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.    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.

I never ever knew the Beach Boys did a song for the Cubs... Omg... This is horribly awesome!!!  

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.

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!