"The Fragile Beach Boys Reunion" - Rolling Stone Magazine

[Awesoman]

Great article!  Thanks for posting!

[jeremylr]

You're welcome, Awesoman. Finally was able to do 3 image "snips" per article page from Rolling Stone's online archives. Mine hasn't arrived in the mail yet. The writer, Jason Fine, also wrote one of the best profiles on Merle Haggard for the magazine a few years ago.

[the professor]

they slightly overplay the Mike vs. Brian on the setlist thing, especially since Mike IS open and deep in his choices, as shown by the concerts and in his filmed RS interview.  The other night at the Bowl he chastened the crowd gently for expecting all hits and defended the deep cuts (that is, in an "in case you wonder why we are doing this song" kind of way--very wonderful).

Brian was not much for "waves of love" but is totally into Daybreak--me too.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Excellent reason why Brian was anti-"WOL" - it's just not good enough.

[NightHider]

No RS cover for the BB 50th wins me a bet here at the house.  Although it's a nice article, me thinks it is Rolling Stone that has become irrelevant.... and long ago.


Here's an email to direct a note about your delight that RS passed on a Beach Boys cover for this issue:

letters@rollingstone.com

[Mr. Cohen]

"Waves of Loves" is undercooked. It's perhaps the genesis of a good song, but it feels incomplete now. The chorus melody goes on for too long considering what it is, for example.  Brian and the boys probably could've whipped it into shape, but they already had good songs in the can they could use instead.

[Mr. Cohen]

Interesting, too, that it was Joe Thomas's chords on "Think About the Days" that convinced Mike that Brian still had the talent. Of course, Mike goes on to praise the vocal arrangement of that song, but it's still funny that he's still unaware that Thomas wrote the chords.

[Jonathan Blum]

"Surf Freezes Over".  Friendship defrosted.

Brian as astronaut, or GPS.

Dennis and Mike's pants.

Mike's mock suicide -- yeah, I can understand where he's coming from, but I'd never dare -- and case of LSD.

John Stamos loving "Summer's Gone".

Mike's self-knowledge.

"...I think maybe I'll just stay."

This article is just packed with utter gems.  Thousands of thanks to the interviewer -- and I'll be sure to buy my own copy!

Cheers,
Jon BLum

[hypehat]

Thanks for uploading! That's a really great article

[ArchStanton]

Brian's bit about "Kokomo" is too funny.  This thing is filled with Brian-isms- the conversation on the plane was a lot of fun.  "I'm a in a rock group.  We're called the Beach Boys."

[jeremylr]

One of my favorite parts: After Mike says he couldn't dream of not performing their biggest hits in concert, Brian is asked for his vision for the Beach Boys' tour: "I'd like to scare people a little." Just wish he had convinced Mike to do Add Some Music To Your Day & Marcella a little earlier in the tour, since I missed it...

[JohnMill]

Brian's vision for the Beach Boys' tour: "I'd like to scare people a little." Love this line.

Didn't he say something similar back in 66' about "SMiLE"?

The article itself brings up a great deal of emotions for me.  To make it short and sweet, I really hope that no matter where their careers take them professionally that The Beach Boys remain on good terms from here on out.  They established a wonderful legacy together and shouldn't spend the rest of their lives fighting it out in courtrooms over trivial issues.  I also think when we are speaking about Brian Wilson specifically my feeling is he can only benefit by reconnecting with his old mates because as of late they seem to bring out a great deal of positivity in him which is obviously a good thing so hopefully that continues. 

[ArchStanton]

I don't think I've ever read a magazine feature twice in a short span, but I plan on reading this again today.  Just fantastic.

[tpesky]

Some great Brian quotes in there, the plane etc.
Mike still comes off as a pompous ass at times, I think he has mellowed and gets things more but it seems like he can't help himself.
I feel bad for Al. You will always have the Brian/Mike rivalry and all that entails but Al is not a part of that. He's still stuck in between. He's gonna back Brian push comes to shove for sure.  Al misses Carl and Dennis to an extent more on this tour than any of the other guys. Obviously Brian does, but in a different way. Al is having fun on stage but the BB were always Brian in 1 direction, Mike the opposite and the others in between and now it's just Al in between and that's gotta be sad.  Dave wasn't there for that dynamic, it's not his fault and I don't know how to read Bruce. He's frighteningly loyal to Mike it seems.

[Doo Dah]

Great read. By the way, no reason to disparage the Newsweek piece - it succeeded on other levels (the studio and tour rehearsals). The Stone piece gives great insight into the great balancing act of this tour.

And poor Al. He's gone from a man waiting on a bus, to a man sleeping on a bus. 

[SG7]

Well written article. Kind of in the same vein as the Newsweek one, not wearing rose colored glasses for this. Has anyone noticed how the touring band seems to be in a sort of negative light after reading those articles?

[JohnMill]

Well written article. Kind of in the same vein as the Newsweek one, not wearing rose colored glasses for this. Has anyone noticed how the touring band seems to be in a sort of negative light after reading those articles?

It seems with this band that somebody ALWAYS has to be the villain doesn't it?   

[Amy B.]

Great article. Thanks for posting.
My favorite was the words Brian said to Carl. Wow.

Weird how Mike told Brian not to worry about having another beer and then later expressed concern about Brian's weight and lack of exercise.

[ontor pertawst]

Great article. Thanks for posting.
My favorite was the words Brian said to Carl. Wow.

Weird how Mike told Brian not to worry about having another beer and then later expressed concern about Brian's weight and lack of exercise.

Especially classy to express such concern to a guy writing a Rolling Stone article... while also working in the death of Murry and intestinal details. I can almost picture Melinda reading that out loud and fuming as Brian stares into space. Altho in Love's defense, I bet we've all worried about his recent health too!

Clearly the whole back problem bizness f*cked his exercise regime and it's back to steak and cake.

he did flee the stage pretty nimbly in Irvine and wasn't assisted, tho.

[southbay]

Great article. Thanks for posting.
My favorite was the words Brian said to Carl. Wow.

Weird how Mike told Brian not to worry about having another beer and then later expressed concern about Brian's weight and lack of exercise.

Especially classy to express such concern to a guy writing a Rolling Stone article... while also working in the death of Murry and intestinal details. I can almost picture Melinda reading that out loud and fuming as Brian stares into space. Altho in Love's defense, I bet we've all worried about his recent health too!

Clearly the whole back problem bizness f*cked his exercise regime and it's back to steak and cake.

he did flee the stage pretty nimbly in Irvine and wasn't assisted, tho.

I was at both the H. Bowl and Irvine, as well as Opening day at Dodger Stadium.  Brian is moving MUCH better now, there is really no comparison at all. And speaking of concern over Brian's health and weight, I am sure we all have that.  He is indeed over weight.  However, it was a BIT of an irony for Love to talk about Brian's weight, wasn't it?

[Jim V.]

Excellent reason why Brian was anti-"WOL" - it's just not good enough.

I take issue with that, Andrew. So "Waves of Love" isn't good enough, but "Daybreak Over The Ocean" and "Beaches In Mind" are totally worthy?

[urbanite]

Bad back and all, he can ride an exercise bike, and maybe cut back on the calories a little.  I was struck by how fat-in-the-face Brian looked, not good.

With all that free time they have between gigs, I wonder if they ever try to write some new material.

[ontor pertawst]

Being shlepped around on buses and doing radio shows and interviews constantly isn't exactly the best environment to write new material.

[AndrewHickey]

Excellent reason why Brian was anti-"WOL" - it's just not good enough.

I take issue with that, Andrew. So "Waves of Love" isn't good enough, but "Daybreak Over The Ocean" and "Beaches In Mind" are totally worthy?

I don't like either of the songs you mention, but I do think they're both better than Waves Of Love.

[Ron]

Some great Brian quotes in there, the plane etc.
Mike still comes off as a pompous ass at times, I think he has mellowed and gets things more but it seems like he can't help himself.
I feel bad for Al. You will always have the Brian/Mike rivalry and all that entails but Al is not a part of that. He's still stuck in between. He's gonna back Brian push comes to shove for sure.  Al misses Carl and Dennis to an extent more on this tour than any of the other guys. Obviously Brian does, but in a different way. Al is having fun on stage but the BB were always Brian in 1 direction, Mike the opposite and the others in between and now it's just Al in between and that's gotta be sad.  Dave wasn't there for that dynamic, it's not his fault and I don't know how to read Bruce. He's frighteningly loyal to Mike it seems.

I think it's like

Brian and his merry band of supporters, Jeff, half the band, etc.

Mike, Bruce, and their couple guys

Al kind of by himself, but everybody gets on with him although they don't show him too much respect

Dave, who everybody shows respect but kind of just 'is' there.