Bruce Johnston as a member of the Beach Boys

[slickman9696]

I see many points that have been brought up. I definitely think that Bruce can be an ass at times on the BBB and in interviews. But he has written many good songs. So I don't know how I feel about him totally. I wonder why he is like that, walking out on an interview when Love You was brought up. And to the person that asked whether he was on that album, he was credited on it.

[the captain]

I Write the Songs (which won a grammy, hello!) are just gorgeous!

I wouldn't use winning a Grammy as proof of artistic merit. Shall we pull a list of Grammy-winning songs? Really?

[Aegir]

Is Ringo not really a Beatle?

[The Shift]

Is Ringo not really a Beatle?

The Beatles produced nothing of merit after Ringo joined...

[CosmicDancer]

I'd have to disagree with you chief. Bruce has written tracks that can destroy others. I think Bruce is up there with Brian, Carl, and Dennis. Completely surpassing Mike and Al. Tears in the Morning, Disney Girls, and his very own I Write the Songs (which won a grammy, hello!) are just gorgeous! Especially when he plays them live (as a solo mind you) at BB concerts.

If I saw Mike & Bruce's touring band, Ill be the guy in the front screaming for Bruce to sing DisneyGirls or I Write the Songs, because that would be worth the admission alone...

I'll give you Disney Girls, Dierdre, and I can even handle Tears in the Morning sometimes.  Those are all good tunes.  I Write the Songs is God awful IMO and backing up how great it is by saying it won a grammy doesn't really work.  I mean, Milli Vanilli won a grammy as well!!  Should we be holding them in high regard for that accomplishment?  They aren't the only shitty people to have taken home the grammy either.  One of a great many!  And you say Bruce is the only member to win a grammy but did Brian not win the best instrumental grammy last year for Mrs. O'Leary's Cow?  I thought he did, but honestly, I can't remember.  Another strike against Bruce's songwriting, Endless Harmony!  One of my least favorite BB songs EVER!

My take is that Bruce certainly deserves to have member status in the Beach Boys.  He has put in more than enough time with them.  I'm not his biggest fan by any means but he deserves it.

[Zander]

I can't understand it when people dispute Bruce's role. Lets look at the facts...

1. Did Bruce perform on stage with the Beach Boys - Yes
2. Did Bruce play and sing on the albums - Yes
3. Did Bruce write songs for the Beach Boys - Yes
4. Did Bruce appear on the album covers - Yes
5. Is Bruce credited on the Beach Boys albums he was involved in - Yes

Did Brian, Dennis, Carl, Mike and Al do the above - Yes

That to me pretty much sums that Bruce can be classed as a full member of the Beach Boys, does the same apply to David Marks? Well, he certainly did most of the above (I can't confirm No. 3 from the top of my head?) and he is classed as a fully fledged member is he not?

Does the same apply to Ricky and Blondie? - Well, er, Yes!

 

[Jonas]

I think I went a bit too far bringing up the fact that Bruce won an Emmy. That reason itself wouldn't really have much of an effect of whether Bruce is a Beach Boy or not. I was just bringing it up to prove that he is a solid song writer/producer...and even though the Emmy might not mean so much now as it has at some point it's still recognition.

Past all the arguments and what not, in my opinion I think he's a member of The Beach Boys. For the same reasons mentioned above. 

The debate of where his place in line of 'the best beach boy writer/producer' is a whole other thread...

[CosmicDancer]

I think I went a bit too far bringing up the fact that Bruce won an Emmy. That reason itself wouldn't really have much of an effect of whether Bruce is a Beach Boy or not. I was just bringing it up to prove that he is a solid song writer/producer...and even though the Emmy might not mean so much now as it has at some point it's still recognition.

Past all the arguments and what not, in my opinion I think he's a member of The Beach Boys. For the same reasons mentioned above. 

The debate of where his place in line of 'the best beach boy writer/producer' is a whole other thread...

I agree with you Joe.  I just brought up the grammy thing to show that while it is an honor to be recognized in that fashion, there have been some pretty bonehead moves by the board that picks the winners.

I say Bruce is most certainly a Beach Boy for the above reasons.  David Marks is for the same reasons and I'm glad he is finally getting a bit of mainstreem recognition (rooftop celebration).  Now if only they would acknowledge Blondie and Ricky!  Why do the BB's continue to ignore the fact that they were in the band?

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

I think I went a bit too far bringing up the fact that Bruce won an Emmy. That reason itself wouldn't really have much of an effect of whether Bruce is a Beach Boy or not. I was just bringing it up to prove that he is a solid song writer/producer...and even though the Emmy might not mean so much now as it has at some point it's still recognition.

Past all the arguments and what not, in my opinion I think he's a member of The Beach Boys. For the same reasons mentioned above.

The debate of where his place in line of 'the best beach boy writer/producer' is a whole other thread...

Let the record show that although I feel that Bruce is the "least" talented of the Beach Boys (in relative terms, of course;doesn't mean he's talentless), I do feel he's most definitely a Beach Boy. He has indeed earned that right.

That said, I agree heavily with those who feel its time for Blondie and Ricky to get their dues.

[Jonas]

hahaha nice find billy! I can't believe I didn't catch that...

[jazzfascist]

I don't see why it matters if Bruce was a "real"  Beach Boy or why you have to create some kind of hierarchy with him as a kind of second class citizen. In terms of contribution he certainly carried his own weight.  After Brian he is together with Dennis probably the most talented, that was in that band, the others must have felt that way too, since they made him come back and produce them on "LA" and "Keeping The Summer Alive"

Søren

[bossaroo]

How does being a proficient musician with capable production skills make Bruce more talented than Carl???
I don't know about  Al as a producer, but I put him a notch above Bruce as well.  He's got way more heart and plain raw talent if you ask me.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

How does being a proficient musician with capable production skills make Bruce more talented than Carl???
I don't know about  Al as a producer, but I put him a notch above Bruce as well.  He's got way more heart and plain raw talent if you ask me.

'


Al did some decent productions. He loses points for some of the production on MIU, but Bruce loses more for KTSA (and esp. Oh Darlin, which was MUCH better in its original incarnartion). Not too much seperation talent-wise as far as production. I don't know if I'll necessarily say Al had more raw talent than Bruce, but I do feel (again, IMHO) that his style was more to my liking. He had more of an edge than Bruce, who was too MOR for my tastes.

You just gave me an idea for a new topic.

[Jonas]

I think someone brought this up, but whats up with Bruce at the tag of I'll Bet He's Nice, is that the only song he contributed in for Love You? And if so, why? I thought he wasn't part of the band at the time...

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

He contributed even after he left, on everything except MIU.

[Jonas]

But he's not on Carl & the Passions nor Holland...what else has he contributed to?

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

He did song on Marcella, and as for Holland... I honestly don't know. AGD said he was on there. I'll ask him.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

"California" and, apparently, "Sail On Sailor.

[jazzfascist]

How does being a proficient musician with capable production skills make Bruce more talented than Carl???

I think he was a better songwriter, even though his songs were mostly cheesy, he was more creative in that respect compared to Carl, who mostly relied on very basic chord patterns. He was the only one besides Brian, who actually wrote some standards. Carl may have been a more tasteful producer, but I don't rank producing as high as songwriting. In terms of musicianship they were probably equal, even though I imagine Bruce knew more chords. When it came to singing Carl had the advantage of just having a better voice, but Bruce is a good vocalist, I heard him do GOK some years ago and I was pretty amazed at how great his performance was.

I don't know about  Al as a producer, but I put him a notch above Bruce as well.  He's got way more heart and plain raw talent if you ask me. 

I think Al is boring as a producer, at least Bruce is cheesy.

Søren



Søren

[bossaroo]

songs like "Feel Flows" and "Trader" are better than anything Bruce ever wrote.

and he is incapable of writing a song as cool and rockin' as "Susie Cincinnati"

just because he "might" know more chords, doesn't make him more talented. 
If Brian is rock'n'roll's Rachmaninov (as Bruce is so fond of saying), then Bruce is its Shlockmaninov...

yeah i said it.

[MBE]

Of all but the original 5 Bruce is the one who was/is a true Beach Boy. I am only saying he doesn't match the others talent in my eyes. I don't think it's wrong to disagree with me, it's just taste. If Bruce hadn't come back in 78 I would think a lot higher of him as a Beach Boy. For me what he did from 65-71 is cool. What he's done from 1978 since is well....... He added to the schlock oldies vibe. I don't like his spolied rich kid attitude either, but at other times he seems friendly. Much weirder then Brian I think. IMHO Ricky and Blondie were a lot more interesting.

[Rocker]

I don't like his thinking of the Beach Boys as "work". Brian, Al and Mike love (haha Mike Love  )  that group beacause it's kinda like their baby. Okay Bruce didn't start the group but he's been with them for so long that I think it should be more than "work"

[MBE]

I don't like his thinking of the Beach Boys as "work". Brian, Al and Mike love (haha Mike Love  )  that group beacause it's kinda like their baby. Okay Bruce didn't start the group but he's been with them for so long that I think it should be more than "work"

So true. a 1990 interview with Bruce had him saying one min that Brian was Rachmananoff  and when asked a min later if he owns the Beach Boys records in his collection he spat out why would he want that crap!

[Sheriff John Stone]

So true. a 1990 interview with Bruce had him saying one min that Brian was Rochmaninof (I know it's mispelled) and when asked a min later if he ownes the Beach Boys records in his collection he spat out why would he want that crap!

I posted something like this on a previous thread (I think I was blasting Al Jardine at the time), but no matter which Beach Boy is being interviewed, you can count on some strange or bizarre quote.

It's probably a combination of getting flustered and/or the honest truth leaking out.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Proably the latter.