One of Landy's stipulations for taking Brian on again was that he had total control over Brian's life. Given that degree of carte blanche, I think pretty much anyone would have saved his life.

The 1986 Gaines book has a little more detail on him.

The handling of the whole Landy II period will be fascinating. I'm also wondering if the other 2004 album will rate a mention...

Brian's book will be, at the very worst, roughly ten orders of magnitude better than the 1991 mess. Will it be interesting to all here ? Of course. Will it be a totally balanced recounting of his life to date ? Of course not: no autobiography since the invention of the genre has been that. I'm fascinated to see what it'll be like, and how it's received here, just as I will be for Mike's book, given the same caveats. Going to be an interesting fall.

I can't help but find it anything other than deeply amusing that the poster doing the lion's share of the stirring is someone who recently flounced off in hugely public manner, vowing never to return. Epic fail. 

Pretty much all promo/A label singles from the mid sixties in the UK have the exact release date on them. A boon to researchers !

If so, no proof has yet been found.

I don't think public guessing, with the potential of dragging uninvolved people's names though the mud, is nice.

This X1000.

In the interest of fairness, neither is the potentially libelous accusation that certain users are "on Mike's payroll" or part of a secret cabal. That accusation has been bandied about numerous times on this board with none of the accusers having a shred of evidence that any of it is true, nor have they been held accountable for those accusations. I get that it's a way to try to shut down an argument but it's counterproductive and doesn't advance any discussions. There's a way for users to indulge in their private Brianistas -vs- Loveites dogpiles (although I have no idea what joy any fans can possibly take from that) without crossing the line.

Speaking as one routinely accused of being on Mike's payroll since late September 2012 (and it's odd that I've been a cheerleader for Brian since summer 1975 without once being equally accused...), it doesn't bother me personally* - equally because I know that's not the case, and because those yelling the loudest are generally considered figures of fun and ridicule - but it does annoy because it derails the overall exchange. Can't argue with a closed mind. Too many potentially good threads devolve into either Mike v Brian or Love-kicking fests, and I know that frustrates the majority of posters here. It's no coincidence that several noted contributors have been silent for some time.

As for the current "sources" farrago... unnecessary, on several levels. If you have sources, don't flaunt them unless you can name them. All rather unedifying.

[* granted, the judicious application of The Hickey Script has aided immeasurably]

This one is pretty embarrassing. The Beach Boys of 1990 lip syncing to the "unplugged" version of Barbara Ann from the "Party!" album, complete with a drummer playing to a track that doesn't have any drums, and people playing electric guitars that are nowhere to be heard on the "Party!" version. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntntpYY-7vA
 

I hope you're joking because that audio was clearly added to the video by the uploader...

It is? if so then why is Bruce acting "Confused" at the part where the lyrics go clunky? unless they did the clunky lyrics on the live performance I don't see why Bruce would do a "Confused" act.. also notice that Carl isn't there, if they are lip-synching maybe Carl didn't want to do it because he didn't want to be embarrassed, I can see him doing that for some reason..lol...also who is singing lead?  it seems inconsistent as to who is singing Deans part. I thought it was Bruce at first but he doesn't sing all of it neither does Al.....

Carl wasn't on that tour as he was recovering from an appendicitis operation. He wasn't there because he wasn't there. He'd missed the preceding three day Tahoe engagement as well. Nothing to do with making a point.  

[Summer Love Songs]

The mono single version of Sound of Free is on Made in California.

Isn't the mono single version the only version? When I hear "single version" I tend to think that implies there is also a different released version, is there is another mix of this song available?

Correct. There's a stereo remix of the other side of the single on Summer Love Songs but there's only one version of "Sound Of Free".

I've seen one, and one only, clipping that said Carl & Brian sere doing the bvs. Contemporary UK review.

Solid summer album. My preference is for the basic 13 track version minus the song with a bored guest vocal. But best solo album ? Nope.

Of course having never been on tour I don't know all the actual pros and cons, but I would think I would prefer a comfy bus with a sleeping space where I can keep all my stuff and the bus drops me and picks me up at the venue to packing, ride to airport, get through the airport, get on plane, sit there, get off the plane, ride to hotel, unpack, ride to venue, ride to hotel, ride to airport, etc.

You might not wanna take the bus to Europe.

True. Just hire one.

Always liked Almost Summer, too bad it's not on that LP. Actually got some airplay around here. Thanks for the review.

Maybe because it was on the previous Celebration album ?

Seeing as I'm neither an honoured guest nor universally adored, I was never in the frame. Bizarre.

I wonder... I'm trying to hear G, really I am, but I can't. Of course, subconsciously I know it's not there, so that must be a factor.

Ah, the mystery of the human body. Exact same recording, diametrically opposed conclusions. Splendid. 

It's worth the wait. Well worth it.

No need. It's the bvs causing a non-existent audio artefact. If you tweak it with a graphic, you'll clearly hear Carl sing U, not G.

Anyway, there is absolutely no way Carl is singing "U Say Asee". He's singing, without a doubt, "Gree See Ah See".

A most provocative statement, the more so because it's entirely erroneous.

Back in 1964, if not earlier, on live show contracts, Carl was referred to as the leader. I've seen one (1965, I think) made out to "Carl Wilson & four Beach Boys". 

Quick question - which is the worse version of "Smart Girls": the one with the actual BB samples, or the one with Brian doing them all ?

Lyrics are in the 1990 and 2000 reissues. I never heard it as anything but "Usay Ass Eee"... but it did take me about as long to work out that meant USA as it did to twig the cover of the album was printed upside down. That is, about five years...

A bit of a weird topic, but I can throw in a quick story.  I saw the band on Labor Day weekend in 1983 & they came on stage very late.  Mike announced that their charter plane had trouble & had to return to (I think Allentown, PA) shortly after take off.  He said they had to borrow Willie Nelson's private jet in order to make the gig.  He mentioned they were pretty scared & were thankful to be alive.  Strange thing is, Mike said there wasn't enough room on the jet for Brian or Dennis, but I don't think either of them were touring with the band at the time anyway.

That would have been...

3 - State Fair, Allentown, PA [2 shows]
4 - Garden State Arts Center in Holmdel NJ

No Brian or Dennis at either of those two venues.

The touring band could perform shows without Mike, but I would assume the show would be cancelled were he ill on a particular day.  Or is that a dumb assumption?

Well, it would pretty much just be a cover band with Bruce as a special guest.

On a related note: has Bruce ever performed any solo shows? Even during his years away from the band in the mid-70s?

I honestly can't recall a single instance.