Bruce on stage... SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN!

[Stephen W. Desper]

Okay, in the world of the BBs, some things are considered 100% factual. For example...
1 Brian Wilson is a genius
2 Pet Sounds is a great album
3 There are too many compilations...

Am I right? Those are considered facts among BBs fans!

Oh yeah, and there's another thing--- Bruce makes a fool of himself on stage!!!

So, Bruce is an incredible keyboardist (Hal Blaine said he was the best he'd ever worked with) and he's a proficient bassist. Yet on stage, he stands behind his keyboard, playing it occasionally (Although it makes no sound), but for 75% of the time, he prances around the stage; clapping, waving, pointing, shrugging and laughing oddly (you know what I mean...), he acts like Mike's cheerleader. I just don't get it! Some people say he doesn't play really keys anymore because of old age and his hands hurt. Well, clapping for a few hours every night has gotta hurt your hands even more! Plus, he's been doing this since the mid 80's! Prior to about '88ish (give or take a few years) Bruce would always play crucial keyboard parts or bass! And he played those parts really well. And he'd also occasionally play saxophone or guitar! That takes talent to be such a proficient multi-instrumentalist. But ever since the mid 80's he cheerleads like I said above. And when he actually touches his keyboard, it doesn't take a genius to realize it's inaudible.

SO---
Is there anyone on this board who knows why this is the case? Perhaps someone who has talked to, or even been on stage with Bruce?
I just don't get!

Not only that, but while I'm on the subject--- Bruce is an incredible producer, arranger, and songwriter. So why the hell, would he not do any of those things since, really, the SIP album?!?

I love Bruce, and think he's a talented guy. Anyone who sings the outro on GOK, wrote classics Disney Girls and I Write The Songs, was a session guitarist, keyboardist, and drummer at 15, and won a grammy is insanely talented

SOMEONE EXPLAIN!

Comment:  

Bruce is neither a FOOL nor a STAGE PROP.  I spoke with him, in person, and at length about 8 months ago. He is in good health, having fun on the road, and involved in projects most fans don't know about. He may drink a little too much red wine before the show, thus making his movements more freely animated than the normally conservative Bruce would do, but none of this should warrant your description of him in concert.

As far as some kind of explanation is concerned . . .  I think what you need is a Back Stage Pass. That would provide you the first-hand details of how a concert show works so that you would understand. Given that experience, you might possibly withdraw your critical observations. But until then, the view from the audience is not sufficient to render an explanation. ~swd

[NateRuvin]

Okay, in the world of the BBs, some things are considered 100% factual. For example...
1 Brian Wilson is a genius
2 Pet Sounds is a great album
3 There are too many compilations...

Am I right? Those are considered facts among BBs fans!

Oh yeah, and there's another thing--- Bruce makes a fool of himself on stage!!!

So, Bruce is an incredible keyboardist (Hal Blaine said he was the best he'd ever worked with) and he's a proficient bassist. Yet on stage, he stands behind his keyboard, playing it occasionally (Although it makes no sound), but for 75% of the time, he prances around the stage; clapping, waving, pointing, shrugging and laughing oddly (you know what I mean...), he acts like Mike's cheerleader. I just don't get it! Some people say he doesn't play really keys anymore because of old age and his hands hurt. Well, clapping for a few hours every night has gotta hurt your hands even more! Plus, he's been doing this since the mid 80's! Prior to about '88ish (give or take a few years) Bruce would always play crucial keyboard parts or bass! And he played those parts really well. And he'd also occasionally play saxophone or guitar! That takes talent to be such a proficient multi-instrumentalist. But ever since the mid 80's he cheerleads like I said above. And when he actually touches his keyboard, it doesn't take a genius to realize it's inaudible.

SO---
Is there anyone on this board who knows why this is the case? Perhaps someone who has talked to, or even been on stage with Bruce?
I just don't get!

Not only that, but while I'm on the subject--- Bruce is an incredible producer, arranger, and songwriter. So why the hell, would he not do any of those things since, really, the SIP album?!?

I love Bruce, and think he's a talented guy. Anyone who sings the outro on GOK, wrote classics Disney Girls and I Write The Songs, was a session guitarist, keyboardist, and drummer at 15, and won a grammy is insanely talented

SOMEONE EXPLAIN!

Have you seen Brian Wilson songwriter, 1962-1969?  

I saw it a while ago, but it's been a few years. Why?

Well, it seems that the post contradicts itself...you concede on Johnston's prior skill and Grammy credentials (which hasn't gone away) and start up with the screaming bold print and snark about the cheerleading nonsense. His role in the band is clarified in that film.  

So, I guess you never saw Wild Honey keys on the Hammond, or the Old Grey Whistle Test of Disney Girls, or Gaumont Palace or the Nearest Faraway Place, also in Paris in black and white film... His position is important for the vocal blend...ever hear the falsetto at the close of Fun, Fun, Fun? Howie is correct.

So he works on keeping the audience engaged? That is a bad thing? Both he and Mike have honed "audience barometers."
Not every audience is a receptive one.  And some are ready to party from the first note.

Think a setlist might get "amended" post-intermission? Sometimes it does. They may add or subtract certain songs based on "reading the audience." If I had to opine, that kind of "reading comprehension" comes with years of performing.  The keyboard is plugged in, you'd notice if it was conspicuous by its absence, but there is also a very gifted keyboardist on board.  

That makes him a Mike cheerleader?  Mike needs no cheerleader.  He must do at least 60% of the leads...so I'm thinking you're getting sucked into a "narrative" that might tend to be "politically correct" on this forum. But I'm thinking it is a false narrative.  

You just proved my point! Bruce is an incredible keyboard player (as show in the sources you mentioned, which I've seen) and a great singer, so why he walks around the stage clapping is a mystery to me.

[NateRuvin]

Okay, in the world of the BBs, some things are considered 100% factual. For example...
1 Brian Wilson is a genius
2 Pet Sounds is a great album
3 There are too many compilations...

Am I right? Those are considered facts among BBs fans!

Oh yeah, and there's another thing--- Bruce makes a fool of himself on stage!!!

So, Bruce is an incredible keyboardist (Hal Blaine said he was the best he'd ever worked with) and he's a proficient bassist. Yet on stage, he stands behind his keyboard, playing it occasionally (Although it makes no sound), but for 75% of the time, he prances around the stage; clapping, waving, pointing, shrugging and laughing oddly (you know what I mean...), he acts like Mike's cheerleader. I just don't get it! Some people say he doesn't play really keys anymore because of old age and his hands hurt. Well, clapping for a few hours every night has gotta hurt your hands even more! Plus, he's been doing this since the mid 80's! Prior to about '88ish (give or take a few years) Bruce would always play crucial keyboard parts or bass! And he played those parts really well. And he'd also occasionally play saxophone or guitar! That takes talent to be such a proficient multi-instrumentalist. But ever since the mid 80's he cheerleads like I said above. And when he actually touches his keyboard, it doesn't take a genius to realize it's inaudible.

SO---
Is there anyone on this board who knows why this is the case? Perhaps someone who has talked to, or even been on stage with Bruce?
I just don't get!

Not only that, but while I'm on the subject--- Bruce is an incredible producer, arranger, and songwriter. So why the hell, would he not do any of those things since, really, the SIP album?!?

I love Bruce, and think he's a talented guy. Anyone who sings the outro on GOK, wrote classics Disney Girls and I Write The Songs, was a session guitarist, keyboardist, and drummer at 15, and won a grammy is insanely talented

SOMEONE EXPLAIN!

Comment: 

Bruce is neither a FOOL nor a STAGE PROP.  I spoke with him, in person, and at length about 8 months ago. He is in good health, having fun on the road, and involved in projects most fans don't know about. He may drink a little too much red wine before the show, thus making his movements more freely animated than the normally conservative Bruce would do, but none of this should warrant your description of him in concert.

As far some kind of explanation . . .  I think what you need is a Back Stage Pass. That would provide you the first-hand details of how a concert show works so that you would understand. Given that experience, you might possibly withdraw your critical observations. But until then, the view from the audience is not sufficient to render an explanation. ~swd

As I have said before, I am a HUGE fan of Bruce. I think he's incredibly talented in singing, writing, arranging, and playing many instruments. What I don't understand, and I'll say it again, is why he chooses to clap, point, and adjust his mic stand, instead of playing keys. Also, 2 more things---
1. It's an honor to be able to speak with you SWD, I'm a big fan of your work.
2. I would LOVE to get a back stage pass, but they are very expensive!

[Cam Mott]

Take a look at this clip. When Mike is talking, Bruce plays the keyboard, and no sound comes out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SialJVHIna4

I think maybe your eyes and ears and these videos may be deceiving you.

In the WOTS video, at 0:13, Bruce plays a chord and no sound comes out.

He puts his hand over the keys for sure, I don't think you can say he played a chord. I seriously doubt Bruce would intentionally play an audible chord during Mike's speech for another thing.

[NateRuvin]

Take a look at this clip. When Mike is talking, Bruce plays the keyboard, and no sound comes out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SialJVHIna4

I think maybe your eyes and ears and these videos may be deceiving you.

In the WOTS video, at 0:13, Bruce plays a chord and no sound comes out.

He puts his hand over the keys for sure, I don't think you can say he played a chord. I seriously doubt Bruce would intentionally play an audible chord during Mike's speech for another thing.

That's true. You're right, I don't think he would do that. Again, I'm not trying to bash Bruce, i'm just trying to debunk his actions on stage.

[RONDEMON]

I watched the BBs entire set from backstage two weeks ago and Bruce is definitely playing.
Not sure why he chooses that 1980s Yamaha DX-sounding patch but his job seems to be mostly supporting the vocals and having a great time as their main keys player does the heavy lifting. Nothing wrong with that as Bruce does a great job either way.

Incredibly nice guy and very much enjoyed spending time w/ him and the band.
"Disney Girls," as always, is a highlight of the set for me.

[Rob Dean]

I watched the BBs entire set from backstage two weeks ago and Bruce is definitely playing.
Not sure why he chooses that 1980s Yamaha DX-sounding patch but his job seems to be mostly supporting the vocals and having a great time as their main keys player does the heavy lifting. Nothing wrong with that as Bruce does a great job either way.

Incredibly nice guy and very much enjoyed spending time w/ him and the band.
"Disney Girls," as always, is a highlight of the set for me.

Not Bruce, but quite the opposite occurrence a keyboard player whose keyboard plays itself ( ) , check out the MD of the 4 Seasons Band on 43 seconds CHRIST how obvious is that they employ backing tracks AND sadly Frankies vocals are obviously canned !   

[Cool Cool Water]

His piano playing rreally stood out in 70/71. Hes a fantastic player, its completely true.

I would also say his piano playing stood out in '68/'69. For example, the Olympia show in 1969 is one decent example. 

[Stephen W. Desper]

COMMENT:

Least We Forget.......The Romantic Bruce Johnston

>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4m5SfdZ_n4

The stage antics ... maybe a little too much pre-show wine.


Good Listening,  ~Stephen W. Desper

[keysarsoze001]

Old Grey Whistle Test was such a fabulous show, and this is a damn fine performance. Bruce's on-stage persona is no more or less goofy than most classic rock performers. With a whole stack of musicians, his keyboard is really no more necessary than Brian's has been since he's had Darian. But it wouldn't make sense to have him just stand there doing harmonies, although his voice still adds plenty to the vocal stack. And there are other sort of front-men who do the same sort of thing. Paul Simon, for instance, has his guitar strapped to him through every concert even though he has a cadre of guitarists standing behind him for decades.

[Lonely Summer]

Old Grey Whistle Test was such a fabulous show, and this is a damn fine performance. Bruce's on-stage persona is no more or less goofy than most classic rock performers. With a whole stack of musicians, his keyboard is really no more necessary than Brian's has been since he's had Darian. But it wouldn't make sense to have him just stand there doing harmonies, although his voice still adds plenty to the vocal stack. And there are other sort of front-men who do the same sort of thing. Paul Simon, for instance, has his guitar strapped to him through every concert even though he has a cadre of guitarists standing behind him for decades.

Actually, it would perfectly alright for Bruce to just stand there at the mic singing, as Mike himself does. And I would rather hear Brian playing that Darian any day.

[Howie Edelson]

Out of the dozen Paul Simon shows I've caught, I've yet to see him use that guitar as an inaudible prop.
Every show has featured stellar playing.

[NateRuvin]

Also, since we're on the topic of BBs on stage;

How often is Al's guitar audible? It seems like it was throughout the 60's (Except Little Deuce Coupe from Concert LP  )
In the 70's, I think Al's guitar was still audible but with the addition of more members he could focus on singing more than playing.
But by the 80's, Al's guitar is inaudible. Some say this is because he is such a "perfectionist". Thoughts?

[adamghost]

Also, since we're on the topic of BBs on stage;

How often is Al's guitar audible? It seems like it was throughout the 60's (Except Little Deuce Coupe from Concert LP  )
In the 70's, I think Al's guitar was still audible but with the addition of more members he could focus on singing more than playing.
But by the 80's, Al's guitar is inaudible. Some say this is because he is such a "perfectionist". Thoughts?

I remember seeing them in '86 and he started out "Come Go With Me" by himself on the guitar.  Then the band came in and it vanished.

When we played with him in '06, I wanted to know myself!  So I actually leaned in on the amp to hear what he was doing.  And it was like "oh, it's the Beach Boys!"  It fit so well you didn't really notice it.

That said, I know there have been times he has been taken out of the mix for one reason or another.  But there are also times he's right there.  He does a really cool part on KTSA on the Fridays 1980 performance where it's so locked in with the clavinet you don't really hear it until Carl takes a solo. 

[NateRuvin]

Also, since we're on the topic of BBs on stage;

How often is Al's guitar audible? It seems like it was throughout the 60's (Except Little Deuce Coupe from Concert LP  )
In the 70's, I think Al's guitar was still audible but with the addition of more members he could focus on singing more than playing.
But by the 80's, Al's guitar is inaudible. Some say this is because he is such a "perfectionist". Thoughts?

I remember seeing them in '86 and he started out "Come Go With Me" by himself on the guitar.  Then the band came in and it vanished.

When we played with him in '06, I wanted to know myself!  So I actually leaned in on the amp to hear what he was doing.  And it was like "oh, it's the Beach Boys!"  It fit so well you didn't really notice it.

That said, I know there have been times he has been taken out of the mix for one reason or another.  But there are also times he's right there.  He does a really cool part on KTSA on the Fridays 1980 performance where it's so locked in with the clavinet you don't really hear it until Carl takes a solo. 

Thats really interesting. He a lot of the time, to this day, will give the opening few chords to Come And Go With Me, but when the band comes in, his guitar fades. I'm assuming Al has some sort of pedal, where he can mute and unmute his guitar.

[The Real Barnyard]

Bruce played his keyboard in Marbella, Spain last year. Here is an example in Please Let Me Wonder, at 3:15.

https://youtu.be/JqIG65vYeLQ

[HeyJude]

I think Al has usually been in the mix to some degree, with no doubt specific exceptions. He doesn't seem shy, especially in recent years, about just *not* playing his guitar if he doesn't want to (or doesn't need to, or the song doesn't call for it, etc.). So I think usually, when he is actually playing, he's audible to varying degrees.

Al is actually a much more solid guitar player than he has sometimes been given credit for by some fans. I've told the story too many times, but at the little charity gig I saw him do in 2005 with Steve Heger's backing band, Al not only played guitar throughout, but did leads on stuff like "Fun Fun Fun" and "409", etc. He played them with the same authenticity that Dave and Carl did frankly. I think that "sound" is ingrained into them to some degree.

On C50 and with Brian, he can be heard on stuff like the little lead fills on "Sail on Sailor."

I think Al has always been more about the vocals. I don't sense he's a great improv guitar player (see the circa 1981 Dick Clark Anniversary Special for a comically sub-par solo on "Rock Around the Clock"), but as the secondary guitar player in a non-guitar-heavy band, he's surprisingly solid. I think he could do a lot more, and has on occasion (the ESQ solo acoustic version of "California Saga" for instance).

[adamghost]

Also, since we're on the topic of BBs on stage;

How often is Al's guitar audible? It seems like it was throughout the 60's (Except Little Deuce Coupe from Concert LP  )
In the 70's, I think Al's guitar was still audible but with the addition of more members he could focus on singing more than playing.
But by the 80's, Al's guitar is inaudible. Some say this is because he is such a "perfectionist". Thoughts?

I remember seeing them in '86 and he started out "Come Go With Me" by himself on the guitar.  Then the band came in and it vanished.

When we played with him in '06, I wanted to know myself!  So I actually leaned in on the amp to hear what he was doing.  And it was like "oh, it's the Beach Boys!"  It fit so well you didn't really notice it.

That said, I know there have been times he has been taken out of the mix for one reason or another.  But there are also times he's right there.  He does a really cool part on KTSA on the Fridays 1980 performance where it's so locked in with the clavinet you don't really hear it until Carl takes a solo.  

Thats really interesting. He a lot of the time, to this day, will give the opening few chords to Come And Go With Me, but when the band comes in, his guitar fades. I'm assuming Al has some sort of pedal, where he can mute and unmute his guitar.

I don't think there's a pedal.  I think he simply turns down with the knob.  I believe one example is on the '73 IN CONCERT album where for a second the high guitar part on the chorus of "Heroes and Villains" comes in really loud.  That's Al's part on the song (I think it's one of the few places you can pick him out on the album) and I think he turned up at that point, and overshot the mark (which you couldn't easily eliminate on a mix).

I'm also pretty sure he can hear himself monitorwise at all times (except if he's turned down or stopped playing), whether or not he's in the FOH mix or not.  The soundguy may simply take him out of the mix at parts of the show to keep it clean with so many guitars.

I seem to recall that's not him on the ESQ California Saga.  C-Man could confirm or deny.

[adamghost]

There's been speculation at times on the board about why Bruce doesn't play more (I've wondered myself), particularly since he was so integral in the late '60s/early '70s, and one interesting suggestion (which came from a third hand source) was that Bruce actually isn't that good at singing and playing simultaneously.  Which I actually found kind of interesting, and plausible - though he plays some astonishingly good bass lines on the late '60s live footage we have. 

I've always liked the fact that when Bruce mimes a bass part, he always does it very convincingly.  The "Pipeline" clip is a stellar example.  No way he played that, but he really makes it look like he did.

[Justin]

Okay, in the world of the BBs, some things are considered 100% factual. For example...
1 Brian Wilson is a genius
2 Pet Sounds is a great album
3 There are too many compilations...

Am I right? Those are considered facts among BBs fans!

Oh yeah, and there's another thing--- Bruce makes a fool of himself on stage!!!

So, Bruce is an incredible keyboardist (Hal Blaine said he was the best he'd ever worked with) and he's a proficient bassist. Yet on stage, he stands behind his keyboard, playing it occasionally (Although it makes no sound), but for 75% of the time, he prances around the stage; clapping, waving, pointing, shrugging and laughing oddly (you know what I mean...), he acts like Mike's cheerleader. I just don't get it! Some people say he doesn't play really keys anymore because of old age and his hands hurt. Well, clapping for a few hours every night has gotta hurt your hands even more! Plus, he's been doing this since the mid 80's! Prior to about '88ish (give or take a few years) Bruce would always play crucial keyboard parts or bass! And he played those parts really well. And he'd also occasionally play saxophone or guitar! That takes talent to be such a proficient multi-instrumentalist. But ever since the mid 80's he cheerleads like I said above. And when he actually touches his keyboard, it doesn't take a genius to realize it's inaudible.

SO---
Is there anyone on this board who knows why this is the case? Perhaps someone who has talked to, or even been on stage with Bruce?
I just don't get!

Not only that, but while I'm on the subject--- Bruce is an incredible producer, arranger, and songwriter. So why the hell, would he not do any of those things since, really, the SIP album?!?

I love Bruce, and think he's a talented guy. Anyone who sings the outro on GOK, wrote classics Disney Girls and I Write The Songs, was a session guitarist, keyboardist, and drummer at 15, and won a grammy is insanely talented

SOMEONE EXPLAIN!

Bruce uses his keyboard to accompany himself when he sings--no different than a singer would prefer to be strumming an acoustic guitar when he/she sings.  Bruce's keyboard feeds primarily to his own monitors--not necessarily to help fill out the band's sound.

 His keyboards were 100% audible during "Disney Girls" during C50.  

[Autotune]

He can be heard singing and playing White Christmas recently. So I think he's at least proficient enough. He plays and sings on many occasions, including the Hotel 1990 video.

I think if he's not more audible to the audience, or plays more constantly, is because he doesn't need to. But his keyboard, as noted, is probably more audible through the monitors than to the public most of the time.

BTW, there's a Hampton Beach 1989 concert video without Carl (they do Runaway and Jumpin' Jack Flash). I remember at the time watching it and wondering if Bruce's keyboard was plugged at all... Then, during the Barbara Ann solo, a cheerleader slips on the wet floor (it was raining heavily) and supports herself on Bruce's keyboard. Bruce kept the instrument from flying away, not before the nubile dancer involuntarily played a huge "plunk" with her forearm. So yes, it WAS plugged.

[NateRuvin]

He can be heard singing and playing White Christmas recently. So I think he's at least proficient enough. He plays and sings on many occasions, including the Hotel 1990 video.

I think if he's not more audible to the audience, or plays more constantly, is because he doesn't need to. But his keyboard, as noted, is probably more audible through the monitors than to the public most of the time.

BTW, there's a Hampton Beach 1989 concert video without Carl (they do Runaway and Jumpin' Jack Flash). I remember at the time watching it and wondering if Bruce's keyboard was plugged at all... Then, during the Barbara Ann solo, a cheerleader slips on the wet floor (it was raining hevily) and supports herself on Bruce's keyboard. Bruce kept the instrument from flying away, not before the nubile dancer involuntarily played a huge "plunk" with her forearm. So yes, it WAS plugged.

Wow that's crazy! Do you know where I could see the clip?

[Autotune]

He can be heard singing and playing White Christmas recently. So I think he's at least proficient enough. He plays and sings on many occasions, including the Hotel 1990 video.

I think if he's not more audible to the audience, or plays more constantly, is because he doesn't need to. But his keyboard, as noted, is probably more audible through the monitors than to the public most of the time.

BTW, there's a Hampton Beach 1989 concert video without Carl (they do Runaway and Jumpin' Jack Flash). I remember at the time watching it and wondering if Bruce's keyboard was plugged at all... Then, during the Barbara Ann solo, a cheerleader slips on the wet floor (it was raining heavily) and supports herself on Bruce's keyboard. Bruce kept the instrument from flying away, not before the nubile dancer involuntarily played a huge "plunk" with her forearm. So yes, it WAS plugged.

Wow that's crazy! Do you know where I could see the clip?

I had it on vhs ages ago. It was 7/4/1989 I think.

[Rob Dean]

COMMENT:

Least We Forget.......The Romantic Bruce Johnston

>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4m5SfdZ_n4

The stage antics ... maybe a little too much pre-show wine.


Good Listening,  ~Stephen W. Desper

Hey Stephen, many thanks for the reminder of that OGWT show - I have watched this many many times over the years and quite possibly my fav BB's solo clip ever (or even any BB's live clip), superb dramatic performance by Bruce and sure does bring a tear to the eye

[Rob Dean]

There's been speculation at times on the board about why Bruce doesn't play more (I've wondered myself), particularly since he was so integral in the late '60s/early '70s, and one interesting suggestion (which came from a third hand source) was that Bruce actually isn't that good at singing and playing simultaneously.  Which I actually found kind of interesting, and plausible - though he plays some astonishingly good bass lines on the late '60s live footage we have.  

I've always liked the fact that when Bruce mimes a bass part, he always does it very convincingly.  The "Pipeline" clip is a stellar example.  No way he played that, but he really makes it look like he did.

In all fairness Bruce probably could have played it (listen to his 'Rhonda' Bass playing at Knebworth), but was it not the great Joe Chemay on the record ?

OH AND Additionally, I believe (IMHO) Bruce is by far the greatest all round musician of the 6/7 core Beach Boys