There are factions in *every* band, really.

I also wouldn't use the "  L.A. 'real BW fans' v Chicago 'hired musicians' "  line...Scott Bennett was a hired hand for Imagination, but he is Brian's main man right now, arguably more than Darian at this point., considering the fact that he has been writing with Brian.

I saw him in 2004 in Houston. I don't think he's been back since. I'm about 99.9% certain he hasn't, as I'd have been there if he had!

Careful...now people may want DNA testing so they can trace the paper that the Billboard magazine was printed on back to the original tree from which it was made...



There hasn't been this much fuss about "Dick" since my honeymoon.

If other people remember him, how can he not exist?!

I *knew* it. I've been arguing that point for about 14 years now    

Not the first time Brad misled anyone, of course.

This is assuming Nick Kent wasn't making the whole thing up in the first place, which he had a tendency to do.

It's not just the production that bothers me   but the engineering. My god, everything sounds so *plastic*.

I love Strange Things Happen, though, esp. the guitar sound for the solo.

... Murry Wilson passed away. Say and think what you like about him, but if it weren't for him, there would be no Beach Boys.

True, and his death also sent Brian and Dennis to Never-Neverland.

Yeah, it ain't happening. Best to leaf it alone.

Regardless of whether it's Spector himself doing the Tweeting, I suspect the tweeter may be thinking of the Tom Hanks movie CASTAWAY in which he befriended a soccer ball named, appropriately, "Wilson".

That's what I was thinking about too.

I think Crispon Glover would make an excellent Brian Wilson!

I think Brian Wilson would make an excellent Crispin Glover, for that matter.

[also, and never forget this, he is just as capeable of doing the manipulating as he is of being manipulated - he's just much more subtle at it]

I think there's a third reason, which is also my opinion. I don't think Brian particularly cares for his solo albums. I rarely hear or read him refer to those albums/songs. And, think about it, how many songs from each album would be worth performing? Three at the most? Well, that would kill about about a half an hour of a show. And, I wonder what the reception from the audience would be? You could almost hear them counting until the next Beach Boys' classic is performed.

It's no secret Brian actively despises Imagination. In a rare moment of letting Brian actually be honest for once rather than shut him up or convince him to spout the company line, so to speak, Brian's interviews shortly after the release of Imagination admitted as much. He also made no bones about where the fault lie, either. (favorite quote: "...not my kind of music...well, vocally it is...")Same thing with GIOMH, although not nearly as obvious. That's the difference with TLOS...he actually liked the material, and it showed in his performance.

My thoughts - no, probably not, because for one thing, Brian is closing on 70 and always one to look for the easy life/path of least resistance (also, and never forget this, he is just as capeable of doing the manipulating as he is of being manipulated - he's just much more subtle at it). For almost anything to change, the management situation would have to be seriously revised - and that ain't gonna happen - or they have to suddenly start making smart decisions (ditto). FWIW, this is how I see Brian's career unfolding/closing down over the next few years (not necessarily in this order):

BWPS farewell tour...
50th anniversary BB 'reunion' (in whatever form)...
release of original Smile sessions box set...
release of BW Best Of 1986-20??...
the farewell world tour...

I wouldn't be surprised if the best of has one or new two tracks. Most of them do these days. I think Brian's going to release one more album, personally.
Also bolded part of the post for emphasis. I think the 2nd Landy era was proof. People tend to forget that Brian was getting what he wanted out of that deal, too. The fact that he was popping Xanax like candy was a revelation...we always jump on Landy for doping Brian up all of the time (and rightfully so...Brian's current state is a direct result of it), but the sad fact is Brian certainly didn't always mind.

LOL....I can picture it now...

"Mike, you are a loo-hoo-hoo-SER"

Oh, and he can produce music with his butt!

Or his armpit...he can call it "Pit Sounds".

I've never heard the 1974 Brian version (very few have), but I can see why the 77 version wasn't.

It sucks.

LOL....I can picture it now...

"Mike, you are a loo-hoo-hoo-SER"

LOL...the look on Mike's face is priceless.

I'm not trying to be sarcastic, a cynic, or just plain negative, but do you really, REALLY, believe that BWPS had a significant effect - positive or otherwise - on Brian Wilson?

Emotionally & psychologically, yes. Unfortunately, I think much of what we are seeing now is the result of age catching up to Brian (keeping in mind that the years of self-abuse and those f*cking meds Landy had him on may have aged him quicker than he would have normally), and nothing sort of the hand of God could change that.

There's been talk about this since the Landy era.

It's not happening.

Oh man...this sucks dude. I will keep you & your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Lady, that band picture isn't from 1972. It's mislabeled on the page the link goes to. Carl wasn't clean shaven past Fall of 1971, save for about a week in 1977.

The second picture is from 1972 or so.

That's exactly why I'm glad somebody finally posted a pic from the last few months of Carl's life. It's good to see him smiling.

BTW...who's the dude in the left side of the picture?

Oh sh*t...that's sad...

He's also singing  "Funky Girl, why" part in the normal, "correct" speed.

March or April, yeah.