A brief history of evolving BB fractions

[Magic Transistor Radio]

I am by no means, an expert, but I've read a lot (lower numbers are more conservative). I want to sort of give my impression and see where anyone disagrees or agrees.


1961 - 64
1. Murray Wilson 
2. Brian/Carl/Al (tried to 'behave')
3. Mike (misbehaved, but more sneaky)
4. Dennis/Dave (always in trouble with Murray)

1965-66

1. Mike (no drugs, against new lyrical and experimental direction)
2. Carl/Al/Bruce (no drugs, appreciate new direction with uncertainty)
3. Dennis (no drugs?/supports new direction 100%)
4. Brian (drugs/leading proggresive direction)

1967-71
1. Bruce (no drugs, prefers a cleaner image)
2. Mike/Carl/Al (a little drugs/TM/move in a more hip and proggressive direction)
3. Dennis (drugs/Manson/move in a more hip and proggressive direction)
4. Brian (drugs/less involved/back and forth between proggressive and oldies)

1972-73
1. Mike/Al (TM/proggressive)
2. Carl/Blondie/Richie (some drugs/proggressive)
3. Dennis (beer and drugs/proggressive/becomes less involved)
4. Brian (shows some creativity before dropping out)

1974-1975
1. Mike/Al (TM/more oldies live)
2. Carl (all eras represented live)
3. Dennis (more proggressive then oldies/new music)
4. Brian (washed up/dropped out)

1976-1978
1. Mike/Al (TM/oldies)
2. Brian (pulled back and forth)
3. Dennis/Carl (drugs/proggressive)

1979-1983
1. Mike/Bruce (TM/oldies)
2. Carl/Al (mix of oldies and proggressive)
3. Dennis/Brian (drugs/dropping out)

1984-1998
1. Mike/Bruce/Stamos  (TM/oldies)
2. Carl/Al (oldies proggressive and new)
3. Brian (new music and oldies seperate from BB)

1999-present
1. Mike/Bruce (law suits/oldies/TM)
2. Brian/Al (separate from BB/get sued/mix new, proggressive and oldies)

[Rocky]

1967-71
1. Bruce (no drugs, prefers a cleaner image)
2. Mike/Carl/Al (a little drugs/TM/move in a more hip and proggressive direction)
3. Dennis (drugs/Manson/move in a more hip and proggressive direction)
4. Brian (drugs/less involved/back and forth between proggressive and oldies)

not sure about al and mike and drugs during this time

1999-present
1. Mike/Bruce (law suits/oldies/TM)
2. Brian/Al (separate from BB/get sued/mix new, proggressive and oldies)

Al is def in a seperate group from bri at this

[Sheriff John Stone]

1999-present
1. Mike/Bruce (law suits/oldies/TM)
2. Brian/Al (separate from BB/get sued/mix new, proggressive and oldies)

Musically speaking, if you look at the MAJORITY of the setlists, and the recorded (but not necessarily released) solo recordings, they are ALL on the same page.

[Chris Brown]

1999-present
1. Mike/Bruce (law suits/oldies/TM)
2. Brian/Al (separate from BB/get sued/mix new, proggressive and oldies)

Musically speaking, if you look at the MAJORITY of the setlists, and the recorded (but not necessarily released) solo recordings, they are ALL on the same page.

I don't know if I agree with that completely...you're right about the setlists, but Brian is the only one writing/recording new material (Al's pending solo album notwithstanding, although the majority of that isn't "new").

[Sheriff John Stone]

Is Brian writing/recording NEW material? Just a little joke....I think Mike, Bruce, and Al have been recording new material, it's just not getting released. But, from what I've  heard of it, it is, to me anyway, no less "artistic" or modern than Brian's. And I'm not joking about that. Imagination, Roxy, Pet Sounds Live, GIOMH, WIRWFC, TLOS, and, yes, BWPS, is Beach Boys music.

[Rocky]

it's all pretty debatable simply because it's never been cut and dry. but there are def three clearly separate groups as it stands today. Brian is so removed from Mike/Bruce and Al that he is certainly in his own group. 

[Magic Transistor Radio]

I suppose in the last couple of years, Mike/Bruce have had a much better setlist, and the new music is fairly solid from what I've heard. I suppose that 99-05 could be a little different then the last couple of years. And, I agree that I should've seperated Brian and Al.

I also had too much time on my hands.

[Chris Brown]

Is Brian writing/recording NEW material? Just a little joke....I think Mike, Bruce, and Al have been recording new material, it's just not getting released. But, from what I've  heard of it, it is, to me anyway, no less "artistic" or modern than Brian's. And I'm not joking about that. Imagination, Roxy, Pet Sounds Live, GIOMH, WIRWFC, TLOS, and, yes, BWPS, is Beach Boys music.

Released or not, Brian's artistic output in the last 10 years dwarfs that of Mike, Bruce, and Al combined.  Sure, a lot of it wasn't exactly new, but (in my opinion, anyways) a lot of it is damn good, sometimes great.  Brian may not be pumping out classic after classic anymore, but even just TLOS alone is better than anything the others are capable of (again, just my opinion). 

[Loaf]

I was expected a thread about the 20/20 album.

Or maybe 1/15 Big Ones.


Student Denominator Time?
Sum-flower?
Maharishi Integer University?

[Emdeeh]

Brian + Dennis + Carl + Mike = 3.5 Wilsons

 

[Rocky]

I also had too much time on my hands.

haha don't feel bad i've filled up many sheets of paper with BB related lists

[A Million Units In Jan!]

I don't know if Al was ever a big drug user, and Mike for the most part hasn't been, but if you listen to some vocal sessions from around early/mid '67,  he sounds  a little bit 'out of it', if you know what I mean

[the captain]

I think you mean "factions."

[Magic Transistor Radio]

I think you mean "factions."

Wow! I need more sleep!

[Rocky]

I was expected a thread about the 20/20 album.

Or maybe 1/15 Big Ones.


Student Denominator Time?
Sum-flower?
Maharishi Integer University?

[Bicyclerider]

1967-71
1. Bruce (no drugs, prefers a cleaner image)
2. Mike/Carl/Al (a little drugs/TM/move in a more hip and proggressive direction)
3. Dennis (drugs/Manson/move in a more hip and proggressive direction)
4. Brian (drugs/less involved/back and forth between proggressive and oldies)

not sure about al and mike and drugs during this time

Mike did some drugs in 67-68, I've read stories about he and Dennis sharing joints backstage!  But with TM Mike left that behind.  I don't think Al ever got into drugs though it's hard to believe he didn't at least try some reefer at some point.

[Dancing Bear]

1967-71
1. Bruce (no drugs, prefers a cleaner image)
2. Mike/Carl/Al (a little drugs/TM/move in a more hip and proggressive direction)
3. Dennis (drugs/Manson/move in a more hip and proggressive direction)
4. Brian (drugs/less involved/back and forth between proggressive and oldies)

not sure about al and mike and drugs during this time

Mike did some drugs in 67-68, I've read stories about he and Dennis sharing joints backstage!  But with TM Mike left that behind.  I don't think Al ever got into drugs though it's hard to believe he didn't at least try some reefer at some point.

Fractions? Oh those latin words. 

I guess Mike embraced pot in the late sixties / early seventies just like those tight-ass dudes that go to college and feel free to 'experiment'. Nothing heavy. Probably, as cocaine and heroin entered the scene, Mike exited stage left.

[Magic Transistor Radio]

Having thought this through agian, I would probably simplify everything. For example 1961 - 1965 should simply be Murry vs Brian/Dennis/Carl/Mike/Dave/Al

rather then over thinking everything.