The Smiley Smile Message Board

My Beach Boys fandom obsession began when I saw the Hawaii special as a 9 year old in '86.  Though I've collected a lot of their music, watched both the TV movies, read the Carlin book and the BW pseudo-autobiography, and generally consumed all things I could find Beach Boys and Brian Wilson since then, I've never seen them live.  That changes tomorrow night when I see Mike and Bruce in Mississippi.  My wife is an absolute saint to have gotten tickets for the two of us and to be willing to sit with me whilst I morph back into a 15 year old fanboy.  ;D

Here's the point of my post:

What can I expect from The Beach Boys tomorrow night?  If I were to stick my BB '85 CD insert in my jacket pocket, what are my chances of getting it signed?

-and-

What is the most lasting memory you have from the first time you ever saw them live?

I've never seen the Mike and Bruce Beach Boys, so can't tell you what that will be like.

My first concert was September 27 or 28, 1968, at Melodyland, a theater in the round in Anaheim, California, across the street from Disneyland (I got the dates from Bellagio 10452). I went with my friend Dean who was also a major Beach Boys fan. There weren't many of us around by then. The opening acts were the Grass Roots and Sweetwater. My only real memories are the guys wearing white suits (which I could be imagining) and the fact that I didn't like the Grass Roots at all (I'm sure about that).

Edit: And I think they played "Friends" and "Wake the World".

Beach Boys - Wembley Arena, London, 6/6/80

Mike & Bruce - Claremont Landscape Garden, Esher, 7/26/03

Brian - Royal Festival Hall, London, 1/27/02

WOW!  I'd have guessed something n the 60s/eraly 70s for your first BBs concert

Why ?

Saratoga Springs, NY circa 1983. I would have been 7.

No recollection aside from Bruce singing "Disney Girls".

No real reason, other than your age, your noted fandom. Maybe I need to read your bio before saying anything else

I know shitloads about Butch Cassidy (the real one) too... but I wasn't around 1894-1908.  :)

There's some glimmers of insight in that

I'm hoping to hear that particular song tomorrow night.  Heard it for the first time when TWOTS compilation came out.  I immediately latched on to that song, I love the background harmonies and Bruce does a great lead vocal on it.

AGD, any particular standout memories from any of those 3?  Did the '80 concert have an effect on the intensity of your research of the band?

The (real) Beach Boys-1966
 
Brian Wilson-mid 70's-don't remember the exact date. To be abundantly clear, yes, he was with The Beach Boys.

Since I don't subscribe to tribute bands, I never raided the piggy bank to go see the M & B shew nor do I ever intend to. Lost all interest in the touring band after Carl and Dennis passed away. Brian's band? Whenever I can do so.

August 5, 1978 at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD.  I was barely 7 years old.  The neighbor lady in the apartment upstairs knew I was totally into the BB and asked my Mom if she could take me after her date stood her up.  I was in heaven.

http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/the-beach-boys/1978/merriweather-post-pavilion-columbia-md-33d1d405.html

Most recent:  June 2, 2012 at the Hollywood Bowl.  At almost 41 years old, I nearly cried.

http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/the-beach-boys/2012/hollywood-bowl-hollywood-ca-5bdfe3b0.html

 Schaeffer Stadium, Foxboro MA...August 73

Chances are zero unless you paid an extra billion dollars for the "VIP" setup.

November 18, 1973. Winterland Ballroom/Arena, San Fransicko, California.

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/rock-and-roll-band-the-beach-boys-perform-onstage-in-news-photo/73987382  


ALL of the 70's concerts were the best for me. Especially Beachago in 1975.

1973

Winterland, San Francisco: Beach Boys, Three Man Army (November 18, 1973). First Beach Boys concert.

Sacramento Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento: Beach Boys, Three Man Army (November 21, 1973)  Still have my concert poster for this one.

1974

Day On The Green #1, Oakland: Grateful Dead, The Beach Boys, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen (June 8, 1974).

Day On The Green #2 & 3, Oakland: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, The Band, Joe Walsh, Jesse Colin Young (July 13 & 14, 1974) (Still have my big yellow poster for this).  Ontario Motor speedway with The Boys was scheduled for August 3, 1974 - bought some drinking glasses with the BB logo on them commemorating the event that was eventually cancelled.

National Exhibition Hall, Sacramento: Beach Boys, Dec. 21, 1974

1975

Day On The Green #1, Oakland: Chicago, The Beach Boys, Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen, New Riders Of The Purple Sage, Bob Seger (May 24, 1975). (Still have my poster and concert booklet for this). One of my all time favorites.

1976

Day On The Green #5, Oakland: The Beach Boys, America, Elvin Bishop, John Sebastian, Eureka. (July 2, 1976) Brian's back. Still have my concert booklet for this.

1977

Cow Palace, San Francisco: The Beach Boys, (December 28, 1977)

1978

Day On The Green #1: The Beach Boys, Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton, Elvin Bishop, Norton Buffalo (May 28, 1978).

1980's were a blur.

Candlestick Park, San Francisco 1983 or 1984. Sacramento State Fair and a couple of concerts at the Concord Pavilion, Concord, CA.

Old Waldorf, San Francisco CA. Carl Wilson solo show in 1981. First show, met with Carl between shows and stayed for part of the second.

1990's

Concord Pavilion - two or three Beach Boys concerts early to mid- 1990's. Concord Pavilion, Concord CA. Last time I saw the Beach Boys before Carl died.

2,000's - pretty much all of Brian's solo shows (including Paul Simon Tour, Pet Sounds (w/Al & Ricky) & Smile and TLOS) in the Bay Area up until two years ago.

Two Al shows - one at Great America Santa Clara and one at Big Sur. And a brief one in Berkeley.

C50 concert, Beach Boys in Berkeley, CA., June, 2012.

1980 - my enjoyment was compromised by some rather unpleasant internal Stomp politics that were going on: Dennis was a slightly raddled joy, Brian really shouldn't have been there, but we loved him anyway.

2003 - wasn't overly impressed, and that wasn't due to the torrential rain. Formula meat & spuds gig. Baker was somehow irritating and even then the drummer wasn't cutting it.

2002 - that Brian was even there overrode pretty much any other considerations and/or shortcomings. The waves of love rolling from the auditorium and over the stage were so palpable as to be almost visible. The music was almost incidental.

As for affecting the research, nothing really affected that. It's what I do when I'm really, really interested in something. It's what I do with Butch, Saucy Jacky, Silver Billy Beldham and DW Griffith as well. I have to know as much as is humanly possible.

August 13, 1987. California Mid-State Fair, Paso Robles California. 

My first Beach Boys show... opening act was supposed to be Billy Joel but he left the tour.  Then, The Bellamy Brothers ("Let You Love Flow" was on the charts) but they were, apparently, in a car accident.  So, opening was a local act, the Watermelon Rhythm Band.  Glen Oak Park... Peoria, Illinois... August 9, 1976

It was, essentially, the greatest Beach Boys summer for me.  We had the gas crisis (even though I could fill up the family 1970 Kingswood Estate Station Wagon for 20 bucks a tank), Saturday Night Live kicked into high gear with an NBC TV Special about The Beach Boys and Jimmy Carter had started to run for President.  At the time the Beach Boys had been at it for 15 years and some of us said they looked it.  But the girls still liked Dennis, Mike was funny and cool, Al was mellow and cool, Carl was just so cool and, gee, Brian was back.  It was comeback time for the band; we’d worn out our 8 tracks of those eternal Endless Summer and Spirit of America albums just in time for 15 BIG ONES.  So me and my buddies Doug Workman and Dave Garriott each bought copies of that album and I made a cassette tape and we cruised up the highway from Decatur to Peoria, llinois in Dave’s convertible 1968 Camaro, singing along to the Boys new radio hits…“It’s OK”… Chuck Berry’s “Rock & Roll Music”… and a couple of great sing-alongs called “Back Home” and “Palisades Park.”  Eventually, we got there, still singing along to that new album… and when we turned it off, more Beach Boys hits blasted through the AM radio courtesy of the Big 89… WLS… from Chicago…”Surfin’ USA”… “Fun Fun Fun”… Help Me Rhonda”… and Dave’s favorite, “Do It Again.”

Sometime in the early evening, as the free-spirit warmth of that 1970s sun began to set, the Beach Boys took the stage.  Backed by a band equal to any on the road those days, they exploded through a two hour set of their biggest and their newest hits.  Carl, Dennis, Al and Mike were on stage.  No Brian.  They opened with California Girls, Darlin' and Susie Cincinnati. Classics like God Only Knows, Little Deuce Coupe and Catch A Wave mixed with new tracks like A Casual Look and Palisades Park.  Al sang Back Home, instead of Brian.   

Mike and Dennis seemed to be rivals for front man status.  Dennis won the joke battle... Mike was doing Johnny Carson-like quips but Dennis was just a cool guy on stage, in with us on the joke.  He was like one of us, the way he related to the audience; he just happened to be on stage.  At one point he waved a champagne bottle.

For the climax,  Dennis came out from the drums, in front, pushing the crowd into a rock and roll frenzy with Mike by his side, both of them stalking the stage, whipping us young punks into near hysteria. and suddenly the dam breaks.  The Beach Boys’ home stretch… the BIGGEST hits, one after another… all of us standing, cheering, shouting, singing as the hits keep coming… Mike a whirling dervish out front like a manic Mick Jagger… Dennis beating the hell out of his drum kit like an angry Phil Spector record come to life, Carl and Al’s driving, churning surf guitars charging through the song and ripping through the speakers… Help Me Rhonda… Wouldn’t It Ne Nice…I Get Around… Good Vibrations… Surfin USA…  a pause for the girls, for You Are So Beautiful... then Dennis says,  "Ladies and Gentlemen, the Beach Boys..." and goes back to the drum kit.  Barbara Ann… Rock & Roll Music… Fun Fun Fun…

And then it was all over.  Dave and Doug and I looked at each other in that sweltering 1976 summer night, sweat cooling thanks to a midnight Peoria wind and all we could talk about were the Beach Boys.  And California.  Definitely California.  We were all gonna move to Los Angeles… the summer after graduation.  We’d live out there and hang with the Beach Boys.

Great memories.
Set list:
California Girls
Susie Cincinnati
Palisades Park
Little Deuce Coupe
Catch A Wave
Darlin
God Only Knows
It's OK
A Casual Look
Sail On Sailor
Surfer Girl
California Saga: California
Heroes & Villains
I Get Around
Be True to Your School
In My Room
Help Me Rhonda
Back Home
Sloop John B
Surfin USA
Wouldn't It Be Nice
Good Vibrations
You Are So Beautiful
Barbara Ann
Rock & Roll Music
Fun Fun Fun

Steve, that is a fantastic story!

First Brian concert: Pet Sounds at the Beacon theatre in November 2006 (the 21st I think.) My first concert period. Al Jardine as special guest coming out to play "Then I Kissed Her" and stayed on. I was in the balcony.

Second Brian concert: 7/16/08 at the Warner Theatre in Torrington, CT. Second row on the right side. Couldn't believe how close I was.

First Beach Boys concert: 5/17/12 at the Sands in Bethlehem, PA. Tickets brought as a birthday present for me (mine was just three days before) and my father (he turned 55 that year in July.) Second row. One of the greatest experiences of my life. Even though we hit very hard times (that we're still going through) just a week after, I will never forget this night at all.

Either June 4th or 5th, 1986.  Mud Island Amphitheatre, Memphis Tennessee. 

I remembered the year because it was the first concert I ever went to, age 10.  It was of all things a field trip with my class, end of the year thing.  According to a cursory Google search, that's the date they played there so that must've been it.

Not sure if BW was in attendance, highly doubt it.

My first Beach Boys concert was in Gothenburg in 2012. C50.

My first Brian Wilson concert was in Stockholm 2001. Pet Sounds tour.

My first Mike Love concert was in 2001. Greatest hits.

Riverfront Coliseum  Cincinnati Ohio November 1976.
I believe this was a few days before Brian was on Saturday Night Live.
They had the big sailboat  on stage. They played "Airplane" and I think "Love Is A Woman."

I've only attended 3 shows:

The Beach Boys C50 - April 29, 2012 at the Raleigh Amphitheater in Raleigh, NC

The Beach Boys C50 - July 3, 2012 at the Farm Bureau in Virginia Beach, VA

Brian Wilson - September 27, 2013 at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, FL

Er... 2002.  :)

My first eight pre-Endless Summer Beach Boys concerts:

Dec. 28, 1966 - San Francisco Civic Auditorium

July 17, 1968 - San Diego Community Concourse Convention Hall (BW in audience, stands up and waves to crowd when introduced by Mike)

Dec. 3, 1971 - Long Beach Arena (BW in audience, coaxed on stage for A Day in the Life of a Tree)

Dec. 4, 1971 - San Diego Sports Arena

April 20, 1973 - Hollywood Palladium (BW in audience, appears briefly on stage toward end of encore)

Nov. 16, 1973 - Anaheim Convention Center

Dec. 30, 1973 - San Diego Sports Arena

Dec. 31, 1973 - Long Beach Arena

The Beach Boys: Sept. 17, 1994 at the Puyallup Fair in Puyallup, WA
Brian Wilson: July 18, 2000 at the Fleet Pavillion in Boston, MA
M + B: July 25, 2009 at the Hatch Shell in Boston, MA

Now that's somethin'!   Which one was your favorite gig, CM?  Man, those '73 setlists are hard to beat! And we both saw Blondie on stage just before he left the band unceremoniously!

My mother was 6 months pregnent with me in 1973 and went to a show with my father in Delhi NY. She had to leave the auditorium/gymnasium and sit in the hallway outside because I was kicking so much. I guess I've been feeling those Good Vibrations since I was in utero.

I didn't see them with my own eyes until 1988 at the NY State Fair (during the height of Kokomo.)

Beach Boys - September 24, 1971, Carnegie Hall, first show. Then at least 20 more times in colleges, arenas, and stadiums between 71 and C50 at Red Rocks.

Brian - Probably Pet Sounds, 2002, Denver. Several times after, including the SMiLE live DVD taping sessions and concert for a week in Burbank.

1982 at the Ohio State fair. I made my 11 year old brother , I was 15 ,wait with me 2 hours before the concert started so we had good seats.  I don't know if it was sound check or what but Carl  was singing I can Hear Music which was awesome.  The only other time I was going to see them was at Riverbend<I think that was what it was called> but we got there just in time to see the buses leave. 

I really don't understand how you can go see the Beach Boys and not remember if Brian was there. That's like going to see the 1923 New York Yankees and not remembering if Babe Ruth played ( someone explain this to Andrew)

I think it's safe to say if one were attending their first concert, at a fairly young age, the awareness of who any of the individual members are is probably nil.

Christchurch NZ. Infamous NZ/ Aust tour 1978

The Carnegie show was hard to beat. Quite honestly, I've never seen them better.

He played some sort of rounders, didn't he ? Tubby dude.

I was at that show. My main memory... I was from the east coast, but had sold my house & was traveling in a rv at the time. Was working in Mt Rainier National Park (about 1 & 1/2 hours away) and somehow found out about the show. I had heard that the Seattle area had lots of BB fans and expected an enthusiastic crowd, but it actually wasn't at all. Until, near the end of the show, when they started playing the familiar introduction to "Wouldn't It Be Nice" and EVERYBODY (or, so it seemed) rose to their feet at the same time. Of course I had always liked that song, but I gained a new appreciation for it at that moment. I never knew it meant so much to so many...  

5/1/71 May Day protest in DC.  Hippies around us partially ruined the show.

The Beach Boys - Paseo de la Alameda, Valencia, Spain. October 7, 1990

Mike & Bruce - Parque de Castrelos, Vigo, Spain. July 14, 2001

Brian - Royal Festival Hall, London, February 21, 2004. Possibly the best concert I've ever attended by anybody, anywhere, anytime, anywhatever...

Baltimore Maryland, the Civic Center in 1973 0r 1974 (I think). I got tickets because the Raspberries were the opening act, and they were one of my favorite groups at the time. I liked the Beach Boys well enough from having grown up with them on the radio, but I was really going to see the Raspberries. The Raspberries were a no-show, but I still enjoyed the Beach Boys. I don't think BW participated much, if at all, in that concert. At the time I didn't know one Beach Boy from the other. I never did see the Raspberries.

Checking Ians' ( with AGD) concert listings here: http://www.esquarterly.com/bellagio/gigs74.html , I'd presume your show was November 22nd(  it's listed w/ The Raspberries)

Saw my first and probably only official Beach Boys concert at the PNC Bank Arts Center on June 27, 2012 in Holmdel, NJ.  My dad was unimpressed by the Grammys performance and said he had no interest in seeing them.  I told him I really wanted to go and he bought tickets for the two of us to go.  Both of us were blown away by how incredible they were.  Brian was in top form that night.  I was under the impression I was seeing the brand new resurrection of the Beach Boys and I was so pumped to see how the band would fare in the future.  Unfortunately it fell apart after a few months and that was that.  But my Beach Boys love is still stronger than ever because of that incredible night.  And when I heard Brian was going on tour the following year with Jeff Beck, Al Jardine, and David Marks, I jumped at the chance and saw another incredible show.  I hear a lot of crap about Brian Wilson, that he's damaged, that he shouldn't be performing but both times I saw him, I saw a man who had clearly been through a lot but doing what he loved the most and having a blast.  When he sang "God Only Knows" it was so beautiful I was nearly in tears.  I look forward to seeing him for a third time this summer.

Strongly doubt BW was at the show you attended.

My first Beach Boys concert was at Great Woods in Mansfield MA in 1993. I've seen over 20 BB and BB-related concerts since. I became a fan when I was a little kid during the mid-late 70s. I became a diehard Beach Boys fanatic during 90s, around the time when the 30 Years Box Set was released. And I finally met my hero Brian Wilson in 2009 in Providence RI.

Early Spring, 1968, Austin, Texas.  Next, very early Spring 1969, Austin, Texas. The opening band for the shows were Buffalo Springfield one year/ Manfred Mann the next. I just can't remember which was first, but MM was excellent.

No, I don't think he was. I really don't remember too much about the show. I remember a lot of flowers around the stage. Weird, I know. I guess I was impressed enough with what I saw to buy the Carl And the Passions album,  thereby getting my first exposure to the genius of Pet Sounds. That's when I started paying more attention to  the Beach Boys. Still wish I could've seen the Raspberries though.

when in doubt, ANYONE, posting their date here should check the Ian/ AGD site ( Bellagio 10452) and confirm your show! Very slim odds it won't be listed...  

1968 show( w/ Buffalo Springfield) April 15th, here: http://www.esquarterly.com/bellagio/gigs68.html

but  1969 show, February 11th, shows >>all Texas shows w/The Bob Seger System and Rene & Rene<<   http://www.esquarterly.com/bellagio/gigs69.html    
  You certain on Manfred Mann?

My total show roster ... showing me for the lightweight that I am.

Beach Boys

1997, June 6 - Sandstone Amphitheater, Kansas City KS (w/Chicago)
2012, June 22 - Waterfront Park, Bangor ME
2012, June 26 - Bank Of America Pavilion, Boston MA

Brian Wilson

2000, September 16 - Magness Arena, University of Denver Denver, CO
2001, July 18 - Tweeter Center, Camden NJ (w/Paul Simon)
2004, October 21 - Morsani Hall, Tampa Bay PAC, Tampa Bay FL
2006, November 17 - Orpheum Theater, Boston MA (w/Alan Jardine)
2008, July 13 - Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, Hampton Beach NH
2009, November 3 - The Capitol Center, Concord NH
2009, November 12 - Lowell Memorial Auditorium, Lowell MA
2013, October 9 - Wang Theater, Boston MA (w/Al, Dave, Blondie, Jeff Beck)

Al Jardine

1999, October 9 - Topeka PAC, Topeka KS (F&F)

Positive! No Bob Seger or the other one. Yes MM.

My first Beach Boys concert was April 10, 1965 at Ellis Auditorium in Memphis, TN. Most notably, it was Bruce Johnston's second show ever with the BBs. I also recall hearing Carl warming up with a bit of one of the BB's instrumentals right before the curtain came up.

Oh, yeah, and Denny was hot.  ;D

Hey Wirestone, I was at that show in Topeka. What a treat that was. Beautiful evening all around. Very sold out too. Third row.

Beach Boys-Wembley Arena Sep 8 1989. I was 11 and it was my first day at secondary school. I remember the palm trees and cheerleaders and all the inflatable guitars and surfboards going over the heads of the audience-it was fantastic. The tour book had pictures of Brian and I remember knowing enough that he wouldn't be there but still tried to make him out on stage. This was made all the more difficult by being half way back and having to stand on my seat to see. Before the show, my family and I went for a meal by the Arena and about 3-4 limos drove past. I still hold onto the hope that it was The Boys!

Mike and Bruce-Hammersmith Apollo April 4 2008. I took a couple of friends and it was outstanding. They couldn't believe how long they played for and how many songs they fitted in. It really changed my idea of the 'touring band' playing casinos and county fairs.

Brian-January 27 2002. Pet Sounds tour. What can I say? The standing ovations after God Only Knows were a highlight of an incredible evening, topped only by managing to get into the meet and greet after and getting my programme signed. That night was my No1 gig of all time. Until February 20th 2004....!

Well, now that it's over and I've had a chance to recuperate, I can post my memories of my first Beach Boys concert.

March 21, 2015 - Robinsonville, MS.  I thoroughly enjoyed the show.  They started the concert with Surfin', and sang for roughly an hour and a half, maybe a little longer, with no intermission.  Mostly it was the standard rundown of hits, but there were  few nice surprises as well.  We heard Jeff sing "Good To My Baby" and "Don't Worry Baby", and Bruce sang "Disney Girls" (one of my favorite deep cuts) and "You're So Good To Me".  Scott was featured on "Ballad of Old Betsy", and John Cowsill did a great job on "Rhonda".  Mike Love comes across as personable and quite funny as a frontman, and I am still in awe of how good his voice sounded for his age and the years of use.  I did have to chuckle that being in the Memphis area, when they did "Be True To Your School", the slideshow of cheerleader pictures also included pictures of the cheerleaders and school logos from Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Alabama, and my alma mater the University of Memphis (even if Mike did refer to it as "Memphis State", which hasn't been the case in about 20 years).

After the show, we did get a chance to meet Jeff Foskett, and I was able to get him to sign my BB '85 CD insert.  Didn't talk to him for very long, but Jeff seemed very nice and personable.

All in all, my first Beach Boys concert is one that I definitely won't forget.  My wife, who is a casual BB fan, enjoyed herself as well.  It was a fantastic night! 

April 1965 at Lowell Ma. Auditorium / with Glenn Campbell.

My first BB concert was Wembley 1993. Loved it. I recall reading reviews for a show at the same venue 2 years previously which were not great (justified I do not know) but I thought they didn't put a foot wrong in 1993. I remember when I Can Hear Music was played really early in the show that I knew then it was going to be better than I had ever expected. Also remember loving the song Summer In Paradise - still do.

So ironically my first post is about my first BB concert.

June 15, 2012 - Merriweather Post Pavilion - Columbia, MD - C50 Tour.  Great show. 

I was only a casual fan prior to that show.  I never envisioned after that two and half hour concert, I'd be such a fanatic.

C50 - Sands Bethelehem Events Center - the smallest venue they played on the tour, the second show ever in that venue. I won a contest via the local music paper blog. They planted five Beach Boys lyrics in five of their articles (randomly) spread throughout five days. When the fifth one appeared, the first person to email the editor with a list of all five lyrics and links to the articles would win a pair of tickets to the show. The first four days I found the references, one by one...and on the fifth day, I got up at 7, logged on to the blog, and hit the refresh button every minute.

9AM the article was posted, found the reference by 9:01, sent the email by 9:02, and got the call at noon. I won the tickets. Tenth row.

My favorite show of all time, and I've been to many that I count as my favorites. Seeing the five reunited Beach Boys, that amazing band, and that setlist was just heaven.

The Beach Boys (with Carl) 4 times in the mid/late 1980's when I was in high school

Brian - Solo tour 2000, Smile (in London) and Minneapolis

The Beach Boys 50th Anniversary Tour

Smile and 50th were my favorite..... but seeing Brian that first time was transcendent ....

May 28, 1990...Atlanta Fulton County Stadium after a Braves/Expos game. Mikey Lovester was not there so Gerry Beckley from America filled in for him and it was a great show.

I Saw for first and only time this year on Fuengirola, I Was a obsessionated fan since 2002 (I was less of 1 year)

October 29th, 1978. I was 14 years old and had just started my freshman year in high school. Like most of my friends I listened to a wide variety of music, mostly whatever the current hits were at the time. I had a couple of Beach Boys albums, In Concert and Endless Summer and was somewhat familiar with 15 Big Ones, but that was as far as my interest went. My oldest brother was taking me to California over the Christmas holiday and thought that taking me to see The Beach Boys would be a cool way to add to the “California” experience. It took a little convincing to get my parents to agree but they said it was ok for me to go. It’s a good thing too... my brother already bought the tickets…front row center at the Milwaukee Arena!

I was pretty excited to go and in the weeks prior I listened to the Beach Boys quite a bit. This would be my first “real’ concert and I couldn’t wait for the day to arrive. Then real life kicked in. A few days before the concert a friend from the neighborhood died from leukemia. His name was Danny and he was the same age as me. The last time I saw him was early that summer. I was walking to a friend’s house when he rode up on his bike and I could see that he was ill. He was pale and his hair was thin and almost colorless. I asked him how he was and he looked at me and said “the cancer is back”. Even at 14 I knew that it wasn’t good and the look in his eyes told me that he knew he wouldn’t be around much longer. Those few moments have stuck with me since then and will probably always be there. I hadn’t seen Danny since then and it still was stunning news.

As it turned out the visitation at the funeral home was the same day as the concert. A group of us that went to school together met at our old elementary school and walked the few blocks to the funeral home. I don’t think any of us had ever encountered the death of someone in our age group and it was a very difficult and emotional experience for all of us. On the way home I was contemplating telling my brother that I just didn’t feel like going to a concert anymore. My Dad convinced me that I should go and try to have a good time. As usual he was right.

For such a long time ago I still have many vivid memories of that concert. Besides the usual hits I remember Lady Lynda (what a cool song that was!), Peggy Sue (wait…that’s a Buddy Holly song!), Country Pie and Almost Summer (I’ve GOT to get those songs!). There was Dennis Wilson peeling off his shirt and putting on a Milwaukee Bucks t-shirt, much to the delight of the crowd. As Fun, Fun, Fun ended there comes Mike Love to the front of the stage…and as I reached out he shook my hand! Unbelievable night! What I remember most is how the music, and the guys playing it, made me feel so good and so happy after such a tragic and emotional day. From that day on The Beach Boys were “it” for me. I bought everything with The Beach Boys name on it, LP’s, 45s, CDs etc. Rarely has a year gone by that I missed a chance to see either the band or one them solo. I’m probably over 40 shows by now and I will keep going as long as they keep playing. No matter what differences they have with each other Brian, Carl, Dennis, Mike, Al, David, Bruce, Blondie, and Ricky will all equally be my favorites. It’s the music…it was and always will be.

February 2016. Not bad, but too much emphasis on the nostalgia.  At least there was Stamos.

Brian was a much better show.

Saw Brian at London's Kenwood House on June 28, 2008. And loved every minute of it.

Saw Mike'n'Bruce a short while ago. And loved every minute of it.     

BW Gershwin tour 2011
M&B (!) 2011
BBs July 3, 2012
BW 2015 NPP tour

Saw them at yankee stadium in 1989. I love the bbs but the gig wasn't memorable. Those big stadium shows are never the best place to hear music .

To be fair, in recent years, setlists for both Mike and Brian are primarily filled with songs from the first decade or so

May 15, 1979 - Civic Center, Springfield MA.

Brian was there at the piano.  Some of L.A. tracks were played.

My first Beach Boys concert was on August 26th 2014.  Mike & Bruce played a really great set and there wasn't a single bad note. The group sounded great from the first note of Do It Again to the last note of Fun, Fun, Fun. Great setlist with a few deep cuts. My favorite parts were the end of Why Do Fools Fall In Love and Bruce singing Disney Girls.

saw Brian twice in a row in 2002.  he was firing on all cylinders,
and the best setlist ever!

My first concert was back in 2012 in Berlin, with many guys from this board tagging along... I was very excited, a bit drunk (not too much) and just a tad worried I might be disappointed, as it was the most anticipated concert for me like, ever. But when Do It Again began and the guys took the stage, all my worries went out the door: these guys are pro, they know what they are doing and they are doing. Screw all the Brian/Mike-squabbles, it's the songs and the music that matter, and in that respect these guys always deliver, no matter what the configuration. Of course, there are better nights and not-so-great nights, but it's never going to be total sh*t.

Friday, February 12, 1965 Convention Hall, Philadelphia, PA. I remember I went with my sister who was 18 as I was only 15. I wore my WIBG sweatshirt and the Beach Boys were all wearing their striped shirts and white pants. Brian was there too! (I didn't even know he had stopped touring) The screaming was so loud that when the concert was over my ears were still ringing! That was my first concert and have seen them so many times since then! I was at the 50th anniversary concert in Phoenix, AZ in 2012 and that show ended up on the released Blu-Ray. I can even still frame scenes and see myself and my wife in the audience with our friends.

You, of all people, have no room to talk about someone else being tubby, you fat, obese keg-o-lard. What a total slob.  ::) ::) ::)

INTERESTING

June 15, 2012 - Merriweather Post Pavilion - Columbia, MD - C50 Tour

Have seen both band a combined 23 times since but nothing will ever beat that!!! My only wish is I could have seen Carl live in concert! But considering I was 3 when he passed it sadly wasn't possible.

Same as mine.  But, I've only attended six BB/BW shows since. 

But, that night at MPP was magical.   

July 3 2012. 21st birthday and a BBs show! :hat

Melinda, there's no way you're 26!

Busted! :lol

I know you posted this almost two months ago but I just had to say that this is quite possibly the best post ever.  And your brother sounds unbelievable...taking you to California and kicking it off with front row seats to see the BBs?

Wembley Arena, 1989. I went with a friend who had originally turned me on to The Beach Boys. I knew them before meeting him, but he made me realize just how great they were. We were sat in the Arena, quite close to the stage, and we borrowed a program from another person. My friend showed me the iconic photo of the young Beach Boys carrying that surf board on the beach. He had to point out and name the individual members, that's how green I was. The band then came out, and Mike started his thing, working up the audience. Beach balls were bouncing in the air over the audience. One man from the audience shouted, "We want Brian!" Mike laughed.


Wembley Arena, London, England
September 8, 1989

Chicago did not join the Beach Boys for their 1989 European dates, hence the return of the standard setlist.
Beach Boys present:

Carl Wilson
Mike Love
Bruce Johnston
Al Jardine
Backup band included:

Jeff Foskett
Billy Hinsche
Mike Kowalski
SETLIST

1. California Girls
2. Sloop John B.
3. Wouldn't It Be Nice
4. Do It Again
5. Darlin'
6. Cottonfields
7. Rock And Roll Music
8. Be True To Your School
9. Don't Worry Baby
10. Hushabye
11. Then I Kissed Her
12. Surfer Girl
13. Still Cruisin'
14. Little Deuce Coupe
15. Little Old Lady From Pasadena
16. Shut Down
17. Little GTO
18. I Get Around
19. God Only Knows
20. California Dreamin'
21. Good Vibrations
22. Kokomo
23. Come Go With Me
24. Help Me Rhonda
25. Surfin' Safari
26. Surf City
27. Surfin' USA
Encore:
28. Wipeout
29. Barbara Ann
30. Fun Fun Fun
Contributed by: Ian Alexander-Barnes

Never got to see the Beach Boys with Carl, though I do remember taking interest in a TV commercial for a show they were playing at Six Flags NJ between 94 and 96. I was too small to ride any roller coasters, so I probably didn't think my parents , fans as they were, would agree to drive three hours.

The first show I got to attend was a Mike and Bruce outing in Lancaster, PA on 8/26/2000. Didn't find out they also played in Atlantic City later that day for many years. It was an early birthday present (thanks Mom and Dad).  In the lead up to the show I felt really self-conscious cause I didnt expect anyone else my age would be there, which is funny to think about now considering how many shows I've attended by myself over the years. I wonder if the local health and racquetball club would still honor the free "Beach Boys VIP" pass I got at that show.

I returned the favor when C50 came up and took them to the Camden, NJ show, which exceeded my expectation by a mile and a half. Almost didn't go to save money but, well, I'm glad I changed my mind in time.

Only been to three, kinda...

Brian Wilson @ Glastonbury 2005

Beach Boys @ Later with Jools Holland 2012 (TV show)

Beach Boys @ Royal Albert Hall 2019

I'd like to make up for lost time if I can Sad

Duplicate ignore

June 21, 1978 in Rochester, NY. Beach Boys lineup was Brian, Carl, Dennis, Al and Mike. They sounded great, especially in the wild month June, 1978. At the beginning of that month you may recall that Brian went missing. He first went to Mexico and then to San Diego, where he was found in Balboa Park. He spent some days hospitalized in San Diego and then joined the summer tour. A week before the concert there was an article in our newspaper saying that Brian Wilson would not appear in Rochester, so we were absolutely stunned to see him there in the flesh on the 21st. Surprisingly, he sounded okay, even taking the lead on some songs.