If Dennis were alive today

[adamghost]

Dennis was scheduled to do a solo tour in '77.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Well, he was known for frequently mounting...never mind!

Great thread, IMO. I think if Dennis And Carl were around today, we would all be paying to see the real Beach Boys.

And I Think it would be BBPS Instead Of BWPS

Or The Wilson Bros. Present SMiLE

[Emdeeh]

Or The Wilson Bros. Present SMiLE

Knowing Carl, he would have made sure it was the Beach Boys, not just the Wilson Brothers.

[Andrew G. Doe]

But I have a hunch that he might have joined Brian these last five years with Pet Sounds and Smile.

What makes you think Brian/Melinda would've wanted him in the band. First of all, his drumming wasn't good enough. Second, well, there's a lot of seconds, and thirds...

If Carl were still alive, I think Dennis WOULD still be touring with Mike and Bruce, picking up a check and picking up, well, you know....

Dennis could play just about anything. I heard that he played most of the instruments on POB. I think the question would be weather management would allow Dennis or Carl to join
Brian. I don't think Brian would have a problem with it. Plus I am sure they would rather have them then Al Jardine, and he is with Brian now.

I've spoken with people involved in the making of POB - don't believe all of the credits (not unlike Brian's 1988 album). There's one interview where Dennis claims he played tuba on one track...



Best I know, on the album he played some drums (but not all, or even most - other drummers used were Bobby Figueroa and Hal Blaine, plus Ricky Fataar on some older tapes used), a whole mess of keyboards and harmonica. I'd have to say, it was Denny's keyboard playing that really made that album - iffn you don't believe, check the intro/outro to "Thoughts Of You", or the synth washes and slabs anywhere else on the set.

[Beckgtr09]

Dear Friends,
I often wonder what "would have been " if Dennis and Carl were alive today what would of happened. I've been a member of a fan club called FRIENDS OF DENNIS WILSON based out of San Jose, California since 1990 or so. If Dennis and Carl were alive, that would be interesting. I think Dennis would of left The Beach Boys once Brian was let go and folowed his heart as a solo performer. Yeah even though the last year of Dennis' life was in deep trouble. It was finally catching up with him. If Carl was still with us, maybe we'd would of had more stuff he did with Robert Lamm and Gerry Beckley. When Carl died, it truly the end of the band forever. I once read a quote about how the three Wilson Brothers were the core of the band. I'd like to add my comment about that Brian was the brains and innocence of the band, Dennis was the soul ( I mean he's the only one who deserved the title Beach Boy ) and Carl was the soft gentle heart when he took over the band. Although Carl also became the perfectionist after Brian retreated from the band in the early 70's. I just wanted to post my two cents but I put more in than that. Happy New Years everyone and God Bless you and your familes.

  Beckgtr09 = Ted    

[Andrew G. Doe]

[double post]

[the captain]

I've spoken with people involved in the making of POB - don't believe all of the credits (not unlike Brian's 1988 album). There's one interview where Dennis claims he played tuba on one track...

Oh, but not you're ruining those fun little myths that make being a fan so fun for people. What's next, no Santa Claus? No, I believe Dennis played everything with virtuosic talent. Oh, and Brian finished a secret SMiLE in his head in 1967.

[Rocker]

I don't think that Brian would have a solo-carrere at all if Dennis and Carl were still alive. It would be the Beach Boys, like all those years before. I also don't think that Smile would have been finished.

[Beach Boy]

I don't think that Brian would have a solo-carrere at all if Dennis and Carl were still alive. It would be the Beach Boys, like all those years before.

That's what I'm thinking too.

[Dave in KC]

If if was a skiff, we'd all go for a boat ride.
 
When I ran into Dennis in the Summer of 1983, he could barely speak. When he did, Carl looked at me like 'there's nothin' we can do.'  The future at that point was sadly, obviously, grim. The band went on without Dennis, but after Carl, the end had arrived. Yes, Mike has carried on in his own world. The major bonus to the sad reality was Brian coming back to the real world in 1999. And Alan, well, I'm glad at least Brian has taken him under his wing again. His Family and Friends were excellent.  Al Jardine is just as important as any of them. And by "them" I mean all those folks who were a part of the greatest rock band ever.

[Sheriff John Stone]

Al Jardine is just as important as any of them. And by "them" I mean all those folks who were a part of the greatest rock band ever.

With all due respect Dave, in my opinion, Al Jardine was/is not as important to The Beach Boys as Brian Wilson or Mike Love or Carl Wilson or Dennis Wilson.

[Jonas]

Al Jardine is just as important as any of them. And by "them" I mean all those folks who were a part of the greatest rock band ever.

With all due respect Dave, in my opinion, Al Jardine was/is not as important to The Beach Boys as Brian Wilson or Mike Love or Carl Wilson or Dennis Wilson.

Agree to disagree. Al Jardine is just as important as all of them, ofcourse he was never in the limelight as the Wilson brothers or their cousin, but his presence definitely had an important impact to the band. Performance and recording wise. I mean, we're talking about the guy who starting to sing Brian's parts...the same man who has all the hardcore fans confused whether its Brian or not on the recording...

[John]

I dunno, I don't think the classic era Beach Boys would have been significantly different had Dave Marks stayed in. I dig Al, but I think perhaps he is a second tier member; the only one of the original five who maybe doesn't make much of a difference to sound or image. Whereas imagining the Boys without Mike, Carl or Denny...

[the captain]

And Alan, well, I'm glad at least Brian has taken him under his wing again. His Family and Friends were excellent.  Al Jardine is just as important as any of them. And by "them" I mean all those folks who were a part of the greatest rock band ever.

And with all due respect, a 60-yr-old man doesn't need to be to be taken under anyone's wing, especially when he is a singer, guitarist and songwriter who was a part of the Beach Boys for 30 years. Brian is taking him under his wing? Please...what the f***...

[Dave in KC]

So tell us Luther what other major league event would Al be involved in nowadays if not for Brian realizing that Alan's presence and talent can only make things better on stage?  Do you have a problem with semantics?

[the captain]

I just think the phrase was unnecessary. To say he was taking Al under his wing implies 1) that Al NEEDS someone to coddle him, as if he were some 18-year-old who had never done a show in his life, as opposed to a grown man with an extensive history of being part of a very successful band, and 2) that Brian Wilson is currently capable of somehow guiding or leading anyone, which I doubt he is, by the way.

It isn't a matter of what else Al would be doing.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

I'll say this about Al...he was the most consistent and professional of the guys. And yes, that includes Carl. When Carl had his problems with smack, it was up to Al to shoulder the load, and he did admirably. Day in and day out, Al always brought the goods.

[Andrew G. Doe]

So tell us Luther what other major league event would Al be involved in nowadays if not for Brian realizing that Alan's presence and talent can only make things better on stage?  Do you have a problem with semantics?

Somewhat doubt it was Brian's idea... in fact, didn't Alan initiate the process himself ?

[Dave in KC]

I believe he did AGD. But did he have to beg? Doubt  it. We know the results of the shows together all ready. Let's see what comes of the 2 remaining on the schedule. He has that true Beach Boy voice still, right?

[Andrew G. Doe]

Without a shadow of a doubt, Alan has the best voice of the surviving members, by a country mile.

[Don't Back Down]

I agree with you there AGD. He still sounds like he did on the original records. Then, of course, he didnt really do any damage to his voice throughout these years (or at least from what I know). Mike sounds rough at times these days, but he still has it, so does Bruce actually. But Al still takes the cake vocally

[MBE]

Dennis' voice was MUCH further gone by that point, and he didn't have much to work with to begin with. That's not an insult, just pointing out the fact it wasn't the SOUND of his voice that made it sound good, it was the way he used it.

Actually I like the sound, especally when he was young. I think until 81 he used his "damaged" post 75 voice better then Brian. Those last years though...... who knows if it could have come back. Yet. like Dylan he could have used the damaged voice to his advantage. That is if he had recovered a small part of it.

[MBE]

I'll say this about Al...he was the most consistent and professional of the guys. And yes, that includes Carl. When Carl had his problems with smack, it was up to Al to shoulder the load, and he did admirably. Day in and day out, Al always brought the goods.

You took the words right out of my mouth

[Glenn Greenberg]

the same man who has all the hardcore fans confused whether its Brian or not on the recording...

Oh, come on!  We all know it was Brian singing the girl's part on "Be Here in the Morning" and the vocals at the end of "A Day in the Life of a Tree," right?

Right?

Hello?

Is this thing on...?

[Magic Transistor Radio]

Or The Wilson Bros. Present SMiLE

Knowing Carl, he would have made sure it was the Beach Boys, not just the Wilson Brothers.

I don't think that a band including Mike Love would ever do Smile. Maybe Pet Sounds, but not Smile.