Whats the beef?

[adamghost]

It's kind of a silly debate...Dennis and Al had completely different strengths.  Dennis was a stronger writer, better artistically and probably a better musician overall.  Al had consistency, stability and reliability...not exactly Dennis' strong points.  Even vocally their strengths were polar opposites.  Al's qualities aren't as sexy as Dennis' and perhaps not as interesting, but they were just as important -- probably more important -- in terms of the day to day of actually keeping a band going.

There are few bigger Dennis boosters than I, but as a band leader I also have a lot of sympathy and respect for Al (and to some extent Mike, believe it or not), because they were the guys that punched the clock and consistently got the job done, however we may feel about the way they did it.  People don't appreciate that enough.

[shelter]

Great post, Adam.

[KokoMoses]

I think Al singing that absolutely terrific, shivers inducing, earth shattering lead vocal on #1 hit Help Me Rhonda qualifies him toward being more important than Dennis in the Beach Boys

But I love Dennis and happen to think that, when it really coems down to it, Dennis was a far greater artist than any of The Beach Boys combined (yes, this included Brian)!!! He was the esscence of "tortured genius" and his music is to these ears the closest thing to (to quote John Cale in reference to Nico) 20th century classical music. Dennis rules them all IMHO!!!!! My favorite musical artist of all-time, though Carl is the best singer of all-time, and I think Dennis would happily hand him that award.

Dennis as a drummer???

Kicked ass!!! I wish he would have been on ALL the records, Hal Blaine plays like he's at an old folks home and doesn't want to wake the guy snoring 5 feet away from him. Great chops n all, but that don't mean merda when it comes to making things really MOVE!