other projects are competing for my time, also questions about just who will publish the new version need to be resolved, thanks so much for your interest.