Dennis and Carl's brother is still alive! 

I sure hope so. I can't fathom why BRI or whoever distributes the songs digitally can favor one album over another. (I think SIP is no worse than MIU) Yet apparently the distribution guys do.

I think the remastered Friends & 20/20 sound horrible. There's a loud hissing noise, that drives me crazy.

Today, Apple Music was finally released. I was really happy to find an extensive collection of BBs music, including Brian, Carl, Dennis, Al, Mike, and Dave's solo music as well. But here is what bothers me---
Stars And Stripes is available to stream (and download on normal iTunes) and SIP and Still Cruisin' are not available. This bothers me as a die hard BBs fan. Even though, by the general public, SIP and SC are viewed as poor, the BBs are one of THE most important bands of all time, and ALL of their music should be able to be listened to, without having to spend a fortune to get a SIP cd on eBay. I would love to write a letter to Capitol trying to get this point across.
Does anyone agree with me?

That must've been a great experience. I'm so jealous.

We joke about his shorts, his clapping, and his mic adjusting- but Bruce is an incredibly talented guy.
From being a session player at age 15, to producing his own hits, to playing bass with the Beach Boys, and eventually winning a grammy for IWTS, this guy has really had a great career. Not to mention- he sings on the GOK outro. Happy birthday Bruce!

How proficient was Brian on the guitar? He really was a good bass player (despite his odd technique)

What instruments can each member play??

Ricky- Drums, Slide Guitar

I saw him play the flute intro to Sloop John B.
I have to assume he plays guitar in addition to the Steel.

Wow! Now, thats impressive!

Wow, it's extremely ironic I just got a response from you. I just finished your FAQ book, and the Concert book is in the mail!

What instruments can each member play??
Mike- Umm…….. Saxophone and probably a bit of guitar?
Brian- Bass, Keys, and apparently guitar (Breakaway?) and Drums (Funky Pretty?)
Carl- Guitar, Bass, Keys
Denny- Drums, Keys
Al- Guitar, Bass, Mandolin, Ukulele--- Any string instrument??
Bruce- Bass, Keys, Guitar (1984 July 4th), Saxophone (Clips all throughout the 80's), and even Mandolin? (Disney Girls)
David- Guitar (A MASTER OF THE GUITAR, WHILE I'M AT IT)
Blondie- Guitar, Bass
Ricky- Drums, Slide Guitar

Am I missing anything?

Many skilled/experienced musicians haven't ever written a piece of music only half as good as Big Sur.

You're right. Big Sur is beautiful. The arrangement is very tasteful as well. Who arranged it? Mike with the assistance of maybe Al and Carl?

Al sounded JUST like Brian in the 60's, 70's, and even 80's when he'd sing falsetto.

As for Carl's production, I believe the sessions during this time (late 60's-mid 70's) where largely collaborative. I think Brian prepared the track, and Carl sweetened it by adding additional instrumentation probably. I'm assuming he and Bruce arranged the vocals, but Mr. Desper could probably give a more definitive answer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCR2wNyRMCI

I see Surfin Safari as a surf record, because it had vocals on top of that signature surf (almost pre-punk) instrumentals to back up the vocals. Plus, "Moon Dawg" is a really great surf instrumental.

Once I was at a grocery store and I heard Still Surfin' from the SIP album. That was a strange experience.

Carl plays guitar on God Only Knows and bass on Good Vibrations which was partially recorded during the Pet Sounds sessions.

I don't think the BBs were upset to find the WC playing their tracks. The WC had been doing so, for the most part, since The Beach Boys Today!

For the personnel of That's Not Me many people say Al Jardine plays the tambourine, while others say it was Terry Melcher. Who do you think it was?

Also, Bruce is listed for playing on the song, although there is no audible evidence to support that. My guess is that he could've laid down a basic bass track, playing the chord changes? I dunno, just a guess...

You could get a tattoo of Bruce's micstand.

That was the best youtube video I've ever seen. It seems like there is now peace between the camps. Perhaps another reunion? With members of the Fendertones?

Maybe I'm being too hopeful… The NPP tour will most likely be Brian's last, but imagine if Mike, Bruce, Al, Dave, Blondie, and Ricky toured with the member of Brian's band, Mike's band, and members of the fendertones!

Bruce is a great harmony/backing vocalist. He also was great at singing Brian's falsetto and playing his bass parts in concert.

Let's play a game. In your own opinion, list the best BB songs in these categories:

Best Surfing Song:
Best Car Song:
Best Love Song:
Best 70's Song:
Best/Most Beautiful Beach Boys Harmonies Song:

- Note, the last category pretty much saying is state the song you think could sum up the BB harmonies, or "sound" in one song.

Best Surfing Song: Do It Again
Best Car Song: Little Honda
Best Love Song: God Only Knows
Best 70's Song: All I Wanna Do
Best/Most Beautiful Beach Boys Harmonies Song: Our Prayer

I also want to know how Mike wrote songs all by himself (Big Sur, Everybody's In With Love With You, etc…) without having much knowledge of chord structure and music theory… Does he know his way around a piano, perhaps at Al or Carl's level, but has had no need to play on record or on stage, so hasn't?

Mike played sax on a lot of early BBs recordings: Shut Down, Carl's Big Chance, Surf Jam, Misirlou, etc…
He even continued to play his "sax solo" on Shut Down into the 80's and 90's.
When's the last time he played sax live and on a record?

I have this on tape and to answer one of your questions, no it doesnt have original music. So the actors sing the parts (and boy are they bad!!). But if you want a good laugh (as this movie gave me) then I recommend it, but just dont expect anything too spectacular. Just watch it knowing how much of a joke in terms of accuracy the movie really is and just approach the movie light-heartedly because if you expect it to be a great overview of the band then you'll be dissapointed. An American Family (the other TV movie) is MUCH better in my opinion.

I agree. Other than making Brian look like a fool in part two, I love American Family.