50th Anniversary

[Rocker]

Does this mean Steve Desper does the engineering for the new recording?

Although I would love that, there isn't said anything about a new recording etc.

[Paulos]

This news has got my wind chimes a'ting-a-lin! Would love to see them do at least a few shows with a line up of: Brian, Mike, Al, Dave, Bruce, Blondie and Ricky with supporting musicians including Billy Hinsche, Ed Carter, the Jardine boys etc. Hell, I'd even have Stamos invloved and maybe Rieley could be persuaded to do a live version Of A Day In The Life Of A Tree! Or have I just gone too far?

[Dave in KC]

No, you went too far when you reached Stamos on your list.

[DonnaK]

Don't know whether to smile or cry about this, but I will go to see it if it's a tour. Please, NO Stamos!!! Here's hoping they use Brian's band as well....fantastic group of musicians!

[Andrew G. Doe]

I just love seeing this kind of thing unfold.

About 36 hours ago, Steve said "a 50th Anniversary get-together of the boys is being considered" - considered, nothing more - and already we've [the collective we] jumped to at least three different conclusions. 

[Pretty Funky]

I agree. If Desper is in the loop I see it more as a remaster or release of some rarities he was involved in and the group providing some comment to meet PR requirements. Possible DVD/ Album combo. Not much else but I don't mind being proved wrong.

[Fun Is In]

Think I'll wait and see what it tuns out to be.

Unlikely to be anything as great as I might dream it to be, but you never know, it could be the second coming of a teenage symphony to God.

[kirkmc- banned on the run]

Just release the 50 best tunes...But don't go near each  other-it'll be ugly...(Maybe add Carls' "Heaven"/ Brian's Love & Mercy/ Al's "Don't Fight the Sea" / Dennis' "River Song" or "Wouldn't It Be Nice To Live Again"and run...Then Love can go back to thrashing the Beach Boy name with a bunch of strangers..See- it's a stupid thing to do.

[GLarson432]

If "Wouldn't It Be Nice To Live Again" isn't some part of whatever is going to happen in 2011 then when will it ever happen?  Regardless of anything else that's the one *must* for me.  I heard it in 2003 in Connecticut.  It's as good as has been talked about.  Evie Sands/Adam Marsland do it great justice but they're not Dennis.

[Dunderhead]

What significant material, whose existence has been confirmed, haven't been released or bootlegged yet? I only know of a couple of things like WIBNTLA. Are there many out there?

[punkinhead]

I just love seeing this kind of thing unfold.

About 36 hours ago, Steve said "a 50th Anniversary get-together of the boys is being considered" - considered, nothing more - and already we've [the collective we] jumped to at least three different conclusions. 

I hope my conclusion/joke wasn't one of these

[c-man]

Just release the 50 best tunes...But don't go near each  other-it'll be ugly...(Maybe add Carls' "Heaven"/ Brian's Love & Mercy/ Al's "Don't Fight the Sea" / Dennis' "River Song" or "Wouldn't It Be Nice To Live Again"and run...Then Love can go back to thrashing the Beach Boy name with a bunch of strangers..See- it's a stupid thing to do.

"Bunch of strangers"??  Let's see, we have Tim Bonhomme, who replaced Billy in '96, therefore he was in the band the last two years of the Carl/Al lineup, and every year since...so he's no stranger.  John Cowsill...no stranger to most fans of '60s power-pop.  Randall Kirsch...he sometimes subbed for Eddie C. as far back as the '80s, and has also done so in Al's band, so no stranger there.  Scott Totten:  he's done for Mike & Bruce what Darian has done for Brian's band, and is as big a fan of the original BBs as any of us, so I don't think he should be considered a "stranger"....And then there's Christian Love...as familiar to one original band member as Matt Jardine is to another.

[the captain]

c-man, please don't wreck the narrative with pesky facts. Brian is the one to be cheered for. Mike, Bruce & Co. are the bad (no-talent) guys. (Al is the short one with whom one is to Keep It Clean.) One more infraction and there will be trouble. That is all.

[Mike's Beard]

My prediction? As cool as a surviving BB's live concert/TV special would be with a thoroughly comprehensive documentary and Rareties CD tie in a'la "Endless Harmony" the reality is we will probably get the same old "Hits" CD, which "Kokomo" aside doesn't stray beyond 1968 recordings called something like "50 Years of Summer". Mike and Bruce will go on American morning chat shows to hype it, where Bruce will not be able to get a word in edgeways.  Someone will interview Brian who be relatively unaware that a) a new CD is out, b) it's 50 years since the group first formed and c) that he was ever a part of it. He will then spend the rest of his airtime discussing his upcoming solo project and how much he loves Phil Spector's "Be My Baby".

Mark my words: this is what will happen.  

Sorry to be "Mr Positivity" but I learned not to count my chickens after the Peter Gabriel era Genesis reunion bit the dust.

[Stegibo]

Cool, another Genesis fan!

[Fun Is In]

Bob Green touches on the topic in today's commentary.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/05/02/greene.beach.boys.summer/index.html?eref=igoogle_cnn

MEL commonts on "Beach Boys" after the Beach Boys too!

[donald]

I'm guessing the 50th is too tempting financially to simply let it pass.  The BB have been surfing on re release packages for many years.  This is a good opportunity to put out some lucrative product.  Might be some film and reunion performance/s.  Nothing wrong with ANY of that.  I'd like to see a well done full length documentary combining the best of previous with new commentary and unreleased footage.  An EH for the ages.    Anything new and of quality would be welcome.  Mr. Desper's connection here whets my appetite and stirs my curiosity.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Nobody thinks this is the Beach Boys of the 60's or 70's.  It is what it is.

Why do we go to our High School reunions?  It's fun to see some of the old gang together again and all that.

The BB are getting near the end of the line.  Let's be happy there is some kind of 50th Celebration and be thankful for all the great music.

[donald]

Nobody thinks this is the Beach Boys of the 60's or 70's.  It is what it is.

Why do we go to our High School reunions?  It's fun to see some of the old gang together again and all that.

The BB are getting near the end of the line.  Let's be happy there is some kind of 50th Celebration and be thankful for all the great music.

I must agree.   But wouldnt it be nice to see BW and ML, strong as they've been over the last year, together on a stage doing it right just one more time?

[the captain]

Wait, you guys go to your high school reunions!?

[Fun Is In]

Wait, you guys go to your high school reunions!?

Be true to your school?

[oldsurferdude]

Nobody thinks this is the Beach Boys of the 60's or 70's.  It is what it is.

Why do we go to our High School reunions?  It's fun to see some of the old gang together again and all that.

The BB are getting near the end of the line.  Let's be happy there is some kind of 50th Celebration and be thankful for all the great music.

I must agree.   But wouldnt it be nice to see BW and ML, strong as they've been over the last year, together on a stage doing it right just one more time?

NO-too much ca ca under the bridge!

[Dave in KC]

I wonder where Melinda currently stands on this talk of reunion?

[Pretty Funky]

Its been described by Stephen Desper as a 'Get-Together' only at this stage. No reunion as in concert, new album mentioned.

Think roof-top type deal. presentation of some kind, record exec's, product plug,  photo-op's, forced smiles and crappy buffet with warm booze!

Would many LA wives turn down a chance to dress up and stand in front of a TV camera?

[Andrew G. Doe]

Nobody thinks this is the Beach Boys of the 60's or 70's.  It is what it is.

Why do we go to our High School reunions?  It's fun to see some of the old gang together again and all that.

The BB are getting near the end of the line.  Let's be happy there is some kind of 50th Celebration and be thankful for all the great music.

I must agree.   But wouldnt it be nice to see BW and ML, strong as they've been over the last year, together on a stage doing it right just one more time?

Yes, it would. Remember the Floyd at Live 8 ? One of the most emotional rock & roll moments ever. Don't care what Roger said before or after, for those fleeting moments he was onstage with the others, he was clearly having the time of his life, thrilled to be playing with them again. And remember, these guys hadn't even so much as spoken for over 20 years ! Back in 1990 Brian was still (occasionally) sharing a stage with the others and he'd do an album with them five, six years down the line. They shared a rooftop four years ago. They're human beings, they have feelings, above all they have the kind of memories we can only fantasise about. My feeling is, you put Brian, Mike, Alan, David & Bruce in a room together without the wives, managers and lawyers, ask them if they'd be up for it, you'd get a resounding "hell, yes".