For anybody who doesn't have the "Good Vibrations Tour" DVD...

[Dave Modny]

I have a soft spot for the 1976 NBC-TV Special. I was getting hooked big time.

As flawed as the band was at that time, there were still some musical highlights, and also a "nearing the end of an era" if you will. "Sloop John B" is one of my favorite live versions of that song; check out Carl's guitar playing and Dennis' drumming. Carl's singing on "God Only Knows" has him still singing in his angelic voice; while he would remain spectacular for many years to come, his singing voice would get huskier so I appreciate this 1976 version. Same with Mike, in 1976 he hadn't gone completely "nasal" yet. The version of "It's Ok", with the reversed choruses, is full of energy. The Hornettes, the sailboat stage, the wives, McCartney, the SNL crew, everything! And then there's Brian. When you watch him laughing and trying to crack up his brothers during "I'm Bugged At My Old Man", you see a man who for a brief moment...could share a fun, happy moment with his brothers. He was smiling, laughing, naturally. He didn't do too much of that post-1976.

This 1976 film is loopy, all over the place, and like 15 Big Ones, might've missed the mark and turned some people off. But for nuts like us, it's priceless.

I'll add one other thing that I really loved from that '76 version of "God Only Knows.":

That little harmony thing that Al did on the tag during the "God only knows..." answer line. It always stuck with me, to the point that I'll occasionally add it myself when singing along.

BTW, this, along with a few of the other Broadway Video specials were summer syndicated for TV, here in the States, sometime in the mid-late 80s (e.g. Paul Simon's first solo NBC special). That's when I recorded it. Unfortunately, some choice moments were edited out, including the "Double Rock-That Same Song" bit.

[Sheriff John Stone]

I have a soft spot for the 1976 NBC-TV Special. I was getting hooked big time.

As flawed as the band was at that time, there were still some musical highlights, and also a "nearing the end of an era" if you will. "Sloop John B" is one of my favorite live versions of that song; check out Carl's guitar playing and Dennis' drumming. Carl's singing on "God Only Knows" has him still singing in his angelic voice; while he would remain spectacular for many years to come, his singing voice would get huskier so I appreciate this 1976 version. Same with Mike, in 1976 he hadn't gone completely "nasal" yet. The version of "It's Ok", with the reversed choruses, is full of energy. The Hornettes, the sailboat stage, the wives, McCartney, the SNL crew, everything! And then there's Brian. When you watch him laughing and trying to crack up his brothers during "I'm Bugged At My Old Man", you see a man who for a brief moment...could share a fun, happy moment with his brothers. He was smiling, laughing, naturally. He didn't do too much of that post-1976.

This 1976 film is loopy, all over the place, and like 15 Big Ones, might've missed the mark and turned some people off. But for nuts like us, it's priceless.

I'll add one other thing that I really loved from that '76 version of "God Only Knows.":

That little harmony thing that Al did on the tag during the "God only knows..." answer line. It always stuck with me, to the point that I'll occasionally add it myself when singing along.

Yes, absolutely. That's a very touching moment, thanks for mentioning it.

You know, since I'm posting this, there's those other "slices" that personalize the guys: Dennis on The Harmony, Al on his farm, even Brian in bed. The first glimpses of the heavy Brian. Mike in his flashy stage outfits. Al's funny hats. Karen Lamm-Wilson. With the passing of time this documentary is more meaningful.

[Nicko1234]

No contest between the quality level of the Beach Boys in '76 as opposed to the Knebworth period. In '76 they still retain the remnants of their glowing mid '70's peak...by Knebworth they were cheesy and wheezing. Plus Knebworth is overdubbed, Its OK is the real live stuff. Admittedly Dennis' presence gives Knebworth some credible rock energy, but in general the band was in decline, they had let go half the band because they didn't meditate, the horns were gone, everything organic replaced by Meros on keys, satin baseball jackets and shorts were on the rise. 1976 was the last tour that easily sold out 50,000 plus stadiums throughout the states, by '80 they had trouble selling out the 17,000 seat Forum in L.A. I saw them both years, '76 and '80...I'd take the '76 show a zillion times over the '80 show.

Agree with all of that apart from Dennis giving them some 'credible rock energy'. We should perhaps be thankful that his drums like the rest of the instruments were overdubbed. Some of his drumming on other concerts in 1980 certainly wasn't up to much anyway.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

I may be in the minority but I prefer the raw tapes to the released version.

[Tony S]

Always loved the "boogie" version of Rhonda that was included near the end of the show.

[leggo of my ego]

I'd like know the video quality is better than fuzzy-wuzzy VHS blurrie-action.

Ive put in my years...decades watching that kind of of stuff and I am completely spoiled now.

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

No contest between the quality level of the Beach Boys in '76 as opposed to the Knebworth period. In '76 they still retain the remnants of their glowing mid '70's peak...by Knebworth they were cheesy and wheezing. Plus Knebworth is overdubbed, Its OK is the real live stuff. Admittedly Dennis' presence gives Knebworth some credible rock energy, but in general the band was in decline, they had let go half the band because they didn't meditate, the horns were gone, everything organic replaced by Meros on keys, satin baseball jackets and shorts were on the rise. 1976 was the last tour that easily sold out 50,000 plus stadiums throughout the states, by '80 they had trouble selling out the 17,000 seat Forum in L.A. I saw them both years, '76 and '80...I'd take the '76 show a zillion times over the '80 show.

Agree with all of that apart from Dennis giving them some 'credible rock energy'. We should perhaps be thankful that his drums like the rest of the instruments were overdubbed. Some of his drumming on other concerts in 1980 certainly wasn't up to much anyway.

Do we know the drums were overdubbed? (a difficult procedure) .... And if so, Dennis is seen playing very clear and very well and very often for that show. Whoever overdubbed him, overdubbed him spot on: mistakes and all.

[AndrewHickey]

Do we know the drums were overdubbed? (a difficult procedure) .... And if so, Dennis is seen playing very clear and very well and very often for that show. Whoever overdubbed him, overdubbed him spot on: mistakes and all.

Mark Linnet said on here a few years back:

In actual fact very little re-recording was done on Knebworth. About 75% of the songs have one single overdub track of group bg vocals, and there are a few songs that have an xtra guitar or keyboard but that's it. No lead vocals were redone . The few songs that were left off the release were deemed to not be up to the standard of the rest of the concert. And a great concert it is imo.

I'd let people make their own minds up about how much that matches with what we can hear, or with comparisons to the raw tapes...

[Jon Stebbins]

No contest between the quality level of the Beach Boys in '76 as opposed to the Knebworth period. In '76 they still retain the remnants of their glowing mid '70's peak...by Knebworth they were cheesy and wheezing. Plus Knebworth is overdubbed, Its OK is the real live stuff. Admittedly Dennis' presence gives Knebworth some credible rock energy, but in general the band was in decline, they had let go half the band because they didn't meditate, the horns were gone, everything organic replaced by Meros on keys, satin baseball jackets and shorts were on the rise. 1976 was the last tour that easily sold out 50,000 plus stadiums throughout the states, by '80 they had trouble selling out the 17,000 seat Forum in L.A. I saw them both years, '76 and '80...I'd take the '76 show a zillion times over the '80 show.

Agree with all of that apart from Dennis giving them some 'credible rock energy'. We should perhaps be thankful that his drums like the rest of the instruments were overdubbed. Some of his drumming on other concerts in 1980 certainly wasn't up to much anyway.

Do we know the drums were overdubbed? (a difficult procedure) .... And if so, Dennis is seen playing very clear and very well and very often for that show. Whoever overdubbed him, overdubbed him spot on: mistakes and all.

From what i was told by Alan Boyd the drums on Knebworth were not overdubbed, there was some digital triggering to fatten the sound, but that was it. My reference above to overdubs on Knebworth was referring to vocals only.

[MBE]

Does anyone remember Dennis during Good Vibrations on the uncut July 4th,1980 show. He starts talking about the hostages over and over.  Kind of glad that show didn't go out live, though some very cool cuts were taken out of the HBO special. The Dennis of 1976 was in such a better place which is why I like the 1976 special so much better than the 1980 ones. All the points Jon made about the changes on stage are valid as well.

[metal flake paint]

Does anyone remember Dennis during Good Vibrations on the uncut July 4th,1980 show. He starts talking about the hostages over and over.  Kind of glad that show didn't go out live, though some very cool cuts were taken out of the HBO special. The Dennis of 1976 was in such a better place which is why I like the 1976 special so much better than the 1980 ones. All the points Jon made about the changes on stage are valid as well.

Yes, remember it well. Dennis certainly kept everyone on edge Personally I enjoy the rambunctiousness and the powerhouse arrangements of that show, aspects that steadily declined after Dennis passed.

[MBE]

Does anyone remember Dennis during Good Vibrations on the uncut July 4th,1980 show. He starts talking about the hostages over and over.  Kind of glad that show didn't go out live, though some very cool cuts were taken out of the HBO special. The Dennis of 1976 was in such a better place which is why I like the 1976 special so much better than the 1980 ones. All the points Jon made about the changes on stage are valid as well.

Yes, remember it well. Dennis certainly kept everyone on edge Personally I enjoy the rambunctiousness and the powerhouse arrangements of that show, aspects that steadily declined after Dennis passed.

Yeah I do admit that no matter what shape he was in, Dennis added balls to the proceedings.

[phirnis]

Does anyone remember Dennis during Good Vibrations on the uncut July 4th,1980 show. He starts talking about the hostages over and over.  Kind of glad that show didn't go out live, though some very cool cuts were taken out of the HBO special. The Dennis of 1976 was in such a better place which is why I like the 1976 special so much better than the 1980 ones. All the points Jon made about the changes on stage are valid as well.

I don't understand the part about the hostages. Maybe it's very obvious and I just don't get it at this moment or maybe it's because I'm not American. Either way, would be happy if you could explain that one to me!

By the way, I think DW looked quite good in the 4th of July footage from 1980, especially if you compare it to his rather unkempt presence at Knebworth. Did he sing "You Are So Beautiful" at Washington as well? Would love to see that.

[AndrewHickey]

Does anyone remember Dennis during Good Vibrations on the uncut July 4th,1980 show. He starts talking about the hostages over and over.  Kind of glad that show didn't go out live, though some very cool cuts were taken out of the HBO special. The Dennis of 1976 was in such a better place which is why I like the 1976 special so much better than the 1980 ones. All the points Jon made about the changes on stage are valid as well.

I don't understand the part about the hostages. Maybe it's very obvious and I just don't get it at this moment or maybe it's because I'm not American. Either way, would be happy if you could explain that one to me!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_hostage_crisis . Biggest news story of 1980 in the US, and one of the main reasons that Reagan became President (and also for the ongoing antipathy between radical Islam and the US).

[phirnis]

Thanks, Andrew!

I think I remember that uncut footage of the group performing Good Vibrations. Seemed to me like they were concerned if Dennis would return back to the drum kit in time...

[metal flake paint]

Does anyone remember Dennis during Good Vibrations on the uncut July 4th,1980 show. He starts talking about the hostages over and over.  Kind of glad that show didn't go out live, though some very cool cuts were taken out of the HBO special. The Dennis of 1976 was in such a better place which is why I like the 1976 special so much better than the 1980 ones. All the points Jon made about the changes on stage are valid as well.

 Did he sing "You Are So Beautiful" at Washington as well? Would love to see that.

It doesn't seem to be the case.

http://members.tripod.com/~fun_fun_fun/7-4-80.html

[Rocker]

Does anyone remember Dennis during Good Vibrations on the uncut July 4th,1980 show. He starts talking about the hostages over and over.  Kind of glad that show didn't go out live, though some very cool cuts were taken out of the HBO special. The Dennis of 1976 was in such a better place which is why I like the 1976 special so much better than the 1980 ones. All the points Jon made about the changes on stage are valid as well.

Haven't seen the uncut version. What does he say? And did the audience respond?

[metal flake paint]

Does anyone remember Dennis during Good Vibrations on the uncut July 4th,1980 show. He starts talking about the hostages over and over.  Kind of glad that show didn't go out live, though some very cool cuts were taken out of the HBO special. The Dennis of 1976 was in such a better place which is why I like the 1976 special so much better than the 1980 ones. All the points Jon made about the changes on stage are valid as well.

Haven't seen the uncut version. What does he say? And did the audience respond?

Something along the lines of "How about one for the hostages...c'mon" and "All of our brothers in Iran...c'mon." The audience just continued singing along.

At the point where the band started "doin' some other stuff", they were just left in a holding pattern as Dennis wasn't in much of a hurry to return to the drums.

[HeyJude]

My review of the new US release of this DVD is here: http://beachboysopinion.blogspot.com/

[MBE]

Wanted to make clear I never saw uncut video of 7-4-80, there is just a good audio boot that's been going around for many years.

[drbeachboy]

No contest between the quality level of the Beach Boys in '76 as opposed to the Knebworth period. In '76 they still retain the remnants of their glowing mid '70's peak...by Knebworth they were cheesy and wheezing. Plus Knebworth is overdubbed, Its OK is the real live stuff. Admittedly Dennis' presence gives Knebworth some credible rock energy, but in general the band was in decline, they had let go half the band because they didn't meditate, the horns were gone, everything organic replaced by Meros on keys, satin baseball jackets and shorts were on the rise. 1976 was the last tour that easily sold out 50,000 plus stadiums throughout the states, by '80 they had trouble selling out the 17,000 seat Forum in L.A. I saw them both years, '76 and '80...I'd take the '76 show a zillion times over the '80 show.

While I agree with your post, I must say that that 1980 Tour was pretty damn good. I attended the Philadelphia tour opening show and to this day it was the most exciting show of the 40 that I have attended through 2012. They had the Spectrum rocking, literally. You could barely hear them on the floor from everyone in the building singing along with them. Technically, not there best show. There was no Dennis, but we did have Brian there. But for me looking back, it was their last hurrah for filling the larger indoor stadiums. Except for 1989 when they toured with Chicago and a solo Brian, they pretty much only played at much smaller venues.

[Emdeeh]

This was only previously released in the UK, Region 2 PAL, so this is the first US release.

I have the earlier release as a Brazilian import, Region 1 NTSC.

[HeyJude]

This was only previously released in the UK, Region 2 PAL, so this is the first US release.

I have the earlier release as a Brazilian import, Region 1 NTSC.

Never knew! I often see stuff from Brazil that may or not be legit, sometimes the sort of "grey market" sort of things. Don't recall seeing this on the US Amazon site and the like. In any event, it's bizarre it took so long to get this out as a US release. $9.99 isn't a bad price.

[Rocky Raccoon]

It's also downloadable on iTunes now.

[Wirestone]

Just picked this up today at the local Best Buy -- first time I've ever seen it in a store. Decent-enough looking packaging, if slightly tacky.

In answer to the ownership questions posted earlier in this thread: The copyright notice on the back of the case says "Copyright 1976 Broadway Video Entertainment, Inc. and Brother Records, Inc. d/b/a The Beach Boys Productions, exclusively licensed to Eagle Rock Entertainment Ltd." Includes a Broadway video logo. So it's co-owned by the Boys and Lorne Michaels.

Video quality isn't pristine, but it's still decent. Better than I've seen before, at least. Sound is quite good, and the show is nicely put together overall.