What if The Beach Boys were not musicians ?

[Andrew G. Doe]

Well, end of discussion, of course. 

[Matt Bielewicz]

What if my uncle was my aunt...?

[JK]

Well, end of discussion, of course. 

Maybe the end of all "What if..." topics, or is that too much to hope for? 

[Juice Brohnston]

In all seriousness, not a bad question. Given that their leader was a huge fan of the Four Freshman, and would have probably loved to pick up with some harmony singers. It was still the era where many 'bands' were made up of vocalists with backing musicians.

How many of us, when we were the age the Beach Boys were when they started, took up a musical instrument, realized it's damn hard work, and threw the guitar, keyboard, etc in the basement.  It amazes me that David and Carl seemed so focused on their craft at a young age.

Mike wasn't a musician, at all. What if nobody could play worth a crap, but they could sing and harmonize really well. Would they have soldiered on?

[donald]

Juice,   LOL re realizing playing was hard work at a young age.......still paying for my laziness as a musician when I was young.......trying to learn and fit in with a local club of old guys playing around town.     the BB, ESP BW didn't do that.    the world benefited from their  hard work!

[JK]

What if nobody could play worth a crap, but they could sing and harmonize really well. Would they have soldiered on?

With Brian at the helm? Undoubtedly.

From Wikipedia (bless it): "A musician (or instrumentalist) is a person who plays a musical instrument or is musically talented. Anyone who composes, conducts, or performs music may also be referred to as a musician."

It just means that others would have always provided the instrumental backing. 

[MikestheGreatest!!]

Some might argue that the BB's were not musicians.  At least very good ones.  Good singers though.

[JK]

Some might argue that the BB's were not musicians.  At least very good ones.  Good singers though.

Surely singers are musicians too (as in "making music")?

Perhaps instrumentalist is a better word for someone who plays a musical instrument.

I rather think AGD means "What if The Beach Boys were not musical at all?" Forgive me if I'm wrong...

[Lonely Summer]

Some might argue that the BB's were not musicians.  At least very good ones.  Good singers though.

I think Carl would qualify as a good musician by almost anyone's definition. And Dennis may not have been a particularly skilled drummer on the earliest sessions, but he became one. Bruce? He doesn't show off his instrumental abilities these days, but there was a time when he was quite the player.

[JK]

Some might argue that the BB's were not musicians.  At least very good ones.  Good singers though.

I think Carl would qualify as a good musician by almost anyone's definition. And Dennis may not have been a particularly skilled drummer on the earliest sessions, but he became one. Bruce? He doesn't show off his instrumental abilities these days, but there was a time when he was quite the player.

Funny the way this thread has developed...

Bruce studied classical piano as a child and it certainly shows in stuff like "The Nearest Faraway Place". Agree about Carl and Dennis. To say nothing of David.

But what about the poor rhythm guitarist? Left out in the cold as usual! Alan's instrumentalizing credits could supply an entire rhythm section, plus banjo.

And of course Brian plays (or played) the studio like no other.   

[The Old Master Painter]

You know what? I'm sorry for starting this What if? bullshit. I really am.

[Cam Mott]

What if the Beach Boys had never been born?

Would it still be Mike's fault?

Fun Friday!!!

[Emily]

What if the Beach Boys had never been born?

Would it still be Mike's fault?

Fun Friday!!!

When Glee Love's spiteful 1941 baby refused to be born, Audree Wilson was too scared to ever try.

[Cam Mott]

What if the Beach Boys had never been born?

Would it still be Mike's fault?

Fun Friday!!!

When Glee Love's spiteful 1941 baby refused to be born, Audree Wilson was too scared to ever try.