Brian Wilson 2020 Live Thread

[juggler]

Look at it this way...what do you think Brian would rather have?
  - day after day of sitting in his chair watching Wheel of Fortune
or
 - being on stage with an amazing band, doing loving renditions of his songs, when people leap to their feet applauding, cheering, yelling "I love you, Brian!"

The shy smile I saw after GOK at the Milwaukee show gives me the clear answer. 

I've said it before here and I'll say it again - people are thinking about 'retirement' in the way that one would retire from a 9-to-5 time-clock-punching job.  Why do people retire?  To get away from the daily grind and do more leisurely things.  That has never been Brian's life.  It's not like he's going to take up golf or build furniture in his basement to travel the country in an RV (though he kinda is doing this now in his tour bus!)  I doubt he's ever lacked the time for non-music pursuits.  Brian himself said (can't remember if it's in his book or in an interview) that he tours so that he doesn't sit at home on his ass. 

So let him be.

From what I've heard, he likes Wheel of Fortune AND Jeopardy.  So, don't sell that short. 

Seriously, though, I think you're right.  And having witnessed BW at one of shows a couple months ago as well as at David Leaf's UCLA event, it's clear to me that there's a huge amount of  love and camaraderie between Brian and his long-time band members.  He's "one of the guys" with his group.  And Al Jardine?  They've been friends for more than 60 years.  Let's not underestimate how much of a social thing touring is for him.

[rab2591]

Look at it this way...what do you think Brian would rather have?
  - day after day of sitting in his chair watching Wheel of Fortune
or
 - being on stage with an amazing band, doing loving renditions of his songs, when people leap to their feet applauding, cheering, yelling "I love you, Brian!"

The shy smile I saw after GOK at the Milwaukee show gives me the clear answer. 

I've said it before here and I'll say it again - people are thinking about 'retirement' in the way that one would retire from a 9-to-5 time-clock-punching job.  Why do people retire?  To get away from the daily grind and do more leisurely things.  That has never been Brian's life.  It's not like he's going to take up golf or build furniture in his basement to travel the country in an RV (though he kinda is doing this now in his tour bus!)  I doubt he's ever lacked the time for non-music pursuits.  Brian himself said (can't remember if it's in his book or in an interview) that he tours so that he doesn't sit at home on his ass. 

So let him be.

Both you and Juggler hit the nail on the head. I just started reading Brian's book (about a quarter of the way through now) but he has a great line regarding touring:

"The truth is that I will never really be comfortable up there, but I know how to tough it out and get through it. And whether I'm comfortable or not, it's a place where I can be what I am."

In I Am Brian Wilson he details his fears about performing in front of people - he talks about how scary it is to hear the voices when he's up on stage (and how this distracts him a lot from performing). But he also talks about how the Wondermints have become family to him - the jokes they share on the road, the feeling of control he feels (that he lost with the Beach Boys back in 60s) - from what I gather from the book, he feels like a leader again. The book gives a great perspective on why he dislikes performing but also why he likes it. As with anything in life, it's not black and white.

In the wake of the ever-quieting vocal minority who thinks Melinda and the band are deviously raking in the cash with this 'Weekend at Bernie's' type scheme, it's nice to see an outpouring of support and logical posts regarding the matter. As for me, today I got my tickets for a BW show in January - if the September and October shows are any indication I think it's going to be one hell of a great concert!

[HeyJude]

Updated the schedule near the top of the thread with new info, including the specific dates (two shows) for that cruise Brian's doing in February.

[UEF]

June 19: Beach Boys play Norway

June 19/20: Brian Wilson band plays Spain.

 

Dare to dream...? Both bands in Europe at the same time

[HeyJude]

June 19: Beach Boys play Norway

June 19/20: Brian Wilson band plays Spain.

 

Dare to dream...? Both bands in Europe at the same time

The bands have crossed paths geographically before while on tour (and much closer than Norway vs. Spain); I think some of Mike's band (but not Mike) turned up backstage at a Brian show in the past year or so.

But even when they're in the same town, they don't guest with each other on stage. Other than the "anything is possible" scenario, I wouldn't count on it. And really, PR wise, it would be better to save even a one-night reunion for something bigger than rando shows in Norway and Spain.

[BeachBoysCovers]

June 19: Beach Boys play Norway

June 19/20: Brian Wilson band plays Spain.

 

Dare to dream...? Both bands in Europe at the same time

The bands have crossed paths geographically before while on tour (and much closer than Norway vs. Spain); I think some of Mike's band (but not Mike) turned up backstage at a Brian show in the past year or so.

But even when they're in the same town, they don't guest with each other on stage. Other than the "anything is possible" scenario, I wouldn't count on it. And really, PR wise, it would be better to save even a one-night reunion for something bigger than rando shows in Norway and Spain.

Bruce, Scott and Tim were backstage for Brian's show at the Beacon in New York, 26th September 2019. (Mike's band had played the George H.W. Bush Points of Lights Award Gala at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum earlier that night)

[HeyJude]

June 19: Beach Boys play Norway

June 19/20: Brian Wilson band plays Spain.

 

Dare to dream...? Both bands in Europe at the same time

The bands have crossed paths geographically before while on tour (and much closer than Norway vs. Spain); I think some of Mike's band (but not Mike) turned up backstage at a Brian show in the past year or so.

But even when they're in the same town, they don't guest with each other on stage. Other than the "anything is possible" scenario, I wouldn't count on it. And really, PR wise, it would be better to save even a one-night reunion for something bigger than rando shows in Norway and Spain.

Bruce, Scott and Tim were backstage for Brian's show at the Beacon in New York, 26th September 2019. (Mike's band had played the George H.W. Bush Points of Lights Award Gala at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum earlier that night)

And even that was a very rare instance (in terms of stories we've heard) of anybody from Mike's organization visiting a Brian show. I'm sure there are scattered other cases.

But no "core" Beach Boy has appeared in a one-shot guest spot at the other "faction's" shows, outside of a couple Mike/Bruce gigs Al appeared at (2011 Reagan thing, the Ella show in 2014.) Dave has played with all factions, but he's a unique case of course. Beyond that, you have to get into things like Al's 06/07 gigs with Brian, which was more a case of joining Brian's band and then leaving again.

Matt Jardine actually sang some leads on stage with Mike's band in 2013 at one gig, prior to joining Brian's band.

It's true, a few guys from Mike's band even visiting with Brian during a Brian gig while in town is something that, say, 15-20 years ago, probably wouldn't have happened.

[BeachBoysCovers]

Turns out Bruce's "Christmas Message" over at Beach Boys Britain was all about his trip to Brian

From Bruce Johnston
Posted on December 20, 2019 at 23:09:24 by Bruce Johnston

Yet another busy year.
RAH in June was really wonderful (but too much ‘hot California summer weather’ in London!).

I was happy to catch part of Brian’s set at the Beacon in NYC recently.
We finished a private BB concert in NYC (the same night of Brian’s concert) and some of us raced over to watch Brian & band perform.
The audience really enjoyed seeing BW & band live and everything looked & sounded great.
The New York Beacon audience certainly has 150% support for Brian, his rockin’ band and all that amazing music from California.
I loved the two lines of band with Brian centerstage.
My viewpoint was side stage and I had a great night of music.

Bruce Johnston
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!!

[RubberSoul13]

I received an email this afternoon "announcing" that Brian Wilson tickets were now on sale for the concert at the MGM National Harbor Casino. I see the prices have been lowered since they first went on sale months ago and only about 25% of the tickets have actually been sold to a show that's two weeks away. I was concerned about the size of this venue when it was announced. If they wanted to do a Greatest Hits show somewhere in the area, why not go back to the theatre district of DC...between the Lincoln, Hamilton, and Warner...they could've played to a packed house somewhere there.

[marcella27]

I received an email this afternoon "announcing" that Brian Wilson tickets were now on sale for the concert at the MGM National Harbor Casino. I see the prices have been lowered since they first went on sale months ago and only about 25% of the tickets have actually been sold to a show that's two weeks away. I was concerned about the size of this venue when it was announced. If they wanted to do a Greatest Hits show somewhere in the area, why not go back to the theatre district of DC...between the Lincoln, Hamilton, and Warner...they could've played to a packed house somewhere there.

I bought tickets to this when they went on sale, so am kind of annoyed that the prices have been dropped.  It is shocking to see how few tickets have been sold, though I'm told that it's a nightmare to get to this venue (I've never been before) so maybe that has something to do with it.  I agree that it would have been far preferable to do a show at a smaller theater. 

What usually happens in cases where tickets aren't selling well?  Does the show go on, or do they cancel and rebook for a later date at another venue? 

[HeyJude]

I received an email this afternoon "announcing" that Brian Wilson tickets were now on sale for the concert at the MGM National Harbor Casino. I see the prices have been lowered since they first went on sale months ago and only about 25% of the tickets have actually been sold to a show that's two weeks away. I was concerned about the size of this venue when it was announced. If they wanted to do a Greatest Hits show somewhere in the area, why not go back to the theatre district of DC...between the Lincoln, Hamilton, and Warner...they could've played to a packed house somewhere there.

I bought tickets to this when they went on sale, so am kind of annoyed that the prices have been dropped.  It is shocking to see how few tickets have been sold, though I'm told that it's a nightmare to get to this venue (I've never been before) so maybe that has something to do with it.  I agree that it would have been far preferable to do a show at a smaller theater. 

What usually happens in cases where tickets aren't selling well?  Does the show go on, or do they cancel and rebook for a later date at another venue? 

Sometimes when tickets aren't selling they cancel, or they rebook into a smaller venue. Considering this show is only two weeks away, I'd lean towards the show going on as planned.

I would try contacting the venue to see if they can help give you a refund on the price difference on your tickets now that prices have been lowered. They *might* be willing to do something.

[HeyJude]

Nothing substantive in this brief interview, but a local news outlet did snag Brian briefly for a new interview to promote upcoming gigs:

https://www.miamiherald.com/miami-com/miami-com-news/article239092763.html

[Emdeeh]

The author of the above article seems to be unaware that Brian did a tour with the Zombies last fall.

[Lonely Summer]

Nothing substantive in this brief interview, but a local news outlet did snag Brian briefly for a new interview to promote upcoming gigs:

https://www.miamiherald.com/miami-com/miami-com-news/article239092763.html

"no current plans to record" 
That's what I expected.
I wonder what Mike's cd for 2020 is going to be?

[UEF]

I wonder what Mike's cd for 2020 is going to be?

"Something something something Love"

[rab2591]

Nothing substantive in this brief interview, but a local news outlet did snag Brian briefly for a new interview to promote upcoming gigs:

https://www.miamiherald.com/miami-com/miami-com-news/article239092763.html

"no current plans to record" 
That's what I expected.

I think what makes this more heartbreaking is the quote "There’s always music in his head. But changes in the music industry mean there is no pressing need to make albums anymore. The market just isn’t there."

I am sure the source of these musings were from Brian himself, but I would love to know what the original quote was that inspired them. If Brian isn't making albums because there is no market anymore, that is incredibly sad. If my history is correct, Vivaldi didn't make much money from his compositions and died a poor man (this happened to many artists who are now revered). But these artists kept making art because it was their passion - they weren't basing their desire to create art on whether or not the market was working in their favor.

I'm betting there are many reasons for Brian not recording, but I think it's sad that apparently market value of his music is one of the deciding factors.

The full quote makes me a little more hopeful, but not much: "Wilson says he has no current plans to record but doesn’t rule out the possibility." But I think he says that every year, and thus far, since NPP we have only gotten 'Run James Run' (which was mostly recorded during NPP anyways).
________

I'll be going to see Brian next week and I couldn't be more excited for it. As usual I can't wait for the encore which is always a blast, and if the videos from late last year are any indicator, Brian should be in good form...especially after the long break he's had.

[HeyJude]

While Brian has always had music “in” him, and that has manifested itself in creating in various forms, I think Brian and most of the guys in the band over the years individually and collectively have rarely approached *recording and releasing* albums as a venture done simply for the sake of it.

Years and years after having a “hit” was simply very, very unlikely, Brian still spoke in interviews about wanting a “hit”, rather than simply saying he wanted to create and release.

A certain amount of momentum in simply continuing the “album/tour/album/tour” cycle dictated that the Beach Boys continued this trend until “Keepin’ the Summer Alive” in 1980. From that point on, studio releases were done sporadically, usually with some sort of specific impetus (e.g. record company offers a bag of cash, or one member has a specific idea, or someone commissions for a specific piece, etc.).

I’d say perhaps some of the solo releases were done more in the mode of recording and releasing music for its own inherent sake, in cases such as Al’s live album and “Postcards” studio album, sort of some of Mike’s recent solo albums (though he was approached by a label to do those; I’m guessing he wouldn’t have self-released the stuff online only on CD Baby or something), and perhaps the early post-Imagination solo Brian stuff like “Live at the Roxy”, which was self-released. But even then, I think self-releasing Brian stuff was just a stop-gap to build up momentum/interest for a solo deal from an actual label, which came within a few years.

So I think Brian still views an “album” as a project the same way he did 20, 30, 40 years ago to some degree. It’s not something he just always does. It’s something a label asks for, or commissions, or happens when he’s more into that album/tour/album/tour cycle.

What would have been cool in more recent years is for Brian to have a sort of Rick Rubin-Johnny Cash sort of situation where someone could come in and just kind of spur Brian to create however he wants to, but then mold that into an actual release. I wish someone with clout would approach Brian and basically just have him grab a bag of songs, and sit at a piano and perform for a few days/weeks, and then edit that into album. Pure Brian. Brian isn’t going to do that all on his own; he doesn’t have that sort of mentality to want to do a Colin Hay “Man at Work” sort of true solo recording.

In the alternative (or in addition), there should be a boxed set of rare solo Brian stuff. Why they just put out 30-second rare audio clips sporadically on Instagram but don’t put out a boxed set, I don’t know. Every Beach Boys archival release should be followed up with some solo Brian rarities.

[PhilSpectre]

Nothing substantive in this brief interview, but a local news outlet did snag Brian briefly for a new interview to promote upcoming gigs:

https://www.miamiherald.com/miami-com/miami-com-news/article239092763.html

"no current plans to record" 
That's what I expected.

I'm betting there are many reasons for Brian not recording, but I think it's sad that apparently market value of his music is one of the deciding factors.

Agreed. I think, as far as brand new BW studio recordings are concerned, other than what's already in the can, he's done. Reasons are probably a combination of mental/ physical issues, just damn age and, based on this quote alone, his apparent disillusionment with the modern record industry.

 

[rab2591]

What would have been cool in more recent years is for Brian to have a sort of Rick Rubin-Johnny Cash sort of situation where someone could come in and just kind of spur Brian to create however he wants to, but then mold that into an actual release. I wish someone with clout would approach Brian and basically just have him grab a bag of songs, and sit at a piano and perform for a few days/weeks, and then edit that into album. Pure Brian. Brian isn’t going to do that all on his own; he doesn’t have that sort of mentality to want to do a Colin Hay “Man at Work” sort of true solo recording.

In the alternative (or in addition), there should be a boxed set of rare solo Brian stuff. Why they just put out 30-second rare audio clips sporadically on Instagram but don’t put out a boxed set, I don’t know. Every Beach Boys archival release should be followed up with some solo Brian rarities.

Great post, HeyJude.

I have wished the same for so many years. And I have heard many rebuttals about how such an arrangement probably wouldn't work. But it doesn't keep me from wishing that such a project would happen. And I totally agree about the Instagram posts - those always got my hopes up that they were creating buzz for an official release, but we have seen that is definitely not the case.

Nothing substantive in this brief interview, but a local news outlet did snag Brian briefly for a new interview to promote upcoming gigs:

https://www.miamiherald.com/miami-com/miami-com-news/article239092763.html

"no current plans to record" 
That's what I expected.

I'm betting there are many reasons for Brian not recording, but I think it's sad that apparently market value of his music is one of the deciding factors.

Agreed. I think, as far as brand new BW studio recordings are concerned, other than what's already in the can, he's done. Reasons are probably a combination of mental/ physical issues, just damn age and, based on this quote alone, his apparent disillusionment with the modern record industry.

 

I hate to agree. But I think you're right. If that is the case, the title "Last Song" on NPP was very fitting. It sucks because he talked about that rock-n-roll record for 2+ decades, and it just never happened. He is doing song(s?) for the 'Long Promised Road' documentary, so we will still hear some modern studio stuff from him soon.

[UEF]

WTOP audio interview

https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/brian-wilson-interview.mp3?_=2

Warning: it’s an awkward listen. Amazingly the interviewer gets 15 minutes of material without Brian really getting involved

[NateRuvin]

Man, that sounded brutal for the interviewer. He was really, really trying...

However, I obviously feel for Bri. Sounds like he was suffering one of his "off" days.

Nonetheless, some funny BW moments. Why he likes California Girls? "Because it's about girls"

[UEF]

“How did Carl bring joy to the group?”

“He’d say ‘let’s go guys’”

“And what did Al Jardine bring to the group?”

“He sang”

[Pretty Funky]

I’ve said it before, leave the pre show interviews to Al. Listening to that interview I doubt anyone would have been persuaded to go out and buy a ticket.

[Matt H]

WTOP audio interview

https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/brian-wilson-interview.mp3?_=2

Warning: it’s an awkward listen. Amazingly the interviewer gets 15 minutes of material without Brian really getting involved

That is pretty brutal.

"And why is that your favorite song on Surf's Up"

"Because Jack Riley is a great singer"

[Margarita]

I’ve said it before, leave the pre show interviews to Al. Listening to that interview I doubt anyone would have been persuaded to go out and buy a ticket.

Or else coach the interviewer on how to handle Brian and what to expect from him.  It is possible to get a great interview out of him, but it has to be done the right way.