Beach Boys early '80s TV interview

[donutbandit]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=XCe-K6NiTm8

Maybe everybody already knows about this, maybe not. Must have been done around the time of KTSA. The quality is terrible, but it's amazing this is even preserved. Dennis' behavior is quite strange.

[Ian]

This interview took place on Dec 5 1980.  Dennis was in bad shape and out of sorts. He stormed out of a taping of American Bandstand the next day (Dec 6) as well. I can't really blame him though-the group mimed to a terribly cheesy medley of their songs. Right afterwards-they went to tape the Mike Douglas show in Hawaii-and Dennis went with them.  One can't help but feel that Joan Lunden (a big Beach Boys fan apparently) was a little mean-did she have to ask Dennis a question!

[adamghost]

This interview took place on Dec 5 1980.  Dennis was in bad shape and out of sorts. He stormed out of a taping of American Bandstand the next day (Dec 6) as well. I can't really blame him though-the group mimed to a terribly cheesy medley of their songs. Right afterwards-they went to tape the Mike Douglas show in Hawaii-and Dennis went with them.  One can't help but feel that Joan Lunden (a big Beach Boys fan apparently) was a little mean-did she have to ask Dennis a question!

Also the interview took place very early in the morning...chances are on top of everything else Dennis had been up all night.

[Sheriff John Stone]

This interview took place on Dec 5 1980.  Dennis was in bad shape and out of sorts. He stormed out of a taping of American Bandstand the next day (Dec 6) as well. I can't really blame him though-the group mimed to a terribly cheesy medley of their songs. Right afterwards-they went to tape the Mike Douglas show in Hawaii-and Dennis went with them.  One can't help but feel that Joan Lunden (a big Beach Boys fan apparently) was a little mean-did she have to ask Dennis a question!

What American Bandstand taping are you referring to? If it's The Beach Boys' Medley, wasn't that 1981? I remember Carl being present for the Joan Lunden interview and the Mike Douglas Show, but I don't remember him being present for The Beach Boys' Medley on AB.

When you said that you don't blame Dennis for walking out on the group, were you just joking?

[Ian]

The group appeared on American Bandstand in Dec 1980.  Dennis accompanied them to the studios but apparently balked at the song choice-at least that is one rumor as to why he left-I have evidence that it was taped on Dec 6 1980.  Allegedly-the drummer for Blondie-who were also there to appear on Bandstand- filled in.   As far as the Mike Douglas app-I believe it aired in Jan or Feb-but it was taped in Dec 1980-a fan who attended the taping remembered learning of John Lennon's death (Dec that same week while in Hawaii.

[Ian]

Ahhhh shoot- I apologize-this is what happens when I post at work without my notes in front of me.   The group mimed to Good Vibrations and Surfin USA at this Dec 1980 app- Dennis allegedly objected to this and split (but who knows if that was the real reason).  You are right the medley was in 81 when Carl was gone and Dennis was back. Both apps are pretty lame-the 1980 Beach Boys miming to the 1966 single just looks odd.

[Jon Stebbins]

This interview took place on Dec 5 1980.  Dennis was in bad shape and out of sorts. He stormed out of a taping of American Bandstand the next day (Dec 6) as well. I can't really blame him though-the group mimed to a terribly cheesy medley of their songs. Right afterwards-they went to tape the Mike Douglas show in Hawaii-and Dennis went with them.  One can't help but feel that Joan Lunden (a big Beach Boys fan apparently) was a little mean-did she have to ask Dennis a question!

Also the interview took place very early in the morning...chances are on top of everything else Dennis had been up all night.

Adam,
I heard that Dennis had been up for nearly a week.

[Alex]

This interview took place on Dec 5 1980.  Dennis was in bad shape and out of sorts. He stormed out of a taping of American Bandstand the next day (Dec 6) as well. I can't really blame him though-the group mimed to a terribly cheesy medley of their songs. Right afterwards-they went to tape the Mike Douglas show in Hawaii-and Dennis went with them.  One can't help but feel that Joan Lunden (a big Beach Boys fan apparently) was a little mean-did she have to ask Dennis a question!

Also the interview took place very early in the morning...chances are on top of everything else Dennis had been up all night.

Adam,
I heard that Dennis had been up for nearly a week.

Wow, how can someone even function like that? Believe me, I've pulled all-nighters before, but good-ol' sleep eventually gets the best of me. Its hard to believe how bad Dennis had become just since 1975. What happened to him is a shame, really. Quite sad. Its great that Brian's still here, though. Why didn't the guys try to save BOTH Brian and Dennis!!!???

[Ian]

Jon describes this exceptionally well in his book.  The Beach Boys did care about Dennis, in their own dysfunctional way, and Carl did talk to Landy about also taking on Dennis as a client....but...the problem was that Dennis was very different from Brian, just as Carl was different in personality from his brothers. Basically, Brian was fairly passive (always eager to please rather than offend) and could be manipulated into treatment, Dennis on the other hand was always a rebel and if someone told him not to do something that seems to have been his cue to do it- so getting him to accept treatment was not as simple as with Brian.   Apparently-(Pg 225 of Stebbins book) Carl planned to try to come up with a plan for Dennis after the new year in January 1984.

[Alex]

Jon describes this exceptionally well in his book.  The Beach Boys did care about Dennis, in their own dysfunctional way, and Carl did talk to Landy about also taking on Dennis as a client....but...the problem was that Dennis was very different from Brian, just as Carl was different in personality from his brothers. Basically, Brian was fairly passive (always eager to please rather than offend) and could be manipulated into treatment, Dennis on the other hand was always a rebel and if someone told him not to do something that seems to have been his cue to do it- so getting him to accept treatment was not as simple as with Brian.   Apparently-(Pg 225 of Stebbins book) Carl planned to try to come up with a plan for Dennis after the new year in January 1984.

Thanks a lot. That's something I've always been curious about. I really want to read Jon Stebbins' book now.

[Beach Boy]

Ahhhh shoot- I apologize-this is what happens when I post at work without my notes in front of me.   The group mimed to Good Vibrations and Surfin USA at this Dec 1980 app- Dennis allegedly objected to this and split (but who knows if that was the real reason).  You are right the medley was in 81 when Carl was gone and Dennis was back. Both apps are pretty lame-the 1980 Beach Boys miming to the 1966 single just looks odd.

They mimed to "California Girls" too. It's interesting that Dennis performed in 1981 the Beach Boys medley, and in another show too, where they mimed to "Lady Lynda" and "Come Go With Me" as well, Dennis even talked a bit but he in Brian looked pretty dead beat. 

BTW I read somewhere that Dennis and Mike had a fight before the interview, so that's why Denny needed a new microphone.

[Chris Brown]

Wow Dennis really seems out of it here, very sad to see.  Being up for a week straight will do that to you I suppose.

Brian of all people seems more coherent...he cracked me up when she asks what he listens to and he says "Be My Baby"...so predictable, even the other guys laugh.

[Pretty Funky]

BB Medley from 81. Baaad!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbX3rKMHYy4

I also remember a 'Solid Gold' version. From memory Dennis was waaaay back of stage. No face. Just long hair flying and sticks out of time to track.

[petsite]

Here is a photo of Brian taken backstage at the American Bandstand Anniversary show. So sad.

[Mr. Wilson]

DW had every right to be upset.. Lip sync to 3 songs of the 60"s.. NO WAY...!!.... 1980..?? Any BB apperance is welcomed.
BUT.. Play one oldie..1-2 new songs for the time frame..Good timin..lady Lynda..Goin on..Livin with a heartache...School days..Maybe..BB needed a 1min. promo video.. Before apperance.. Old hits..  Intro.....

[Beach Boy]

KTSA came in march out and they did this show in december, so it would be a bit odd to perform old songs ... ok the others are even older.    But I think they were just invited for their 20th anniversary, they celebrated in 1980 instead of 1981, that puzzles me. 

[Ian]

Yeah-they celebrated their 20th in Dec 80 rather than 81. They got their stars on the Hollywood walk of fame and played a  big new years eve show at the Forum- plus a party at a hotel.  Dennis skipped the Walk of fame ceremony-not sure about his attendance at the concert (although I may have an article at home...)

[Beach Boy]

On AGD's site I read that he was present at the concert. 

[Mr. Wilson]

Yea.. Dw was there..NOT..One of their better concerts..!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jay]

Yea.. Dw was there..NOT..One of their better concerts..!!!!!!!!!!!

How so?

[Magic Transistor Radio]

I think this is the only video I've seen of Dennis 'out of it' ! I mean I have read about how he was wild or out of it quite often, but he usually appears quite normal on videos. There is much more footage of Brian being 'out of it' then Dennis. The closest thing I've seen to Carl being a bit 'out' was the 1977 CBS show. But he just looked more stoned then anything else.

Its hard for me to believe that there isn't more video footage of Dennis like this.

Oh wait, I just thought of another. Around 1982 or 83, Dennis is clean shaved. After a song he stands up over his drums and starts taking off his clothes. As he waves to the audience with only his shorts on, Mike goes "What are you doing?"

But I can't think of any other crazy Dennis videos.

[MBE]

During Midnight Special in 1979 he keeps interuptting Al drunkedly while Jardine is trying to introduce the Byrds. The 1983 video of him singing You Are So Beautiful is pretty sad.

[Jay]

At some point in the Maryland 1977 video, Dennis says "I'd like to dedicate this next song to all the girls...even you, Micheal". 

[Jay]

BB Medley from 81. Baaad!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbX3rKMHYy4

I also remember a 'Solid Gold' version. From memory Dennis was waaaay back of stage. No face. Just long hair flying and sticks out of time to track.

I have two things to say about that American Bandstand video. First, was Dennis even TRYING to mime? Second is, I wonder what Brian was laughing at?

[sherryluvsbrian]

During Midnight Special in 1979 he keeps interuptting Al drunkedly while Jardine is trying to introduce the Byrds. The 1983 video of him singing You Are So Beautiful is pretty sad.

It made my eyes water the first time I watched. It's weird that he died  not long after that.