Just noticed something cool about Dennis!

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

We all know that Dennis didn't play "normally" drum-wise. Meaning he didn't play his hi-hat or ride with his right hand crossed over his left, but rather his hi-hat/ride with his left hand and his (HEAVY) right hand on the snare. This seems to have been predominantly true, but I just watched the Beach Boys T.A.M.I show performance, and on Surfer Girl, Dennis switches over to his right hand doing triplets on the ride and his left hand on the snare (normal way of playing)! He also switches his snare hand to traditional grip, meaning he holds it Charlie Watts style, like a jazz player!

This is pretty freaking cool and versatile behavior for a "clubber"

DENNIS RULES!

[A Million Units In Jan!]

The version of 'I Get Around' on the TAMI show is one of my favorite BB performances. Dennis is beating the skins like an animal (at one point tossing one of his sticks aside and grabbing another), and the other guys are up front like an early 60's version of The Ramones, speeding through the song in about half the time as the single version.

(Yes, I know the above statement is a bit over the top; I just love this clip!)

[Bean Bag]

I know what Brian probably meant (if he ever said it) that Dennis was a "clubber"....he was!!!!  But I was always impressed with his drumming.  It was good.  It was powerful and he had GREAT feel -- always in the song, feelin' the song.  If he was truly "a blunt instrument" I don't think it would have worked.  But he added a great aggression to their music -- I LOVE THOSE 70s/80s CONCERTS!!! -- with Denny's monster sound.

I don't want Neal Pert (??spelling??) on California Girls.  I want BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!!

 

[Foster's Freeze]

I love that Denny Wilson guy!

[Mr. Cohen]

One thing I've always wondered about the TAMI show: I wonder if there was any awkwardness between Chuck Berry and the Beach Boys? I can't imagine that Berry was too pleased with "Surfin' USA" and "Fun, Fun, Fun"...