Ed Carter As The 6th Beach Boy

[acedecade75]

 I seem to remember Bruce stating that back in the early 60's when he was asked to find a touring replacement for Brian, he asked Ed Carter if he was available to do it.  Ed wasn't able at the time, and of course Bruce ended up being the sixth Beach Boy.  Does anyone know for sure if this is true?  I wonder how Beach Boys history would be different if Ed Carter had become a Beach Boy instead of Bruce.

[Matt H]

Surfer Suzie would likely have been on KTSA.

[Smilin Ed H]

I thought it was James Griffin.

[c-man]

Bruce went to grammar school with Eddie Carter, and I've seen or read him say in more than one interview that he asked Eddie if he wanted the Beach Boys gig, but Eddie was busy studying for college exams and couldn't.  Eddie has also said that he was originally a guitarist, but switched primarily to bass at Bruce's suggestion...Bruce told him he could get more work as a bassist, 'cause there were fewer of them.

[Alex]

One thing`s for sure, EC`s bass work was a huge part of why the BBs kicked so much ass live in the 70s!

[acedecade75]

Ed Carter is certainly a great bass player.  Does anyone know what his vocal abilities are?

[Magic Transistor Radio]

Bruce went to grammar school with Eddie Carter, and I've seen or read him say in more than one interview that he asked Eddie if he wanted the Beach Boys gig, but Eddie was busy studying for college exams and couldn't.  Eddie has also said that he was originally a guitarist, but switched primarily to bass at Bruce's suggestion...Bruce told him he could get more work as a bassist, 'cause there were fewer of them.

What? Who needs college? Quit and make millions, then you could afford to go back later if you wanted to. Of course, in the end, he did pretty well for himself.

[Dutchie]

Has anybody ever heard Surfer Susie. If so what does it sound like lyrics wise.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Has anybody ever heard Surfer Susie. If so what does it sound like lyrics wise.

No lead vocal was recorded, as far as I'm aware - the version SWD played me back in 1985 was track & bvs only. Refrain was "Tokyo Suzie came back a California girl".

[Joshilyn Hoisington]

There was a lead put on there at some point, and I've heard it.  The basic gist is that it follows this Suzy Yamamoto, who apparently has a scholarship at UCLA and has rented an apartment in West LA.  Yes, They rhyme UCLA with LA there.  She meets a guy called "Malibu Dave" who informs her about monster waves, and I guess Suzie ends up pursuing said wave in lieu of her studies.

It's strong Al lead vocal, in any case.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Excellent... either SWD forgot about that, or it was added after the main sessions.

[Joshilyn Hoisington]

Excellent... either SWD forgot about that, or it was added after the main sessions.

I don't quite remember, but I think it must have been a late addition.  Wish I had taken more notes at the time!

[Andrew G. Doe]

Excellent... either SWD forgot about that, or it was added after the main sessions.

I don't quite remember, but I think it must have been a late addition.  Wish I had taken more notes at the time!

C+ (must try harder).

[Eric Aniversario]

Ed Carter is certainly a great bass player.  Does anyone know what his vocal abilities are?

I heard him sing one of the car songs at a David Marks show, around the time of the Landmark Dedication.  I think I remember him singing OK.

[Aegir]

There was a lead put on there at some point, and I've heard it.  The basic gist is that it follows this Suzy Yamamoto, who apparently has a scholarship at UCLA and has rented an apartment in West LA.  Yes, They rhyme UCLA with LA there.  She meets a guy called "Malibu Dave" who informs her about monster waves, and I guess Suzie ends up pursuing said wave in lieu of her studies.

It's strong Al lead vocal, in any case.

Wow, those are Summer in Paradise quality lyrics.

[adamghost]

There was a lead put on there at some point, and I've heard it.  The basic gist is that it follows this Suzy Yamamoto, who apparently has a scholarship at UCLA and has rented an apartment in West LA.  Yes, They rhyme UCLA with LA there.  She meets a guy called "Malibu Dave" who informs her about monster waves, and I guess Suzie ends up pursuing said wave in lieu of her studies.

It's strong Al lead vocal, in any case.

This rings a bell with me, too.  I remember thinking the lyrics were kind of lame.

[Joshilyn Hoisington]

There was a certain understated majesty about them, I suppose.

[MBE]

When did Ed join and leave the touring band?

[Alex]

When did Ed join and leave the touring band?

Wasn't it about 1969 or so that he joined? ...and was in and out of the band several times right through the mid-90s?

[MBE]

When did Ed join and leave the touring band?

Wasn't it about 1969 or so that he joined? ...and was in and out of the band several times right through the mid-90s?

He was there by 1968 and may have joined in late 1967. Just was curious if someone had dates.

[Nicko1234]

Ed Carter is certainly a great bass player.  Does anyone know what his vocal abilities are?

He sang Sea Cruise quite a few times with Al in concert if I`m not mistaken and didn`t do a bad job at all.

[Jukka]

X

[Jukka]

Bruce went to grammar school with Eddie Carter, and I've seen or read him say in more than one interview that he asked Eddie if he wanted the Beach Boys gig, but Eddie was busy studying for college exams and couldn't.  Eddie has also said that he was originally a guitarist, but switched primarily to bass at Bruce's suggestion...Bruce told him he could get more work as a bassist, 'cause there were fewer of them.

What? Who needs college? Quit and make millions, then you could afford to go back later if you wanted to. Of course, in the end, he did pretty well for himself.

I can't understand. Same thing with Al Jardine and his dental school ambitions... WHAT KIND OF PERSON turns down place in America's number one band just to stay in school?

[AndrewHickey]

What? Who needs college? Quit and make millions, then you could afford to go back later if you wanted to. Of course, in the end, he did pretty well for himself.

I can't understand. Same thing with Al Jardine and his dental school ambitions... WHAT KIND OF PERSON turns down place in America's number one band just to stay in school?

Well, with Al it wasn't turning down a place in America's number one band as much as turning down a place in a band that had had one minor local hit with a novelty song.

As for Ed Carter, I don't know if these are his reasons, but when Bruce asked him if he wanted the job, that would have been around the time the draft for the Vietnam war started in earnest. I believe students (or at least some students) were given a deferment for the length of their course, and that alone would have been a *very strong incentive* not to quit.

[Exapno Mapcase]

1 = Brian
2 = Dennis
3 = Carl
4 = Mike
5 = Al
6 = David (I'm talking in terms of contribution, not longevity)
7 = Bruce
8 = Ricky
9 = Blondie
10 = I'd be tempted to go for Daryl Dragon - maybe even before Blondie and Ricky.

Should Ed go before or after Billy Hinsche?