The November 1970 Whisky stand's been mentioned upthread, and yesterday/today mark the 49th anniversaries of Brian's show-and-a-half appearance.

I'll take November 4, 1970 as my answer, because it's apparently the first time the six-man-with-Bruce iteration played a full set together, and the idea of watching Brian trade off on Moog synth with Capt. Dragon is too good to pass up.

Badman's book has a tantalizing photo of the November 4 show, and a quick Google of Getty images revealed something I never caught before: Carl shaves his beard DURING the four-night stand! He's fully bearded during Brian's gigs, and plays at least one show with a Kirk Gibson-trademark three-day growth. Weird.

Attached below, an alternate colour photo from the B&W in Badman's book. (Original Twitter link is here: https://twitter.com/beachboyslegacy/status/794995385257304064)


And here's a link to the Getty/Michael Ochs pics from that week. Some head-scratching pics in there (was the photog taking pics upside down?) amid a few keepers.

https://www.gettyimages.ie/photos/the-beach-boys?begindate=1970-11-01&enddate=1970-11-10&family=editorial&phrase=the%20beach%20boys&recency=daterange&sort=mostpopular

[Visconti at one point phoned Bowie from the stage and whipped the crowd into a chorus of Happy Birthday.]

Been up all damn night. Posted something to the main board here on the Golden Globes at 1:22 a.m. EST as I wound down for the night. That's a rarity in itself (look at my post count). And then the news came in.

Ironically, a Bowie tribute band's making the northeast-U.S. rounds this month - his Ziggy-era drummer (Woody Woodmansey) and his career-long most frequent producer (Tony Visconti) are among the players. A friend of mine works in tour promotion and was at the NYC show Friday night, Bowie's 69th birthday. Visconti at one point phoned Bowie from the stage and whipped the crowd into a chorus of Happy Birthday.

The thought - the significance of it all - is making me a little misty as I type.

Woodmansey, Visconti et al (the touring aggregation's known as Holy Holy) is scheduled to play my town, Toronto, Tuesday night. I have tickets. The show must go on - these guys have bills to pay and promoters to honour - but it'll feel like a wake now. I feel rotten for all the musicians, several of whom have been in notable bands or are family members of "Bowie people" - in fact, the entire operation reminds me of Jardine, Family & Friends, although there is no Bowie progeny involved.

Visconti posted the following to Facebook 90 minutes ago:

"He always did what he wanted to do. And he wanted to do it his way and he wanted to do it the best way. His death was no different from his life - a work of Art. He made Blackstar for us, his parting gift. I knew for a year this was the way it would be. I wasn't, however, prepared for it. He was an extraordinary man, full of love and life. He will always be with us. For now, it is appropriate to cry."

RIP. David and Brian are easily my two favourite musical figures. It's a tough day for a legion of fans.

When Katy Perry came out to present Best Original Song, I practically prayed it was in the bag for Brian...if only to see him reach the stage and mistake Perry for Zooey Deschanel.

Became fascinated with BriMelspotting once I realized they were right behind Matt Damon's table. Melinda was frequently visible in her red dress in that sea of formal wear. I also noticed at the last commercial break they'd disappeared - I don't think they were in their seats for the last brace of awards. Probably a long night for Brian...but part of me thinks it's marvellous he's out on the town with the glitterati.

edit: the movie ends on a dead end st. in Hawthorne, beneath the mighty 105: how  inspired was that. amazing

One of the three times I teared up during the TIFF screening in September, I must say.

If I recall the moment correctly... I'd been so engrossed by the Banks-Cusack scene I'd lost sense of time and wasn't anticipating the end of the film. But my god, when WIBN drifted in, with its eternal message of  - what was it Paul Williams once said were the three core elements of Brian's music? - warmness, serenity and friendship underscoring the scene under the freeway, my eyes suddenly felt very hot and moist. Movies IS magic.

One of those other teary moments came out of the pure pleasure punch of seeing the Pet Sounds sessions brought to glorious life. The third moment, the only one couched in sadness, sprang from the first time Cusack plays the "Love And Mercy" melody to Banks. I don't know whether that happened in real life, but it sure packed a wallop anyway. Because even if it didn't, we all know somewhere along the way Brian's knocked Melinda's socks off with some heartrending melody or other.

I will see L&M Sunday, and again after that I'm sure. Several non-convert friends have asked if I'd like to see it with them, and I can't wait to hear their take(s) on this amazing piece filmmaking.

Figured it was an Amazon sale or something.

TWGMTR's reversed direction, back up to #28 from #46, in its fifth week.

Additionally:

2003's Sounds Of Summer's jumped to #82, from #128.

1995's Greatest Hits Volume 1: 20 Good Vibrations re-enters, at #173.

When'd they last have three charting LPs, compilations or otherwise? 1976?


----Len

New here and thought folks like to see some pics from Saratoga and Darien Lake, NY concerts.  I've see over 30 shows since 1986 and these were the best on several levels....

Some of these are great! Thanks for posting.

Boys were a little sloppy on the final bow in Darien, weren't they? Cowsill took forever to get off his riser and Brian rushed into it. I got a much better shot in Toronto.

I thought of shooting pictures of the Boys facing Dennis and Carl as well. It's kind of affecting...'though I wonder whether Mike's just cussing at Denny.

Just so this Darien Lake thread might not end with a weird roll call of secret identities...

My review of last Friday's show, with pictures:

http://thegoldenyear.wordpress.com/2012/07/03/inconcertbeachboysjune292012/

How long's Mike been rocking the wave-your-smartphone-in-the-air-like-a-lighter routine? Didn't catch it in Toronto, but he did it a few times last night.

What a fine show. The Darien crowd really came to sing and dance. Must be a long weekend in summer.

Al's voice is a force of nature, so strong and clear. In both of my shows, each time he's taken the mike from Bruce in ASMTYD he's nearly blown the PA. Come Go With Me was a REAL popular set addition for the Darien crowd.

David never disappoints: seems he can play anything in the songbook. Pet Sounds is a nice feature for him and a great wake-up call for stragglers wandering about during intermission. (I bought the Marksmen CD after the show.)

Brian was, on the whole, a touch more engaged than in Toronto - arm waving and conducting, his voice cutting through the blend a number of times. Nice verses in Good Timin'. Seemed to be doing a little soft-shoe routine with Mike during the final bow. Loved the (evidently erroneous) Taylor Mills introduction.

Mike was Mike. Consistent. Loads of pep. Brilliant on the bottom when needed. The gen pop loves him at these shows. He looks like he's having fun, but isn't that what he's programmed to do in the first place?

Kokomo's been dull and lifeless at my shows. The song just sounds like a hack job, and flounders in this company. People love the chorus and Carl tag, but it's a shame it's held 'til the encore.

But the other 46 or 47 songs? They are really something else. This tour's been more fun than a barrel of monkeys.


----Len in Toronto

Well, you have to sort of sneak the camera into the show. Don't have it in a bag, but in your pocket.  Once inside the venue, at least in Saratoga Springs, the ushers couldn't care less if you had a camera. They walked right by me and looked at me and didn't say anything.  Then again, I think it depends on the venue.

Last week  in Toronto, I walked in with a detachable lens camera over my shoulder, no bag. It's a Sony with a 18-55mm detachable lens - it has less bulk than a traditional DSLR, but pretty obviously looks a step up from a point-and-shoot, and I was worried.

I have a few pro photog friends who assured me that many venues simply haven't updated their terms, but are more relaxed than perhaps half a decade ago. It seems that don't ask-don't tell is the present policy at many of these venues. I was honestly surprised to walk through without a question.

I never shoot video. I don't like to be seen holding the camera to my face for three minutes at a time. I also never use flash.


---Len in Toronto

Last week's Toronto show was my first with any of Brian, Alan or David involved. Certainly one of the top three concert experiences of my life: http://thegoldenyear.wordpress.com/2012/06/26/inconcertbeachboysjune192012/

Excellent. Thank you !
And great pics, too !

Thanks! First night with a new camera, too. Less fiddling tomorrow night.

Ah, tomorrow! 15 rows out, between Brian and Mike. Less than 24 hours away, and getting rather excited about it!

Brian's played Darien PAC before (2001), I see from Aniversario's Setlist Archive.

I'm honkin' down the QEW from Toronto tomorrow for this show. Feeling very fortunate to have a second show in my neck of the woods.

Last week's Toronto show was my first with any of Brian, Alan or David involved. Certainly one of the top three concert experiences of my life: http://thegoldenyear.wordpress.com/2012/06/26/inconcertbeachboysjune192012/


To anyone sitting on the fence with reasonable access to the venue, please attend. This iteration of the Boys is playing the heck out of these wonderful songs, and it's a memory you'll be glad to keep.

Weather seems encouraging: mid-80s with no precip.


----Len, in Toronto

My review of the Toronto show:


http://thegoldenyear.wordpress.com/2012/06/26/inconcertbeachboysjune192012/



I'm glad I don't have to work to deadline. This is one week late! It's lengthy, but I figure the band's worth 2,000 words.

Honkin' down the gosh-darned highway to Friday's Darien Lakes show. Possibly even more excited for this one, now that I've seen how beautifully this bunch works together.


----Len in Toronto