When Jimmy said the guys had last been in the studio in 1968, was he referring to The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson?

Had never seen the Jimmy Kimmel interview; many thanks for posting...Brian was actually comfortable, smiling every now & then, & at ease

be sure to post your interview with Brian on here; can't wait to read it...


A little more info from Michael Shoemaker, former SNL producer & now executive producer on Late Night...

Mike Shoemaker ‏ @shoemakermike on Twitter
Fascinating to watch Brian Wilson tell stories and teach @jimmyfallon harmonies on Barbara Ann.

Yes, the St. Augustine show was filmed. A 12-person camera crew was there. It will be shown on PBS in June.  Check out the below article...it does a great job of explaining it.

http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2012-05-02#.T6ML_OhYuuw


Remember the table where we had to leave our stuff? Security could ensure everyone places their stuff to be signed on the table and order that only 1 item be taken up to the guys. Security could then accompany the fan up to the Beach Boys and make sure only 1 item is signed.

Or maybe  a better idea:  Security could say, "If you want 1 item signed, "hand it me," and I'll take it over to The Beach Boys."  Isn't this possible?

Maybe all this should happen before the photo op. Keep the fans away from the Beach Boys as they sign. Then once they're finished signing 1 item, then have the photo op. If a fan says they have one more item to be signed, security or the Beach Boys can easily say, "I'm sorry..." This would be a quick assembly line type scenario. But just my two cents.

In 2006 I did the VIP thing with Sheryl Crow in Atlanta. It was called I Love All Access then, but it's the same company. The only photo they would let us get was a full group photo with 50+ people. So, at least the Beach Boys m&g let everyone get an individual photo. Was very quick; Brian was seated, and all the guys were standing around him. All I thought to say was that it was a pleasure meeting him, and Brian said "Thank you." Stood next to Al and told him I interviewed him over the phone last year [the one where he announced Smile was coming out]. That got him curious. We only talked for seconds; the VIP host was taking the photo or else.

There was confusion about getting stuff signed. A few folks hung around after they got their photo & got their albums signed. I was very near the end, but I was ushered out by security. Jeff was next to the VIP host, encouraging Brian to smile for the photos.

I met 2 guys while we were waiting in line. I couldn't believe how much they knew about the band. Told them to visit Smiley Smile. One of them, named Holt, was just 18. He started playing Smart Girls on his iPhone to prove it was the worst song Brian ever recorded. Anyway, after the VIP photo op was over, we were just milling around near the backstage area.

A guy walks up and said he got Mike to sign his Pet Sounds album. So we walk a little further & see Darian & the band eating inside the same place where the photos were taken. Darian was seated right next to the door, so I immediately walked up to him & started chatting. Then Probyn Gregory comes by.  I'm sure there were other band members walking around us; I just don't know them all. Tried to find Scott Bennett to no avail.

Long story short, Al, Bruce, and David were eating in there. Got autographs from all of them. David admitted he has no idea what goes on inside Brian's head. Also joked about the Tupac hologram thing while discussing Forever.

Talked with Al for quite awhile, he was very friendly. I introduced myself again. He remembered I called him "Mr. Al" during our 2011 phone interview. Holt had a Pickwick ['60s budget subsidiary of Capitol] LP with the Beach Boys Concert tracklisting. Al got really curious about this and was reading on the back of it. He thought the "P" in Pickwick was an R, so he was thinking it said Reprise Records for awhile there. He seemed happy to be on Robo Records. Also admitted he never finished "My Plane Leaves Tomorrow," which was supposed to have been a bonus cut on Postcard from California. Tried to encourage him to record another solo album.

The whole soundcheck experience was worthwhile, too. We were maybe 20 rows back from the stage. Bruce joked quite a bit to the VIP'ers. But his mic wasn't loud enough so I missed much of what he said.

I really wish VIP Nation would allow everyone would shelled out money the opportunity to get 1 item signed while they take the photo. Security could be standing by and ensure that the line moves rapidly. I don't think there were more than 60 folks there. That's the way Graceland handles autographs with special guests during Elvis Week.

Jeremy

A few other things before I forget...

1.  Brian was the first Beach Boy present for soundcheck. He was just sitting there, lost in his own world as the VIPs filed in.
2.  I talked to 4 or 5 people, and they seemed to agree that Brian really came alive after intermission. I actually liked him singing Sail On Sailor; at least he seemed to be trying. He missed some cues before intermission. You could see Al watching him intently.
3.  Mike was oogling some girls in their early 20s who stepped forward several times to shake his hand.
4.  Mike had to mention the John Stamos/Full House connection before Forever was performed; also cool that Two Lane Blacktop is airing late tonight on Encore.
5.  Al was still shaking hands from the stage after the band had departed.
6.  Dave can leap over a merchandise stand counter [not really sure why, but he did]. And his solos were killer.
7. Although some of the songs like Disney Girls & All This Is That might have been sleepers compared to the rest, folks in the front did stand and applaud.
8. Great watching Brian do his little dance shuffle during soundcheck on Barbara Ann {he strapped his bass on].

Mark Lindsay of Paul Revere & The Raiders attended the show, too. He was brought out briefly during their soundcheck & introduced by Bruce. Was hoping he would join them on a song, but he remained incognito. Did walk up to him & get his autograph after I spotted him sitting in the crowd.

All The Beach Boys were dressed quite well, although some may be alarmed that Mike wore green pants; he changed them to brown after intermission. And Bruce didn't wear shorts; he looked great in a long sleeve pale yellow shirt & jeans.

It was funny at the beginning; Al had sound problems; he would keep gesturing at the sound guy; finally they came out & straightened things out before he sang Cottenfields. Brian wore a Hawaiian shirt during soundcheck & Al wore shorts! Thank God they changed for the show.  They performed I Just Wasn't Made For These Times at soundcheck, so glad they included it in the show.

And I'll be in St. Augustine, too; first time seeing any of the Beach Boys; had no idea the PBS program would be shot there, so appreciate the heads-up...

Up earlier in the thread, Kickstarter was mentioned. I didn't know anything about it, either, until I chatted with Rick Nelson's youngest son, Sam. He used Kickstarter to fund a project to digitize & archive all 400+ episodes of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet [plus, funds helped locate home movies and unreleased live performances feat. his dad]. Here is Sam's description of Kickstarter:

"After doing research, I came across a website called Kickstarter.  It’s the largest independent financing site for arts and entertainment based projects.  If you’re a filmmaker or musician, and you want to put together a movie or demo, you create a short clip to sell your idea.

You ask for donations from folks in a given time frame.  If you have a donation amount that supersedes or doesn’t make the cut after the timeframe, you don’t get any money.  So if you asked for $5,000, and you used a 20-day timeframe, at 20 days if you have $4,999, you don’t get anything.

But if you make $100,000 in 20 days, you get to keep it all.  As incentives, there are rewards for people who donate.  Because I had all these incredible assets, I wanted to be creative about it.  For example, you can sponsor an episode..."



http://www.examiner.com/article/my-god-what-an-incredible-asset-sam-nelson-tackles-ozzie-and-harriet

In case you missed it, Mike also did a 5,000+ word, 3-part interview in late December describing "I Can Hear Music" and The Beach Boys.

Mike discussed interviewing the band, how dedicated fans of the BB are definitely unique, if Brian would have become a success w/o the band, the band's legacy pre-Pet Sounds, the Smile sessions, if Brian killed Smile, why some folks claim Brian quit contributing to the band after Smile's failure, lots of analysis on how Dennis' role in the band evolved [musician/performer/singer/songwriter], the resentment in the band after POB came out, the great contributions of Blondie & Ricky, why L.A. is kind of the underdog in the band's catalog, Mike's ego problem, and his opinion of the BB's reunion...


PART ONE    http://www.examiner.com/article/i-can-hear-music-author-mike-eder-reveals-his-dream-project-on-the-beach-boys

PART TWO   http://www.examiner.com/article/did-brian-wilson-kill-smile-the-lowdown-with-beach-boys-author-mike-eder

PART THREE http://www.examiner.com/article/remembering-dennis-wilson-plus-author-mike-eder-on-the-beach-boys-the-1970s

Has anyone seen this article from The Washington Post? After the BB performed Good Vibrations tonight, Mike was interviewed backstage and said he's blown away by a new Brian song called "That's Why God Made The Radio." First time I've heard of this song...





http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/taylor-swift-gets-revenge-and-grammys-amy-winehouses-dad-salutes-whitney-houston-etta-james/2012/02/12/gIQAXwNZ9Q_story.html?tid=pm_pop

Wish they could have got Glen Campbell on stage just to greet Brian at the end or sing on the chorus, but they showed him excited out in the audience. Would have been nice to see all the boys gather at the end of the song & take a bow, but of course they had to cut to a commercial. For what the performance was at a venue like The Grammy's, I liked it.  I thought the lead singer from Foster The People started singing okay, but he got worse as he progressed. But as everyone's said, at least they dressed & played vintage instruments like their heroes.

I actually prefer a lot of Bambu over POB. POB is great, but sometimes I think there was too much production, too much overdubbing on some of the tracks. I don't know, too many layers, particularly on the ballads. Who knows, perhaps my opinion will change as I grow older.

Often the unfinished, spontaneous nature of Bambu brings out Dennis' rock & roll, wild side on tracks like School Girl, Wild Situation, and He's A Bum. I missed Dennis the rock & roller on POB.

I'm glad Dennis recorded several of Carli's songs.  I think Dennis was going for a more commercial sound on Bambu.  If that album had been released, I really feel it would have charted much higher than POB.  Plus, "Constant Companion," if released as a single, should have gotten airplay.  Put "Love Surrounds Me" as its B-side.  It's Not Too Late is a great song, too. Incomprehensible why it wasn't released on L.A. Light Album.

About Elvis, the Moody Blue album has always seemed largely upbeat to me.  Then again, He'll Have To Go, Unchained Melody, It's Easy For You, and She Thinks I Still Care offer a different story.  From Elvis Presley Boulevard, as Mike said above, is much more sad.  At least they included the underappreciated "For The Heart" on there.  I would encourage anyone to check out the 2001 Follow That Dream release (FTD) called THE JUNGLE ROOM SESSIONS.  All of these songs are stripped of their overdubs, horrible string sections, and many of their backing vocals.  You'll gain a new appreciation of Elvis' artistry in his final year.

["Remembering Dennis Wilson: Plus, Author Mike Eder on The Beach Boys In The 1970s"]

In case folks missed the thread, one of our members completed his first major interview yesterday.  The final installment below focused on Dennis extensively.  Dennis The Musician, Dennis The Performer, Dennis The Songwriter, His Best Songs, whether there was jealously when he released Pacific Ocean Blue, how Dennis' lifestyle changed, what happened to Dennis' hand, Blondie/Ricky, his contributions on L.A. Light Album, and how he would like to be remembered...

"Remembering Dennis Wilson: Plus, Author Mike Eder on The Beach Boys In The 1970s"
http://www.examiner.com/pop-culture-in-national/remembering-dennis-wilson-plus-author-mike-eder-on-the-beach-boys-the-1970s

You're not the only Three Stooges fan.  I say Shemp was just as talented as his two brothers.  And I'll defend Curly Joe DeRita.  I'm watching the Columbia DVD shorts from 1955 to 1959 now; about 8 shorts away from the intro to Joe Besser.  I've always said I couldn't defend his work with the team, but I'll see if the passage of time has altered my opinion.  I'll probably just focus on Larry during these later years.  And 3 Stooges Go Around The World In A Daze is very good, too.  Thanks for adding the Beach Boys connection -- I never thought of that.

["Remembering Dennis Wilson: Plus, The Beach Boys In The 1970s"]

I also had a blast doing the interview; I'm especially looking forward to reading the book...And here is Part Three, the conclusion


"Remembering Dennis Wilson: Plus, The Beach Boys In The 1970s"
http://www.examiner.com/pop-culture-in-national/remembering-dennis-wilson-plus-author-mike-eder-on-the-beach-boys-the-1970s

Mike gives weight to Dennis' contributions to the band as a musician, performer, and singer/songwriter. He also straightens out whether there was internal jealousy within the band when Pacific Ocean Blue came out as well as Dennis' legacy.  Finally, he discusses Blondie Chaplin and Ricky Fataar, L.A. (Light Album - the final release by the band that had any sense of quality), the always colorful personality of Mike Love & its negative effect on the band in later years, and whether it's a good idea for The Beach Boys to reunite...

[Part Two = "Did Brian Wilson Kill Smile? The Lowdown..."]

Part Two = "Did Brian Wilson Kill Smile? The Lowdown..."
http://www.examiner.com/pop-culture-in-national/did-brian-wilson-kill-smile-the-lowdown-with-beach-boys-author-mike-eder

Mike explains whether Brian would have become a success without The Beach Boys, their greatest songs/albums prior to Pet Sounds, his assessment of Smile, and exactly how Brian killed that album in 1967.  In addition, he debunks the long-held belief that Brian became a complete recluse after Smile was abandoned.  Later, Mike talks about the progress of I Can Hear Music, plus the connection between Kenny Rogers & The First Edition and The Beach Boys (he is in the early stages of penning their authorized biography).

A heads-up in case you haven't bought The Smile Sessions box set -- DeepDiscount.com is currently selling it for $89.  That includes free shipping (at least for U.S. residents).


http://www.deepdiscount.com/cd/BEACH-BOYS-SMILE-SESSIONS-5099902765822

In a new interview with Pop Culture Classics.com, Bruce said SMILE is likely to come out in October.  Overall, a good interview...

http://popcultureclassics.com/bruce_johnston.html

Is there a realistic chance of "Stevie" seeing an official release? 

It must be 10 years since Brian's performed in Georgia.  He never plays in The South.  Hoping I'll finally get to see him this year.  Cool that he's sticking to the full Gershwin album for the dates.

Here's another relevant section of a new interview with Mark Lindsay, lead singer of Paul Revere & The Raiders.  It was conducted by Pop Culture Classics, whoever they may be.  Great interview, but doesn't really discuss their music in-depth.  Anyway, Lindsay recalled how he met Bruce Johnston, as well as the story that Bruce produced "Steppin' Out."  

Lindsay also discussed Manson, so I added that bit in the Manson/Dennis old thread.

The full interview is here:  http://www.popcultureclassics.com/mark_lindsay.html





PCC:
And was Bruce Johnston involved in producing The Raiders at one point?

LINDSAY:
Yeah. I met Terry Melcher and Bruce Johnston at the same time. I walked into the studio. One of the suits took me into Studio And said, ‘Here’s your new producer, Terry Melcher.’ And we met and he said, Hey, listen to this, man. We’re doing a great song.’ And it was ‘Hey Little Cobra.’ And Bruce Johnston was out in the studio, with his head in a wastebasket, with an RCA 44 mic in there with him, to get the resonance, singing, ‘Shut ‘em down... ‘

So I met those two guys and... Ah, coming back to what I was going to say earlier. You asked how Terry found out about what we did. Well, basically, other than ‘Louie Louie,’ our repertoire was all of these black tunes and New Orleans and stuff. So we went in and just played what we would normally play at a dance and recorded it. And Bruce took over those sessions, because Terry wasn’t really into that kind of music at the time. And Bruce was a little more adventuresome, I guess.

So Bruce actually produced our first single for CBS, or the first chart single, which was ‘Steppin’ Out.’ And sang background on it. So after the success of that, Terry came back and said, Well, you know what, Bruce? I’m going to take over here.’ [Laughs] And we’d liked this song that I’d written, so he then said, ‘Look, I just leased this house. Got a piano. You like to write. We can write some tunes together.’ So that’s when I moved up with Terry and I started cranking out album tunes and we started doing some singles. And that’s how that all came to fruition with Bruce doing the first thing that was commercial and Terry coming back and realizing the commercial potential of the band, which he hadn’t really heard in [Sings] Somethin’s got a hold on me, whoooo!’

PCC:

Mark Lindsay, lead singer of Paul Revere & The Raiders, recently participated in a long-form interview with PopCultureClassics.com.  He was asked about Manson, and his story was interesting to me.  The whole interview can be found here:

http://www.popcultureclassics.com/mark_lindsay.html






PCC:
You mentioned living with Terry for a while. Was that the infamous house where the Sharon Tate murder took place?

LINDSAY:
Yeah, 10050 Cielo Drive. I actually met, ran into Manson up there one time. But luckily, I didn’t run into him that other time.

PCC:
Did he creep you out when you saw him? Or was there no indication?

LINDSAY:
Oh, yeah. I’d come home from a gig. I dropped my bag in the hallway. There was a meeting going on in the living room. And Dennis Wilson was there, maybe Abe Lastfogel [of the William Morris Agency] and Terry and a couple other people.

And I walked into the kitchen to get myself a cold one. And there’s this guy on the kitchen floor, squatting down, leaning against the refrigerator, like a door stop. So I try to open the door. He doesn’t move. I say, ‘Excuse me... Excuse me!’ And he doesn’t budge. And he braces himself against the door, but he doesn’t look at me. He won’t look up. So I walk into the living room and say, ‘Wait a minute, who’s the weird guy in the kitchen?’ And they said, ‘Oh, that’s just Charlie. He’s okay.’

But Charlie wasn’t okay. And after about two or three meetings, I think Terry realized that there was something really wrong with this guy. And Dennis had found him in the desert and brought him up to get him a record deal. But Terry realized something was way too scrambled to work. So he kind of backed out.

People thought that’s why Manson targeted that place, but Terry said Charlie knew he had moved to his beach house. But since he knew the layout, he sent his minions up there. He knew where everything was, how to get in and so on and so forth. But who knows? Charlie won’t tell.

I tell you what, I feel good now about SMILE being vindicated, that is, in a prepared official statement.  I went on the blueboard last month, and it seemed like I was fighting tooth & nail with some of the members about my interview with Al being false or poorly researched.  Just hope they can get it out soon.

Would SMILE have a chance of charting on the Billboard 200?  Maybe this is completely wrong, but I'm thinking with it being an archival release, it would have to make a specific chart.

I didn't know who Hoffman was, either, so you weren't alone.  I'm not into the 24-karat gold cds.  Hoffman must be ballsy if he can banish Ken Scott.  Or an idiot.  Thanks for the explanation, Phil.