None of them have the tact to bow out gracefully with a farewell tour...there have been countless opportunities in the past oh...forty years or so, to do something like that and it could have left them in such a better place. It'll never happen. I wouldn't necessarily say they'll never perform together again. But with Mike, Bruce, and Brian don't even have their 2012 chops anymore to do something on a C50 scale. To market them at that height, in those kinds of venues...would end up being an embarrassment.

I've said it before, I'll say it again...as a fan (not making any judgements or assumptions), I'd like to see "The Beach Boys" defined as Brian Wilson's touring band with John Cowsill and Scott Totten...fronted by Mike Love, Al Jardine, and David Marks. Mike brings the signature showmanship that, like it or not, is associated with the attitude of this band on stage. Alan brings authenticity in his vocals and sincerity that can't be replaced. David brings some sick guitar licks and adds to the authenticity. Bruce Johnston is disposable. He played his keyboard audibly, one time Sunday night on "White Christmas" and it was just poorly timed rolling chords on the downbeats. His vocals are like a notch between a crackle and a whisper. He can surf his days away in Santa Barbara. And then there's Brian. I'd like to see Brian given a free pass. If he wants to come along, there's a keyboard and his lead vocals are waiting for him. If he doesn't feel up to a run of shows, then the production can run all systems go without him present as it has many times before. The key would be to never advertise or confirm his presence, and that any extended expense of his travel beyond what the rest of the band requires, is covered himself...as that simply isn't fair to people who are out year round making a living off this.

BUT...that'll never happen. Of course, timing plays a part, but I suspect Brian's show will stop before Mike's does. I'd imagine his band will split and find their own work, very easily, elsewhere. Blondie will disappear back into the darkness, and Alan will continue with his couple dozen solo shows a year. When it's time for Mike to stop or he is stopped by higher powers, I have zero doubt that "The Beach Boys" will tour. The rock and roll answer to the Glen Miller Orchestra. I doubt Bruce would stay without Mike. Would David and/or Alan for that matter, be invited without the Lovester around? Would that then give Bruce reason to stay? All interesting thoughts for sure.

I just wrote a big review of the show tonight and my internet was lost and with it, the post was lost. I'm not typing it again.

The band was in very rough shape tonight. The first half was far less than okay, and many people in my section noted it. "Darlin" actually crashed and burned when Cowsill missed a fill and the whole band froze for about three seconds looking panicked. Mike and Bruce look and sounds damn rough. The band was not tight in fact, it was quite messy. I point this out because it is not the norm. I was quite shocked.

Part Two was better, but still rough around the edges. It was wonderful to hear the old Christmas music that I never thought I'd hear live. Mike is singing with the recording of himself on his new Christmas songs.

2018 was not a good year overall for Beach Boys live and I hope that doesn't mean we've passed the point of no return. Mike, Brian, and Bruce are not in good voice. Mike's band is not the tight and well-oiled machine they have been from like 2013-2017. Perhaps this is because they've had more of a revolving door lately. The highlight of 2018 by a landslide, is Al Jardine's Storyteller Shows. If your concert budget allows one Beach Boys experience, that's the way to go. His voice still sounds like 1965, his stories are down to earth and honest, his son is a huge asset to the show, great setlist that allows for fan input (Santa Ana Winds from yours truly), and there's a free meet-and-greet afterwards. What's not to like?

I agree it is time to retire the Pet Sounds Tour. I got to see it in 2016 and I very much enjoyed it. But it is time to tour under a different set list at least to keep Brian interested. PS was one of the greatest albums of all time, but anyone would find it to get a bit stale to sing for 2 years....

Now that Jeff Foskett is gone, maybe we can finally get some of the Love You material in the setlist.

I'm probably going to get some flak for this, but the new guy replacing Matt sucks.

I think that's a bit harsh however, I agree that he is a downgrade from Matt Jardine.

Thanks! I actually created an account a year or two ago and didn't realized I'd never posted here, haha.

Also, there was an album of instrumental orchestrated arrangements of Beach Boys songs playing before the show began. I can't confirm it because I don't have copies on-hand, but I'm pretty sure it was the two Hollyridge Strings Play The Beach Boys albums.

That is correct. Also playing at The Kennedy Center...I believe it was used on the 2016 PS dates too?

Because that line hasn't been used during the Pet Sounds tour (2016-2019?) before...I'm thinking of our English fans in particular...

New Pet Sounds Date for JUNE 2019...the "Artpark" in NYC...

I went ahead and bought tickets for the front row of the balcony at The Lyric for the Baltimore date next month. What the heck. Let's give the Christmas show a shot.

Just got home from Atlanta. Brian threw us a curveball tonight and took a show that was advertised as a GH show and threw in the entire PS album. I was surprised. Nice to finally hear "Feel Flows" from this tour.

Interesting. The show I purchased tickets to coming up in a couple weeks was advertised as Greatest Hits, but now says Pet Sounds on the venue website and Brian's website.

I'm guessing they didn't have time to rehearse both sets before the tour, but that's kind of a bummer. I'm glad I didn't go to the Atlanta show after seeing the setlist. I love pet sounds, but I had a good enough experience with it in 2016 that I don't want to taint the memory of it.

They've performed one greatest hits show so far this fall on November 1st. It had four less songs than the Pet Sounds show but, several songs that aren't in the Pet Sounds show, so I don't think rehearsal is a problem...the show included:


-Little Honda
-Salt Lake City
-Wake The World
-Add Some Music To Your Day
-Wild Honey
-Do it Again
-All Summer Long

The PS shows have not included those selections this fall, even though they have in the past.

I tried to respond to RubberSoul13 but my response got lost in the middle of his quote.  Saw Brian on election night?  Band as great as ever.  Blondie and Al delightful, BW son in law sang nicely.  Brian looks and sounded tired.  Behavior much as described by RS13.  Missed lyrics, tired out after a few songs.  Limping on and off stage with two assistants.  Wearing a full length leg brace.  I feel like Brian is once again being "handled" and would rather be home watching tv and eating a sandwich.   I think the time has come for him to sit and watch the sun set on this beautiful day.

What was the run time for the show? I'm seeing him in about two weeks and trying to figure out childcare.

Short. No intermission and they don't leave the stage for the encore and back. It ran from exactly 8:04-9:44pm in DC on Monday night.

Sounds like a great deal was due to getting tired and the pain. The opening part sounds promising!

I’ve always pretty much been the very definition of a Brianista. I have no qualms admitting that. With that in mind if he really is tired of doing Pet Sounds then it needs to end. Again, that’s IF. But of the description it sounds like he just wore out

I totally agree, I don't mean to undermine the life-long and recent health battles he's been fighting. In addition to that, I think there is waning interest in Pet Sounds from Brian because at all three PS shows I've seen since 2016, he's more interested (in varying degrees) and engaging during the first set than Pet Sounds...and when it's the Pet Sounds tour after all, one would expect that portion of the show to be the peak of interest for both performer and consumer.

Pleasant surprises and slight demises at the Kennedy Center this evening. I was delighted to find that a 12-piece accumulation of the NSO was present for the concert this evening. They added SO much more than the other two Pet Sounds shows I've seen. "Feel Flows" was a pleasant surprise. Al Jardine remembering me at the lip of the stage from the club gig in March was a huge surprise. Brian's physicality was an unpleasant surprise and begins the demise. I actually gasped out loud completely by shock reaction when I saw him. His face is so pale and sunken in and his legs are so thin. He walked out like an unsteady Grizzly Bear using it's hind legs. I was very concerned. Now, for the first ten songs, he was really into it. I saw and HEARD him playing more than I ever have. He was singing really beautiful high harmonies on "Feel Flows". Cool stuff. He would look up at the large concert hall after every song with a unique sparkle of astonishment at the place. Then as "Sail on Sailor" begin, he was gone. His hands were at his sides and he sang minimally.


This was undoubtedly the best I had heard an ensemble perform Pet Sounds however, it was probably the worst I've seen Brian perform it. Contrary to other posters, I don't think he sang poorly. The problem was that he didn't sing. He didn't try to sing...so many times. He missed entire verses and choruses of YSBIM, Sloop, GOK (he sang the first two verses and slumped after that), IJWMFTT, and Caroline No. About half the songs on the record he botched vocally, simply by not participating. Then, poor Alan, or Darian, or the new guy who seems skittish as a damn chihuahua up there and is nowhere near as powerful a vocalist as Matt Jardine (or Foskett for that matter...and I can't stand the guy)...well, they would have to scramble which created an equally sloppy sound to catch the missing line in the song. I don't what the answer is. Brian is clearly disinterested with Pet Sounds and it concerns me that it's still being drug out and about. I'll be curious to hear if his demeanor changes for the Christmas shows. Also, there was no intermission or encore (likely to avoid moving too much) but when it was time to leave the stage, it was a massive struggle. He could not lift his own weight. His legs wobbled like crazy and his knees sank several times. It was truly sad. I hope there's an answer, and I hope we can see and hear some rejuvenation somewhere somehow soon, and that this sort of behavior will not be what marks the end of times for the Brian Wilson history.

I'll be at the Kennedy Center this evening, Row 3 Center in my Pet Sounds 2016 Shirt..."The Final Performances" LOL 

Some cool news from Facebook: Rob Bonfiglio will be joining up with Brian’s band for the tour. https://www.facebook.com/rob.bonfiglio/posts/10156754515844188?__tn__=H-R

Sorry but...who?

Why torture yourself?

Like I said, I'll wait and see what the tour actually entails. A big part of me simply doesn't want to put any more money into Bruce Johnston's pocket after the unsolicited verbal abuse I received in Ocean City last year. However, I'd love to finally hear the Christmas tracks live, and Brian's Christmas tour isn't coming close enough.

But you've had other good interactions with Bruce, yeah? He's probably undiagnosed bipolar, but whatever. He's been more than nice to me several times, and one time he was a bit prickly. He's really the one Beach Boy you can delve into rare album tracks and session work, and he'll talk to you about it! You wanna meet these guys, that's the risk you take. He's in his mid 70s and travels around in a bus 200 days out of the year, and people are always wanting to talk to him. You'd probably be a grump sometimes, too.

Your postings in regard to the BB band on this board were really positive pre-Bruce brushing you off on his way to the tour bus after a show. Ever since that experience, you seem sour on them. I get it, but there's not enough time for that. Pretty soon, you'll be able to see NO original Beach Boys. There will be cover bands touring the country, and that's the only way you'll be able to hear this music live.

Do yourself a favor - go see Brian as many times as is feasible, go see Mike/Bruce as many times as is feasible. Once they're gone, they're gone. You'll be sad and you'll be sorry. Go make a new memory with Bruce if you can.

You're not wrong. I also have a lot of respect and admiration for Scott Totten and John Cowsill. It's always a treat to hear them handle the catalog so carefully. As for new memories though, I'll just stay away. I've had lots and lots of interactions with Mike and Bruce. They've been nothing but excellent with Mike. You're right about Bruce. They've gone both ways. What bothered me about Bruce last summer, was that I did not engage or deserve the comment he made. It was a bit more than "slagging off". For those new to the party, I was waiting in a specific location given to me to meet John Cowsill after a concert to have my photo signed, near the tour bus...like 15-20 feet from the bus. As each band member came out to go on the bus (Mike included) I said Goodnight and thanked them for a great show, they all replied accordingly and kept walking. Out comes Bruce...I think I managed to get out "Hi Bruce, Great show..." before I was interrupted with him screaming "NOPE! NOT GONNA DO IT!" (I can only assume that he assumed the photo in my hand was for him to sign) so I replied "I'm sorry, I'm waiting for Mr. Cowsill to sign my photo." as he walked to the bus, stomped up the steps and shouted "Well all RIGHT then Mr. MAAAAAAN" and slammed the door to the bus.

Why torture yourself?

Like I said, I'll wait and see what the tour actually entails. A big part of me simply doesn't want to put any more money into Bruce Johnston's pocket after the unsolicited verbal abuse I received in Ocean City last year. However, I'd love to finally hear the Christmas tracks live, and Brian's Christmas tour isn't coming close enough.

So I'm not the only one who has reported unsolicited verbal abuse from BJ.

There was a report of it here at the Woodlands Tx c50 show too.

It was the most bizarre interaction with a "celebrity" (if you want to call him that) I have ever encountered. He went out of his way to make a problem.

There is only vocal harmony with the BW band...

Which I'm delighted to hear at The Kennedy Center on November 5th again. Why are you on this thread if that's all you have to contribute?

Why torture yourself?

Like I said, I'll wait and see what the tour actually entails. A big part of me simply doesn't want to put any more money into Bruce Johnston's pocket after the unsolicited verbal abuse I received in Ocean City last year. However, I'd love to finally hear the Christmas tracks live, and Brian's Christmas tour isn't coming close enough.

Definitely a "no" on the Strathmore for me...they'll be in Baltimore Sunday 12/2 for a 6pm show...still waiting to see what the Christmas show actually looks like...

Mike and Bruce will bring the "reason for the season" to the Strathmore in MD on 12/10...Monday night, with an hour drive down, work the next day...and for what? Might wait until the tour kicks off to see what this is all about and consider a ticket then.

Here's another video. It starts at 7 mins.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCXlgIXVblc

I realize that is just one camera perspective and not optimal quality in audio either, but that was pathetic. Hardly anyone there and zero energy from the crowd whatsoever. All the lead vocals were rough from all the "loves" that afternoon...band seemed tight as usual, but lead vox were falling mad flat all across the board.

Good Lord...The Final Performances of Pet Sounds from 2016-2019...how weird...but how totally Beach Boys.

Also, I'd say this clears up any speculation on a full reunion for Glastonbury!

newbie to the board, but big favor to ask!  I am bringing my 3 yo son to the mike/bruce beach boys show this saturday and was curious as to how long the concerts have been running.  Setlists are long but I know a lot of these songs are short.  Looks to be an intermission as well.  this would be VERY helpful in terms of planning the lil guy's naps etc. 

I think it is tough to call it the beach boys as well, but my son won't care as long as he gets to shake his behind to surf songs 

In the past, it seems they've played longer shows at Ocean Grove. I would definitely expect it veer beyond 2.5 hours.

Cape Cod Times reporting Good Vibes

http://www.capecodtimes.com/news/20180812/beach-boys-bring-magic-in-waves

Nice of them to mention how Brian Wilson and CARL JARDINE are touring in Europe right now, after mentioning how "everyone knows the Beach Boys' story"...

Why didn't they include Blondie Chaplin in this?
After all, he was an official Beach Boy (even if it wasn't for a long time) and has been an important part of Brian's shows for years.
Ricki Fataar seems to be more or less retired, so I understand why he's not there. But Blondie should have been there!

If the purpose of this was after all the hoopla, to simply promote the symphonic record, which Blondie doesn't appear on, why would he be there?

Well if that doesn't illustrate division, I don't know what does.

This is VERY weird.