Things may have changed during the fifteen-odd years since I asked him about writing a book, but Bruce's response was along the lines of "not interested, but even if I did, The Beach Boys would be one chapter, maybe two." Which is a shame, I'd like to read about his 58 year career in music. Aside from the Dolphin incident, has to be some great tales lurking.
[/quote

Is there any chance because Bruce is "not" a principal, that he can't write a book because he has signed a confidentiality agreement with the touring Beach Boys apparatus ?  And his reasons for not writing a book are somewhat a cover for his legal inability to write a book at this time ?   Just me asking......
Feel like I've read here over the years about the "gag" put on members of the backing band over the decades ?

So, someone front ran Amanda's idea on Love You.........Hmmm    if it was a Smiley Smiler-----shame on you.   Moderators please take note. 

This is absolutely killer stuff. Thanks for the effort, it's super!


+10 !!!   Also listen to Woodstock's California Feelin' from last year     A+ work    congrats

Anybody, besides me, going to the July 25th show?

I was about to ask if anyone was going to either of the last two summer shows. Please report setlist and other details!

Anyone here going to the Canadian date on the 24th?

Last shows of a tour can be special. Then again, Brian is playing aa show the night before in a different Country. He may be tired.

In any event, I will file a report and note any special additions to the setlist.

Brought it up with my wife at the breakfast table the morning after the Seattle show.  She looked at me like I was crazy.  Tickets still avail as of that morning.  haven't looked since.

I've got some old friends in Cleveland that are going to see 'em at Cain Park in Cleveland Hts., early August.

My buddy was telling me how he was somewhat wary, but I told him 'go....have a good time.' Beautiful venue in a park setting (saw Brian do Pet Sounds there many years back). Also saw Junior Brown rawk the house there back in the 90's.

Touche  Doo-Dah    Cain Park in one great music venue....and I was at that Junior Brown concert..... also back during my Cleveland days

Yeah, for a split second at the concert I was confused... no Surf's Up in Surf's Up? :S

I found a video of Busy Doing Nothing / Surf's Up. They had a balcony seat, so you can see everyone in the band . I do like how he tells you to listen to the lyrics of SU...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoubC1n3WZA
In this recording you can close your eyes and almost imagine Matt is Brian. Watching this video gives me the chills. What a voice.

Well, he does introduce Surf's Up, and he doesn't hum through the whole verse. Just that one lyric.

Brian sounds really good with Matt on "While at port adieu or die."

My bad   typed verse meant lyric........up close in person it was rather obvious.   Yes and Matt did a fine job all nite whether covering or on his own with Don't Worry baby

I was also at the Seattle show; so happy I finally got to see him! There is something really beatuiful/haunting about seeing a large band play Our Prayer/Heroes and Villains live, there's such a spooky energy in H&V live, it was awesome. However, I couldn't help but notice some odd moments, maybe others can help shed light on them.

One was Rodriguez; he either seemed very drunk or perhaps he's just getting a bit old and rambly. He said he was turning 75 at least twice, as well as saying"I'm as happy as a Beach Boy" and "Brian should have a Vegas show" twice. There was also a weird moment where he kept muttering about how the sound was off and he would strum his guitar and mutter to himself again, doing this for a solid minute. Maybe he was just joking around and I wasn't reading it?

Brian sounded great, his voice reminded me a little bit of "Orange Crate Art" music, but I never had a problem with that album anyway, and he seemed to be enjoying himself, making banter in between songs. However, when intriducing "Darlin'" as being sung by Carl, saying, "Carl died of... He died in 1998." Is it possible he forgot what his brother died of...? Also, I noticed that when he introduced "Surf's Up", he didn't say the name of the song, and then during the song, when Matt Jardine started to sing, "Surf's up, mmm...", Brian just hummed through it and then sang the next set of lyrics. Does he maybe have a weird association with the name of the song? Totally possible I'm looking way too much into everything, curious if anyone else had noticed any of this. Also, don't get me wrong, still an amazing, powerful show, and so glad I finally got an opportunity to see him.

Jake, your right on about Surf's Up.  I didn't have the heart to say it in my earlier posts that the error on Surf's Up was really bad, hearing Brian hum the entire verse.  You could immediately tell things went bad as the entire band turned their heads toward Brian.  The rest of the song was really nice.   Didn't want to bring up the negative on SU as a lot of people on the board are following how both groups are doing on that particular song.   Matt Jardine on the falsetto all evening was a treat to hear in person.

"Honeycomb" and "I'm Broke", Seattle July 12

https://youtu.be/fQWi6jzK220

Very rough but love them!
I could listen to Brian trying out songs all day.

Do we witness the evolution of Brian's Rock and Roll album....finally? 
Boy, talk about surprises

A couple of thoughts from being there right in front of Al during these 2 songs (esp. I'm Broke).  Its tough pulling stuff off new live songs anyway, but when your 70+ and trying to do it with not enough practice, they did come off ragged.  Al has a tendency to start pointing everywhere (like to Brian) when mistakes are made.  What the video did not show at the end (an extra 10 seconds would have caught it). Was Al frustrated with the last high note he missed and then pointing to Matt in the back left corner thanking him for covering him on the last bar of the song that both he and Brian both missed badly on.

Everyone I get it.  There not perfect and neither are any of us.  I said on a post a month ago when the new rock & roll album was being discussed, that I felt Brian's band was 100% up to the task....not only for the studio work but also taking these songs out on another tour if this album even comes to fruition.

What was neat about the other night was how happy Brian seemed.  My wife is a therapist and has been burdened with my Beach Boys love since 1973.  At breakfast the next morning she said this entire year probably has been very therapudic to Brian as he's been able to somewhat come to terms with the ugliness that occurred in his life, which in turn can lead to emotional happiness AND maybe more energy to keep on going for a while.  If it takes listening to the goofy BW and making silly mistakes on stage for us to see another tour in the future...I'm all in.  As I said in my post concert post, I did feel a bit sorry as I saw him struggle on stage trying to remember stuff.

Lastly a GREAT review today in the Seattle Times entertainment section on the show.  Will post the review later......100% positive

Ray Lawlor....were you at the Seattle show last nite ?

Well everyone....just back from the Seattle show.  My daughter and I were 5th row center with just a great view of the entire stage.  It was my first concert at the Benaroya Hall and WOW, as Woodstock said earlier during the soundcheck, the acoustics were just fantastic. Maybe because this was the last stop before a 2 week break on the tour, the band had an electricity about them tonite I hadn't seen before in the prior 3 BW shows I've seen since 2011 (BW-Gershwin 2011 in St. Charles Ill.  BW-Ravinnia Chicago   BW-BAD 2013 Akron Ohio).  Everyone and especially Brian seemed stoked.  Brian so much as he almost seemed goofy and confused most of the night.  Actually was at times tripping over his words and lost as he talked too much (yes I know hard to believe). 

Other positives.  Blondie just effin ROCKED.  Wild Honey was fantastic with Blonde's riffs late in the song as he pranced all around the stage.  For you Brits...he was almost "Mick-like" as he was moving around.  I've read everyone's comments over the past year about Jeff Foskett vs Matt Jardine.  Well folks, I heard the winner tonite.  Coming from Matt, the falsetto is MUCH less forced and seems really natural on the high end notes.  He did a GREAT job on Don't Worry Baby and the audience went nuts.  Also he did a fine job covering his old man when AL couldn't quite hit the high notes on I'm Broke.  It was rather funny actually as said earlier on the thread , they put this together today.....and yes it sounded like a student unprepared for his final exam.  Al was wonderful on all his leads and "Right Time" was VERY well received by the Seattle crowd.  Sadly the Seattle crowd was so respectful of others behind them, it took the egging from Scott Bennett to get people to finally stand up mid way through the concert.  The entire back row of guys was FULLY engaged all night.  I am always amazed at the energy Nelson puts in on concert night.   Tonight the dude was nuts.  Over the top in a completely positive way making the sound "sound" like it just came from the studio !!!.  Nick was nuts tonight.  I have never seen him put so much energy into a show like he did tonight.  His energy seemed infectious, and with Paul and Nelson on each side, the entire stage seemed electric.

So Brian.  I was pumped when Woodstock said during Sound check that Brian was animated and relaxed. And wow, I've never EVER seen Brian like this.  Totally relaxed to a fault where he came across as really goofy to the crowd.  Yes I get it, its BW, but at times he really struggled with names in the band and remembering stuff...like the name of his album NPP.  I guess I just felt sorry for him a bit......because I love him so much it hurt seeing him confused a bit.

On a scale of 10 I give it an 8+.  The sound guys were off a bit as some of the mics weren't turned up until a 1/4 into the song, especially for Al.  I dunno, maybe being so close, 5th row, the sound went around us.  But nothing better than enjoying an evening with my daughter at a BW show.  And Love and Mercy at the end had tears in my eyes.  Just love those lyrics.  Typical encore with All Summer Long,  Help ME Rhonda, Surfin USA, Barabara Ann, and FUN Fun Fun.  With Love and Mercy at the end.

I do miss Jeff Foskett's introduction of the band.  He does have more of a show business intro than Paul von Merten's.  Strictly personal preference on my part.
And his  B-R-I-A-N   W-I-L-S-O-N  intro is the best.

Lastly I do truly hope this isn't the last time I get to see him.  Yes he looks old.  But he does seem a bit rejuvenated....maybe the new album....maybe the accolades from the movie.  But he seemed very with it at times tonight.  Yes goofy,  yes confused    but its BW in concert, what more do we want.

They soundcheckesd I'm Broke.

Yes. Just YES

There was also a moment where he made sure his piano just as loud as Scott and Darians

Will be there in an hour.....how does BW mood seem this evening ?  I'll be in the 5th row behind you meet and greets with my black and blue BW hat on.  Can't wait !!!!!!!!!!!  

Very happy and VERY in control. I found out from the band that they started planning the song last night. Brian was handing out parts and it all came together incredibly quickly. The acoustics is this place are beautiful BTW.

Expect the best show you could expect  

Great acoustics....start out with Our Prayer.....Its going to be a very fun evening......wishing now I had bought the meet and greet/soundcheck !!

They soundcheckesd I'm Broke.

Yes. Just YES

There was also a moment where he made sure his piano just as loud as Scott and Darians

Will be there in an hour.....how does BW mood seem this evening ?  I'll be in the 5th row behind you meet and greets with my black and blue BW hat on.  Can't wait !!!!!!!!!!!   

Looks like they did do "Salt Lake City" in Salt Lake City tonight.

Hey Jude, that's neat they did SLC.  Anyone going to the Seattle show Sunday night and want to meet up prior to the show for some vino ?  Show is sold out 

15 minutes ago, I just bought 2 tickets for the July 12 show in Seattle.......5th row!!   I checked this morning and these seats weren't available at that time....kinda lucky I guess.   A lot of $$$'s but we never know if this is the last time !!!    Great reviews guys    keep them coming

Since there will be a new Brian Wilson tour in a few short weeks I wanted to say a few words about something I don't think enough time is spent on here ; and I am as guilty as hell as well for not saying more sooner , so to start off with I admit I am prejudiced. I wanted to talk about how great the BW Band really is and how much they add to the concert experience. These guys execute some of the most technically difficult pop music ever created, flawlessly ; with great energy. Each of them brings something excellent to the table.If I could share an experience from a few years ago, Brian and band were playing a benefit at the Count Basie Theater in Red Bank , N.J. I was watching in the wings and there was a guy sitting in a folding chair stage right, intensely studying every player individually with great focus ; took me about a half hour to figure out it was Bruce Springsteen. After the concert , he said that " these are American classics, and this band does them justice". Amen.

Musical Director Paul Von Mertens arranges the strings for when there are string players ( SMiLE, Gershwin, TLOS), writes out the charts , plays flute, sax, harmonica's, organ, mandolin ; more instruments than the average band even has. Bob Lizik plays the bass lines exactly as Brian wrote them. The keyboard/vibe section is shared by Scott Bennett and Darian Sahanaja; switching seamlessly back and forth; Scott switching to guitar for " Marcella" . Nicky plays all sorts of eclectic stuff on guitar over in the corner; his guitar playing of the cello parts on "Good Vibrations" sounds like a locomotive ; kills me every time. Probyn plays guitar, trumpet, French horn and theremin; Matt Jardine plays acoustic guitar. The drums are superbly manned by Mike D'Amico; who also can play guitar and bass ; percussion is carried off by Nelson Bragg . Scott, Darian , Nicky, Probyn, Matt, Paul and Nelson all add their stellar vocals, singing those incredibly intricate harmonies creating a superb vocal stack. You will love hearing Matt singing the high parts; he sounds incredible .  My review ? This band kicks ass.

Add Brian Wilson , Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin to the mix and this is going to be an all time tour event. Don't miss it .

Ray...........great post.  It takes me back to my first small venue BW concert in 2011 in St. Charles, Illinois.  The band was "founded" there in 98-ish and the vibe that night in this old vaudeville theatre was electric.  I was lucky to score 2nd row seats and will never forget Our Prayer as the opening song.  The acoustics were unbelievable.  Debating now whether to do the meet and greet in Seattle "the final US stop" on the tour Jul 12th.  You never know if this is the last tour....

Do film SCORES get released to be commercial successes?
There's a difference between a soundtrack (e.g. Footloose, Grease, etc.) and a score (e.g. The End Of The Affair)

I've been on many a scoring stage throughout the years.
NOBODY's thinking about "hits."

Thanks Howie.....my bad.....I took JCM's question strictly thinking soundtrack.   Mr. Ross said nothing during the Q&A in Seattle about score or soundtrack releases. 

Saw the film last night at the first night showing at the Seattle Film Festival.  Obviously over 49 pages on this thread, a lot has been said about the film.  I found the entire film riveting, sad, and  disturbing all wrapped into nearly 2 hours of power packed emotion.  With the BW actors Dano and Cusack each doing their thing, I found myself on an emotional rollercoaster as the movie continually bounced back between the two characters.  All in all, for myself, it lets the audience see and feel how tortured BW has been throughout his life.  My therapist wife was about ready to throw something at the screen as the Landy character (Giamotti) showed how truly ugly and despicable this man really was.  When I told her early on " don't worry, he was disbarred and is finally DEAD" did she calm down a bit.
Atticus Ross who did the score was there for some questions at the end.  Two neat bits of info I hadn't heard earlier in the thread came from his mouth.  First, he really wasn't "all-in" when the project started.  He found the script initially complicated and wondered how he was going to adapt his score to the picture.  It wasn't until he received the ENTIRE Brian Wilson portfolio of songs on a hard drive disc did he realize the full potential for his score on the film. He described going through 37 different versions of GV as one example, of all the  tidbits he brought out for the final score on the film.  He also spoke of meeting BW twice during the process.  His first meeting with brought BW's feelings that he thought his initial work was  kinda dark.  Whew....Having Brian tell you your score is DARK.  Second meeting was near the end, close to the final....Brian heard it in total was very happy. Ha wonder if he still has the hard drive

Thanks for sharing.  I'm so envious of you guys attending these various festivals and seeing the film before it is rolled out nationally.

I don't suppose Mr. Ross happened to mention a film score release being in the works...?

JCM.....sorry, he did not mention anything at all about the score being released.  Without saying too much, I'd guess the score is so entwined with watching the movie simultaneously that it would not be a money maker outside the Smiley Smilers getting there copies.  Ping me after June 5th with your thoughts on the score.  Anyone else who has seen the movie think the score could be a commercial success ?? 

Was Cowsill also not at the dinner ?    Guessing a true insider is going to have to get you your answer.  We can all surmise however I don't think a lot of the posters really know.  But also guessing that some of these "gut feelings" are right on the mark.

Saw the film last night at the first night showing at the Seattle Film Festival.  Obviously over 49 pages on this thread, a lot has been said about the film.  I found the entire film riveting, sad, and  disturbing all wrapped into nearly 2 hours of power packed emotion.  With the BW actors Dano and Cusack each doing their thing, I found myself on an emotional rollercoaster as the movie continually bounced back between the two characters.  All in all, for myself, it lets the audience see and feel how tortured BW has been throughout his life.  My therapist wife was about ready to throw something at the screen as the Landy character (Giamotti) showed how truly ugly and despicable this man really was.  When I told her early on " don't worry, he was disbarred and is finally DEAD" did she calm down a bit.
Atticus Ross who did the score was there for some questions at the end.  Two neat bits of info I hadn't heard earlier in the thread came from his mouth.  First, he really wasn't "all-in" when the project started.  He found the script initially complicated and wondered how he was going to adapt his score to the picture.  It wasn't until he received the ENTIRE Brian Wilson portfolio of songs on a hard drive disc did he realize the full potential for his score on the film. He described going through 37 different versions of GV as one example, of all the  tidbits he brought out for the final score on the film.  He also spoke of meeting BW twice during the process.  His first meeting with brought BW's feelings that he thought his initial work was  kinda dark.  Whew....Having Brian tell you your score is DARK.  Second meeting was near the end, close to the final....Brian heard it in total was very happy. Ha wonder if he still has the hard drive

As someone else mentioned, Totten is at that end-of-the-tour dinner. You can also see Tim Bonhomme right up front, from Mike’s band. He was the tour manager (not sure if I’m getting that terminology exactly right) on C50.

I forget the precise date that dinner pic was taken, and I do recall that Mike was back doing a gig with Stamos and the licensed version of the “Beach Boys”  within a couple days of the Wembley C50 gig. But if Totten and Bonhomme are at that dinner, I don’t think it was specifically an imminent Mike licensed-BB gig that was the reason Mike and Bruce weren’t there. I recall that that first post-C50 Mike gig had his regular (at the time) touring lineup including Totten and Bonhomme.

  Wasn't Cowsill the drummer in C50 ??   I don't recognize him in the pic.

Cam --

I think it's safe to say that that nothing was discussed because it was informally deemed that any discussion would happen after the final dates. As Mike Love told me VERY CLEARLY in June 2012, the band was going to regroup after the tour and see where there were at. He spoke about further sessions. He gave me zero inclination that he was going to back out after Europe -- he even mentioned that further dates would feature Cal Saga. It was a vibe of "let's get through this and see if we CAN do this" mixed with an excited -- "Can you believe we're actually doing this?!"

I find that people cling to this "They never discussed!" "There were never definitive plans!" "It was only supposed to be. . . . . . . ." But it's living with one's head in the sand. Everyone -- from the press, to the venues, to the booking agents, to the BAND -- was amazed at how this went from strength to strength. Apart from some internal hiccups -- both musical and personal -- the was no reason to think that prior to the European dates there would need to be a sit down meeting. Nobody in the music business, barring Bruce Johnston, predicted that this reunion would be aborted.

And that's what it was -- an ABORTION.

And VERY, VERY, VERY SADLY, the touring brand -- and Mike Love's rep for that matter -- will never recover -- not in the States, at least. Definitely not to the working Rock press. He's solidly back in Lou Christie territory (and maybe that's where he's actually comfortable existing.)

Going from Frankie Valli to Mick Jagger and CHOOSING to go back to Frankie Valli (out of spite) is really the only way to sum it up -- and that's the truth no matter who hooks you up with backstage passes, freelance gigs, remembers you when they come to your town -- or anything of that sort.

I wish it was different. Believe me I do. It SHOULD be different. But I'd also rather see people onstage that want to be working with Brian Wilson when I listen to and see him.

  Howie, just a question away from the main topic of the thread.  Obviously during tours of this size, stuff happens.  You spoke of both musical and personal issues cropping up during C50.  Are you at liberty to speak on any of this these incidents ?

No one has suggested a  Jerry Lee Lewis  cover.... Come on you guys        I do think his backing band line-up DOES have ability to pull off a R&R album but just don't know how successful this will be.......however I do feel a cover album "could" lead to some mending off the fences having M&B contribute which, hopefully could lead to one last Beach Boys tour.......yeah yeah I know I'm dreaming !!

He's holding a mighty fine bottle of "Belle Glos" Pinot Noir...These are all single vineyard Pinots......Can't read the bottle but its either Las Alturus Vnyd or Clark & Telephone Vnyd or  Dairyman vnyd.   All fine bottles of wine.  For the winos on the thread, Belle Glos is part of the Caymus family of wines empire.
Mr. Love definitely has fine taste of the grape !!    Happy B-Day Mike.

Hey.....anyone going to the Seattle show in July ?    I will say though, doing a CA. wine trip and catching the show at the winery maybe be a lot of fun.  Especially just to watch Mikie and HeyJude bitch at each other !!! 

Finally, at long last.  Maybe we'll learn what kind of pizza Brian likes.  That information is way-LONG overdue.

This struck me immediately upon seeing it in the text...  "Along with Brian's own words, his story is told through the people that know him best, including his wife Melinda;his best friend and band leader Jeffery Foskett;"

Now if Jeffrey Foskett IS Brian Wilson's "best friend" then Brian must have absolutely no problems with Mike Love or what Mike is doing with the Beach Boys and for 'BRI'.  I mean think about it.  A "best friend" would never just cut and run and sign on with the 'other side' .  It would demonstrate 'bad form'... a kind of betrayal if you will.

WAY TOO EARLY to suggest that some key players and components will not be included as sources for the book.  If THAT is the case though then the 'new autobiography' might not be all that most of us hope it will be.  It cannot be only a painting.  It has to be a series of 'candid photgraphs' examined.  [wink, wink]  Only then will we learn 'what it was like.'

OH!  Candid photographs!!  Here's another one of mine: 

   

bgas....the skinny lad with the hairy chest in the background.....Who might that be ?