50th anniversary latest

[buddhahat]

Bit late in on this one so maybe this is old news but just noticed this report:

http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/2010/06/22/14474811-wenn-story.html

[Wrightfan]

Bit late in on this one so maybe this is old news but just noticed this report:

http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/2010/06/22/14474811-wenn-story.html

I'd be wary with that. That's the first I've seen Al mentioned.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

No doubt SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN for the 50th next year.

Another best of "50 Summers of Good Vibrations", Al  finally releases 'Postcard', or we see a joint David/Al tour.

Bottom line, there's money to be made.

[bgas]

All Mike has said in this latest statement is that Brian isn't joining them this year. In fact, he's added something, that is the news about discussing writing & recording.

Of any of the band, Mike is probably the most legal-savvy. I seriously doubt he'd say what he did without there being some basis in fact. We'll see, and in the meantime, we have what I hope will be a seriously good BW album to occupy our time. 

and of course Brian, On HIS OWN site, has said absolutely nothing
WTF?

[SurfRiderHawaii]

All Mike has said in this latest statement is that Brian isn't joining them this year. In fact, he's added something, that is the news about discussing writing & recording.

Of any of the band, Mike is probably the most legal-savvy. I seriously doubt he'd say what he did without there being some basis in fact. We'll see, and in the meantime, we have what I hope will be a seriously good BW album to occupy our time.  

and of course Brian, On HIS OWN site, has said absolutely nothing
WTF?

This IS an official statement on Brian's site

http://www.brianwilson.com/news/index.html

Jun 22, 2010
Statement on the Beach Boys 50th Anniversary
As The Beach Boys approach 2011-2012 touring season, which will mark their 50th anniversary as a band, speculation continues to grow among fans and media as to reunion possibilities among all the original surviving members. In response to recent stories Mike Love had the following comments: "The Beach Boys continue to tour approximately 150 shows a year in multiple countries. At this time there are no plans for my cousin Brian to rejoin the tour. He has new solo projects on the horizon and I wish him love and success. We have had some discussions of writing and possibly recording together, but nothing has been planned. I, as I¹m sure he is, am proud and honored that The Beach Boys music has endured these 50 years, but felt the need to clarify that there are no current 'reunion' tour plans."

[rab2591]

Eh, I don't even know why anyone would want a reunion tour/concert/cd. I think Brian is happy doing what he is doing now: just writing music and hopefully enjoying life. I can't imagine wanting to be thrust back into a band with a person who has spent the last couple decades suing you.

A 50th anniversary 'SMiLE Boxset' would be incredible. That is all I want.

[tpesky]

Eh, I don't even know why anyone would want a reunion tour/concert/cd. I think Brian is happy doing what he is doing now: just writing music and hopefully enjoying life. I can't imagine wanting to be thrust back into a band with a person who has spent the last couple decades suing you.

A 50th anniversary 'SMiLE Boxset' would be incredible. That is all I want.

I will admit Smile never did it for me, but The Beach Boys are so much more than Smile, that needs to be celebrated beyond a Smile box set.

[The Shift]

Brian's site has a statement on this:
http://www.brianwilson.com/news/index.html

Anyone find it weird that Mike himself would deny the claim on Brian's official site that he claimed true elsewhere?

This smacks of Mike having to eat humble pie to me. Reads to me like Brian's people read the Las Vegas Sun piece, didn't like it, and insisted on Mike composing a climb down.

This is what Mike originally said (or what he was quoted as having said, and there's been no claim that he was misrepresented):

"We began in the fall of 1961, and our first tour was in 1962, and it’s been nonstop since then. Now we’re gearing up for the 50th anniversary, and Brian Wilson, who has been working on some unfinished Gershwin music project, will rejoin us. I’m sad that Carl Wilson passed away 11, 12 years ago from the same lung cancer problem that claimed the life of George Harrison. That was not a fun time for us. But I am happy that now my son Christian is in the group. Yes, the lineup has changed over the years, but it’s been pretty consistent the past several years. “

The clear implication there is that Brian would be joining them on stage. Mike was talking about the touring history and then about the touring band. This version of the Beach Boys, remember, doesn't record as such; it's purely a touring band with members who also do other things under their own names or under other names but not under the Beach Boys' name.

Now he says: "At this time there are no plans for my cousin Brian to rejoin the tour... but {I} felt the need to clarify that there are no current 'reunion' tour plans."

I read it as a slap on the wrist for Mike.  That it's posted on the BW site (as I'm guessing BW's people insisted) is as though he's been told to stand in front of class and say "Sorry, I told a porkie". It also seems to serve as a reminder to Mike that if they'd posted this message on the Beach Boys Band site it would have had very little exposure. At least the fact that they've posted Mike's retraction on the BW page says that they are speaking – if the denial had been in Brian's words only, it would have seemed to have added even further distance.

Just my interpretation... feel free to flame!

[Andrew G. Doe]

I see no contradictions between the two pieces- in the original interview, Mike clearly stated that Brian would be joining them for the 50th anniversary, in 2011, whereas in the second he's underlining that there are "currently" no plans for Brian to rejoin them "at present". i.e for 2010. Some folk on the Bloo assumed he was trying to get Brian to join him this summer... like that's going to happen with a brand new album to promote ? Yeah, I can just see Brian's people, and Disney, agreeing to that.

There will be some sort of reunion, of this I'm sure. Yes, we're talking The Beach Boys here and their long history of corporate & managerial stupidity, but this is a 50th anniversary, a rare, rare thing in rock. Even they wouldn't f*** this one up.

[The Shift]

Even they wouldn't foda this one up.

Aha... would you be willing to bet that pint on this? 

[The Shift]

and the thing is, that as obsessives, we're gonna pick through these statements until Dec 31, 2011...

"We have had some discussions of writing and possibly recording together, but nothing has been planned..."

Could be read as:

Mike: "Hey Brian, wanna write some stuff together like the old days?"

Brian: "No." (slams down phone)

[Andrew G. Doe]

Even they wouldn't foda this one up.

Aha... would you be willing to bet that pint on this? 

Errrrrr... no. 

[adamghost]

I predict a 50th anniversary tour...in 2012 or 2013.

[PongHit]

A 50th anniversary 'SMiLE Boxset' would be incredible. That is all I want.

I want it too, but it's not the 50th anniversary of SMiLE, it's the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the band.

[jmc]

This is what Mike originally said (or what he was quoted as having said, and there's been no claim that he was misrepresented):

"We began in the fall of 1961, and our first tour was in 1962, and it’s been nonstop since then. Now we’re gearing up for the 50th anniversary, and Brian Wilson, who has been working on some unfinished Gershwin music project, will rejoin us. I’m sad that Carl Wilson passed away 11, 12 years ago from the same lung cancer problem that claimed the life of George Harrison. That was not a fun time for us. But I am happy that now my son Christian is in the group. Yes, the lineup has changed over the years, but it’s been pretty consistent the past several years. “

Here is a perfect example of where I struggle to deal with Mike.  I truly want to like him.  I love the Beach Boys in part because of him and what he contributed.  However, this is a perfect example (IMO) of where he uses poor tact.  Why does he always have to bring up the Beatles?  Whether its pointing out that he was in India (with John, Paul and George) in 68', or writing Back in USSR with the guys (so he claims), or here in this poorest of uses, comparing Carl's cause of death (lung cancer) with George's death.  People die of lung cancer all the time, every day, everywhere.  Sorry, but I really think Mike tries to include a link to the Beatles to gain public appreciation.  You may disagree, but ask yourself, why does he have to mention George's death?  Why couldn't he just say that Carl died of lung cancer?  Sorry, but I think its poor taste in conversation and its (unfortunately) typical of Mike.  Is it just me?   
 

[DonnaK]

I think Mike is, as always, trying to look like the nice guy by putting it out there that he'd be the one to initiate the whole thing, so IF it doesn't happen, no one can blame him. After all these years, he continues to hang on Brian and the Wilson's coat tails.

I'll be happy if they all live to the 50th and then take it as it comes.  Remember, we have absolutely NO say in what happens in this matter.

[Paulos]

I'm not exactly sure what single date would constitute the 50th anniversary, is it in September 61?

[Andrew G. Doe]

Well... take your pick:

mid August - Brian, Carl, Mike, Dennis and quite possibly David accompany Alan to audition for Hite Morgan. Dennis informs Morgan Mike & Brian have written a song about surfing (they haven't).

late August - music room rehearsals according to Brian in Teen Set #1

September 2-4 - the legendary Labor Day weekend rehearsals

September 15 - audition/demo session for Hite Morgan at his house (as The Pendletones)

October 3 - 1st Morgan session at World Pacific

mid November - "Surfin'/Luau" released on Candix 331 (first appearence of the words "Beach Boys")

December 23 - first documented gig, during the interval of a Dick Dale show at the Rendezvous Ballroom

[tpesky]

They've always tended to "jump the gun" on their anniversaries.

[donald]

Give or take 10 or 15 months, who cares?   Next Spring/Summer is it!

[Rocker]

Of course I'd love to see them doing something together. The articles show that there is interest in the media and public for a reunion. But, as somebody mentioned before, we're talking about the Beach Boys. Right now I don't think that there will be anything bigger that that one member will sit in the jury for "American Idol".... Yeah, it's the Beach Boys....

[Magic Transistor Radio]

Bit late in on this one so maybe this is old news but just noticed this report:

http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/2010/06/22/14474811-wenn-story.html

They obviously didn't do their homework. They claim there are 3 surviving original Beach Boys, when there are four!

[Jason]

Technically, "three surviving original Beach Boys" is correct - Brian, Michael, and Al. David replaced Al; Bruce obviously didn't come until 1965.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Eh, depends on how you define 'original' - according to Capitol files, David is an original.. and he was rehearsing with them before Alan pitched in.

[c-man]

Technically, "three surviving original Beach Boys" is correct - Brian, Michael, and Al. David replaced Al; Bruce obviously didn't come until 1965.

Oooooh...Jon?