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.

Well, this is interesting news.  As I reported in the initial interview that got the SMILE debate going once again, it's coming out.  About a week ago I mentioned on here that Capitol Records told me they weren't comfortable in allowing Boyd/Linett to speak with me about any additional SMILE details.  

That is still true.  And yes, I'm still standing by the original story, as I didn't prompt Al about SMILE, he just said it when I mentioned  all the unreleased material still inside their vault.  I wanted to talk more, but he said he had to go.  What Andrew said about the higher ups getting mad with Al sounds pretty reasonable to me.

I was looking on the magazine cover for a possible date, but I only found September  ?  Any ideas as to what year this was taken, and was this a Landy idea for Brian to pose that way?  In the one where's he standing on the bench, he's straining way too hard, especially in his face.

Along the lines of what Jon Stebbins & Adam were saying, has Al always fiddled with his onstage monitor?  Is it because folks have told him they can't hear his guitar?  Or is he just picky?

By the way, I've never attended a BB show.  One other thing......does Al act the same at his solo gigs?  For anyone with a Jardine monitor story, feel free to share it.

Forgot to mention this, but how did I get the interview with Al.......well, it was almost a year in the making.  Before Postcard came out, I was put in touch with David Carr, who was handling Al's public relations.  Carr seemed interested at the time, said he would send me a copy of Postcard to review, and would put me in touch with Al.  Well, that never happened.

Now, moving onto mid January.  Al must have a new pr guy; I was put in touch with Spud who plays in the band Drifting Sand; and one day later, I was told, "Hey, if you wanna talk with Al, we can do it right now."  I contacted them as a lark to be honest; I knew how well my first attempt panned out.  I stammered and said, well, if we can postpone the interview for another day, I can get my questions together.  Luckily for me, I was kinda, sorta ready that next day, and I got to talk with Al.  And that's my first BB experience.  Still haven't seen any of them in concert.

Al mentioned the release of SMILE as an afterthought, to be honest.  We talked for about 40 minutes, mainly about "Postcard," and when he said he had to go, I brought up the 50th anniversary.  After talking about The Grammys, I asked him about all the unreleased material just sitting in a vault and if any of it might come out this year.  

With about 90 seconds left in the interview, Al just said, "Smile's coming out this summer."  I stopped for a few seconds, and I said, "Al, are you positive?"  He said he was.  I wouldn't have printed that if I didn't believe it to be true.  But I understand the 40+ years of the band telling folks it was coming out soon.  I just haven't been around as long to hear all the promises, I suppose.

He really came across as a down-to-earth guy, very friendly, and I'm glad he gave me that major scoop.  I sat on the interview for about 2.5 weeks; Al sent me some follow-up answers last Monday, including his admission that he didn't have any other details on SMILE.

I also sent him & his team the transcribed interview as a courtesy, so they knew what was going to be said, except for my introduction.  Alan Boyd also read it before it went to press; unfortunately, as you know, Capitol didn't want him to divulge any details.  

No one said I shouldn't publish the news about SMILE.  Just wanted to get that out there.  Maybe they thought I shouldn't, but they didn't say no.  Who knows, maybe the BB are asking Al about that interview as we speak.

Last night I published a stand-alone article on SMILE.  I'm surprised no one hasn't noticed the opening promo tag line, as well as the person I thank at the end.  You could say he was a special editor, but more importantly, he made sure everything was correct, and if I left out an important detail, he steered me in the correct direction.  So thanks, Andrew.

http://www.examiner.com/pop-culture-in-national/the-beach-boys-set-to-release-smile-the-greatest-lost-masterpiece-of-all-time

I've been a Smiley Smiler for several years now; I supposed I was waiting a bit to see if anyone was gonna put two and two together.  Also, I was probably afraid the interview might get torn to shreds on here, but it seems like most people got a kick out of it.  Here's hoping more BB interviews are down the line.

You look like a Wilson, no doubt about it.

The book is called "Heroes and Villains:  The True Story of The Beach Boys."  It originally came out in 1986.  I found it last year in a used bookstore, but I just checked Amazon, and they have it in stock.  I haven't read many books on the band, but this book has a lot of interviews with the band & folks who where there & research in it.  It does tend to focus on the sordid details at times.

One thing I really like about it is the 1st chapter.  It focuses on the final days of your dad with lots of stuff I didn't know.  You'll go through it very quickly.  At the end of the book, Gaines picks up the story again.  Glad you're posting again.

When was the last time Al got onstage with Mike & Bruce?

Ed,

I appreciate those memories.  I was hoping you'd find this thread.  By the way, would you be willing to talk about that Thanksgiving in Atlanta with the boys?  What's stuck in your memory from that show?

Myrna has a son named Martin.  Her brother, John Utley, wouldn't pay Myrna's health expenses (he was using her SS payments to pay the mortgage on her house, which he took up residence in) when she suffered the stroke & had to go to the Canyon Oaks Rehabilitation Center. 

Elvis fans really came forward & donated a lot of funds for her convalescence, including her final funeral arrangements.  Utley & her son didn't come forward to pay for her final funeral expenses, including cremation.  A friend of Myrna's who basically led the donation efforts got enough savvy to only pay the fans' money to the mortuary, not to her son or brother.

It's such a shame really, back in August a benefit concert for Myrna took place during Elvis Week in Memphis.  Elvis Presley Enterprises told everyone the show was cancelled, & there were less than 75 people at the concert to see James Burton, Jack Clement, drummer W.S. Holland, session musicians Norbert Putnam (bass), drummer Jerry Carrigan, guitarist Reggie Young, and Billy Burnette, among others. 

I know this because EPE told me it was cancelled the day of the show, and they also told an Elvis Week guest, The Holladay Sisters (sang backup on hundreds of Nashville & Memphis sessions of the '60s & '70s) not to go to the show.  They did get to the show for the final number, Suspicious Minds.  They originally sang on this in '69, & it was amazing to see them 40 years later, providing those vocals once again.  An enterprising fan told them the show was indeed happening that night, so their tour of Graceland got cut short.

One of the aggravating things about The Monkees are their three post Peter Tork albums, "Instant Replay,"  "The Monkees Present," & "Changes,"  released in 1969 & 1970.  The Monkees recorded so many great, unreleased songs from 1968--1969, that it continues to mystify as to why pre-1967 cuts made those albums.


Looking For The Good Times & Ladies Aid Society are two that spring to mind.  These songs were at least 3 years old when they were pulled from the can by their music supervisor, Brendan Cahill, & appeared on "Monkees Present."   Incidentally, Davy sings both, and they severely disrupt the album.  Critics likely had a field day with these songs, as they were recorded before the band had any creative control.

Instant Replay & Present deserve a listen.  Nesmith & Dolenz contribute brilliant songs, especially Nesmith's country-rock "Don't Wait For Me," "Listen To The Band," & the barroom shuffle of "Oklahoma Backroom Dancer."  Micky's songs are best on Present, including Bye, Bye, Baby, Bye Bye & Mommy & Daddy.  He wrote both, & he's exploring jazz territory, socially conscious heavy rock, & nursery rhymes on the same album.

You would have to be a completist to hear their final original album before the reunions, "Changes."  It's bubblegum soul & pop, produced & recorded in New York by Andy Kim & Jeff Barry.  99 Pounds & I Never Thought It Peculiar were the 3-year-old songs that made it, again both sung by Davy.

However, Davy wrote some good songs during '68 & '69 that remained unreleased for years, including "Time & Time Again" & "If You Have The Time," both cowritten with Bill Chadwick.  Good Davy songs at least.  If You Have The Time has an innovative Moog solo.


You can also start a discussion as to why Tork's Lady's Baby, Tear The Top Right Off My Head, & Come On In didn't make an album.  I've got a soft spot for Come On In especially.


Seems someone in the BB camp had these albums, as the boys grabbed onto the idea of releasing old (up to a decade) songs onto current albums.  "Good Time," Suzie Cincinatti, & When Girls Get Together spring to mind.  As a result, these blasts into the past are just that, confusing an often cohesive-sounding album.   I think the BB took it to the extreme though, releasing songs so old.

By the way, Andrew Sandoval wrote a great coffee-table Monkees book (The Monkees:  The Day-By-Day Story of the '60s TV Pop Sensation) a few years ago.  Includes complete sessions, all concert gigs, & long discussions with great photos.  There's even an index at the back of the book with each song, the recording date, & album it appeared on.  You can also go to each musician in alphabetical order & see each song where their contribution has been confirmed.  The BB & their fans have a template, if they would only  check it out.

Hoping this won't die a swift death but just wondering,


Are there any stories of The Beach Boys relating to New Year's Eve / New Year's Day?  Seems like that would be the perfect time for a shenanigan or two, especially involving Dennis.

Also, did the BB perform many New Year's Eve shows?

I remember a few years ago, Mike & Bruce were on NBC's "The Today Show," and in between songs Bruce specifically mentioned "Mike Love Not War" as being Mike's new album.

C-man,

I don't know how you find all this info, but many thanks for taking the time to post it here.  Now I really want to hear Stevie feat. Dennis' production.   I'm A Man might not be bad, either.

 Interesting that 3 fans got all those off the cuff remarks from Brian.  I doubt Carl was very pleased if he knew Brian only liked 2 songs from his solo album.

I wonder if anyone knows what contributions Dennis & Garby made to "City Blues."  Perhaps they were discarded by the time Brian re-recorded it.  Sad that Dennis couldn't speak to those fans.

I asked  a friend of mine who saw the BB numerous times his thoughts concerning this period, & here's what he had to say.  This came from an email:



"I saw the Beach Boys a couple of times when Carl went on break, and, honestly, I didn't think the shows were THAT bad. Actually, I thought Brian sang well, certainly better than the "croaky" 15 Big Ones and Love You period. He was beginning to try to "sing" again, meaning actually holding notes and using some phrasing. This new style would soon surface again when he "returned" in 1983 and on the 1985 album.

When Carl returned (and he really wasn't gone that long actually, if you think about it), the shows were very tight, but Carl's returning gave Brian a chance to leave - again. When Dennis died, they got even tighter and more professional. I think Brian's regression back into drugs/food and Dennis's demise finally scared the guys - in a lot of ways. They almost had to change, finally grow up, become more professional, live a clean lifestyle, whatever.

I don't think they recorded right after KTSA because I don't think anybody had any decent material left. They already raided a lot of Dennis's better stuff on L.A., Carl used a lot of his stuff on his solo albums, and Brian wasn't prolific at that time. They could've gone back to a Mike & Al project like MIU, but, I don't think a record company would've bought it.

If they would've recorded right after KTSA, I think it would've resemble L.A. (Light Album); I think they would've tried another "adult" BB album; that was the only semi-critically acclaimed album the guys had recently other than Love You. However, two "fun" songs, "Come Go With Me" and "The Beach Boys Medley" were big radio hits so who knows. I could've seen them do a Beach Boys 1985 type album a few years earlier, say 1982-83 (without the Steve Levine production BTW).

I think Carl returned - with his tail between his legs. Seriously. His solo albums did not sell well; they were basically ignored. What else could he do? Open up for other acts? Carl Wilson? I also wondered how much he (Carl) actually liked his own solo material. Did HE feel it was worthy of his talent(s).

I feel the same way about Brian's solo stuff BTW. Carl stepped out and got a big dose of reality, a dose of the music "business". But, really, did Carl have enough to say - musically - as a solo artist?

I don't remember reading many things from the band about Carl's leaving. Obviously there was no internet and the Beach Boy's were fading as a popular/important group. I just assumed that most people thought he'd be back in a relatively short time, unless he had a hit, and that wasn't happening. Carl - like Dennis - knew where the money was, which was being in the Beach Boys. And, ultimately, money drove everything. Everything!

Despite Brian re-gaining weight, I thought during that period 1980-81 that Brian was talking and singing more "normal". I had no idea if he was on drugs yet or not. But, he wasn't slurring and he wasn't raspy.

If you really listen to that infamous 7/5/81 concert which was televised, Brian actually tries to SING. Yeah, it's rough and slightly flat, but it's a different kind of singing than he was doing the last couple of years. Actually, he sang a lot like that later in his solo career, just better(and auto-tuned). Oh, yeah, he also PLAYED the piano.

You know, there isn't much positive from that early 80's period. Dennis died and Brian received IMO irreversible brain damage with Landy. But, if there is one small positive that came out of it, I think it finally scared the band shitless and gave them another dose of reality - they better clean up their act, personally and professionally.

I think Mike and Al knew this, Carl probably came to realize it after going through some problems of his own. Bringing Bruce back, while not supercharging the band musically, did give them another "clean" guy. Actually, after Carl came back in 1982, the shows were markedly better sounding, and continued that way."

This topic can go in several directions.   I'm looking for a good discussion.  Per the subject thread above, I'm interested in info concerning the period after "Keepin' The Summer Alive" & just before "The Beach Boys" LP came out in 1985.  Here's a few questions/ideas: (ok, a lot)



1.  Why was there such a long break between albums?
2.  Did the BB have another album planned immediately after "Keepin' The Summer Alive?"

3.  If there was another album, what direction might it have taken?
4.   How many BB outtakes are from this era?  Or, are they all solo things?

5.  Did Dennis grant any interviews where he discussed his feelings about the BB not releasing any quality material, Carl leaving, & always fighting?
6.  Did Dennis' tragic death make the band want to record again?

7.  What was the breaking point for Carl?
8.  When Carl left, how did the other BB react in the press?

9.  What made Carl return to the band?
10.  Carl's feelings towards the band & their music during this era......

11.  Thoughts from Brian, Mike, Al, or Bruce concerning this BB era

This was uploaded by Brian's team via YouTube this morning, & it's 4:00 minutes long.  It's always an eye opener seeing Brian in a relaxed mood.  He wasn't aware that someone had signed his name as "Bryan Wilson" on some of the Pet Sounds session logs.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcPjQVDwZPY

Also liked how Brian didn't pick obvious Lennon songs as his favorites; instead, he went for "Across The Universe" & "With A Little Help From My Friends!";  definitely wasn't expecting "Little Help From My Friends," but when I think about it, that's quintessential Brian

Blondie's been with the Stones at least since the "Bridges To Babylon" album in 1997.  He was pretty much a utility player then, playing keys, bass, doing vocals, various percussion, but the Stones have always underutilized his talent.  He certainly doesn't get enough credit.

 Regardless, he's a superb musician & vocalist.  In a perfect world, Blondie & Ricky would do at least 1 major concert with the BB.

Next to the Beach Boys, I think B.J. Thomas had the 2nd biggest hit with Don't Worry Baby.  It made #17 on the Pop Charts in 1977, his final Pop Top 20.  I like it a lot.

Paul McCartney does a little more than just play guitar.  Check out his solos on Taxman, And Your Bird Can Sing, Ticket To Ride, Back In The USSR, or Maybe I'm Amazed, to name a few.

Thanks for the photo of Dennis, Carl, & Myrna.  What was the date of the picture?  1981?  I plan on attending the benefit in Memphis, so it should be pretty good. 

The article quoted Al as to why he wasn't on the album, along with some Bruce quotes.  I had never seen those.  Thanx for sharing.  There's a solo shot of Carl that's very good.  Also one for Brian & Mike.  Hard to believe Carl was only maybe 18 then.

Andrew's session link had a "v" in front of it, so it didn't work.  Try it now. 

http://www.esquarterly.com/bellagio/gigs.html