The Beach Boys: Stamos, Love, Johnston

[joshferrell]

The one thing I don't understand is that the average household will not know the name Mike Love or Brian Wilson, but will almost certainly know who John Stamos is - so why is he always tagging along with them? It's just that he never looks like he's a star in that line-up. It's almost like take your kid to work day, and Stamos is there with a sheepish grin rawking out on an unplugged guitar.

Take your kid to work day. Well said.
HEY...LOOKAT ME! I'M RAWKIN!

lol..even mike Love has a disgusted look on his face.. now THAT'S funny!

[Shady]

If the kids don't hear the songs on tv the music will die...

http://www.kvue.com/video/featured-videos/WEB-EXTRA-John-Stamos-talks-about-performing-with-The-Beach-Boys-172893881.html

Mike and Bruce seem very happy to be back to the old format

[joshferrell]

I think Dennis was splashing in his grave when this happened.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuCz8JeMhuQ

Splashing in his grave 

[Rocker]

I think Dennis was splashing in his grave when this happened.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuCz8JeMhuQ

Right. Because Denny would have nailed it in one take.




And by "it" I mean the female dance cast, of course.

Until I saw the small written stuff of your post, I was gonna post exactly that...


I had totally forgotten about that scene. Makes you wish Stamos would've stayed a little longer at that time he actually met Dennis...

[Aegir]

One time I saw Bruce Willis sit on with the Allman Brothers... and it was just as lame.

[HeyJude]

I don't want to assume anything about what anyone out there knows about Stamos as a musician, but this isn't just a case of Stamos being a good musician, and fans being annoyed because he was the dude on Full House, or because he brown-noses Mike, or because he has an annoying stage presence. All those things are true, but he really seems to be a mediocre (at best) musician from the examples I've seen and heard. He plays guitar and drums as a hobby, not a profession. He does BB gigs for some extra attention and a taste of being a rockstar. Whether you watch him doodle on Full House or at BB gigs over the years, he just isn't a particuarly good musician, not up to par to any musician I can think of that has played in any BB touring lineup.

I wish I could dig up an interview David Marks did around 1999 or 2000 or so where he was asked about Stamos, and I recall that David was trying to be polite and diplomatic. I think he referenced something to the effect that Stamos may have the ability to be a good musician, but he just doesn't practice or hone his craft the way an actual professional musican does, most likely because his profession is apparently acting.

[Aegir]

Stamos played drums the bulk of the first reunion show I went to, and it sucked. If he was playing in a bar band I wouldn't have noticed, but compared with Cowsill and D'amico's great drumming, it was really bad. Really really bad. Not that he was off time or anything, it was just really basic unenergetic, stupid drumming.

The other time I saw Stamos sit in was Atlantic City on July 4th, 2008 (I think). Cowsill stayed on drums the whole time, though, so Stamos played a second drumset. That was actually kind of cool. The "sheriff John Stone" drum and bass buildup in Sloop John B sounded great with two full kits.

[Cabinessenceking]

Aegir is right on. This Stamos guy is half-actor half-musician but the final result is he does not excel in being either.

[Letsgoawayforawhile]

Does anyone know why Stamos still plays with them?
Does he bring out more cougars or something?
Is he just buddies with Mike and Bruce?
He probably demands more money than Brian.

[Jason]

Honestly...Stamos does what EVERYONE in this thread hoped and wished they could do.

[ontor pertawst]

I think most of us would probably practice a bit more given the chance.

[Doo Dah]

Honestly...Stamos does what EVERYONE in this thread hoped and wished they could do.

Those of us who have played and recorded would probably try a wee bit to not act like such a goober on stage. Just sayin.

[Jason]

Honestly...Stamos does what EVERYONE in this thread hoped and wished they could do.

Those of us who have played and recorded would probably try a wee bit to not act like such a goober on stage. Just sayin.

Yet...I don't see you or anyone else here on stage with them.

[Letsgoawayforawhile]

Honestly...Stamos does what EVERYONE in this thread hoped and wished they could do.

Those of us who have played and recorded would probably try a wee bit to not act like such a goober on stage. Just sayin.

Yet...I don't see you or anyone else here on stage with them.

If I made it on stage with them, I'd just freeze in all the awesomeness.
Props to him for that.

[filledeplage]

Honestly...Stamos does what EVERYONE in this thread hoped and wished they could do.

Those of us who have played and recorded would probably try a wee bit to not act like such a goober on stage. Just sayin.

Doo Dah - I've come to love the guy.  He is just so nice to the special needs people who go to the shows.  After teaching many years with people who don't even like kids, never mind special needs ones, afraid of them, even; I find him so awesome. 

If Carl Wilson found him OK, to play onstage with, so do I.  The young people just love him, and lots come to see Stamos, first, and the Beach Boys, second.  And, that is a fact.  Sorry, Beach Boys.   .

And, ya, jealous? Ya think? 

[Shady]

Carl also played on stage in front of a bunch of cheer leaders..

Nobody really knows what he thought

[Nicko1234]

Does anyone know why Stamos still plays with them?
Does he bring out more cougars or something?
Is he just buddies with Mike and Bruce?
He probably demands more money than Brian.

Because he helps them to sell tickets. He`s done Mike and Bruce a lot of good over the years.

[Rocker]

Honestly...Stamos does what EVERYONE in this thread hoped and wished they could do.

That's right!
I don't think the problem is with Stamos as a person. I mean what has the guy done? It's Mike completely hangin' on to him and building it up as part of the Beach Boys. It's totally that kind of cheese that the Beach Boys have caught up with since the 80s. Back then it might've been "in" (even if already ridiculous). But to not have gotten over this and still let this such a big part of the band is damaging, tasteless and sad.
But to make it clear once more: it's nothing against the person Stamos. He seems like a nice guy

[Letsgoawayforawhile]

Does anyone know why Stamos still plays with them?
Does he bring out more cougars or something?
Is he just buddies with Mike and Bruce?
He probably demands more money than Brian.

Because he helps them to sell tickets. He`s done Mike and Bruce a lot of good over the years.

SO MANY COUGARS.

[filledeplage]

Carl also played on stage in front of a bunch of cheer leaders..

Nobody really knows what he thought

No one knows what anyone else thinks, but, you might be able to infer Carl's general approval, and other members, having appeared on his and other TV shows.  

Cheerleaders might have been a means of revitalizing and appealing to a wider audience.  Nothing wrong with trying to freshen an act or striving for improvement...

[Jason]

Does anyone know why Stamos still plays with them?
Does he bring out more cougars or something?
Is he just buddies with Mike and Bruce?
He probably demands more money than Brian.

Because he helps them to sell tickets. He`s done Mike and Bruce a lot of good over the years.

SO MANY COUGARS.

What's wrong with cougars?

[ontor pertawst]

Cheerleaders might have been a means of revitalizing and appealing to a wider audience.  Nothing wrong with trying to freshen an act or striving for improvement...

Oh yes, I was really against The Beach Boys growing up until I saw Carl playing guitar looking incredibly uncomfortable near some cheerleaders. That made me realize: wow, this is a vital, appealing group. I am part of their audience now!

Hi. I'm Joe Piscopo.

[Letsgoawayforawhile]

Does anyone know why Stamos still plays with them?
Does he bring out more cougars or something?
Is he just buddies with Mike and Bruce?
He probably demands more money than Brian.

Because he helps them to sell tickets. He`s done Mike and Bruce a lot of good over the years.

SO MANY COUGARS.

What's wrong with cougars?

Nothing at all.
I'm a big fan.
Haha.
Maybe Mike and Bruce are too.
Hopefully at least.

[Sheriff John Stone]

Does anyone know why Stamos still plays with them?

I'm not defending it, I'm not agreeing with it, just an opinion....

In the 1980's, after Dennis and Brian were gone, a Beach Boys' concert wasn't the most exciting event, and that's when they really started to get the reputation as a traveling jukebox. Yes, they could've started THEN to improve the band and/or the setlist, but Mike took another approach. I really believe he wanted to give the audience, in addition to the music, "a show".

That's when the cheerleaders came on board, Billy Hinsche eventually donned a costume and rapped to "Wipe Out", Mike played his two note saxophone to "Shut Down", they did that little "spin" move to "Little GTO", fans who won a contest came onstage to sing "Barbara Ann" with the band, and on and on. That's about the time Stamos came along.

No, Stamos is not a good musician. It doesn't matter. That's not his role. He's a personality, a celebrity, a tool. He's a conversation piece; someone/something people can talk about and take away from the concert. I guess it's just Mike's way of giving the audience something extra. I'm sure Mike - and most fans - consider it a bonus when Stamos appears with the group. I think most of the audience at Beach Boys' concerts likes him.

I've always been surprised at the hate for Stamos from people on this board. Somebody above posted about Stamos' drumming (or guitar playing) not being good. Seriously, 99% of the audience can't tell the difference. Stamos isn't replacing anybody; I doubt he gets paid. Actually, I think Stamos performed with John Fogerty. While posters here don't even like the sight of Stamos, actually, for most of his acting career, he has been a popular personality. It's not like he's a polarizing actor in the mode of Sean Penn or people like that. Stamos is pretty harmless.

As a matter of fact, John Stamos has been very good to The Beach Boys in return, having them on his various TV shows, inviting them to his wedding, mentioning them in interviews, etc. How many other celebrities - or anybody! - has promoted The Beach Boys the way has. I can't think of one negative incident in all these years involving Stamos. It's been all good. In my opinion, of course.

[Jason]

He's certainly a true fan. A real fan. A loyal fan. He loves the band and the music. And he just happens to occasionally be a jackass on stage. Again, everyone here bitching about him would LOVE to have such an opportunity fall in his or her lap.