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Smiley Smile Stuff => General On Topic Discussions => Topic started by: chicubs1983 on May 03, 2017, 06:10:50 PM



Title: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: chicubs1983 on May 03, 2017, 06:10:50 PM
I've been a lurker on this site for years but finally decided to make a profile. Love the site.

Now that I've met both camps and got to actually talk to both sides I've drawn up some conclusions that really shocked me.  I have always been one in the camp of Brian and Al.  Met that side of the group once in a meet and greet which was horrible and a waste and once where I talked with Al briefly at the airport.  I know Brian isn't a man of words and I understood that but even Al came across in not the best of ways.  He talked briefly but just seemed like he didn't want to be apart of the conversation.  It was still an honor to meet both and talk with Al for as brief as it was.

Just this past weekend in Appleton Wisconsin, I saw Mike and Bruce's camp and the show was great.  I was lucky enough to have front row seats and even poked fun at Mike twice and he seemed to really like it.  Both him and Bruce made notice of the 60s style of the striped shirt I was wearing which I thought was really cool.  At the end of the show they gave a Vietnam Vet next to me a hat which made this guys day.  Very cool but I still thought that Brian and Al were the "true beach boys"   So after the show my girlfriend and I went out for drinks and had a blast.  As we are stumbling our way back to the hotel we cross paths with Brian Eichenberger. Nice dude.  As we walk into our hotel lobby. Bruce is leaving the bar area and rides with us in the elevator. Talk about a guy who loves being a Beach Boy. Great conversation.  Neither of us had a marker for an autograph but he said for us to meet him in the lobby in the morning at 10:30.  We thought, sure ok. just being nice. We took the bait and went to the lobby restaurant there and sure as can be. Him and Scott Totten were there and he recognized us. Signed an autograph and talked 10 mins. (Note, made reference to how great Brian was).  So me and the girlfriend thought ok. Can't top this and went back to our room. Check out was at noon and we waited to the last second.  So we are at the front desk, checking out making small talk with the people at the desk when Mike Love walks out from the elevator. My girlfriend flipped and went right to him. He was gracious, warm, signed autographs and made plenty of small talk and took a photo with each of us.  Since we were leaving, we walked with him one on one to the tour bus all the while still talking.  He even joked about my girlfriends purplish dyed hair... He asked if we were going to the next show in Madison which we were. Asked where we were sitting and that was it.  Later that evening at the show he pointed right at us, smiled and waved.

So I have to admit.  Brian is a legend and Al is great but Mike and Bruce really took the cake here.  I couldn't believe how nice and gracious they were and how they actually talked to us and answered questions.  I can almost understand the two versions and as to why they don't click anymore.  It's sad but I'm thankful for the experience.  Was a great weekend for sure!


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: baseball95 on May 03, 2017, 06:14:09 PM
I've had similar interactions, Al can be the nicest of guys or completely ignore you and act like your wasting his time, Bruce can be the same way. Mike has always been nothing but nice and Brian is Brian not much else you can say, he did stop and take a picture with me when I ran into him at a hotel once but didn't have much to say which seems to be the norm with him. Again not taking sides I love them all and it's an honor anytime I can speak or meet them.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: chicubs1983 on May 03, 2017, 06:20:11 PM
I guess I was just surprised by it all...  Was not what I was expecting from Mike and Bruce.  Good to know about your experiences. Guess we all have our days where we can be nice or just want to be left alone.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: SMiLE Brian on May 03, 2017, 06:32:56 PM
BW and Al were great when I met them, old guys are moody though! ;D


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: SMiLE Brian on May 03, 2017, 06:34:15 PM
Go Cubs go! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ybDexDAd33E


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on May 03, 2017, 06:42:27 PM
BW and Al were great when I met them, old guys are moody though! ;D

Meeting Brian is on my bucket list :(


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: chicubs1983 on May 03, 2017, 06:57:31 PM
I never ever knew the Beach Boys did a song for the Cubs... Omg... This is horribly awesome!!!  :o


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: Lee Marshall on May 03, 2017, 07:08:15 PM
Bruce has always struck me as being a pretty good fella...a real, true Beach Boys booster, and fairly easy to talk to.  That dates back to the early days and then moving forward.  Carl used to be that way too.  The other guys?  Inconsistent and, of course, Brian had some pretty obvious issues which impacted on his ability to socialize.  I guess it matters which day you run into the 'Boys'.  Last time I saw Mike...he was really pretty decent.  Sometimes?  He was not so engaging.

For some of the guys I'm sure it's way beyond 'old'.  [and forgettable].  I sat and had a couple of beverages at a post show 'thing' back at the hotel bar with Bruce.  The other guys were all there....sitting at various tables...spending time with friends and/or acquaintances who'd came back to the 'Inn'.  We shot the breeze for close to 40 minutes.  Talked about all kinds of stuff.  It was the summer of '82.  Bruce was not all that happy about a couple of ongoing 'issues'.  He spelled them out to me.  I never specifically made mention of them to anyone and never brought any of it up on the air.  It was a private chat.  I ran into Bruce in a different city as I had moved on up in the 'world'  about 9 or 10 months later.  He didn't know me from Adam.  So it goes.  I was there talking with Bruce that specific time.  He does it with whomever all of the time.   Didn't mean that he wasn't  and isn't friendly.  That's  his general nature as far as I can tell.  I took no offense.  I still don't.

And as giving of his time as Carl was to me...that never changed the fact that he was really quite a private person and he cherished his private life and family.

Hangin' with us is part of 'the job'.  It isn't always the best part.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: c-man on May 03, 2017, 07:08:44 PM
Reminds me of the first time I met Bruce and Mike, and the other guys in their band, back in 2009, and every time since (including last week). Nice and gracious, sometimes funny, always respectful of Brian and the whole legacy. Best thing Bruce said to me, on our very first meeting: I asked if he missed playing the bass...he shrugged, said he never was that good at it, then said: "You what I do miss? I miss Brian, and Carl, and Al. And Dennis." Pretty cool thing to say, in my book.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: c-man on May 03, 2017, 07:21:33 PM
I should also mention that the two times I met Al (2010 and 2012), he was fine. Brief but nice conversations. Same thing with Dave. Although I attended one of the 2012 meet-and-greets, I didn't get the opportunity to speak with Brian...the only time that's happened was when he called me in 2005, as part of that Katrina fundraiser (make a contribution of $100 or more, and Brian calls you). As you can imagine, it was a very "stiff" Brian on the other end, but still he answered all my questions (I managed to go over the one-question limit, milking it as much as I could...confirmed that it's him playing organ on "Passing By", but that it was Bruce on "Wild Honey").


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: John Malone on May 03, 2017, 07:48:58 PM
I have worked in the radio industry for 30 years. And, I've been to these "meet and greets" and VIP "press parties," etc. etc. more times than I can count. Country artists, pop artists, oldies artists (who can be the biggest prima donnas of them all: don't even get me started about David Clayton Thomas). And, I know with full disclosure going in that these people are "working" and I'm not even considered a passing acquaintance.

I have not been wowed by any of them, nor do I have any desire to hang around with them. Having said that, Jeff Foskett was nice enough back in 2011 to help set up a meeting with Brian in Grand Rapids, MI, following a show. There was a small handful of us, and we were ushered into a private location where Brian was brought in to talk to us. He couldn't have been more gracious, but he was extremely shy and reserved. He posed for a few pictures with each of us and made his way back to his tour bus. It was truly a thrill for me to get a picture, which is now my avatar. But, the conversation was brief. I personally thanked him for being such an inspirational force in my life, and I loved his work more than I could articulate. He replied with a whispery "thank you." That's all I needed.

Aside from that, I pay for their shows, enjoy every minute of them, and give them their space. I feel I'm in "overtime' enjoying all of these people, and each year is a bonus. Someday, I'll look back and wish it were still really happening.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: chicubs1983 on May 03, 2017, 08:18:17 PM
These are some great stories and insight.  It's always been fascinating to me all the individual stories from over the years.  Especially the story mentioned going back to 1982.  I wasn't even born yet.  ;D  C-man, that is a great story.  Always makes me wonder if Bruce ever communicates with the other camp at all.  Seems to be well liked by everyone.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: Cabinessenceking on May 04, 2017, 06:01:15 AM
Go Cubs go! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ybDexDAd33E

L fucking OL  ;D


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: HeyJude on May 04, 2017, 06:27:47 AM
Um, yeah, I'm not a big fan of an arbitrary "who's nicer to the fans" contest. I'm especially not a fan of such when it's based off single anecdotal experiences.

Good lord, if we were all judged (and compared to others!?!) based on literally ONE interaction.....

For the record, looking NOT at single anecdotal experiences but rather after having read and collected MANY stories from fans over the years, here's what I think is a better general idea of how these guys are to fans:

Brian - Unless you're buds with the guy or get a good interview rapport with him, you're likely going to get a rather brusque or at least polite but quick interaction with him. Why people are *still* surprised when their VIP meet and greet with Brian doesn't get them anything other than the promised quick pic, I don't know. He's been doing these VIP things for several years and his attitude at them is clear at this stage. Further, fan stories from prior to the era where the VIP packages were sold tell a similar story. I've never heard a story really of Brian being an a-hole or being mean to anyone. He's just Brian, and it's quick and he's not going to give your entire group big hugs and ask you where you kids are going to college or whatever. Frankly, Brian may be the most *consistent* when it comes to how he interacts with fans in these situations.

Al - Al is usually super nice and conversant when he's able to be, etc. He has a bit of that Al idiosyncrasy going on where he can be distracted by something else, or kind of ask or answer a question in a slightly weird way. Al often seems to have some sort of larger purpose going on, even when he's meeting fans. Rather than turning on the fake charm when meeting fans, he often seems to act like, believe it or not, a regular person! He asks questions about what you're holding or where you came from. When I met him and talked to him back in 2005, he didn't turn on the PR charm and give me fake thumbs up and all of that. He asked where I was from, and I mentioned a gig he had done five years earlier with Family & Friends I had gone to which he stunningly *did* specifically remember (telling *me* the name of the venue), and then later on he actually was going *on and on* (unprompted!) about reuniting with the Beach Boys. He seemed almost doggedly determined to make it happen, citing a recent Eagles concert he had been to and how he felt the BBs could put together and even more valid, high quality reunion show.

Mike - With regular interactions with fans, I've pretty much NEVER heard a story of Mike being an a-hole. He's almost uniformly nice and pleasant. I know people like to recount these stories as if they're contradicting Mike's reputation, but this just isn't the case. His reputation for being an a-hole has nothing to do with his day-to-day interactions with fans. Now, I *have* heard some pretty disappointing stories about Mike that I guess are not appropriate to share, that do involve fans in some fashion. But let's just say it doesn't involve some fanboy or fangirl with a VIP pass getting their meet and greet. Mike is by all accounts fine when it comes to those.

Bruce - By leaps and bounds the most Jekyll and Hyde based on many, many fan accounts. He's sometimes the most over-the-top, gushing nice guy you'll ever meet. He'll tell you Brian is the biggest genius of all time, tell you Al is greatest singer ever, and probably personally deliver a pizza to you. He'll converse about deep BB cuts and arcane trivia. Then, other times, he has seemingly arbitrarily been a total prick, actively antagonizing fans and bystanders as if he's on a mission to do it. He'll call people into deep BB stuff "bottom feeders", be less the complimentary towards some other band members, and single people out and bully them for *no* reason (read the infamous story from the 2012 tour where a poor guy was treated really poorly). And that's not even getting into his politics, which he either completely shuts up about or then decides to start spilling the beans on revealing a whole other repugnant side.

As for backing band members past and present from all sides, apart from Foskett (who himself is usually also gracious to fans), I haven't really heard anything bad about *fan* interactions (and we're obviously not including Scott Bennett in this equation) when it comes to these guys. I've heard plenty of stories about Totten and Darian and all of those guys. They *are* superfans, so they get that aspect of it. If you ask Bruce about a deep cut from the 70s, he may get into a great conversation about it, or he'll make fun of you or deride you for caring. But if you ask Totten or Darian or Probyn or Cowsill, they'll just about surely be into talking about it.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: SMiLE Brian on May 04, 2017, 06:52:56 AM
Go Cubs go! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ybDexDAd33E

L fucking OL  ;D
it's my favorite team and band! :lol


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: JK on May 04, 2017, 06:56:12 AM
Wonderful heart-warming stories, guys. I'm not often up to reading a complete topic (no stamina!) but I breezed through this one. A real breath of fresh air...


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on May 04, 2017, 07:24:15 AM

Great post HJ and I'm right there with your preface before going into each member. Any takes on Dennis and Carl as well? I've had encounters with all of them over the years and have basically found them to be, at least on the road, interested and willing to take part in accepting their role toward the fans quite well. And yes, that applies to myKe as well. I don't enjoy nor do I have the time to type long pieces about my encounters with them, but would like to share them someday.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: southbay on May 04, 2017, 08:33:13 AM
Um, yeah, I'm not a big fan of an arbitrary "who's nicer to the fans" contest. I'm especially not a fan of such when it's based off single anecdotal experiences.

Good lord, if we were all judged (and compared to others!?!) based on literally ONE interaction.....

For the record, looking NOT at single anecdotal experiences but rather after having read and collected MANY stories from fans over the years, here's what I think is a better general idea of how these guys are to fans:

Brian - Unless you're buds with the guy or get a good interview rapport with him, you're likely going to get a rather brusque or at least polite but quick interaction with him. Why people are *still* surprised when their VIP meet and greet with Brian doesn't get them anything other than the promised quick pic, I don't know. He's been doing these VIP things for several years and his attitude at them is clear at this stage. Further, fan stories from prior to the era where the VIP packages were sold tell a similar story. I've never heard a story really of Brian being an a-hole or being mean to anyone. He's just Brian, and it's quick and he's not going to give your entire group big hugs and ask you where you kids are going to college or whatever. Frankly, Brian may be the most *consistent* when it comes to how he interacts with fans in these situations.

Al - Al is usually super nice and conversant when he's able to be, etc. He has a bit of that Al idiosyncrasy going on where he can be distracted by something else, or kind of ask or answer a question in a slightly weird way. Al often seems to have some sort of larger purpose going on, even when he's meeting fans. Rather than turning on the fake charm when meeting fans, he often seems to act like, believe it or not, a regular person! He asks questions about what you're holding or where you came from. When I met him and talked to him back in 2005, he didn't turn on the PR charm and give me fake thumbs up and all of that. He asked where I was from, and I mentioned a gig he had done five years earlier with Family & Friends I had gone to which he stunningly *did* specifically remember (telling *me* the name of the venue), and then later on he actually was going *on and on* (unprompted!) about reuniting with the Beach Boys. He seemed almost doggedly determined to make it happen, citing a recent Eagles concert he had been to and how he felt the BBs could put together and even more valid, high quality reunion show.

Mike - With regular interactions with fans, I've pretty much NEVER heard a story of Mike being an a-hole. He's almost uniformly nice and pleasant. I know people like to recount these stories as if they're contradicting Mike's reputation, but this just isn't the case. His reputation for being an a-hole has nothing to do with his day-to-day interactions with fans. Now, I *have* heard some pretty disappointing stories about Mike that I guess are not appropriate to share, that do involve fans in some fashion. But let's just say it doesn't involve some fanboy or fangirl with a VIP pass getting their meet and greet. Mike is by all accounts fine when it comes to those.

Bruce - By leaps and bounds the most Jekyll and Hyde based on many, many fan accounts. He's sometimes the most over-the-top, gushing nice guy you'll ever meet. He'll tell you Brian is the biggest genius of all time, tell you Al is greatest singer ever, and probably personally deliver a pizza to you. He'll converse about deep BB cuts and arcane trivia. Then, other times, he has seemingly arbitrarily been a total prick, actively antagonizing fans and bystanders as if he's on a mission to do it. He'll call people into deep BB stuff "bottom feeders", be less the complimentary towards some other band members, and single people out and bully them for *no* reason (read the infamous story from the 2012 tour where a poor guy was treated really poorly). And that's not even getting into his politics, which he either completely shuts up about or then decides to start spilling the beans on revealing a whole other repugnant side.

As for backing band members past and present from all sides, apart from Foskett (who himself is usually also gracious to fans), I haven't really heard anything bad about *fan* interactions (and we're obviously not including Scott Bennett in this equation) when it comes to these guys. I've heard plenty of stories about Totten and Darian and all of those guys. They *are* superfans, so they get that aspect of it. If you ask Bruce about a deep cut from the 70s, he may get into a great conversation about it, or he'll make fun of you or deride you for caring. But if you ask Totten or Darian or Probyn or Cowsill, they'll just about surely be into talking about it.

I have had the opportunity to have many chances to meet all of the guys (including Carl, but never Dennis) between 1988-2012. I couldn't have summed it up better than the above.  100% dead on accurate.  Except I will add that Carl was always a complete gentleman to everybody.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: HeyJude on May 04, 2017, 11:23:01 AM
Um, yeah, I'm not a big fan of an arbitrary "who's nicer to the fans" contest. I'm especially not a fan of such when it's based off single anecdotal experiences.

Good lord, if we were all judged (and compared to others!?!) based on literally ONE interaction.....

For the record, looking NOT at single anecdotal experiences but rather after having read and collected MANY stories from fans over the years, here's what I think is a better general idea of how these guys are to fans:

Brian - Unless you're buds with the guy or get a good interview rapport with him, you're likely going to get a rather brusque or at least polite but quick interaction with him. Why people are *still* surprised when their VIP meet and greet with Brian doesn't get them anything other than the promised quick pic, I don't know. He's been doing these VIP things for several years and his attitude at them is clear at this stage. Further, fan stories from prior to the era where the VIP packages were sold tell a similar story. I've never heard a story really of Brian being an a-hole or being mean to anyone. He's just Brian, and it's quick and he's not going to give your entire group big hugs and ask you where you kids are going to college or whatever. Frankly, Brian may be the most *consistent* when it comes to how he interacts with fans in these situations.

Al - Al is usually super nice and conversant when he's able to be, etc. He has a bit of that Al idiosyncrasy going on where he can be distracted by something else, or kind of ask or answer a question in a slightly weird way. Al often seems to have some sort of larger purpose going on, even when he's meeting fans. Rather than turning on the fake charm when meeting fans, he often seems to act like, believe it or not, a regular person! He asks questions about what you're holding or where you came from. When I met him and talked to him back in 2005, he didn't turn on the PR charm and give me fake thumbs up and all of that. He asked where I was from, and I mentioned a gig he had done five years earlier with Family & Friends I had gone to which he stunningly *did* specifically remember (telling *me* the name of the venue), and then later on he actually was going *on and on* (unprompted!) about reuniting with the Beach Boys. He seemed almost doggedly determined to make it happen, citing a recent Eagles concert he had been to and how he felt the BBs could put together and even more valid, high quality reunion show.

Mike - With regular interactions with fans, I've pretty much NEVER heard a story of Mike being an a-hole. He's almost uniformly nice and pleasant. I know people like to recount these stories as if they're contradicting Mike's reputation, but this just isn't the case. His reputation for being an a-hole has nothing to do with his day-to-day interactions with fans. Now, I *have* heard some pretty disappointing stories about Mike that I guess are not appropriate to share, that do involve fans in some fashion. But let's just say it doesn't involve some fanboy or fangirl with a VIP pass getting their meet and greet. Mike is by all accounts fine when it comes to those.

Bruce - By leaps and bounds the most Jekyll and Hyde based on many, many fan accounts. He's sometimes the most over-the-top, gushing nice guy you'll ever meet. He'll tell you Brian is the biggest genius of all time, tell you Al is greatest singer ever, and probably personally deliver a pizza to you. He'll converse about deep BB cuts and arcane trivia. Then, other times, he has seemingly arbitrarily been a total prick, actively antagonizing fans and bystanders as if he's on a mission to do it. He'll call people into deep BB stuff "bottom feeders", be less the complimentary towards some other band members, and single people out and bully them for *no* reason (read the infamous story from the 2012 tour where a poor guy was treated really poorly). And that's not even getting into his politics, which he either completely shuts up about or then decides to start spilling the beans on revealing a whole other repugnant side.

As for backing band members past and present from all sides, apart from Foskett (who himself is usually also gracious to fans), I haven't really heard anything bad about *fan* interactions (and we're obviously not including Scott Bennett in this equation) when it comes to these guys. I've heard plenty of stories about Totten and Darian and all of those guys. They *are* superfans, so they get that aspect of it. If you ask Bruce about a deep cut from the 70s, he may get into a great conversation about it, or he'll make fun of you or deride you for caring. But if you ask Totten or Darian or Probyn or Cowsill, they'll just about surely be into talking about it.

I have had the opportunity to have many chances to meet all of the guys (including Carl, but never Dennis) between 1988-2012. I couldn't have summed it up better than the above.  100% dead on accurate.  Except I will add that Carl was always a complete gentleman to everybody.

Thanks, and yeah, I left out Carl and Dennis simply because there have been less first-hand accounts online concerning them.

I think Carl is generally known to always be gracious with fans.

In the grand scheme of things, there might be less disappointing "true stories" of backstage BB shenanigans compared to many or most bands. I think that Bruce thing from 2012 might be one of the most chilling, unfortunate stories I've heard, considering how antagonistic Bruce was compared to how much of a *fan* the fan was.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: Seagull Merlin on May 04, 2017, 02:11:50 PM
does anyone have a link to the 2012 Bruce story? I'm not sure If I've heard it. Also thanks for the insight each of you have given on this topic  :-D


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: The 4th Wilson Bro. on May 04, 2017, 02:30:24 PM
I so much regret that I never got the chance to meet Carl Wilson, the one member of the Beach Boys that I've idolized since my early teen years.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: Lonely Summer on May 04, 2017, 02:41:27 PM
I so much regret that I never got the chance to meet Carl Wilson, the one member of the Beach Boys that I've idolized since my early teen years.
I got to meet him once, 1983, after a solo show in Seattle. He was very kind, signed an album and photo for me, took time for everyone waiting backstage, even those who were a bit on the aggressive side. Wish I could have thought of something intelligent to say, but I was a fanboy...just lost in the clouds.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: Amalgamate on May 04, 2017, 02:46:18 PM
Seconding what Add Some said about meeting fans being part of the job. I think a lot of artists only meet fans because they can make money doing it or because they're so polite they can't say no. It's still a bother. Now, if you're naturally extroverted and good at talking to people, it's easier to get some enjoyment out of that. Mike definitely seems like a people person, so it doesn't surprise me at all that he enjoys talking to fans. He's totally in his element! Brian, meanwhile, is more introverted, and having to talk to a bunch of total strangers for no reason other than they paid you sounds like hell to an introvert.

Also worth noting that behaving oneself well in meet and greets is a skill you can develop. In the J-Pop and K-pop idol factories, one of the things you learn is how to behave yourself around fans, how to always be polite and how to always say the right thing. It's part of the image. Now while there were manufactured groups in the 60s, of course, I don't think the PR lessons were as intense as they are for Idol groups. This still allows for some real personality to get out. Who knows what advice they were given before interviews?

Finally, and most importantly, no matter how much of a people person you are and how well you're trained, you're still human, and there are days when you don't want to have to condescend to listen to someone tell you "you're the greatest person in my life!", or deal with some of the heavy stuff people throw at you (I know fans who told Lady Gaga stuff like "you saved my life when I was considering suicide"... while ultimately a positive message, that's really dark stuff and I imagine it's not always easy for the receiver, especially if they're an empathetic person who feels what other people feel very quickly). All it takes is one bad day for someone to badmouth you forever. I read a review once that said Ariana Grande was so mean and terrible to her fans because... she didn't come out to meet them after the show? Or she looked at someone the wrong way? Never mind every other time she was friendly, never mind that she released high quality versions of songs she hated because she knew her long-time fans would love them, that guy is going to spend the rest of his life telling everyone Ariana Grande is a terrible human being. If you want an example closer to the Beach Boys, stories of interacting with Van Dyke Parks range from "he was the nicest person ever and he spent 12 hours with each fan discussing the trumpets on the mix of a B-side from 1976 and then bought everyone dessert as an apology for leaving" to "he burned my house, salted my fields, gave me acne, and burst into flames when I mentioned the word 'smile'."

Who is the "real" person? They're all real! Ariana Grande side-eyeing a fan after a concert and Ariana Grande taking pictures with fans outside of her show are both "her." So I bet that Bruce Johnston is both a nice guy who appreciates his fan and a guy who may resent some of the fanaticism. It's contradictory, but we all have difficult and conflicting feelings about something. These folks just happen to be in the spotlight and have forums dedicated to tracking their move, so any slip-up they make is magnified while our bad days are washed away like refuse into the gutter on a rainy day. It's not really fair to judge 'em by these highly artificial contexts or spaces where someone is asking for their time.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: Amy B. on May 04, 2017, 03:03:24 PM
As you say, young pop stars may be trained on how to interact with fans, what to say in interviews, etc. Just because you have the goods to be a teen idol doesn't mean you have people skills. The same goes for athletes, of course. I know that figure skaters, who in the U.S. are expected to be as bland and devoid of personality as anything, attend "media training." They learn to give canned answers like, "I'm just going to try my best and not worry about the competition," and I'm sure they also learn how to interact with fans. And I also know that when they say something controversial, they're sent back to media training, almost as punishment. I bet some young pop stars have something similar, or at least they have a manager lecturing them on how to behave. This is because they're cash cows. Their labels and/or management can't afford to have them mess up. So of course they're not showing who they really are. I'm sure it gets trickier with social media.

But when it comes to older, established stars, I think the game changes. First off, these people have built lives. They have spouses, kids, and mortgages, etc. They don't always have time for fans, and they aren't always in the mood. And they probably care less than younger stars because they have other concerns, and they're established already. But even for older stars, it HAS to be incredibly hard to hear things like, "You saved me from suicide," or even, "I've been waiting to meet you for 20 years and this is the best day of my life." Who can deal with that kind of pressure? Some stars can turn on the charm. Others are naturally good with people. Tori Amos as an incredible reputation for spending a long time just listening to each fan's story, while nodding and making eye contact and hugging and being very genuine. But not everyone can handle that. It's a lot to take on.

You can't really gauge a person's true character based on fan interactions. It's more how that person behaved and treated others throughout their life.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: SurferDownUnder on May 04, 2017, 07:25:05 PM
does anyone have a link to the 2012 Bruce story? I'm not sure If I've heard it. Also thanks for the insight each of you have given on this topic  :-D

Likewise! I am intrigued...


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: RubberSoul13 on May 04, 2017, 07:50:22 PM
I'm assuming this is in reference to when he bashed Obama while a fan was trying to take a picture and someone filmed him saying we were f-ing doomed with four more years of Obama or something like that.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: The Cincinnati Kid on May 04, 2017, 08:08:18 PM
I'm assuming this is in reference to when he bashed Obama while a fan was trying to take a picture and someone filmed him saying we were f-ing doomed with four more years of Obama or something like that.

Here's the one you're talking about: http://www.theblaze.com/news/2012/05/11/youre-fued-famed-beach-boys-singer-says-obamas-an-ahole/

I'm pretty sure the one being referenced on the previous page is a different time, but I can't find the video.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on May 04, 2017, 10:02:24 PM
There was one where he was a complete dick to someone here at s show I was at


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: thorgil on May 05, 2017, 05:34:31 AM

Great post HJ and I'm right there with your preface before going into each member. Any takes on Dennis and Carl as well? I've had encounters with all of them over the years and have basically found them to be, at least on the road, interested and willing to take part in accepting their role toward the fans quite well. And yes, that applies to myKe as well. I don't enjoy nor do I have the time to type long pieces about my encounters with them, but would like to share them someday.
Wow, OSD. I can't believe what I just read... :)

I never met any of the Boys, but have met several artists and musicians, and I would classifiy them in just two types: the shy (introverted) and the bold (extroverted). Never met one whom I'd call rude or ungracious.
A textbook example of a shy one is Alan Stivell, the Breton composer/singer/harpist/piper/multi-instrumentalists. He is a genius by any standard and practically invented modern Breton Celtic music. An idol for me. Add to that, he looks like a modern Merlin.
When I met him, was so awed at the great man thet I hardly managed to utter a word. I was not helped by realising that he was even more shy and embarassed than me. As gracious and unassuming as possible, but surely not a talker, and surely he doesn't like to mingle wih fans, but probably fears it. Exactly what I think of Brian.
Mike seems to be the extroverted type, instead, and I have no doubt he can be very pleasant unless you find him really in a hurry, or in a really bad day.
As for me... I may be critical of him here, but if I ever met him I'd be delighted. Because, though I am as Brianista as they come, there's still a Mike fan hidden within me.

P.S.
Is it me or this board is considerably mellowing out to Mike now that we can discuss him without being always accused of "Mike bashing"?


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: HeyJude on May 05, 2017, 06:15:58 AM
My reference to Bruce being a d-bag during the 2012 tour actually wasn't the TMZ tape of him bashing Obama (that was more a case of Bruce's *well-known* and sadly predictable politics just kind of spilling out). I obviously don't and didn't agree with Bruce's laughably predictable privileged-rich-white-dude conservative politics, but more importantly the band was lucky that story didn't sully the good press the reunion was getting. As it turns out of course, and as Bruce himself not coincidentally was gleefully willing to remind people even before the tour started, the reunion wasn't going to last long at that point so it didn't particularly matter.

In any event, the 2012 incident I was referring to back a ways was this one:

http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,13320.msg287553.html#msg287553

This took place in the middle of the tour after the 6/8/12 show in Woodlands, TX. No reason to doubt the veracity of this story, and Bruce comes off really poorly. And really, it lines up with other stories I've heard and it even lines up with how I've seen Bruce act *online* in the past, including going off on some poor guy who truly innocently called him "BJ." I recall Bruce also going on a weird diatribe one time when someone posted a YouTube clip of his solo "Old Grey Whistle Test" TV performance, going on and on about how everybody was "stealing" from him by watching the video. This was during the early days of YouTube as I recall.

Hopefully nobody then has explained to Bruce how many clips of him are on YouTube now in 2017.  :lol

Whenever anybody asks me who the craziest guy in the band is, they're surprised when I say it's probably not Brian, but Bruce. Brian's issues are well-documented, understandable, and generally consistent. It's also rarely if ever expressed in a mean, cruel fashion to others. Not the case with Bruce, who may well just have some issues like many people out there do, and has some sort of thing with misinterpreting what people say or has some sort of weird issue with certain seemingly random words or statements triggering his rage. I dunno.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: SurfRiderHawaii on May 05, 2017, 10:40:49 PM
Many have heard of my encounter with all five living Beach Boys backstage at the Oregon C50 show. (Hey, why no love for David in this thread?) Certainly a different environment than a meet and greet. Summary:

Brian - no words needed. He was angelic.

Al - very talkative and nice. I asked him if WIBNTLA was going to be on MIC and he said he'd check.

Bruce - was very nice and talkative about England and his sons.

David - very down to earth and nice. Wanted to know how his guitar sounded..

Mike - PG version, a jerk.  PM me if you haven't heard the story and want to.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: Don Malcolm on May 06, 2017, 09:22:48 AM
I remember the story, SurfRider. Mike has definitely evolved control issues over the years, and I think all of what went on with the 2012 tour is part and parcel of his inability to adjust to the realities of the overall Beach Boys--that if you put all of the remaining guys on the stage, he is going to be eclipsed--and dramatically so in comparison with the M&B incarnation.

I think that when Mike feels he is in control, and when he's getting the type of feedback from fans that gives him the strokes he needs, he can be charming as all get out. And the M&B environment is clearly tailored to maximize that for him--how could it not? The man needs to exercise his "inner extrovert" (is than an oxymoron?) and touring the country is clearly the way to make it all work. It does tend to reinforce what has become a rather narrow world-view, however.

But put him in a situation where he is not the focal point, where his past reputation and references to his snarky behavior are just one utterance away from breaking into the open, and you've got a trapped puma pacing its cage. Can't be pleasant for him, really.

I think it's great to see Al relaxing into a featured role and getting recognized for his talents--no one now will ever follow the lead of the odious Nick Kent and refer to him as "clean-living, talent-free Al Jardine." What a crock that always was, and I'm sure Al has settled in over the past couple of years thanks to the increased attention paid to his genuine musical contributions to the band. That said, he is still susceptible to going off onto tangents in personal interactions, which are never unpleasant, but sometimes leave fans with a "wtf?" moment.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: DennysDrums83 on May 11, 2017, 07:47:44 PM
I haven't met Brian or Al.  I did contact Al was and asked if he would sign an item for me if I sent it to him.  He was very nice during my brief interaction with him and he did sign my item.

I met Mike and Bruce two years ago.  The venue was right across from the local mall.  I saw their tour bus when I came out of the mall (I was waiting around for the concert).  I decided to walk over just to see if I could meet anyone.  This was several hours before the concert.  Jeff came over and talked with me for a bit and took a picture.  He was really cool.  Bruce came out of the venue and was walking over to the mall.  He stopped and talked with me for several minutes and took a pic as well.  When he came back, he stopped and talked some more.  Mike didn't get off the bus until right before the show started.  By that point, I was joined by several other fans.  Mike promised that he would come out after the show and meet with all of us.  He kept that promise.  He spent a considerable amount of time signing autographs, taking pictures, and talking with fans.  He was very nice.  I talked with Scott as well, who was also pretty cool. 

No one has really mentioned Blondie in this thread.  I'd love to meet him.  He seems like a really cool guy.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: orange22 on May 11, 2017, 08:21:53 PM
My unfiltered 1st thought (that's what the Internet's for, right?): someone "stumbling our way back to the hotel" sounds more like a Mike fan than Brian to me. Maybe you were in your element?


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: kermit27 on May 12, 2017, 07:24:24 AM
I never ever knew the Beach Boys did a song for the Cubs... Omg... This is horribly awesome!!!  :o

That same cassette had them doing a Cubs-themed Surfin' Safari parody, but I've yet hear it!


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: SMiLE Brian on May 12, 2017, 09:00:07 AM
I need to hear it as a Cubs fan!


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: Juice Brohnston on May 12, 2017, 09:42:58 AM
Meeting Bruce on several occasions, he was always, 'over the top' nice to me. Bought me breakfast one time. Ushered me into a backstage gathering with all the band on another occasion. One time I interrupted him on a walk outside the venue, on a crazy hot day. I could tell he was probably a little annoyed, but we had met a few times before. And frankly, it was probably an imposition on his afternoon routine. But we headed back inside and had along chat that was truly interesting. Good guy.

Mike I have met a few times. Never as chatty as Bruce but always cordial. And I have seen him spend a ton of time taking requests for pictures and autographs, while his family waited by to head up to their rooms.

Brian once. A few short replies. Later he was sitting by himself in the room, and I could have taken a shot and gone over and tried to dialogue but, I let it go.

Al, no real interaction...I was talking to Bruce and Al came over. Bruce was in the middle of a joke. Al popped in to the group, and Bruce was like 'Al, look who it is (meaning me)..Al was rightly confused about the whole thing and started walking away, while Bruce kept yelling, 'AL, look who's here'

Kowalski was always a good dude. Cowsill, for some reason our encounters have been awkward, but I am sure he's ok.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: Juice Brohnston on May 12, 2017, 09:54:35 AM
I've never heard a story really of Brian being an a-hole or being mean to anyone.

I have it on good authority, he once beat up a clown....


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: marcella27 on May 12, 2017, 10:43:50 AM
I haven't met Brian or Al.  I did contact Al was and asked if he would sign an item for me if I sent it to him.  He was very nice during my brief interaction with him and he did sign my item.

I met Mike and Bruce two years ago.  The venue was right across from the local mall.  I saw their tour bus when I came out of the mall (I was waiting around for the concert).  I decided to walk over just to see if I could meet anyone.  This was several hours before the concert.  Jeff came over and talked with me for a bit and took a picture.  He was really cool.  Bruce came out of the venue and was walking over to the mall.  He stopped and talked with me for several minutes and took a pic as well.  When he came back, he stopped and talked some more.  Mike didn't get off the bus until right before the show started.  By that point, I was joined by several other fans.  Mike promised that he would come out after the show and meet with all of us.  He kept that promise.  He spent a considerable amount of time signing autographs, taking pictures, and talking with fans.  He was very nice.  I talked with Scott as well, who was also pretty cool. 

No one has really mentioned Blondie in this thread.  I'd love to meet him.  He seems like a really cool guy.

We met Blondie last summer in Vermont.  We were walking around after the show and he was standing by the bus alone.  We wandered over and talked to him and rambled for a while about how happy we were to be able to see him sing.  He was very nice and said we were very sweet for complimenting him.  Beyond that he wasn't super talkative but overall it was a very nice interaction.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: Pretty Funky on May 12, 2017, 11:11:29 AM
I've never heard a story really of Brian being an a-hole or being mean to anyone.

I have it on good authority, he once beat up a clown....

 ;D


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: CenturyDeprived on May 12, 2017, 11:25:09 AM
I've never heard a story really of Brian being an a-hole or being mean to anyone.

I have it on good authority, he once beat up a clown....

 ;D

Do we have any confirmation that this story is the source of the Man Vs. Clown website name? Serious question.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: CosmicDancer on May 12, 2017, 11:50:43 AM


No one has really mentioned Blondie in this thread.  I'd love to meet him.  He seems like a really cool guy.

A friend of mine had a brief encounter with Blondie after a show last year.  He told Blondie he was a big fan and asked if he could get a picture with him.  I won't repeat Blondie's reply verbatim due to some lewd terminology and I'm not sure what the rules are here in that regard, but he said that Blondie said no because he was trying to, ummm....we'll say, find a lady to spend some "quality" time with.  Obviously, I wasn't there, but I doubt that my friend would make that up.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: beatle608 on May 12, 2017, 12:36:31 PM
I was at the Appleton, WI show a couple weeks ago as well! I met Mike before the show and he signed a couple of my albums. Bruce refused to sign them and said "I have to get to work" and ran off. 

I have met Bruce on a few occasions and you never know what you'll get with him. He can be the nicest guy in the world one day and then downright rude the next.

Al is overall a nice guy, but some people have noted that he's a bit crankier these days than what he used to be. This touring schedule has to be wearing down on those guys. Met him in Milwaukee after the show last month and he was nice.

At best, I'd say I had a decent encounter with Blondie. I waited after the show in Nashville to have him signed my Carl and The Passions and he just ignored me. A couple weeks later in Chicago he did sign something for me, but he doesn't seem very interested to meet fans unless they're in the meet and greet.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: Michael Edward Osbourne on May 15, 2017, 08:09:22 AM
I met Brian in 2009 and Mike in 2016. Even though both meetings were brief they were nonetheless fantastic and memorable.

I met Brian backstage at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel in Providence Rhode Island. I was allowed about two minutes with him. I introduced myself to him, he said my name back to me (twice). He thanked me for coming to the show and he signed two posters for me. He was very friendly. I spoke to him about my favorite songs of his, and I told him how long I've been a fan (since I was three in the 1970s). He seemed touched by what I told him and he thanked me. I also got to take a picture with him. Brian was totally with it and seemed like he was in a very good mood. Great experience!

I met Mike at Harvard Books in Cambridge MA during the book signing in 2016. This time I was only allowed one minute. But during that one minute Mike Love was a complete gentleman to me and my girlfriend (whom he reffered to as "dear"). I was wearing a Summer In Paradise T shirt I got in the 1990s and he just took one look at my shirt and said "Wow I love that shirt!" (I know lots of you are cringing right now, so bite me, lol....) We shook hands, each got autographs and several pictures. We briefly talked about some of my favorite Beach Boy moments and Mike was very gracious for all kind words. We stretched our 60 second meeting to about 90 seconds and then the Harvard Book people basically shooed us away, but Mike said goodbye and thanked us. Not long after the book signing I took my son to see Mike & Bruce, and after the concert Mike came over and mingled with the fans. My son was 4 at the time and was wearing a Beach Boys hat. Mike came over to my son, shook his hand and autographed my son's hat. You should've seen my son's eyes light up. "Wow Daddy I know one of the Beach Boys!" My experiences with Mike Love have been very positive and memorable.

I also met Jeffrey Foskett in 2014 at a Beach Boys concert in Cohasset MA in 2014. I was wearing a Pacific Ocean Blue tee shirt that day and Jeff told me that he loved my shirt. We talked about Dennis for about 2 or 3 minutes. We took a picture too, and he signed my ticket stub. He was a pleasure to meet. Great personality, all smiles.

A few weeks ago I met Billy Hinsche and Probyn Gregory at the Lynn Auditorium in Lynn MA. Probyn talked to me for about 10 minutes. We spoke about NRBQ, Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel, and other topics. He seemed to be very cool to the fans. He talked to tons of fans that night. Billy was friendly, but sort of quiet (I think he just wanted to get to the bus and relax). I just grabbed his attention, told him I was fan, we shook hands and he said thanks.

Back in 2011 I met Scott Bennett at a Dean Torrence concert in Woonsocket RI. I know he's not a popular topic to talk about these days, but he seemed like a nice guy. Probably talked to him for five minutes, about touring and Brian. Also that day I spoke with Mike Kawowlski (who was drumming for Dean) for about a minute. He seemed like a very nice guy as well.

That covers all Beach Boy related people I've met. But as far as meeting Brian and Mike go, it was an awesome experience from both. All positive.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: southbay on May 15, 2017, 08:13:58 AM


No one has really mentioned Blondie in this thread.  I'd love to meet him.  He seems like a really cool guy.

A friend of mine had a brief encounter with Blondie after a show last year.  He told Blondie he was a big fan and asked if he could get a picture with him.  I won't repeat Blondie's reply verbatim due to some lewd terminology and I'm not sure what the rules are here in that regard, but he said that Blondie said no because he was trying to, ummm....we'll say, find a lady to spend some "quality" time with.  Obviously, I wasn't there, but I doubt that my friend would make that up.

This is in line with the Blondie I met once. Not surprised.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: RubberSoul13 on May 15, 2017, 09:16:14 AM


No one has really mentioned Blondie in this thread.  I'd love to meet him.  He seems like a really cool guy.

A friend of mine had a brief encounter with Blondie after a show last year.  He told Blondie he was a big fan and asked if he could get a picture with him.  I won't repeat Blondie's reply verbatim due to some lewd terminology and I'm not sure what the rules are here in that regard, but he said that Blondie said no because he was trying to, ummm....we'll say, find a lady to spend some "quality" time with.  Obviously, I wasn't there, but I doubt that my friend would make that up.

This is in line with the Blondie I met once. Not surprised.


Sounds about right. The only time I met Blondie was also by mistake hanging around the buses trying to meet Al and Brian (too late for Brian). Blondie had already found his umm..."Wild Honey" for the night as she was hanging on his arm...and not much bigger than his arm. It was also obvious he had been treating himself to some of those funny looking cigarettes as I think I nearly got a contact high off his odor...nonetheless, he was kind enough to sign my ticket stub and chat with the half dozen or so of us that were there, I made a point to tell him how much "Wild Honey" kicks ass in this set and he gargled out something like "Yeah man...it's CRAZY!" and he stared right in to my eyes and widened his like an owl and for a split second I feared for my life....true rock and roll through and through.  :lol


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: HeyJude on May 15, 2017, 09:49:37 AM
he stared right in to my eyes and widened his like an owl and for a split second I feared for my life....

Awesome and hiliarous...


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: HeyJude on May 15, 2017, 09:52:00 AM
I could have told any fan that wearing a "Summer in Paradise" shirt will more than sufficiently pump Mike's ego.

Now, a much more interesting experiment would be to wear a "Looking Back with Love" t-shirt. I would normally think he's get a kick out of that too, but many of us have seen Brian bring up the album during that 1989 "fireside" session, and Mike clearly wants to forget about it (though one wonders if LBWL may have actually sold at least marginally more copies...).


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: RubberSoul13 on May 15, 2017, 09:56:13 AM
he stared right in to my eyes and widened his like an owl and for a split second I feared for my life....

Awesome and hiliarous...

It was indeed a ...hoot...  :lol

I was also fortunate enough to thank most of the band members as they were leaving that night. Darian was exceptionally grateful. Mertens completely ignored us, but he seemed very mentally preoccupied. He was also carrying all of his own wind instruments which really confused me. Eventually Al was the last to come out, he had a carry out container and I worked my way to the center of the crowd around him and asked him to sign my C50 meet and greet photo, he agreed to if I would walk to the bus with him...I told him I could do that and he let out a big cackle!  :lol  

I've had a wide variety of interactions with all the guys at a lot of different kinds of shows and not once did anything negative ever happen. I've been quite fortunate really...especially as I read some of these off the wall things that have happened.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: HeyJude on May 15, 2017, 10:09:02 AM
Eventually Al was the last to come out, he had a carry out container and I worked my way to the center of the crowd around him and asked him to sign my C50 meet and greet photo, he agreed to if I would walk to the bus with him...I told him I could do that and he let out a big cackle!  :lol  

I have a food-related Al story. When I went to his local charity gig in 2005, I was walking through the park he was playing at, making my way to the small amphitheater where the gig was. The park was already closed as I recall, or about to close, so it was dead other than a group of people cutting through to get to the concert location. As I walked by a couple on a park bench with a dude eating a chocolate soft-serve ice cream cone, I realized it was Al. He was almost literally "waiting for a bus", and indeed totally blurred into the background so that I barely caught it.

I ended up going up and asking for a quick photo, which he obliged. He seemed just slightly hesitant and his wife was actually pep talking him (or sort of half-way jokingly guilting him) into doing it. It turns out he wasn't apprehensive because he didn't want to meet fans or anything. His problem was that his ice cream cone was making a huge mess and it was all over his hand, which I only learned as I reached out to shake his hand and he indicated that that was probably a bad idea.....

Got a pic (which I'm normally not even into, but I knew a pic was all I could get and a signature wasn't going to happen with his ice cream hands...). I ended up also getting a couple signatures from him *after* the show and he was great and talkative (and, as I already mentioned, *unprompted* talking about getting a BB reunion together).


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: RubberSoul13 on May 15, 2017, 10:28:11 AM
That is hysterical...just casually come across Al Jardine eating an ice cream...because why not?  :lol


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: Juice Brohnston on May 15, 2017, 10:50:09 AM
I've never heard a story really of Brian being an a-hole or being mean to anyone.

I have it on good authority, he once beat up a clown....

 ;D

CD, I think it coincidence, but don't know for sure. Rocky made reference to the Man v Clown site specifically here, and of course it's the material from that site and Stephen's comments that really got the Rocky 'era' going over here. But I tend to think it is a reference to something else.

Do we have any confirmation that this story is the source of the Man Vs. Clown website name? Serious question.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: GhostyTMRS on May 15, 2017, 03:43:10 PM
I've never heard a story really of Brian being an a-hole or being mean to anyone.

Consider the source but Steve Jones (Sex Pistols) in new memoir "Lonely Boy" (which I'm reading now) claims that Brian was the rudest celebrity guest he ever had on his radio show. Jones says that he's aware of Brian's psychological issues but says it was "no excuse for being an a**hole" but he doesn't really elaborate on exactly what happened.

That's the only example I've ever read about where Brian is specifically called out for being rude. God knows the pairing of Steve Jones and Brian Wilson is a bad idea anyway. 


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: Dove Nested Towers on May 15, 2017, 05:53:32 PM


No one has really mentioned Blondie in this thread.  I'd love to meet him.  He seems like a really cool guy.

A friend of mine had a brief encounter with Blondie after a show last year.  He told Blondie he was a big fan and asked if he could get a picture with him.  I won't repeat Blondie's reply verbatim due to some lewd terminology and I'm not sure what the rules are here in that regard, but he said that Blondie said no because he was trying to, ummm....we'll say, find a lady to spend some "quality" time with.  Obviously, I wasn't there, but I doubt that my friend would make that up.

This is in line with the Blondie I met once. Not surprised.


Sounds about right. The only time I met Blondie was also by mistake hanging around the buses trying to meet Al and Brian (too late for Brian). Blondie had already found his umm..."Wild Honey" for the night as she was hanging on his arm...and not much bigger than his arm. It was also obvious he had been treating himself to some of those funny looking cigarettes as I think I nearly got a contact high off his odor...nonetheless, he was kind enough to sign my ticket stub and chat with the half dozen or so of us that were there, I made a point to tell him how much "Wild Honey" kicks ass in this set and he gargled out something like "Yeah man...it's CRAZY!" and he stared right in to my eyes and widened his like an owl and for a split second I feared for my life....true rock and roll through and through.  :lol

Highly amusing, reminds me of a friend telling me about a chance encounter with Dennis in the late '70s. My friend (a huge fan) said "Hey Dennis, how are you? Watcha been doin'? "BEEN DRUMMIN'!" he bellowed, looking completely wild & crazed. Poor Denny, I hope he was at least having a good time on that particular day.

Also met John Stamos once in the hotel bar after a 2001 Pet Sounds Symphonic Tour stop at San Diego Yacht Harbor. I was morbidly fascinated and approached  him, mentioning that I was a friend of Alan Boyd's (he was working on one of the TV miniseries at the time and they were in contact) upon which he grinned an ingratiating, shark-like grin with dazzling, perfect  teeth and scrutinized me super-closely as if to say "how can this person be of use to me?" for  few seconds of conversation, until he apparently was satisfied that I was unimportant and went elsewhere.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: MarcellaHasDirtyFeet on May 16, 2017, 06:41:16 AM
I've never heard a story really of Brian being an a-hole or being mean to anyone.

Consider the source but Steve Jones (Sex Pistols) in new memoir "Lonely Boy" (which I'm reading now) claims that Brian was the rudest celebrity guest he ever had on his radio show. Jones says that he's aware of Brian's psychological issues but says it was "no excuse for being an a**hole" but he doesn't really elaborate on exactly what happened.

That's the only example I've ever read about where Brian is specifically called out for being rude. God knows the pairing of Steve Jones and Brian Wilson is a bad idea anyway. 

Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips also called Brian out for rudeness after an interview. Coyne came off as a real asshole.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: HeyJude on May 16, 2017, 09:01:44 AM
Regarding my mentioning earlier in the thread that I've never particularly heard of Bring being an a-hole to anyone, I was referring to random/unknown fans and fan encounters.

The Steve Jones thing, and the Wayne Coyne thing, are both very different. They were "personalities", and they were interviewing Brian, not saying "hi" backstage at a concert. Very, very different dynamic. We all know Brian is different in "interview" settings than just saying hi to a fan backstage.

It's also worth nothing that in these cases where people come away with negative impressions of Brian, it often comes from people who aren't exactly squeaky clean in the personality/attitude department themselves. Remember Bill Champlin talking to Gary Usher about Brian in 1986, as described in the Usher/McParland book? Champlin had some good points about Usher was getting hosed by the deal, but also clearly didn't understand Brian's condition nor the gravity of what Landy was doing. And for those familiar with Champlin, the guy isn't exactly known for being easy going and non-confrontational and free of ego himself. Similarly, Jeff Beck complained about Brian after the 2013 tour, yet Beck himself is infamous for being difficult and eccentric and weird and off-putting, and he himself has bowed out of projects and also had others ditch working with him due to his weird deal.

I've often heard that the more eccentric relatively famous folks who run into Brian, especially other music people, are often thrown totally off kilter because they're not used to *not* being the most eccentric, weird person in the room. I recall someone relating witnessing an encounter between Elvis Costello and Brian that went a bit like that. As I recall, it remained cordial and all of that, and I don't think Elvis has ever said a bad word about Brian. But he was, as that story went, thrown off a bit and not quite able to do his normal Elvis thing, whatever that is.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: phirnis on May 17, 2017, 04:41:17 AM
I'd love to read some more Bruce stories. That Jekyll-Hyde thing is oddly fascinating, though I feel sorry for everyone who got to experience his rude side. I agree with whoever wrote they're all human and may have their ups and downs.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: HeyJude on May 19, 2017, 08:38:24 AM
I'd love to read some more Bruce stories. That Jekyll-Hyde thing is oddly fascinating, though I feel sorry for everyone who got to experience his rude side. I agree with whoever wrote they're all human and may have their ups and downs.

The posts are presumably long gone, but Bruce even did the Jekyll/Hyde thing *online* on the Beach Boys Britain board years ago. He infamously tore into one guy for calling him BJ when the guy clearly was just using shorthand. But I guess Bruce was convinced the guy was actually really trying to call him "Blow Job."

Similarly, he went on an "old man yells at cloud" rant years ago about someone posting some old "Old Grey Whistle Test" UK TV clip on "YouTube."

He also often went hot and cold on Brian and Brian's band on that board.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: SMiLE Brian on May 19, 2017, 08:52:54 AM
Bruce is an odd duck....


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: Michael Edward Osbourne on May 19, 2017, 06:09:35 PM
***comment removed***
Found the answer to my question from a different source (again...)


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: The LEGENDARY OSD on May 19, 2017, 07:47:44 PM
Bruce is an odd duck....

Absolutely. Anyone who can hang out with myKe luHv for as long as he has needs his screws tightened or replaced.  :o


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: elnombre on May 19, 2017, 09:40:23 PM
I had a nice moment with Brian when I was on the front row of a show in Holland. He kept pointing at me and my then gf dancing and smiling at us or giving a thumbs up. Amazing to see the guy who'd given me so much enjoyment enjoying us enjoying him. Never met him though. Did know Taylor for a while - she was an absolute sweetheart.

I've met Bruce, Mike and David. All nice guys. Bruce very clearly the experienced glad-handler - he's done it a thousand times before and his anecdotes are well worn but he was nice. Mike seemed jetlagged to f*** and was extremely quiet - I don't recall if he said much of anything - but gamely posed for photos and so on. David I didn't really get much chance to speak to, but he's certainly a smiley dude who's abundantly happy to be there when he is.


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: ♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇 on May 19, 2017, 09:56:07 PM
Quote
I had a nice moment with Brian when I was on the front row of a show in Holland. He kept pointing at me and my then gf dancing and smiling at us or giving a thumbs up. Amazing to see the guy who'd given me so much enjoyment enjoying us enjoying him.

:D

I love telling this story, but back in 2004 when he did his cigarette lighter routine, when he asked everyone to pull out their lighters, my bandmate/friend and I yelled (in unison) "but we just quit smoking". Without missing a beat, Brian responded "well goddammit, good for you" .  :lol


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: SMiLE Brian on May 20, 2017, 03:30:47 AM
Lolz Billy! :lol


Title: Re: Meeting Brian & Al vs Mike & Bruce
Post by: beatle608 on May 20, 2017, 10:41:20 AM
Mike seemed jetlagged to f*** and was extremely quiet - I don't recall if he said much of anything - but gamely posed for photos and so on.

I've always found Mike to be that way. Usually quiet and slow moving, but not rude.