Could the Beach Boys have been included in the 12/12/12 Hurricane Sandy Concert?

[Sheriff John Stone]

The Beach Boys could have easily done a mini set which had NOTHING to do with surf, water, waves, etc, and could have been brilliant. There were quite a few openly devout fans of Brian's music on that bill who cite him as an influence, it could have been awesome.

I hinted at this on the other thread, but I personally connect The Beach Boys music with the shore, specifically Wildwood Crest. This is going back a few years, but when we would spend a week's vacation there several decades ago, there was one specific diner which still had those mini-jukeboxes at every booth. And I just remember sitting there, looking at all the cars go by on a main street of the town, and playing I Get Around on that jukebox, and hearing other tables playing BB's tunes as well. They had the jukeboxes filled with BB's songs, and it just fit in and reminds me of spending time at The Shore.

So do people on the East Coast shores have a connection to the music of the Beach Boys? Absolutely, and there was many years ago an East Coast-West Coast rivalry but in 2012 I doubt any of that had any impact on booking acts for this show, especially considering some of the performances I hear people talking most about came from British acts.

It was a missed opportunity for the band to put on a great show for millions upon millions of viewers, and for whatever reasons *they f***ing blew it* by not being there, for whatever reasons in or out of their control. My (strong) opinion...

Great points, guitarfool2002. The Beach Boys have been a mainstay in the Delaware Valley going all the way back to the Steel Pier days. They played Atlantic City several times; remember the 1983 concert, one of Dennis' last ones. Almost every year, the Beach Boys play some venue in Philadelphia. And, as you mentioned, there's a lot of Beach Boys music played on those beaches on the East Coast. 

I watched the 12/12/12 concert, and like others, I thought several times how much The Beach Boys COULD'VE and SHOULD'VE been there. But only when I read your post did I realize just how many Brian Wilson fans, acquaintances, and people who recorded with him were present. Clapton, Daltrey, Townshend, Billy Joel, Springsteen, Paul Shaffer, and Paul McCartney. I would've loved to be a fly on the wall backstage.

But, don't forget Jon Bon Jovi. Wouldn't it have been great if Bon Jovi sang his songs, then said to the audience, "I had the opportunity recently to co-write and record a song with The Beach Boys for their new album. The song is called "Summer's Gone" and I'd like to ask them to come out here and perform it for you now. Ladies and gentlemen, The Beach Boys..." And then Brian, Mike, Al, Bruce, and Dave come walking out on stage, smiling and waving....and stand at their mics and sing the song (with Paul Shaffer and a backing band providing the music). And, after that they go into a set of "Good Vibrations", "Help Me Rhonda", and "God Only Knows". How great would've that been?

[I. Spaceman]

Bon Jovi ain't exactly the Grateful Dead in terms of credibility, Sheriff.

[guitarfool2002]

But it's not credibility as much as the show and the location itself - It's not exclusive to this area by any means, but a lot of folks living in the New Jersey-Philly-NY area consider Jon Bon Jovi to be a "native son" to the area, just like Springsteen and a list of other artists and celebrities, and are more protective and also feel a different connection to him (I'm not one of those, but many do and wear it on their sleeve). Their stature is much greater among people here than in other parts of the country, and I don't think people realize how strong that is in this area (I'm talking Philly-Jersey) unless they've lived here. And the audience the other night was mostly people from the NY-NJ area, so Bon Jovi was a bigger star at that point performing with another "native son" Springsteen than he might be considered by someone watching from another part of the country.

In film terms, the influence of the film Rocky in the Philly-NJ area is much, much greater among everyday folks than in other parts of the US who may consider it a great film but nowhere near as iconic as it is here. If you get Stallone to make an appearance here, he'll get more chants of "Rocky!" and more high-fives than he would even in Hollywood, it's a different type of fan connection. They even have a statue here for him, and people everyday run up the steps of the Art Museum like he did in the film - that's part of Philly. That's one example out of many.

If you put Jon Bon Jovi on stage with the Beach Boys, the audience - at least the one a few nights ago - would love it.

[SamMcK]

I would have loved to have seen Prince at the concert now that I think about it!

[I. Spaceman]

But it's not credibility as much as the show and the location itself - It's not exclusive to this area by any means, but a lot of folks living in the New Jersey-Philly-NY area consider Jon Bon Jovi to be a "native son" to the area, just like Springsteen and a list of other artists and celebrities, and are more protective and also feel a different connection to him (I'm not one of those, but many do and wear it on their sleeve). Their stature is much greater among people here than in other parts of the country, and I don't think people realize how strong that is in this area (I'm talking Philly-Jersey) unless they've lived here. And the audience the other night was mostly people from the NY-NJ area, so Bon Jovi was a bigger star at that point performing with another "native son" Springsteen than he might be considered by someone watching from another part of the country.

In film terms, the influence of the film Rocky in the Philly-NJ area is much, much greater among everyday folks than in other parts of the US who may consider it a great film but nowhere near as iconic as it is here. If you get Stallone to make an appearance here, he'll get more chants of "Rocky!" and more high-fives than he would even in Hollywood, it's a different type of fan connection. They even have a statue here for him, and people everyday run up the steps of the Art Museum like he did in the film - that's part of Philly. That's one example out of many.

If you put Jon Bon Jovi on stage with the Beach Boys, the audience - at least the one a few nights ago - would love it.

That is true, but a lot of the group's potential audience loved seeing them alongside Ronald Reagan, and we know how divisive an issue that is. In the short terms, in MSG, Beach Boys and Bon Jovi would have been fine. But what do you think the reaction here, or the average Pet Sounds/Smile fan, to that would have been, for better or worse?

[BB Universe]

This board's reaction? Something would have been found to complain about by someone.   

[guitarfool2002]

We can't necessarily focus on the possible reaction from any one sub-group of fans, or even the sub-groups which exist on this board. I think with an event like that, a lot can be forgiven and a lot can also be amplified into becoming something greater than it actually was as it unfolded live - the sword cuts both ways with these events. I've heard many people praise the Who, I agree with that praise - I could watch Pete Townshend play any time, and it was great to see live. The drumming was terrific, as was Pete. If I watched it again, now, a few days later, I might hear Daltrey's vocals as a little off and it would affect the joy of the moment. But as I watched a few nights ago, I really enjoyed it in the moment. If certain fan groups (BB's and others) can't do that for reasons other than what is unfolding musically in front of their eyes, shame on them, it's their loss.

As far as individual groups of fans, Springsteen has his share of his own cultish sub-groups: Did the diehard Bruce fans react a certain way to having him share lead vocals with Jon Bon Jovi on that most sacred cow of sacred cows in Bruce's catalog, "Born To Run"? I'm sure some fans liked it, some didn't, and others just watched it and rolled with it. I enjoyed it, again it was a live moment. Same with the Nirvana "reunion" playing with Sir Paul - I honestly haven't bothered to look, but were there any strong reactions from those fan bases either pro or con what happened on the stage?

I wouldn't even try to guess the reaction from various groups of Beach Boys fans, and to be honest about it, whatever the reaction was it wouldn't really matter at all in the long run. I do know it would have been a fantastic way to cap off a year which was triumphant for the band, for the most part, and share the stage with their peers and admirers. That would have been priceless. As it stands, we'll never know and the band missed yet another opportunity for reasons we still don't know (officially)...

All I want is a reason why - officially - the band did not take part. That's not too much to ask! 

[guitarfool2002]

"They weren't asked" doesn't count. 

[SamMcK]

There was some whining from the Beatles/Macca/Nirvana/Dave Grohl fan bases but overall I think it was rather positive and went better than expected.

[guitarfool2002]

I just want to add too that I realize I'm playing the role of the selfish-boorish fan by commenting this strongly on what could have been and what didn't happen, but I think it's also starting to hit me hard that there simply will not be many more opportunities for fans like me to see these musicians perform on stage. Especially a concert like this, the magnitude of seeing The Stones, The Who, McCartney, Bruce, etc. playing on the same bill...it hits me that such an opportunity may not come around again, and also how perfect a fit it would have been to have the reunited Beach Boys on that stage taking part with them. If the 50th Anniversary reunion had never happened, it would all be empty speculation, but just a few months ago we had a terrific reunited band traveling the world and performing and making people happy.

The music world is full of "what if" situations, somehow this one just jumped out as something the Beach Boys should have been a part of.

[I. Spaceman]

Besides the Bon Jovi deal, I myself would have loved to see them there. But I think a whole lot of folks, maybe even everyone except loyal Beach Boys fans would have reckoned them as being as out of place as Kanye West, and Brian would have been held up to a certain amount of ridicule, especially compared to the physically active performances of other "old" performers that were there. It is sad (evn tho I actually think it is fine), but the band still does not have the certain respect from rock fans that would give them an automatic placement among their peers. It isn't the TAMI Show days any more.

[SloopJohnnyB]

Oh, I don't know about that. The Beach Boys are known around the world, aren't they? They can still Rock with the best of them. No problem with the reception they would have received. It would have been great.

I'm so bummed out about them not being involved that I deleted my DVR recording of the concert. I never did get to see the whole show. The Stones, The Who, McCartney, Springsteen, THE BEACH BOYS........wow, what could have been.  It would have been a keeper, thats for sure.

[I. Spaceman]

The Beach Boys are not respected by the average mainstream classic rock listener that worships at the altar of The Beatles, Stones, Who and Springsteen. Trust me.

[FatherOfTheMan Sr101]

He was awful. Completely out of place in comparison to all of the other artists who participated.

Yeah, he was black.

Anyone else getting tired of this sarcasm? A lot of people strongly dislike him, get used to it.

[Rocky Raccoon]

I remember during a telethon for Tsunami relief, Brian sang Love and Mercy for his cellist Markus Sandlund who died in the storm and it was a really sweet performance.  So yeah, I suppose they could have fit in.

[I. Spaceman]

He was awful. Completely out of place in comparison to all of the other artists who participated.

Yeah, he was black.

Anyone else getting tired of this sarcasm? A lot of people strongly dislike him, get used to it.

Anyone else tired of mouthy, know-nothing 12 year old boys on this forum?

[Quzi]

Kanye's one of the best artists out there today, y'all are whack. Most of the people who strongly dislike him either haven't listened to his stuff, let his personality distort their evaluation or are innately programmed to believe that all hip-hop/rap is meritless, no exceptions.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Kanye's one of the best artists out there today, y'all are whack. Most of the people who strongly dislike him either haven't listened to his stuff, let his personality distort their evaluation or are innately programmed to believe that all hip-hop/rap is meritless, no exceptions.

I agree. That said, that...wasn't one of his better offerings.

[Jay]

I think not having The Beach Boys play the Sandy benefit definitely was a missed oppertunity. They could have done Pet Sounds showcasing Dave, and it most likely would have been the biggest highlight of the entire show. My ideal "setlist" for the group would have been Sail On Sailor, Help Me Rhonda, The Warmth Of The Sun,  It's Ok, Pet Sounds, and Summers Gone.

[FatherOfTheMan Sr101]

He was awful. Completely out of place in comparison to all of the other artists who participated.

Yeah, he was black.

Anyone else getting tired of this sarcasm? A lot of people strongly dislike him, get used to it.

Anyone else tired of mouthy, know-nothing 12 year old boys on this forum?

Yeah, I know nothing, I was totally the one to point to race when people were talking about someone's (horrendous) performance.

[FatherOfTheMan Sr101]

Kanye's one of the best artists out there today, y'all are whack. Most of the people who strongly dislike him either haven't listened to his stuff, let his personality distort their evaluation or are innately programmed to believe that all hip-hop/rap is meritless, no exceptions.

While I agree that most people who dislike the music more or less just dislike the man, I believe they go hand in hand.
I wasn't as big into Pet Sounds until I read about Brian, his story, and why he wrote the music. As far as that goes, no
wonder I don't like Kanye.

Actually, compare him to Mike Love, he did write some cool lyrics from time to time, but his overall attitude and personality usually cloud everyone's opinions.

[I. Spaceman]

He was awful. Completely out of place in comparison to all of the other artists who participated.

Yeah, he was black.

Anyone else getting tired of this sarcasm? A lot of people strongly dislike him, get used to it.

Anyone else tired of mouthy, know-nothing 12 year old boys on this forum?

Yeah, I know nothing, I was totally the one to point to race when people were talking about someone's (horrendous) performance.

Listen, don't say anything about my posts, kid. I don't care if you don't like my sarcasm, if you do not get the punishingly obvious fact that any modern black hip-hop artist wouldn't have been appreciated in such a punishingly white classic-rock context (see also: Run-DMC's performance at Live Aid), and also, I honestly think your posts and outlook on music are completely laughable. "If Fun. wins a Grammy, I'll kill every teenage girl"? You should have been tossed out on your ass for saying that bulls*it.

[seltaeb1012002]

I think the reason Kanye's set sucked is because it was pretty much just him on the stage. The songs are great, but in that context the lack of a live band really killed the vibe for me. Not enough "music" going on up there.

[I. Spaceman]

It was a very odd, cold performance. For some reason I thought it went well with the electronica elements of his music. Had a mid-70's Bowie noir feeling.

[Lonely Summer]

The Beach Boys are not respected by the average mainstream classic rock listener that worships at the altar of The Beatles, Stones, Who and Springsteen. Trust me.

This is true. I hear the above mentioned artists all the time on the local classic rock station (the rare times I listen - always in the car). The Beach Boys don't figure into that format at all. But I would've been thrilled to see the BB's on the show, along with Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and members of the Kinks, Hollies, or Raiders.