Mike Love does not possess the skills to write a simple pop song. He has, at BEST, a minimal understanding of musical theory. He has said many times how hard he has to focus just to sing a bass part. Anything that lists Mike Love as the sole author, is not telling the whole truth. Now sure, someone around all of these musical influences could surely hum up a melody and with the supervision of someone else, it could be set to a chord progression and vocal harmonies could be expanded on top of it. A good example (and this is about the only thing they remotely have in common) is Jim Morrison of The Doors. He would write these poetic lyrics, come up with these beautiful melodies in his head and then Ray Manzarek would have to sit there and figure out all the harmonies for him and Robby, so they could create the track.

As for Goin' To The Beach...that would be a big success for Mike Love. For Brian Wilson? Harmonizing that song is like knocking out a crossword puzzle.

My favorite BB's album. Hope for a physical release here too...such a disappointment on the download only crap from '68.

I will preface this by saying I didn't watch the whole video. I watched approximately minute long clips every five minutes or so and this is what I landed on...

Mike is super out of tune on "Do it Again".
The rest of the surfin songs at the opening are tight af. Nice..diggin' the new "It's OK"

For all the crap I give him, Bruce sounds damn good on "Please Let Me Wonder", this does not contrast well with Mike's short-paced and wobbly lead on "Kiss Me Baby".
...I still do not dig the new "Getcha Back". Totten shouting "MICHAEL" while waiting to start "Darlin'" was priceless...I prefer Cowsill's lead on it though.
On the otherhand, "Do You Wanna Dance" does not sit in a strong spot for Bruce's voice. Yikes.

Beautiful lead from Totten on "Warmth of The Sun". Mike barked the car songs out with the swagger that only he can.
Another beautiful lead, this time from Ike on "You Still Believe in Me". Breathtaking. Weak leads from M&B on "Sloop John B". Hand it off to the young guns.
Yet another surprisingly strong lead from Bruce on "Disney Girls".

I couldn't stomach Pisces Brothers or Here Comes The Sun. Garbage. "Kokomo" sounds tired.
However, nice job burning through the rockers at the ending, including the covers. Well done.

Yes, as I previously said...no need to take it there, while over here.

It seems to me that the European tour is going quite well. With the exception of that review saying they played too long, I'm hearing and reading nothing but positives. Imagine if Mike and Co. spent a solid year just touring other parts of the world aside from the USA. I'd think their demand could probably increase slightly upon return the following year however, they're all climbing in age a bit too much to make plans for 2+ years down the road, on the road!

Stamos is hosting A Capitol Fourth on PBS this year, I’m surprised Mike and his guys aren’t on the bill as they’ve done it many times in the past, especially with Stamos involved.  Are they playing a show that night or maybe they’re making a surprise appearance. http://www.pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth/concert/performers/

This is by no means an attempt to discuss OUR political opinions...does anyone know if Stamos is a Trump supporter? I always assumed that he was involved before BECAUSE of The Beach Boys. I find it interesting that he is opting to host this without their presence as typically the acts are openly conservative bands/artists.

I don’t think that’s true.  I mean, Carole King is headlining this year, she’s as liberal as they get.  I’ve always thought of Capitol Fourth to be an apolitical event.  PBS programming in general rarely is the sort that appeals to the Trump voter demographic.

Very cool! I don't routinely follow it. I'm always delighted to see Carole King out and performing for anything. I've made a point to watch it when The Beach Boys have been on and it was just an observation that when they performed, it was typically openly conservative groups/musicians on the bill with them.

Stamos is hosting A Capitol Fourth on PBS this year, I’m surprised Mike and his guys aren’t on the bill as they’ve done it many times in the past, especially with Stamos involved.  Are they playing a show that night or maybe they’re making a surprise appearance. http://www.pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth/concert/performers/

This is by no means an attempt to discuss OUR political opinions...does anyone know if Stamos is a Trump supporter? I always assumed that he was involved before BECAUSE of The Beach Boys. I find it interesting that he is opting to host this without their presence as typically the acts are openly conservative bands/artists.

Truly AWWWWWWFUL!

I sang along with this abomination all the while holding my nose. Can you imagine the ego of this stool sample absolutely destroying Lennon's classic? How this clown can go on stage and do the things he does like this are truly unfathomable. He does not care because he is unbridled and will do anything to not only destroy the legacy but to make people believe he's even worthy to do a take on a great song when everyone knows he can't hold the proverbial candle to Lennon, Brian Wilson or anyone else that matters. He should been escorted off the stage or have been booed until he left the stage.

George Harrison is the composer of "Here Comes The Sun".

Looks like it was a pretty amazing setlist! Aside from the selections from Mike's album, I've never heard "All I Wanna Do" or "Till I Die" performed by any number of Beach Boys live on stage! Cool stuff!

It just struck me...why attempt to attach Brian's name to the ensemble in terms of ownership? That's the part that gets misleading...one expect to see so-and-so's band, if it's called their band...however, if they were to do something like "Surf's Up: Remembering the Music of Brian Wilson Feat. Al Jardine & Blondie Chaplin"...that might be more sensible (although by no means concise). A title like that also maintains the "beach" theme while speaking to the likes of us crawling about here that the full catalog would be represented with later/deeper cuts. However, I don't foresee Blondie being part of something like this after Brian is no longer on the road, so perhaps it could just be coined as "...Feat. Original Beach Boy Al Jardine"...ya know, just to piss off Mike.

I would go see a "Brian Wilson Orchestra" show, as long as they made clear that Brian wouldn't be there, and it would essentially be a "Tribute" type of show. But I'd want it to be the "original" band from 1999 to the early 2000's...which would include Scott Bennett, among the others. I know, I know....that's a very controversial thing to say or even think about.

I don't think Bennett's on-stage contribution was or is integral enough to *need* him to be on stage. The band had enough changes just in the first couple of years that I don't feel a need for a replication of that original lineup. I don't need Joe Thomas and Steve Dahl, and I think D'Amico is as good on drums as Hines or Sucherman were. I might actually prefer D'Amico. I think Lizik is a fine bassist but has never been super to my taste, so if, say, Al fronted an amalgamation of BW backing guys, I wouldn't mind him bringing along Ed Carter or something like that.

I think Al (in conjunction with maybe Blondie and/or Marks) could front a pared-down version of Brian's band that's more affordable, consisting of Al, Matt, Darian, Probyn, D'Amico, some bassist (Carter or Lizik, etc.), and maybe one more ancillary guy to play keys and/or guitar. All of Brian's guys are great, but I think a slimmed-down Al-fronted tour could work without an extra percussionist, guitarist, keyboardist, and woodwind player, especially if he did a bit more Al-centric and Brother-era material and a bit less of the Summer Days/Pet Sounds sort of stuff.

My comments on Scott are based on some YouTube videos, now no longer available unfortunately. Watching the interplay between Scott and Taylor during Marcella was part of the fun in watching it. He's also a damn good guitar player.

He's also a convicted rapist, so why are we even going down this road?

This is by no means a defense for Scott's actions. Consider the notion that video surveillance were as prevelant in the 60's-80's as it is now. Where would Mike Love and Dennis Wilson be now?

I'll just leave that there.

There's been some....iffy....stuff said about the guys from time to time, but I think this is too much RubberSoul. I personally think you are usually a great poster, but this is beyond the pale. I think at the very least we can give Mike and Denny the benefit of the doubt that they aren't rapists.

I didn't call them rapists. But imagine if all their waking actions were documented as so many are today. Surely something somewhere along the checkered past for these in particular would've been highlighted in the wrong (or maybe right) light. I'd say the same for at least three quarters of the Beatles.

I would go see a "Brian Wilson Orchestra" show, as long as they made clear that Brian wouldn't be there, and it would essentially be a "Tribute" type of show. But I'd want it to be the "original" band from 1999 to the early 2000's...which would include Scott Bennett, among the others. I know, I know....that's a very controversial thing to say or even think about.

I don't think Bennett's on-stage contribution was or is integral enough to *need* him to be on stage. The band had enough changes just in the first couple of years that I don't feel a need for a replication of that original lineup. I don't need Joe Thomas and Steve Dahl, and I think D'Amico is as good on drums as Hines or Sucherman were. I might actually prefer D'Amico. I think Lizik is a fine bassist but has never been super to my taste, so if, say, Al fronted an amalgamation of BW backing guys, I wouldn't mind him bringing along Ed Carter or something like that.

I think Al (in conjunction with maybe Blondie and/or Marks) could front a pared-down version of Brian's band that's more affordable, consisting of Al, Matt, Darian, Probyn, D'Amico, some bassist (Carter or Lizik, etc.), and maybe one more ancillary guy to play keys and/or guitar. All of Brian's guys are great, but I think a slimmed-down Al-fronted tour could work without an extra percussionist, guitarist, keyboardist, and woodwind player, especially if he did a bit more Al-centric and Brother-era material and a bit less of the Summer Days/Pet Sounds sort of stuff.

My comments on Scott are based on some YouTube videos, now no longer available unfortunately. Watching the interplay between Scott and Taylor during Marcella was part of the fun in watching it. He's also a damn good guitar player.

He's also a convicted rapist, so why are we even going down this road?

This is by no means a defense for Scott's actions. Consider the notion that video surveillance were as prevelant in the 60's-80's as it is now. Where would Mike Love and Dennis Wilson be now?

I'll just leave that there.

Yes, I have seen the Zombies three times and are well aware of how they operate. I'm just speculating on how an extra-special tour could be salvaged of a concerning and disappointing circumstance.

Had a YOLO moment and booked myself onto the Albert Hall in London. Still a few seats dotted about there. Shame they’re not doing Glastonbury, timing would’ve been perfect.

Also, first post! Hello!

Welcome and enjoy! Without a C50 type lineup, I don't see Glastonbury in the cards for Mike and Bruce, ever.

In the press release it stated that the Zombies would open with a few hits and then "Odyssey and Oracle", followed by Brian Wilson with Beach Boys hits, deep cuts from '68, and solo tracks etc.

If Brian couldn't do the fall leg, it would be amazing to see The Zombies backed by the Brian Wilson Band, and maybe let Alan and a couple of guys do an opening set of early Beach Boy surf songs in a tight combo style. Refunds could be offered, but that's a show I'd go see.

Wow. The Hippodrome website clearly states cancelled and that refunds are being given. I just checked the tickets again this morning...only about 40% of the tickets had sold for this event. I never bothered looking at other dates and how they were selling, but one would assume the tour had similar sales across the board. I wonder if that was discouraging to Brian and company? I'm not saying they cancelled because they HAD to. I believe every word of what is written by Brian, but I have to wonder if perhaps the lack of enthusiasm shown through ticket sales contributed to pre-existing mental and physical instability and contributed to putting him in a bad place? I apologize if that sounds insensitive, but I know Paul McCartney always says his biggest fear to this day is people getting up and walking out of his show. The audience still means everything to these guys when they are out there, Brian doesn't have to be doing this. I can't say he's always good at showing it, but I do believe he tours because he wants to for physical and mental stimulation, as well as the mutual satisfaction between audience and performer. Anyway, I've seen Brian on C50, Jeff Beck Tour, No Pier Pressure Tour, and three times on the Pet Sounds tour...and never have I been able to leisurely browse the seating chart less than a week before the show and hand pick seats wherever I please. I feel it's a factor somehow.

Praying Brian finds the peace and inspiration needed to carry on with full vigor. I hope he's well enough for The Zombies tour...that idea sounds refreshing.

Hoping for more east coast dates as this is fresh, exciting, and THE ZOMBIES! He'll be 20mins from me at the Hippodrome for the *second* final performance of Pet Sounds at the very same venue he played the final performance in Baltimore for three years ago    In 2016, it was near sold out...now, nearly a week out from the show it is less than half sold. I've been watching, wondering if prices will be slashed as the date approaches...but when there are no seats under $100, I can't justify a fourth Pet Sounds performance from Brian in current form.

Is that the last time Bruce has been seen holding a bass?

Probably seen...as for "heard"? Probably Pipe Line on "The Old Grey Whistle Test" in the mid-70's...

The only thing I have any interest in here is "Keeping The Summer Alive"...I'd always hoped they'd add that to the set with Cowsill on lead...maybe this will get the band thinking in that direction?

Mike’s group does such a lackluster job on Sloop John B compared to other songs . There are way too many people trying to sing the lead and they don’t blend at all. Pick someone for the lead !

  I've always thought it an admirable effort given the numbers and instruments available on stage. No, it's not Brian's band...but I think it's pretty great for a single-digit lineup. Scott told me that the multiple leads is to attempt to recreate the double tracking (and beyond) effects used on the original recording. They do the same thing on "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?". The only real atrocity with this song (and many others every night) is Mike Love's inability to consistently play a tambourine.

Interesting. Also, is it me or is Bruce not looking well? I probably haven't seen a recent concert photo in about three or four months...but he seems kinda sunk-in and grey in appearance. Usually he looks exceptionally lively!

He could...but it wouldn't be to 20-50,000 seat venues with multi-night engagements...

Sir Paul could exclusively play Paul McCartney music and still sell out average size arenas and amphitheaters simply because he's Paul McCartney.

But it's not really a fair comparison...if Mike or Brian tried that, they'd be selling out the types of venues Al hits on the Story Tellers tours...

Saying Bruce is a strange dude is really an understatement. Because he certainly is. The reason he wants to stay in the Mike and Bruce band is because he does nothing in that band but clap hands and very very little on stage. And gets paid handsomely I'm sure. That's why he kisses Mike's butt all the time. It's his boss and it's a high-paying gig that he can be easily replaced at.

200% agree. Thanks to say it!

I nearly agree. If Bruce were removed or left the band, I don't think he'd be replaced. He isn't doing anything on stage that can't be picked up by others already up there.

While I'd love for this to transpire, I highly doubt it will...at least on the same level as C50 was. I have no doubt that these paths will continue to cross over the next 10-15 years or so in various capacities.

These guys do not have the stamina to do C50 over again. I still think the best thing for the future of the Beach Boys (not any singular member), is to come together as one...and allow Brian to show and participate as he pleases...advertising with no certainty that he would be present, and only booking about 40-50 shows a year in theatres and smaller amphitheaters. Make a solid touring front line of Mike Love, Bruce Johnston, David Marks, and Al Jardine....and put them to work, musically. You've got lead and rhythm guitar plus keyboards or bass. Pad it out with Scott Totten as MD and *third* guitarist to pickup when Al let's go of his guitar...keep "Ike" around on bass guitar and for those early falsetto leads, get Billy Hinsche back in for more keys and harmonies, and put Cowsill on kit. That's a solid lineup, if all parties were willing. Then when Brian is willing, let him take the leads he wants...want to sit at a piano? Sure! Strap on a bass? Sure! Just sit there? Sure!...no obligation.


I intentionally left Brian's regular core band out of the lineup...because should he be interested in doing a show of whatever he wants to do, then keep that option there. Let Al carry on with the Storytellers dynamic that really only he can pull off out of these guys...and if the Lovester gets a rod up his ass about them having separate revenue flows from touring, then tell him to reform the "Endless Summer Beach Band" and go plug these cracker jack records he insists on making...

AH! Now it does seem to make sense...and yes, it is very possible that they doubled the lead (intentionally or not)...I wish someone had filmed it!

Slightly off topic, but as for David Marks' leads on C50... he sang "Hawaii" and "Do You Wanna Dance" at Merriweather on 6/15.

I recall him singing "Getcha Back" and "Good Timing" at later dates, but I only attended Merriweather.

Have any recordings surfaced of him singing "Good Timin'" or "Do You Wanna Dance" on C50?

We did a sort of post-mortem on the C50 tour after a bunch of different reports about songs Dave may have sung at shows, and Jon Stebbins seemed to have reached the conclusion that Dave only sang "Hawaii" and "Getcha Back." He mentioned that Dave sang "Do You Wanna Dance" at early rehearsals for C50, but then Brian took it over.

http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,15084.msg347906.html#msg347906

I've heard recordings both before and after the 6/15/12 show, and every version I've heard has Brian singing "Do You Wanna Dance." There are clips of 6/15 on YouTube, but apparently not that song.

I believe on other tours, including random stints with Mike's band, Dave has taken the lead on "Do You Wanna Dance." Not sure on "Good Timin'."

I know Dave took some other leads on random gigs with Brian and Al in 2013. He of course did "Little Bird" at most shows, but I recall that he sang "Forever" at just a show or two. I'm wondering if maybe he has sung "Good Timin'" with Brian or Mike's band, and I'm wondering if he ever took "Do You Wanna Dance" over on that 2013 tour with Brian and Al.

I don't have any clips of DYWD from 6/15/12 nor can I seem to find any, but I was 2nd row dead center in between David and Mike and watched David sing it. I know, it isn't "proof"...but I have zero doubt, take it for what it's worth.

As for "Good Timing", I have  only heard  that one time...my first Beach Boys concert July 2010 (Mike and Bruce)...with a lead vocalist that has NOT been mentioned yet on this thread...….STAMOS!