Song: "The Spirit Of Rock And Roll"

[juliansuess]

I am a proud owner of the Beach Boys DVD from the 25th anniversary concert at Hawaii in 1986. At the end of this concert they play the song "Spirit of Rock And Roll".

I really like this song and would like to purchase it. I looked for it on iTunes but couldn't find it. Does anybody know on what Beach Boys album that song is and where I can buy it? Thanks a lot.

[juggler]

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I suspect that the only Beach Boys album that contains a version of that song is "Songs From Here and Back," a 2006 release that the BBs did through Hallmark.
https://www.amazon.com/Songs-Here-Back-Beach-Boys/dp/B000JR4BWM

There are plenty of renditions on YouTube, though, such as:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4I3A1B24Qn8

I freakin' love the song, too.  I can't listen to it without finding myself hours later muttering "the spirit the spirit the spirit the spirit the spirit of rock and roll"

[Rocker]

Just recently a version from the 80s was uploaded to Brian's website:

https://www.brianwilson.com/1980s

[juliansuess]

I freakin' love the song, too.  I can't listen to it without finding myself hours later muttering "the spirit the spirit the spirit the spirit the spirit of rock and roll"

LOL, me too!

Thank you both of you!

[Awesoman]

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I suspect that the only Beach Boys album that contains a version of that song is "Songs From Here and Back," a 2006 release that the BBs did through Hallmark.
https://www.amazon.com/Songs-Here-Back-Beach-Boys/dp/B000JR4BWM

That's correct.  He and his band re-recorded a pretty clunky version of it for that compilation. 

I never really understood the appeal of this song.  The only thing remarkable about it is that Bob Dylan appears in one version of it.  Otherwise it's a pretty forgettable song.  🤷‍♂️

[juliansuess]

Well, everybody has his/her taste.

[Ian]

By the way the BBs prerecorded a lot for that 86 special and I believe Brian’s vocals were fixed in post dubbing afterwards. I kind of like the song but the 86 special itself was pretty dreadful in my opinion. Really cheesy 80s-Joe Piscopo’s parts are really cringe inducing. Brian looks great but acts very stilted and ill at ease and the crowd looks like they were just there to be on TV rather than having any real love for the BBs

[Rocky Raccoon]

By the way the BBs prerecorded a lot for that 86 special and I believe Brian’s vocals were fixed in post dubbing afterwards. I kind of like the song but the 86 special itself was pretty dreadful in my opinion. Really cheesy 80s-Joe Piscopo’s parts are really cringe inducing. Brian looks great but acts very stilted and ill at ease and the crowd looks like they were just there to be on TV rather than having any real love for the BBs

Oh god, the Piscopo stuff is awful. Also appearances from Gloria Loring and Belinda Carlisle who were clearly there to promote their own current singles rather than to actually pay tribute to the band. Just an extremely corny and cynical product of 1980s network TV. It does have its moments though, like Ray Charles singing “Sail On Sailor” and Carl singing “Heaven” in tribute to Dennis.

[phirnis]

I'm kind of obsessed with this song, haha - this should've been their 25th anniversary single. Their TV specials were all super cheesy but I like the campfire scenes they did a couple years later where Brian seems much more with it. I also like the 20th anniversary Long Beach concert even though it does have some major flaws.

[juliansuess]

Yes, it was great that they played "Heaven" to commemorate Dennis.

I think The Everly Brothers ("Getcha Back") and Three Dog Night ("Darlin") were pretty good, too.

[Rocker]

Apart from the cheesines of the whole presentation, I think the most dreadful part are the pre-(or post-?)recorded vocals. I would love to hear Ray Charles with the Beach Boys but the version in the show sounds more like Ray Charles with Jeff Foskett to me. Nothing against Jeff, but I want to hear the Beach Boys.

[Tony S]

I would also agree that the pre/post recorded vocals are just awful. They sound great, but it doesn't even sound like the Boys. It truly does sound like Jeff Fosket....just listen to Surfer Girl...outside of Brian's vocal on the solo, it's all Jeff.

[tpesky]

Two moments that are way too short and to me are incredible little pieces .. Carl on Friends and Lovers with Gloria Loring and Glen Campbell doing a little bit of In Cars .

[juliansuess]

Two moments that are way too short and to me are incredible little pieces .. Carl on Friends and Lovers with Gloria Loring and Glen Campbell doing a little bit of In Cars .

Yeah, absolutely!! Those two in full length would have been absolutely fantastic!

[juliansuess]

Here you can see Three Dog Night performing "Darlin'"     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Noq1mFWYmAs

And here the Everly Brothers                                             https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G52gr8OQRac


I think those were not pre-recorded.