Jeffrey Foskett and the future of the Beach Boys touring franchise

[GoogaMooga]

In another thread a fan speculated about the future of the Beach Boys touring franchise after Mike goes/retires, mentioning that Jeffrey Foskett has designs on it. Must admit, that idea never occurred to me. I know Foskett has a long history with the band and Brian Wilson, but would a Foskett-led touring BB even be financially viable? I wouldn't bother to go see them, would you? And is there any truth to this speculation?

[Tony S]

Don't know if there's any truth to his "designs", but I wouldn't go and see a Foskett led Beach Boys touring unit, though my guess is the casual fan would.

[the captain]

There are a couple pages of discussion on this, more or less, in the thread "Beach Boys After Mike Love." You may find people's opinions there. It's a pretty recent thread, still 1st page.

[maggie]

In another thread a fan speculated about the future of the Beach Boys touring franchise after Mike goes/retires, mentioning that Jeffrey Foskett has designs on it. Must admit, that idea never occurred to me. I know Foskett has a long history with the band and Brian Wilson, but would a Foskett-led touring BB even be financially viable? I wouldn't bother to go see them, would you? And is there any truth to this speculation?

I can't speak to whether or not there is any truth to it, but as I said in the other thread, it absolutely makes sense on a human level even if it isn't what we as fans would like to see: Foskett has been working for one or another part of Beach Boys Inc. on and off for more than 30 years (nearer 40 years actually). It stands to reason from his perspective that, having put in the time, he's as entitled as anyone to take over the business when the bossman retires.

As for whether it would be financially viable, I don't see how it would be that much less so than the Mike & Bruce show. They would at least be able to continue playing the casino circuit and other venues of that nature. The people who go to Mike & Bruce shows, for the most part, clearly don't care who's in the band, as long as the hits and harmonies keep coming.

To my knowledge, the Basie and Ellington bands are still touring and I don't see how a Beach Boys ghost band shouldn't carry on similarly. They practically are a ghost band already -- no judgment intended -- for all intents and purposes led by Scott Totten.

[GoogaMooga]

Found the other thread, it seems some are okay with Jeff taking over, he's certainly paid his dues. I prefer a tribute band, like Papa Doo Run Run or Endless Summer or California Saga, that would fly with the fans, I suspect. As for the state fair circuit, it's true that people there might not care too much as long as they hear the hits, but they are no fools, they know this music is from the 60s and 70s, so to have younger guys performing in the 2020s, well, it doesn't add up. Retire the BB name and leave the legacy to the tribute bands. I saw The Bootleg Beatles, considered the best of that lot. They even performed Sgt. Pepper songs on stage, something the real Beatles never even attempted.

[Amy B.]

Found the other thread, it seems some are okay with Jeff taking over, he's certainly paid his dues. I prefer a tribute band, like Papa Doo Run Run or Endless Summer or California Saga, that would fly with the fans, I suspect. As for the state fair circuit, it's true that people there might not care too much as long as they hear the hits, but they are no fools, they know this music is from the 60s and 70s, so to have younger guys performing in the 2020s, well, it doesn't add up. Retire the BB name and leave the legacy to the tribute bands. I saw The Bootleg Beatles, considered the best of that lot. They even performed Sgt. Pepper songs on stage, something the real Beatles never even attempted.

I bet lots of Beatles tribute bands play material the Beatles never attempted, since the Beatles stopped playing live in 1966. I saw the Fab Faux and they were very good. As much as some might wince at tribute bands, if the music is good enough and musicians are good, going to see one can make for an enjoyable evening. But I do get annoyed when bands continue to use the same name after all the original or almost-original members have passed away or retired. Seems like they're trying to pull the wool over people's eyes. A play on the name seems to be the way to go.

[Bicyclerider]

When Love retires there is an obvious person to take over the Beach Boys touring band:  AL JARDINE!!  And I would definitely pay to go see a band with Al, Jeff, Bruce, and whatever relatives of BB members are willing to go along - Carnie, Matt, etc.  I'm sure Blondie would be amenable to doing what he has been doing for Brian.  Mike has the license and doesn't get along with Al but if Mike was gone, what would prevent Al from getting the license?

[GoogaMooga]

I bet lots of Beatles tribute bands play material the Beatles never attempted, since the Beatles stopped playing live in 1966.

That was kind of my point, one of the reasons why they stopped touring was because the music had gotten too complex to perform on stage, at least from Revolver on. So they stopped after Candlestick Park in 66. And "A Day in the Life" cannot really be recreated on stage, although it was interesting to hear an attempt at it.

[Eric Aniversario]

All of this seems like pretty farfetched speculation. There doesn't seem to be any hard evidence that Jeff would even want to lead the Beach Boys band, let alone that the Beach Boys would want that to happen. I agree with the person that said that Al would make a good frontman, although I'm not sure he'd want to tour as extensively as Mike & Bruce do.

[Musketeer]

When Love retires there is an obvious person to take over the Beach Boys touring band:  AL JARDINE!!  And I would definitely pay to go see a band with Al, Jeff, Bruce, and whatever relatives of BB members are willing to go along - Carnie, Matt, etc.  I'm sure Blondie would be amenable to doing what he has been doing for Brian.  Mike has the license and doesn't get along with Al but if Mike was gone, what would prevent Al from getting the license?

Why would Mike retire and not Al? Being one year older?

[RangeRoverA1]

All of this seems like pretty farfetched speculation. There doesn't seem to be any hard evidence that Jeff would even want to lead the Beach Boys band, let alone that the Beach Boys would want that to happen. I agree with the person that said that Al would make a good frontman, although I'm not sure he'd want to tour as extensively as Mike & Bruce do.

& Al *was* a good frontman when he toured with Family & Friends band.

[Eric Aniversario]

All of this seems like pretty farfetched speculation. There doesn't seem to be any hard evidence that Jeff would even want to lead the Beach Boys band, let alone that the Beach Boys would want that to happen. I agree with the person that said that Al would make a good frontman, although I'm not sure he'd want to tour as extensively as Mike & Bruce do.

& Al *was* a good frontman when he toured with Family & Friends band.

Agreed!

[Cyncie]

I can't really see how Mike gets to pick who carries on the band name. I would guess that, once Mike steps down, the license ends. Any new agreement for licensing would have to be negotiated with BRI. Can't really see Brian, Al and Carl's estate jumping on the chance to hand the band to Foskett, especially if there are actual Beach Boys who are still willing to tour the name. Once there are no living original members, I guess anything is possible. But, it's pretty creepy to think that Foskett is just waiting in the wings for everyone to die.

[Lee Marshall]

I bet lots of Beatles tribute bands play material the Beatles never attempted, since the Beatles stopped playing live in 1966.

That was kind of my point, one of the reasons why they stopped touring was because the music had gotten too complex to perform on stage, at least from Revolver on. So they stopped after Candlestick Park in 66. And "A Day in the Life" cannot really be recreated on stage, although it was interesting to hear an attempt at it.

The Beatles didn't really stop touring because the songs were too tough to recreate live.  I have always believed that Brian did though.  He had a 'vision' in terms of how he wanted 'it' to sound.  His group back then couldn't deliver that.  The one he has now can.  Still...The Beach Boys soldiered on and, thanks to Jack Rieley, reached a point where they were A-1 excellent live... ... ...for awhile.  The Beatles stopped touring because it was a major pain in the ass to do it [I mean they couldn't even hear one another]  and because they had become hotel bound prisoners.  They also, subsequently, began to head in different directions which didn't include spending every waking hour with one another.  They would all resume touring solo though.

[GoogaMooga]

The Beatles didn't really stop touring because the songs were too tough to recreate live. (...) The Beatles stopped touring because it was a major pain in the ass to do it [I mean they couldn't even hear one another]  and because they had become hotel bound prisoners.  They also, subsequently, began to head in different directions which didn't include spending every waking hour with one another.  They would all resume touring solo though.

The reasons you mention were also part of it, I wrote "one of the reasons". I have always read it as your reasons plus the one I mentioned. Did Revolver come out before or after Candlestick Park?

[AlFall]

The Four Freshmen still tour to this day. The last original member, Bob Flanigan, the tenor, upon whom Brian based his vocal style), retired in 1992. He continued to authorize other musicians to continue with the Four Freshmen name and playing their music. The Beach Boys could continue to do the same thing for decades.

[maggie]

The Four Freshmen still tour to this day. The last original member, Bob Flanigan, the tenor, upon whom Brian based his vocal style), retired in 1992. He continued to authorize other musicians to continue with the Four Freshmen name and playing their music. The Beach Boys could continue to do the same thing for decades.

Could, and almost certainly will. As I said upthread, the audiences who go to M&B shows don't care who's in the band.

[JK]

The Beatles didn't really stop touring because the songs were too tough to recreate live. (...) The Beatles stopped touring because it was a major pain in the ass to do it [I mean they couldn't even hear one another]  and because they had become hotel bound prisoners.  They also, subsequently, began to head in different directions which didn't include spending every waking hour with one another.  They would all resume touring solo though.

The reasons you mention were also part of it, I wrote "one of the reasons". I have always read it as your reasons plus the one I mentioned. Did Revolver come out before or after Candlestick Park?

http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Candlestick-Park-hosted-final-Beatles-tour-stop-9190760.php

[The LEGENDARY OSD]

The Four Freshmen still tour to this day. The last original member, Bob Flanigan, the tenor, upon whom Brian based his vocal style), retired in 1992. He continued to authorize other musicians to continue with the Four Freshmen name and playing their music. The Beach Boys could continue to do the same thing for decades.

Could, and almost certainly will. As I said upthread, the audiences who go to M&B shows don't care who's in the band.

Exactly. A friend is a huge FF fan but once Bob retired he was done with the shows as I was with the BBs when Carl and Dennis were gone and myKe luHv kicked Al out. Had myKe and Br00th died instead, and Carl and Dennis survived and joined up with Brian and Al, it obviously would have been a much better story. But wasting time and money seeing M&B?? Don't think so.

[thorgil]

I confess that I like the idea that there will always be a Beach Boys group touring the music, as long as there is a real link with the originals, be it a long collaboration and experience (by now, almost everyone in Brian's and Mike's groups) or even better blood relationship (Matt Jardine etc.). A big pool of talent has gathered around Brian's music.

[RubberSoul13]

The Four Freshmen still tour to this day. The last original member, Bob Flanigan, the tenor, upon whom Brian based his vocal style), retired in 1992. He continued to authorize other musicians to continue with the Four Freshmen name and playing their music. The Beach Boys could continue to do the same thing for decades.

Could, and almost certainly will. As I said upthread, the audiences who go to M&B shows don't care who's in the band.

Exactly. A friend is a huge FF fan but once Bob retired he was done with the shows as I was with the BBs when Carl and Dennis were gone and myKe luHv kicked Al out. Had myKe and Br00th died instead, and Carl and Dennis survived and joined up with Brian and Al, it obviously would have been a much better story. But wasting time and money seeing M&B?? Don't think so.

I know you're known for your nonsensical sh*t on here, but did you actually just suggest that Mike and Bruce should have died instead of Carl and Dennis? That's pretty disturbing.

[maggie]

I confess that I like the idea that there will always be a Beach Boys group touring the music, as long as there is a real link with the originals, be it a long collaboration and experience (by now, almost everyone in Brian's and Mike's groups) or even better blood relationship (Matt Jardine etc.). A big pool of talent has gathered around Brian's music.

I agree, and this is how ghost bands have always worked -- usually it is either members of the original group or epigones of serious standing. That is to say, generally everyone in a ghost band is either one or, at most, two steps removed from the original leader/members.

I probably wouldn't see a "Beach Boys" with no original members, but what I would do is neither here or there. I certainly wouldn't object to such an entity existing, and Jeff Foskett in particular has as much a right as anyone else to direct it.

[Lee Marshall]

Don't think THAT is what OSD said.  It was HAD they expired/IF they had expired.  It WASN'T "too bad they didn't kick the bucket" AT ALL.  And yes if we still had HEALTHY of mind, body and spirit Wilsons contributing to the GROUP it would be a good thing.  Thank goodness for Scott Totten and his hand on THAT rudder. 

[Scaroline No]

I would be in support of any continuation that kept the Beach Boys' music alive, as long as it retained a certain standard of quality in performance.

[The LEGENDARY OSD]

Don't think THAT is what OSD said.  It was HAD they expired/IF they had expired.  It WASN'T "too bad they didn't kick the bucket" AT ALL.  And yes if we still had HEALTHY of mind, body and spirit Wilsons contributing to the GROUP it would be a good thing.  Thank goodness for Scott Totten and his hand on THAT rudder. 

Thanks, Lee, for explaining that rocket science post of mine for the thin skinned one.