New book for spring 2012: 50 Sides of The Beach Boys

[Mark Dillon]

There had been some mention of this last year in relation to a Brian Wilson feature I wrote for Maclean's, but now I can tell you officially. When you’re done enjoying Jon Stebbins' next book – I personally can't wait – you may want to check out my own book 50 Sides of The Beach Boys. It's being released in spring 2012 via ECW Press, the same guys who published Jon's Dennis Wilson book. In keeping with the band's 50th anniversary, I am telling the stories of its key songs through the perspective of band members, collaborators, fellow artists and notable scribes. I'll keep you updated.

[The Heartical Don]

Thank you, Mark.

You could have titled it: '50 Beach Boys Fans Can't Be Wrong'. To maintain the sly reference to their birthday.

I will get it.

[The Shift]

"50 Beach Boys Fans Can't Agree" might be better, Don!

[Rocker]

Thank you, Mark.

You could have titled it: '50 Beach Boys Fans Can't Be Wrong'. To maintain the sly reference to their birthday.

I will get it.

And then put them in golden tuxedos on the front ?

[The Heartical Don]

"50 Beach Boys Fans Can't Agree" might be better, Don!

Right on the money! 

[The Heartical Don]

Thank you, Mark.

You could have titled it: '50 Beach Boys Fans Can't Be Wrong'. To maintain the sly reference to their birthday.

I will get it.

And then put them in golden tuxedos on the front ?

Just imagine: 50 of us oldsters here in Nudie's famous suits, waving their bus passes to a BBs show enthusiastically... major selling point for the book! 

[donald]

Thank you, Mark.

You could have titled it: '50 Beach Boys Fans Can't Be Wrong'. To maintain the sly reference to their birthday.

I will get it.

And then put them in golden tuxedos on the front ?

Just imagine: 50 of us oldsters here in Nudie's famous suits, waving their bus passes to a BBs show enthusiastically... major selling point for the book! 

what you been smokin Don?  That is one CRAZY vision.  I dig it.

[Rocker]

BTW I think this should be in the "honored guests"-board too, if Mark is gonna post more infos and maybe answer questions. Just a thought

BTW Mark, is it a collection of different interviews and books (I guess that's the only way for Dennis and Carl's thoughts) or did you do any new interviews yourself ?

[Mark Dillon]

BTW I think this should be in the "honored guests"-board too, if Mark is gonna post more infos and maybe answer questions. Just a thought

BTW Mark, is it a collection of different interviews and books (I guess that's the only way for Dennis and Carl's thoughts) or did you do any new interviews yourself ?

Thanks for your suggestions. I'm happy to answer some questions, although I have to keep some things close to the vest for now. My book is ALL new interviews I have conducted. That's my hook, and hopefully it will bring out new information and different perspectives on the band.

[Jon Stebbins]

I'm really looking forward to Mark's book. I know he's put a lot of effort into putting it together. His concept is interesting as it will give us some fresh perspective on the music, with a lot of important voices weighing in on the creation of various songs. Congrats on making it happen Mark!

[Rocker]

My book is ALL new interviews I have conducted.

That sounds promising !! Since it's a whole book, I hope we get more that some "Well, I wantedt to write a song about girls and so I did"'s from Brian. And it's always the best to hear them talking about the only thing that's important, the music.

[punkinhead]

Can we get a sample of at least the titles/ideas for at least 10 sides?

[Chris Brown]

My book is ALL new interviews I have conducted.

That sounds promising !! Since it's a whole book, I hope we get more that some "Well, I wantedt to write a song about girls and so I did"'s from Brian. And it's always the best to hear them talking about the only thing that's important, the music.

Agreed, I think that's by far the best thing this book potentially has going for it.  Can't wait to check it out Mark!

[Mark Dillon]

Can we get a sample of at least the titles/ideas for at least 10 sides?

Well, I can say that in keeping with the 50th anniversary theme, I will be looking at 50 songs. Of course, certain songs have to be included. But in some cases a song that may have been a hit is trumped by a song representative of a certain era or that has an interesting history all its own. Solo stuff will be included. The people commenting on the songs are either people directly involved with their creation or people who have been influenced/amazed by them. As for who is talking about what, I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise…

[punkinhead]

Can we get a sample of at least the titles/ideas for at least 10 sides?

Well, I can say that in keeping with the 50th anniversary theme, I will be looking at 50 songs. Of course, certain songs have to be included. But in some cases a song that may have been a hit is trumped by a song representative of a certain era or that has an interesting history all its own. Solo stuff will be included. The people commenting on the songs are either people directly involved with their creation or people who have been influenced/amazed by them. As for who is talking about what, I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise…

Would you say that you're mentioning at least one song per album? (just to cover all the "eras")

It's weird in BB-land, there's some songs that trump others...like I could see something like Good Timin' being trumped during the 79 era because it's not really representative of that era...(not that you can't use it for that era, just an example)....but other songs from that era, Baby Blue (which also enters into the Bambu area) or the not so popular Here Comes the Night, but is a good example of how the BB could have been perceived (when performing in concert).

[Mark Dillon]

Can we get a sample of at least the titles/ideas for at least 10 sides?

Well, I can say that in keeping with the 50th anniversary theme, I will be looking at 50 songs. Of course, certain songs have to be included. But in some cases a song that may have been a hit is trumped by a song representative of a certain era or that has an interesting history all its own. Solo stuff will be included. The people commenting on the songs are either people directly involved with their creation or people who have been influenced/amazed by them. As for who is talking about what, I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise…

Would you say that you're mentioning at least one song per album? (just to cover all the "eras")

It's weird in BB-land, there's some songs that trump others...like I could see something like Good Timin' being trumped during the 79 era because it's not really representative of that era...(not that you can't use it for that era, just an example)....but other songs from that era, Baby Blue (which also enters into the Bambu area) or the not so popular Here Comes the Night, but is a good example of how the BB could have been perceived (when performing in concert).

You've hit on the head one of the biggest challenges I have faced. I have aspired to include at least one song per album so that all the historical eras are covered, but obviously there are several tracks off Pet Sounds and Smile, for example,  that people want to talk about, but off Summer in Paradise, not so much. It also depends on which tracks are most personal to my interviewees.

[Rocker]

As long as you asked Mike about "Cabinessence" you can't do no wrong son.... 

[PrayForSurf]

SPECIAL NOTE ~ Just posted an interview with Mark Dillon, author of 50 Sides of The Beach Boys

http://prayforsurfblog.blogspot.com/

Phil Miglioratti talked with Mark Dillon, author of "50 Sides of the Beach Boys: The Songs That Tell Their Stories." Mark unpacked the process of how he researched the history and recruited the 50 exclusive interviews with the Beach Boys and their friends/colleagues.
50 songs. 50 stories. 50 VERY interesting backstories!

Little Girl I Once Knew first song on Pet Sounds?