Al cancelled for Europe

[I. Spaceman]

[Mahalo]

Where did you get that picture of my in-laws eating Thanksgiving dinner??

[Andrew G. Doe]

(2) Al has visa problems and CAN'T go to Europe (which explains why he played "Pet Sounds" shows with Brian in the STATES last November, but skipped the show at the Adelphi in London)...he hoped to have them straightened out in time for this trip, and held out until virtually the last minute, but finally had to give up and admit it wasn't going to happen.

That one is at least perfectly plausible, if someone is having problems getting his passport renewed, like many, many other U.S. citizens.

He was in Italy last year for his son's wedding, and the UK before that. No problem with the visa at all.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Where did you get that picture of my in-laws eating Thanksgiving dinner??

Ha!

[Emdeeh]

AGD, point of clarification -- I was referring more to the fact that a lot of Americans are having problems getting their passports renewed, due to new U.S. passport regs creating a sudden and huge backlog of applications, more than I was to Al's situation.

Just so's ya know. 

[STE]

So that you know, the real reasons why Al is out are 80% politic, 20% album.

[CosmicDancer]

So that you know, the real reasons why Al is out are 80% politic, 20% album.

Sources?  Come on now, don't say something like that and not back it up!!   

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

He's right.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Yup.

[Pretty Funky]

Politics...Well I'll be!
I never knew Bush valued Al so highly that he would ask him to stay in the US rather than tour. Are we talking the Economy or a chance to help-out with the Middle East conflict?

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Yeah, we're sending Bruce over to Iraq with copies of Going Public. Expect our troops home in a week!

[carlydenise]

AGD, point of clarification -- I was referring more to the fact that a lot of Americans are having problems getting their passports renewed, due to new U.S. passport regs creating a sudden and huge backlog of applications, more than I was to Al's situation.

Just so's ya know. 

I just went thru passport hades.  I applied in Feb, and just got it at the end of May, just 2 weeks before I was to leave the country.  When I applied, the officals said it would be 8 weeks at the most, I think now it is 12-16 weeks before it is processed.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Here in the UK, a passport is valid for 10 years - evidently a better system.

[the captain]

Here in the UK, a passport is valid for 10 years - evidently a better system.

So are US passports.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Really ? Didn't know that. Thing is, for a lot of non-EU countries, iffn you want to visit your passport has to have at least six month's validity remaining. Plus to get one renewed, if you pay £4 over the odds, it's fast-tracked. I think the longest it's taken me is four weeks.

[the captain]

I checked mine, and sure enough, the expiration date is 10 years from issue date. As for any of the other details...no idea. I don't even like traveling.

[carlydenise]

The reason for the backlog is because the govt is requiring passports if an American leaves the US by air, the only way they are getting back into the US is with a passport;  as of Jan 1 of next year passports will be required for all modes of travel, even travel into Canada and Mexico. 
The day I left for the Caribbean, I had heard on the news that the govt was loosening the restrictions of needing passports for some countries, including the one i went to, because of the huge backlog....

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Al is out - 80% policitcs?  Whose politics?  Brians management?  Is it simply down to the money (ticket sales have make it 'not profitable enough' to have Al in the band.)  This I can understand.

Can someone amplify on this?  "I'm bugged at my old 'Smiley Smile Board Men'" who sit there smugly 'in the know', hint at inside info but never come forth with the info.  LOL - just making a joke.  Don't get mad AGD.

Actually, I feel very lucky that I have a board like this with so many 'insiders/researchers' in the know who give us information.  Nothing like this for my other favorite band, "The Alan Parsons Project".  Kidding, the Beatles.  (though I do love the APP)

[STE]

I wish I could give more details on the subject but there was no chance to discuss the issue further as something else came up (actually Brian showed up so I left the conversation)

[Andrew G. Doe]

I'm speaking in general terms here, of course [koff], but quite often information comes your way with long strings attached.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Let's just put it this way....nothing in the world of the Beach Boys or Brian Wilson is cut-and-dried.