That was him? I thought it was proven to be false.

^

I remember C-man said it was Tommy Morgan uncredited. I can post the link if anyone wants.

EDIT: Never mind; he beat me to it 

Let’s see what I can remember, mostly from reading C-man’s posts:

Guitar:
The Survivors – After the Game
Break Away (according to Desper?)
Possibly one version of H&V or something (strumming)

Drums:
Surfin’ (snare drum)
Funky Pretty
You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin (?)
all of Love You except Mona, I Wanna Pick You Up, Honkin’ Down the Highway, and The Night Was So Young (Dennis), Good Time (Dennis Dragon), and Ding Dang (Ricky Fataar?)

Marimba:
All Summer Long

They continued to attract a large audience because of their live shows, not because of albums like Love You and 15 Big Ones. Love you was akin to Smiley Smile in that it did not represent what the BB's were capable of doing. The label knew that and couldn't blame them for not backing it with a big money promo. Honkin' and Solar System were not marketable in the least. The ball was dropped by no one but themselves.

 


  15 BIG ONES made the Top 10. LOVE YOU was released less than a year later. Let's say "Honkin' Down the Highway" was released a week or two in front of LOVE YOU...no way it doesn't chart. Call me crazy, but that record could have been a minor hit, at least.

 

Despite your invitation to call you crazy, HDTH was not ever going to be a anything close to a hit. There was nothing on that album that was going to be considered "single" material. The mere fact that the record got little or no airplay is proof of that. The only song worth having from LY is TNWSY and man, that's about it. As was said above, it was a cult release for diehards only. I'm a die hard and I disliked it immensley.

... and then there's me who loved LY it so much I played it at least once a day for two years. I still to this day consider it to be Brian Wilson's first solo album. The Moog sound blew me away but I loved the songs too.

I also love Love You...I think it’s one of the craziest things I’ve ever heard, but a few songs are genius. I think HDTH and Roller Skating Child were the only commercial or quasi-commercial songs. I think HTDH’s lyrics, not the synths, would have turned listeners off. The question is would Roller Skating Child need remixing, re-recording along the lines of the live versions, or just a release of the live version to be a minor hit single?

The problems with living on the East Coast. I can’t believe I’ll miss this.

I don’t have anything concrete, sorry. I can just offer what I’ve read here in other threads. Recorded sometime between March and November 1973 (and I’m guessing with overdubs in 1976/77 for release). Supposedly has more musicians than the rest of the album. Possibly Ricky on drums. Let’s see if c-man or anyone else can help. 

I've never known Brian to play anything other than bass guitar or piano/keyboards during a concert.

In the early days, when it was just the five of them, didn't Brian play drums when the hard-working drummer came up to sing The Wanderer?

Yes and Jon Stebbins has said that when Brian wasn’t there, David Marks played drums.

I suppose keeping the percussion set up on stage even when Bobby was drumming full-time could well be explained by someone coming up to add the tympani on WIBN. But it sounds like Tony Leo (nor Matt Jardine) were actual full-time backup percussionists. So it's sounding like during that year-ish gap between May 1979 and June 1980, Bobby didn't have a regular percussionist backing him (in the same fashion that Bobby was percussionist under Dennis).

Is it possible Tony Leo and/or Matt Jardine (because I don’t know when Matt began working on the road with the BBs) played for the entire show?

No. Not the Dennis-less shows I saw in '79 and '82, and not according to an ESQ interview with Matt. There are also lots of still photos and a bit of video from those days, all depicting Bobby or Mike K. on the drums with no auxiliary percussionist. They probably kept the tympani onstage expressly for the ending of "WIBN" (although there's also a 1980 stage shot of Brian playing it). Maybe they kept the rest of the percussion rig onstage in case Dennis happened to show up, sober enough to play the gig, in which case Bobby or Mike K. would move over for him.

I stand corrected. 

I really want to see that picture of Brian playing the tympani. 

Me too!

I suppose keeping the percussion set up on stage even when Bobby was drumming full-time could well be explained by someone coming up to add the tympani on WIBN. But it sounds like Tony Leo (nor Matt Jardine) were actual full-time backup percussionists. So it's sounding like during that year-ish gap between May 1979 and June 1980, Bobby didn't have a regular percussionist backing him (in the same fashion that Bobby was percussionist under Dennis).

Is it possible Tony Leo and/or Matt Jardine (because I don’t know when Matt began working on the road with the BBs) played for the entire show?

I highly, highly doubt they did any gigs in '81-'82 without a percussionist/backup drummer...in fact, probably not since the early '70s. They always did a few songs without Dennis, either because he refused to play them, or because they felt a different skill level was needed for those tunes. At the 7/5/81 Long Beach show, I think there were only two songs performed without Dennis ("Lady Lynda" and "Long Tall Texan"), plus they did one with Dennis on piano ("Help Me, Rhonda"). But even more than that, they would've needed a backup in case Dennis was too blitzed to play - which, even with bodyguards protecting him from himself, still obviously happened fairly often (read Ian's book).

On the other hand, Bruce once told me about how HE had to jump behind the drum kit mid-song at one show in Lake Tahoe, because Karen Lamm was in the audience flipping her middle finger at Dennis, who then abandoned the drums to dive into the audience after her. Surprised that Bobby or Mike K. didn't, but Bruce said he did.

There were definitely a few songs on even the 1980 tour, after Dennis rejoined, that he didn't play, including "Lady Lynda", "Keepin' the Summer Alive", "Cottonfields/Heroes and Villains", and of course "Rhonda" in order to play piano.

Certainly, "KTSA" and probably "Lynda" were songs they needed more elaborate drumming on (especially the former), so that explains those.

Dennis, by 79/80 especially, needed a backup at the ready. I was just curious how quickly Kowalski was brought in once Figueroa was out. It makes sense that it would probably be right away.

A weird side note on the "Dennis's backup" thing I've always been curious about is the band's appearance on "Friday's" in 1980. I believe they taped it in March, while Dennis was still kicked out of the band. But weirdly, they still have Bobby Figueroa's percussion set up even though it wasn't used because Bobby drummed on all three songs. Were they planning at some point for Dennis to make a one-time appearance? It makes even less sense because even if he had been present, he probably wouldn't have drummed on two of the three songs, since they were new album songs. Did the band ever bring on a second percussionist for that year or so between mid-1979 and mid-1980 when Dennis was out and Bobby drummed full time? Did they even have a percussion set-up on stage during that time?

To answer the last part - yes, at least in part...they had the tympani set up for roadie Tony Leo (and later a young Matt Jardine) to run out and pound toward the end of "Wouldn't It Be Nice".

I was going to say I remember c-man talking about Tony Leo playing on WIBN in this time.

Hell yeah!

Agreed!

Historical and audio evidence indicates that SURFIN' SAFARI, SURFIN' USA, SURFER GIRL, WILD HONEY, CARL & THE PASSIONS, HOLLAND, and THE BEACH BOYS LOVE YOU are the most self contained albums in the group's catalog, particularly the first two LPs and LOVE YOU.


 Does it matter when The Beach Boys play or don't play? Has misreported "information" about near total session player dominance during the hit years undermined the band's reputation in certain circles?


 {Props to Jon Stebbins for clarifying this issue to a large extent. In the past, insiders such as David Leaf and general rock critics like Dave Marsh seemed to stress the studio musician theory for almost all of their hit singles in the 60s.}

I think we can probably add Little Deuce Coupe, Shut Down Volume 2, All Summer Long, and/or Beach Boys’ Party to that list.

I think it matters when the band plays on their records and that their reputation has been undermined by this and Mike’s constant power struggle (see the recent 12 Sides of Summer discussion). I think that we cannot completely forget Today, SDSN, and parts of the 68-71 albums because because Brian and Carl (and to a lesser extent everyone except Mike) are all over them. I think 15 Big Ones is a strange case because Dennis and Brian are on most of the album, but not Carl. I think MIU is interesting because Mike doesn’t play anything and Carl and Dennis can’t be on that much of the album, meaning the album is Brian and Al plus the touring band. And I wonder how if KTSA was supposed to bring the band back together, but it has a long list of session musicians, and even Carl isn’t playing on everything (i.e. at least Da Doo Ron Ron). Sorry for this rambling list   

There was also the story of Brian buying an expensive instrument for a member of the Wrecking Crew because it was needed for the session, and then saying "it's yours."

True I forgot about this one. I remember c-man posted the member was Billy Strange, and I know he was given the guitar, cash, and (I think) even the amp and AMF/union dues.

Maybe we should petition or contact Sirius

Didn’t we already try last September? I’m definitely up to try again but I’m pretty sure there was a petition with a ton of signatures.

I was a little disappointed when I first saw the thread because I thought it was announced...so you can tell I definitely want this back. I learned so much from the channel and it was most of what I listened to during my drives to and from my afternoon/evening shifts.

Oh didn't know that I haven't been able to pick up a copy of this one yet.  I'm assuming he plays keys on them too?

Let's try to fill in everyone's credits because that's what I'm here for  

1974:
Mike Love - vocals, electro-theremin
Carl Wilson - vocals, lead guitar
Al Jardine - vocals, rhythm guitar
Dennis Wilson - vocals, possible keyboards
Ricky Fataar - vocals, drums
with
Ron Altbach - keyboards
Ed Carter - bass
Bobby Figueroa - percussion
Billy Hinsche - vocals, keyboards
Carly Munoz - keyboards

1989:
EDIT: Brian Wilson - vocals, keyboards
Mike Love - vocals
Carl Wilson - vocals, lead guitar
Al Jardine - vocals, rhythm guitar
Bruce Johnston - vocals, keyboard
with
Ed Carter - bass
Jeff Foskett - vocals, rhythm guitar
Billy Hinsche - vocals, keyboards
Matt Jardine - vocals, percussion
Mike Kowalski - drums
Mike Meros - keyboards

I used to laugh when someone would say Bruce was unquestionably the most talented instrumentalist in the Beach Boys. I don't laugh anymore, I've seen some old clips where he is playing some very nice stuff, but it's just so odd, then, that a guy with great talent as a musician chooses to just be a hand clapper and harmony singer at year after year of shows. Can you imagine, if Carl was still alive, and he stood there with a guitar that he occasionally strummed, mostly ignored, while someone else did all those great CW guitar parts?
Looking forward to seeing the guys in September, and i'm probably the one person looking forward to hearing a couple songs from Unleash the Love live.

You'd think he'd want to show off his chops on the keys.  I'm used to it with Bruce, though; being a guitarist, had it been Carl, I would have been very disappointed.  Seeing the group in August and I'll be interested to see if Ike is still subbing for Foskett at this point and what happens (since it's an outside show) if I just yell for some random deep cut.

I originally posted this in the livestream topic but I'll switch it because discussion has moved over here:

Just going to add my random two cents.  Please don't anyone take this as I'm attacking Brian; I love the man and his music and talents just like the rest of you, and I know much less of what he's been through (compared to the rest of you) because I haven't bought/read as many books yet.

I went to see Brian, Al, and Blondie perform Pet Sounds in 2017.  I knew Brian's vocals wouldn't be anything like the 60's of course, but I think I was expecting something on par with 2012.  As I'm still diving head first, I heard a lot of new songs (for me) that I loved...my first dive into Wild Honey started here.  I was initially lukewarm on Pet Sounds (other than the hits), but it's growing on me.  Obviously I was somewhat disappointed and saddened, because although I know we've heard to the contrary, but other than a couple of songs, he sounds like he doesn't want to be there.  "God Only Knows" (either from that show or what I've heard on YouTube around that time) made me extremely sad...does anyone think Brian's decline could connect to the fact that the full band isn't touring?  It sounds stupid, I know, but he was pretty engaged from what I've been able to hear on the C50 live album and from various clips on YouTube.  On the other hand, Al impressed me as expected.  I wasn't as initially happy with Blondie, but warmed up.  Same with Matt.  When I listened to the Wild Honey album and Let Him Run Wild, I was shocked.  I had liked Foskett more before, but now I had switched to Matt.  If I'm right, I had just learned about California Saga shortly before my show, thinking it was Cool Cool Water, and let's just say the real Cool Cool Water was a shock to hear, but I loved it (California Saga).  That song just does something to me.  Beach Boys + a country vibe?  Yes please.   The only thing that disappointed me with Al was that he refused in a kind of harsh way to sign my original 1966 cover of Pet Sounds.  Maybe that was a venue thing though?  I hope so because he's supposedly been fairly courteous.  Maybe he wasn't happy that he wasn't allowed to sign things:?

EDIT: Oh and watching a bit of this show (livestream) last night didn't help.

Because of Brian's vocals, and the price, my family has been trying to persuade me from going if Brian's still going to be "detached."   I know he's gone through a lot, but I really enjoyed seeing Al (and can't see him because I'll be on vacation when he comes), and my interest has really been piqued by this new Brian/Al/Blondie/Zombies tour.  Not that I really listen to the Zombies (other than She's Not There), but the idea of Surf's Up cuts, Friends cuts, and other deep cuts makes me want to make the drive to NYC in September.  Ok, tirade over.

Not as far as I know.  But I'm still eagerly awaiting the fruits of his hard work.  I'll take this as an opportunity to thank c-man again for his amazing contributions and session revelations on this board

Just going to add my random two cents.  Please don't anyone take this as I'm attacking Brian; I love the man and his music and talents just like the rest of you, and I know much less of what he's been through (compared to the rest of you) because I haven't bought/read as many books yet.

I went to see Brian, Al, and Blondie perform Pet Sounds in 2017.  I knew Brian's vocals wouldn't be anything like the 60's of course, but I think I was expecting something on par with 2012.  As I'm still diving head first, I heard a lot of new songs (for me) that I loved...my first dive into Wild Honey started here.  I was initially lukewarm on Pet Sounds (other than the hits), but it's growing on me.  Obviously I was somewhat disappointed and saddened, because although I know we've heard to the contrary, but other than a couple of songs, he sounds like he doesn't want to be there.  "God Only Knows" (either from that show or what I've heard on YouTube around that time) made me extremely sad...does anyone think Brian's decline could connect to the fact that the full band isn't touring?  It sounds stupid, I know, but he was pretty engaged from what I've been able to hear on the C50 live album and from various clips on YouTube.  On the other hand, Al impressed me as expected.  I wasn't as initially happy with Blondie, but warmed up.  Same with Matt.  When I listened to the Wild Honey album and Let Him Run Wild, I was shocked.  I had liked Foskett more before, but now I had switched to Matt.  If I'm right, I had just learned about California Saga shortly before my show, thinking it was Cool Cool Water, and let's just say the real Cool Cool Water was a shock to hear, but I loved it (California Saga).  That song just does something to me.  Beach Boys + a country vibe?  Yes please.   The only thing that disappointed me with Al was that he refused in a kind of harsh way to sign my original 1966 cover of Pet Sounds.  Maybe that was a venue thing though?  I hope so because he's supposedly been fairly courteous.  Maybe he wasn't happy that he wasn't allowed to sign things:?

EDIT: Oh and watching a bit of this show last night didn't help.

Because of Brian's vocals, and the price, my family has been trying to persuade me from going if Brian's still going to be "detached."   I know he's gone through a lot, but I really enjoyed seeing Al (and can't see him because I'll be on vacation when he comes), and my interest has really been piqued by this new Brian/Al/Blondie/Zombies tour.  Not that I really listen to the Zombies (other than She's Not There), but the idea of Surf's Up cuts, Friends cuts, and other deep cuts makes me want to make the drive to NYC in September.  Ok, tirade over.

are we seriously getting a beach boys reunion- do you think brian will be involved, or will it be more like al & david marks joining up with mike n bruce.  or would it be more like 2012 with a mix of brian band and mike band. 

What makes you think we're getting a reunion at all?

Just got back from the Infinity Hall show in Norfolk. I don’t think I can put into words just how incredible everything was. I attended Al’s storyteller show last year in Manhattan and the acoustics of the Infinity Hall are much better in my opinion. The performances by Al, Matt, and Jeff were incredible as always, and I’d actually say this was the best I’ve ever heard them sound. Al flubbed some lines on a few songs but that is expected and part of the charm to be honest.

Edit: Also forgot to mention that at one point during the show, Al mentioned that the Brian Wilson video biography on his daily life should be released later this year, and then mentioned a new Beach Boys video documentary that might come out in 2020. But even more exciting than that, he hinted that a tour for 2020 may be in the works, and the way he made it sound it certainly sounded like he was hinting at a reunited Beach Boys tour, ala 2012. He didn’t give any specifics, but the way he was acting and how he announced it I can only think that’s what he was hinting at. Guess we will have to wait and see.

Thanks! That's pretty exciting.

No problem. Hoping for it too because I wasn’t a hardcore fan at the time.

I was in 2012, but I was in a band that had a gig booked when the Atlanta show was announced. I should've bailed on the gig in retrospect, but it was supposed to be a pretty big show for us that ended up being a flop.

That sucks. I knew most of hits at the time but didn’t learn more until I was given copies of all the 60’s albums except Friends. Since then I’ve drifted in and out of listening; right know I’m in and have expanded my collection more - still can’t find Friends on vinyl though.

are we seriously getting a beach boys reunion- do you think brian will be involved, or will it be more like al & david marks joining up with mike n bruce.  or would it be more like 2012 with a mix of brian band and mike band. 

What makes you think we're getting a reunion at all?

Just got back from the Infinity Hall show in Norfolk. I don’t think I can put into words just how incredible everything was. I attended Al’s storyteller show last year in Manhattan and the acoustics of the Infinity Hall are much better in my opinion. The performances by Al, Matt, and Jeff were incredible as always, and I’d actually say this was the best I’ve ever heard them sound. Al flubbed some lines on a few songs but that is expected and part of the charm to be honest.

Edit: Also forgot to mention that at one point during the show, Al mentioned that the Brian Wilson video biography on his daily life should be released later this year, and then mentioned a new Beach Boys video documentary that might come out in 2020. But even more exciting than that, he hinted that a tour for 2020 may be in the works, and the way he made it sound it certainly sounded like he was hinting at a reunited Beach Boys tour, ala 2012. He didn’t give any specifics, but the way he was acting and how he announced it I can only think that’s what he was hinting at. Guess we will have to wait and see.

Thanks! That's pretty exciting.

No problem. Hoping for it too because I wasn’t a hardcore fan at the time.

Various parts of the KISS catalogue - mostly the original lineup and its reunion - since I went to see their second farewell tour.  As a casual fan, I would've preferred to see Ace and/or Peter there, since the tickets were extremely expensive, but it was still a good show.

are we seriously getting a beach boys reunion- do you think brian will be involved, or will it be more like al & david marks joining up with mike n bruce.  or would it be more like 2012 with a mix of brian band and mike band. 

What makes you think we're getting a reunion at all?

Just got back from the Infinity Hall show in Norfolk. I don’t think I can put into words just how incredible everything was. I attended Al’s storyteller show last year in Manhattan and the acoustics of the Infinity Hall are much better in my opinion. The performances by Al, Matt, and Jeff were incredible as always, and I’d actually say this was the best I’ve ever heard them sound. Al flubbed some lines on a few songs but that is expected and part of the charm to be honest.

Edit: Also forgot to mention that at one point during the show, Al mentioned that the Brian Wilson video biography on his daily life should be released later this year, and then mentioned a new Beach Boys video documentary that might come out in 2020. But even more exciting than that, he hinted that a tour for 2020 may be in the works, and the way he made it sound it certainly sounded like he was hinting at a reunited Beach Boys tour, ala 2012. He didn’t give any specifics, but the way he was acting and how he announced it I can only think that’s what he was hinting at. Guess we will have to wait and see.

Not releasing the Curt Boettcher mix of Shortenin' Bread as a single

What about this? I know nothing of it.

Same. I tried to look it up and couldn’t find anything on YouTube, and only one passing reference to an unreleased mix on Wikipedia.