The Truth of Bruth (Johnston)

[Niko]

I've noticed that with Bruce Johnston, and this is starting in the early days of their 65' touring with the man, that Brucey adopted a very intense way of joking. I suspect he saw too many movies.

I've listened through every bootleg in my research, and here are his best moments:
"Woah, careful there Mike. You wouldn't want to crush any fans fingers now would you? *passive aggressive fake laugh*"
"Let's see now...CARL wrote this next tune...well, he wrote a word of it."
"I see a lot of pretty young girls out there...why are you all way in the back?"
"Mike sings this next like a bird!" (wtf bruce)
"Reach your hands to the sky and sway with us on this next one - I know you guys like only going to the left, but you can't stay there forever" *mike sighs massages temples*
"Texas is great, you know, Mike and I had a burger in what we were told was your best joint, just last night! Sorry folks, but that's another tick mark California has on you" *says to the side but not far away enough from the mic 'what DO they have here?'
Mike: "Well Bruce what have you been doing since you got to Seattle?"
Bruce: *Total deadpan delivery* "I've been doing drugs." IMMEDIATELY bursts into laughter like its a funny joke while everyone wonders what he's doing there.
Plus many more - this was just the 60's.

When Bruce rejoined the band in the late 70's at the request of one Brian Wilson, he may have let the fact a pop genius asked HIM to join up with the band again go to his head. He got cocky. And with that cockiness came with it that same Bruce "Joker" Johnston sense of humor everyone knew - but improved. It seemed he had spent his years in exile meditating to achieve maximum Brucyness in all aspects of his life.
Bruce at this point in time felt that HE should be the new MC. He learned that the other Beach Boys had their reservations about letting Bruce speak into a microphone at any point onstage - he hated them upon learning this and made it the goal of his spirit to get as much attention as possible. This is where we learn the truth about the shorts. While these days seen as an embarrassing "dad-rock" trait, Bruce wore the shorts to show he was comfortable being casual in front of a crowd of ANY size - as an MC should be. It was not agreed upon at any point that Bruce would fill this role, however, he tried his hardest to fill it anyway. Watch any clip from the 80s and pay attention at the between song period - what will you see, but Bruce eyeing everyone's microphones, sweating, moving his torso around and trying to say things that would appear dominant to the crowd, but not the other Beach Boys. Despite devoting his being to achieving his goals, it would be these moment Bruce would contemplate his life, career and if he should come up with another goal. After all, he did write a song once - why not give that another go?
As it turned out Bruceykins became so hung up with the conundrum he was unable to do anything but what he was already doing. YOU MAY ALL LAUGH, at the Microphone adjusting - that's a Bruce fidget as he contemplates saying something that isn't part of the song like "Sing along ya'll" or "Clap with us" or "This is the good bit". His mind is racing at a million miles per second - and he says little because he's so nervous. This is what I will call "Bruce Johnston" syndrome - an individual who sets themself a goal with the intensity akin to Jesus' healing that they cannot relieve themselves of that goal and therefore are unable to make the best decisions for themself. We stand with ya Bruce!
I am not Bruce, I am just speculating.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Meeting Bruce back stage at a C50 show, he was everything normal, cool and nice. We talked for 10 minutes about his kids, surfing, his love of England. I'd say a very normal guy and very pleasant. Probably didn't hurt that I told him I still have my "Going Public" LP and then we talked a little Catalina Island.

[clack]

I believe Mike has also said a lot of dumb things and made a lot of bad jokes over the years, as did Dennis during his couple years fronting the band.

[Mikie]

The truth about Bruth? He's no political expert. He needs to stick to adjusting his microphone and walking across the stage in his white shorts smiling, waving, and clapping his hands.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/beach-boys-bruce-johnston-blasts-obama-20120511

http://www.tmz.com/2012/05/11/beach-boys-singer-bruce-johnston-barack-obama-socialist-ahole/

Who really gives a sh*t what you think about anything, Bruth?  Effing Carpetbagger.

[Dancing Bear]

http://youtu.be/EbLx5Y5zRww?t=2m22s

Everythings's forgiven. Bruce rocks.

[Nicko1234]

I enjoy the awful sense of humour of all of the guys. A couple I like from Bruce:

`Come on cut loose, it`s Saturday night. This ain`t no Sting concert!`

When introducing Matt as Al`s son in concert:
Mike:`The apple doesn`t fall too far from the tree`.
Bruce:`Bounced a little higher though!`

[Niko]

After Matt as Al`s son in concert:
Mike:`The apple doesn`t fall too far from the tree`.
Bruce:`Bounced a little higher though!`

HAHAHA YES. Classic Bruce.

[Mikie]

What the hell's this? (7:00)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNtGEKNhlC4

And this. What's this, a new schtick? (1:17)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbyfoULt05g

[Niko]

At that moment in the song he jumps. It's awesome.

[Rocky Raccoon]

The truth about Bruth? He's no political expert. He needs to stick to adjusting his microphone and walking across the stage in his white shorts smiling, waving, and clapping his hands.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/beach-boys-bruce-johnston-blasts-obama-20120511

http://www.tmz.com/2012/05/11/beach-boys-singer-bruce-johnston-barack-obama-socialist-ahole/

Who really gives a sh*t what you think about anything, Bruth?  Effing Carpetbagger.

I love how conservatives think Obama is a socialist while modern socialists think Obama is a conservative.  

Makes me think Bruce doesn't actually know what socialism is.

[Dave in KC]

At that moment in the song he jumps. It's awesome.

And the look on Brian's face right after is priceless.

[Mikie]

At that moment in the song he jumps. It's awesome.

It ain't "awesome" at all.  He looks like an idiot.  On another 'I Get Around' clip he jumps right up to Mike's face then does a quick 180 back to the keyboard when it looks like Mike's ready to belt him.

[The Cincinnati Kid]

This thread is awesome.

[Niko]

At that moment in the song he jumps. It's awesome.

It ain't "awesome" at all.  He looks like an idiot.  On another 'I Get Around' clip he jumps right up to Mike's face then does a quick 180 back to the keyboard when it looks like Mike's ready to belt him.

I've met Mike - he's a little bit scary. I wouldn't want to be belted by him either!

[Niko]

I get the feeling the jump is something Bruce just started doing without consulting anyone. One day he decided "Ok, at that part, I JUMP." Notice in the second clip you linked no one else in the band reacts to his jump - they just try their best to ignore it as to not encourage him.

[Rocky Raccoon]

It is odd.  He just... jumps.  I know Ringo Starr at his concerts likes to do a few jumping jacks to show off his energy at the end of With a Little Help From My Friends (http://youtu.be/KIAuREKeMDc?t=4m3s).  Maybe Bruce saw that and thought, "hmm, I could do something like that.  The fans will love it."  But Bruce decided he wasn't in good enough shape for jumping jacks so he decided to just jump once and make it look as awkward as possible.

[Mayoman]

At that moment in the song he jumps. It's awesome.

It ain't "awesome" at all.  He looks like an idiot.  On another 'I Get Around' clip he jumps right up to Mike's face then does a quick 180 back to the keyboard when it looks like Mike's ready to belt him.

I need to see this. Link?

[Lonely Summer]

If someone in the Beach Boys HAS to wear shorts on stage, then Mike really needs to have Wendy Wilson or Taylor Mills in his band. Now that I would pay to see!

[Andrew G. Doe]

I enjoy the awful sense of humour of all of the guys. A couple I like from Bruce:

`Come on cut loose, it`s Saturday night. This ain`t no Sting concert!`

When introducing Matt as Al`s son in concert:
Mike:`The apple doesn`t fall too far from the tree`.
Bruce:`Bounced a little higher though!`

Oh to have seen Alan's face, if he was there... 

[Nicko1234]

I enjoy the awful sense of humour of all of the guys. A couple I like from Bruce:

`Come on cut loose, it`s Saturday night. This ain`t no Sting concert!`

When introducing Matt as Al`s son in concert:
Mike:`The apple doesn`t fall too far from the tree`.
Bruce:`Bounced a little higher though!`

Oh to have seen Alan's face, if he was there... 

This comment is from one of the very good 1993 boots from the unplugged concerts. Al was indeed there.

[leggo of my ego]

Oh cut Brooth some slack - his adopted parents owned the Owl / Rexall drugstore chain. He wasnt (technically) born into riches but he might as well have been.

he is just a silver spoon babie of the fifties, a spoiled kid.

[HeyJude]

Does anyone remember when someone innocently called him "BJ" on another board several years back? Bruce hilariously did NOT have a sense of humor about that one.

[Mikie]

Does anyone remember when someone innocently called him "BJ" on another board several years back? Bruce hilariously did NOT have a sense of humor about that one.

I remember that. It was on the Male Ego board. Bruth got pissed.

[alf wiedersehen]

What the hell's this? (7:00)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNtGEKNhlC4

And this. What's this, a new schtick? (1:17)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbyfoULt05g

That's only the tip of the iceberg, Mikie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg9qb05ra7I

[Niko]

AMAZING. Props to whoever made that. My new go to video to show people why The Beach Boys are my favorite band.