The Beach Boys are touring!!!!!!!

[lioness]

Yep, they're baaaaaack. :D

The Beach Boys, at this stage, will be playing two shows in Sydney (5-6th October) and in Melbourne (7th October).

But no John Stamos this time. :(

[Woodson]

Should be a great gig. I dig the BB's Still Cruisin' after all of these years ! :p

[JUBJUB]

Originally posted by lioness22
Yep, they're baaaaaack. :D

The Beach Boys, at this stage, will be playing two shows in Sydney (5-6th October) and in Melbourne (7th October).

But no John Stamos this time. :(

How many of them are originals ?

[lioness]

Originally posted by JUBJUB
How many of them are originals ?

One, but there's also Bruce Johnston who joined in 1965 so he counts as an original. ;)

I hear that most of the band is made up of musicians who have played on stage with the band for over 20 years so it should be great. :D

[lioness]

Originally posted by Woodson
Should be a great gig. I dig the BB's Still Cruisin' after all of these years ! :p

Yeah will be a really good night of great music and good times. :cool:

[Majjie]

Yawn!!! Give it up old timers!!

[vanders]

Originally posted by lioness22
Yep, they're baaaaaack. :D

The Beach Boys, at this stage, will be playing two shows in Sydney (5-6th October) and in Melbourne (7th October).

But no John Stamos this time. :(

You left out the bit that says 'I cant believe I had to get Vanders to tell me because I didnt know" ;)

[lioness]

Originally posted by vanders
You left out the bit that says 'I cant believe I had to get Vanders to tell me because I didnt know" ;)

LOL yes and excuuuuuuuuse me for being too busy packing and moving to check my Yahoo mail which was full of messages about it. :o:p

But thank you Vanders. :)

[Asgardian]

You know a band has been around a LONG time when people ask how many of the originals are dead now?

Beatles - Lennon & Harrison dead
Who - Moon & Entwistle dead
Led Zepplin - Bonham dead
AC/DC - Scott dead
Allman Bros Band - Oakley & Duane Allman dead
Mothers of Invention - Frank Zappa dead
Rainbow - Cozy Powell dead
Mott the Hoople - Mick Ronson dead
Doors - Jim Morrison dead
The Experience - Jimi Hendrix dead
Big Brother and the Holding Company - Janis Joplin dead
Grateful Dead - Jerry Garcia, Godchaux, McKernan & Myland dead

plus lots more, in my opinion the Beach Boys have not worn as well as most of those named above.

[Leaping Lindner]

Originally posted by lioness22
One, but there's also Bruce Johnston who joined in 1965 so he counts as an original. ;)

I hear that most of the band is made up of musicians who have played on stage with the band for over 20 years so it should be great. :D

Who is the last original then? Is it Mike Love (as I am assuming that Brian Wilson isn't doing the tour)?

[lioness]

Originally posted by Leaping Lindner
Who is the last original then? Is it Mike Love (as I am assuming that Brian Wilson isn't doing the tour)?

Brian Wilson tours seperately, with his own band. Caught his show in December it was simply brilliant. :D Brian's show covers the 'Pet Sounds' album, and lesser-known stuff and also a bit of his solo stuff, he performs a few of the hits too.

In the 'Beach Boys' band, Mike Love is technically the only original left in the band, he used to have David Marks in the band too (he is little known but was an original member of the band) and he has Bruce Johnston too (who as I said before, has been in the group since 1965 and is generally considered a bona fide member by now). This group ONLY performs the hits, all the best known songs.

There is another group, Al Jardine has his own 'Family and Friends' group that involves his sons, and Brian's daughters Carnie and Wendy, Carl's brother in law Billy Hinsche, people like that. They mostly perform the 'B-sides' throughout the band's career.

It's a shame that they can't all tour together, but half the problem is family. The Wilsons and Loves are cousins (which I don't think a lot of people take into account) and there is lots and lots of legal issues in there, even including some involving Dr Landy (Brian's controversial doctor), so it's not possible for them to all tour together.

It should still be a good show, just that anyone who goes will have to be prepared to see LOTS of Hawaiian shirts and want to only hear the hits. ;)

[lioness]

Originally posted by Asgardian
in my opinion the Beach Boys have not worn as well as most of those named above.

Well only two Beach Boys (Carl Wilson and Dennis Wilson) are deceased, of the 7 'originals'.

I think that any band who can survive 41 years and making an impact in each of those 4 decades must be doing something right. :)

The Beach Boys are a great big family. There are at least 20 people who could be considered genuine members of the group (my criteria is at least 10 years service) and when you consider that it was a family group (Carl Brian and Dennis Wilson and Mike Love are all related, David Marks was a neighbour for their whole lives and Al Jardine was close to Brian at school, and Bruce Johnston knew them when they were first starting out, and their manager was the Wilson brothers father and Love's uncle Murry) the way they relate to each other now is always going to be different to most other groups you named above.

And as I showed in my above post, there are THREE different groups, all containing original members of the band and their children, who keep the group's entire catalogue accessible to the public to see it performed live. The legal documents involved in why the group don't perform as one are very very interesting indeed, and would explain a lot if people would bother reading them thoroughly.

It's a unique situation and I am very proud of my small place in it. :)

[vanders]

Originally posted by lioness22
LOL yes and excuuuuuuuuse me for being too busy packing and moving to check my Yahoo mail which was full of messages about it. :o:p

But thank you Vanders. :)

Anytime :D

[Asgardian]

Originally posted by lioness22
Well only two Beach Boys (Carl Wilson and Dennis Wilson) are deceased, of the 7 'originals'.

Didn't mean the length of their lives Jacs, was more referring to the style of music.
IMO, the music of the Beatles, Who, Led Zepplin, Doors, Experience, Grateful Dead plus some others have "aged" better than the Beach Boys sound. Hell, even Creedence sounds better today than most of the classic Beach Boys stuff.

Yes, there are exceptions, most of Pet Sounds will stand up against just about anything, but you cannot say the same about the majority of the Beach Boys portfolio, whereas the Beatles entire playlist is still out there on the airwaves, still making people sit up and take notice, all in my opinion naturally.

Originally posted by lioness22
I think that any band who can survive 41 years and making an impact in each of those 4 decades must be doing something right. :)

Yes they are survivors, albeit in a very disjointed fashion, but I do question your claim that they have made an impact in each of their 4 decades.
Making an impact means they have changed the way people act or think, I just cannot see that is the case with Beach Boys music.

This by no means denegrates them, it just comes back to my original point that they have not aged as well as some others

[Docker_Brat]

Originally posted by Asgardian
You know a band has been around a LONG time when people ask how many of the originals are dead now?

I booked a seat on Lynyrd Skynyrd's plane..


At what point does a band stop having the right to use a name? With only two original members and none of the Wilsons, then it aint the Beach Boys IMO.

[lioness]

Originally posted by Docker_Brat

At what point does a band stop having the right to use a name? With only two original members and none of the Wilsons, then it aint the Beach Boys IMO.

AGREED!!!!!! There was a legal fight over the 'Beach Boys' name, Al Jardine wanted to use it for his 'Family and Friends' group (which contains many Wilson children) but wasn't allowed to because it was deemed that the name was 'misleading' to fans. I don't really see the difference between his group and the one that calls itself 'The Beach Boys' when it should rightfully be called something else. People go along (general public I mean, not fans) expecting to see a Wilson (Brian) and the rest of the original members, which is not so. I know when they came here in 1998 I expected that, and was bitterly disappointed to learn that it was only Mike and Bruce (oh and John Stamos lol).

When Carl Wilson died in 1998, the group kind of fell apart into these little sections. People want to see a Wilson, and I know for me that seeing The Beach Boys this October will pale in comparison to seeing Brian Wilson last December, there is just something very special about the Wilsons, that Mike Love wishes he had. Sadly he doesn't. ;)

I'm not expecting to see/hear that authentic sound because it just won't be. I am mostly going along because I've spoken with Bruce Johnston a few times and would like to interview him for my Beach Boys Yahoo group, and also to get Mike and Bruce to sign my copies of their solo albums........and to hear the hits.

Brother Records (the band's record company) owns the rights to the name, and they can use it any damn way they wish. The naming rights issue is a very sore point with everyone, fans have even gone as far as petitioning the courts to have the decision overturned but to no avail. It's a bit sad really but I guess as long as the music lives on............ :)

[lioness]

Originally posted by Asgardian
Didn't mean the length of their lives Jacs, was more referring to the style of music.
IMO, the music of the Beatles, Who, Led Zepplin, Doors, Experience, Grateful Dead plus some others have "aged" better than the Beach Boys sound. Hell, even Creedence sounds better today than most of the classic Beach Boys stuff.

Yes, there are exceptions, most of Pet Sounds will stand up against just about anything, but you cannot say the same about the majority of the Beach Boys portfolio, whereas the Beatles entire playlist is still out there on the airwaves, still making people sit up and take notice, all in my opinion naturally.

I REALLY hate seeing the Beatles and Beach Boys being compared, it's bull**** because they are incomparable. And you can't compare 13 albums spanning ONE decade to 28 albums spanning three decades and every single genre you can think of. :) Besides, I doubt that many people have even heard the entire Beach Boys catalogue, let alone being qualified to comment on it. And let me tell you, there is LOTS there that could not just stand up to the groups you mentioned, but totally flatten them. ;)

All I can say is, the Beach Boys hits still chart. And the fans stopped buying the hits packages a couple of decades ago, so obviously the sound IS holding up pretty well. And the music is appearing more and more as part of movie soundtracks. :)

What some people forget I think is that the Beach Boys and Beatles were BOTH Capitol records artists, and guess who got all the marketing???? The music ended up selling itself and did a ****ing good job too. :D The notion that the Beach Boys are just surf/car crap turns a lot of people off too which is a shame since they miss about 30 years of awesome sounds (I will call Mooster in as my star witness on that point ;) but he saw the light hahaha)

Most people I know still enjoy the Beach Boys biggest hits.
Originally posted by Asgardian

Yes they are survivors, albeit in a very disjointed fashion, but I do question your claim that they have made an impact in each of their 4 decades.
Making an impact means they have changed the way people act or think, I just cannot see that is the case with Beach Boys music.

This by no means denegrates them, it just comes back to my original point that they have not aged as well as some others

Alright let's go through it then:

60s - shaped the 'California Sound', building on popular music of the time and turning it into a something no one had ever heard. In the mid-60s with 'Pet Sounds' and also the 'SMiLE' sessions, challenged every other band of the time INCLUDING the Beatles.

70s - were THE best live act of the mid-70s. 1974 release of the 'Endless Summer' hits package created a whole new generation of fans.

80s - Had a couple of minor hits, then 'Kokomo'. Enough said. :) Renewed their popularity yet again by hitting the top of the charts with an original tune. Lost drummer Dennis WIlson. Made BIG news with Dr Landy's treatment of Brian Wilson.

90s - not as much of an impact.......probably best known for their landmark court battles than anything else. 30th anniversary of the 'Pet Sounds' album and the subsequent 'Pet Sounds Sessions' CD box set (which at the time was one of very few box sets devoted to one single album), and the release of the brilliant 'Good Vibrations - 30 years of the Beach Boys' box set brought yet another generation to the music, and not just the hits. ;) Late 90s see Brian Wilson heading out on the road for solo tours - something that no-one thought we would ever see. On a sad note, lost the soul of the Beach Boys, Carl Wilson.

00s - yet to be seen. 40th anniversary celebration, possible release of the sacred 'SMiLE' sessions. 'Sounds of Summer' hits package hits the charts (and FYI, the die-hard fans aren't the ones buying it), Brian Wilson is also starting to tour the 'SMiLE' music around the world, following his amazingly successful 'Pet Sounds World Tour'

Some of that is fairly significant stuff, more importantly it's kept them in the public eye constantly and influenced many many new bands.

[Mooster7]

Originally posted by lioness22


(I will call Mooster in as my star witness on that point ;) but he saw the light hahaha)



I'll gladly come as a star witness. Before Lioness kicked me in the ass, all of the Beach Boys I had heard was their older surf type stuff on the radio. I didn't care for it.

They have a lot of other good stuff in different styles. 'Pet Sounds' is a masterpiece of songwriting. At the same time I bought that, I also picked up 'Smiley Smile' and 'Wild Honey.' There are great tracks on there, that could be released today and sound current. 'How She Boogalooed it' and "I Was Made to Love Her' are two great tunes which I have lifted guitar and bass lines from.

I had a friend come over, and played some tracks from these SS and WH. He couldn't tell me the name of the band. He freaked when I said it was the BB's and he was already a fan.

When you hear the lesser known tracks recorded so long ago, it's obvious and amazing how many other artists they've inspired. Everyone from Prince to Queen. Comparing them to the Beatles is irrelevant. The Beatles themselves have praised them. Pet Sounds was not only the first real rock concept album (and one of the greatest rock albums ever recorded) but it actually inspired the Beatles to record Sgt. Peppers.

Now that I've heard quite a bit of really great BB music, I'm more tolerant of their surfer tunes. I prefer them live. If they come to KC, I'll be there front and center. I'll have Lioness to thank.

Peace,

[lioness]

Ahhhhhh Mooster, you make me so very proud!!!!! ;):D Oh and don't thank me, just enjoy the music. :) I looked up the Beach Boys tour dates, no KC shows listed there, but I'll make sure I mention it so someone and see if they have plans to go there sometime soon.

Just with the music, and your tolerance towards the early stuff now, I don't know if it's the same for you but I generally think of those songs as early forms of the later stuff. If you listen to their music from the very beginning, you can hear the sound evolving. It's not really the same as other bands where they suddenly burst out with this totally new sound, the Beach Boys kind of built up to it gradually. It is staggering though when you realise just how many styles of music they cover......... the sad part is that 90% of the world haven't ever heard most of their post-surf/car music.

The 'Wild Honey' album is absolutely awesome, nearly everyone who hears it just instantly loves it. Very raw basic sound, but with those familiar harmonies included for a bit of balance. ;)

I have another recommendation for you, Mooster, there is an album called 'Carl and the Passions - So Tough'. It's another very interesting album and adds yet another dimension to their incredible catalogue. The album features two temporary members of the group, Blondie Chaplin and Ricky Fataar, Blondie's vocals add a real soulful sound, very good album.

[lioness]

For any Stamos 'fans' out there :p the reason he isn't part of this tour is apparently because he has taken a role in a Broadway play.

Yes REALLY. :eek:

[skilts]

Personal preference only, but I can't abide men singing falsetto. Sounds affected and false to me.

[NYMets]

"Walk like a Man" eh, skilts?

I had to smile when I saw this ... I didn't have to look who had posted.

But for me Brain Wilson IS The Beach Boys. He dreamt up the tunes and the harmonies......without him it would be a great cover band

[lioness]

Originally posted by skilts
Personal preference only, but I can't abide men singing falsetto. Sounds affected and false to me.

Yeah I know a lot of people feel the same way. The only thing I WILL say about Brian Wilson's falsetto is that it is probably the most pure falsetto you will ever hear. Beautiful. I enjoy the harmonies though.

NONE of them sing like that now, however. :p

[lioness]

Originally posted by NYMets


I had to smile when I saw this ... I didn't have to look who had posted.

But for me Brain Wilson IS The Beach Boys. He dreamt up the tunes and the harmonies......without him it would be a great cover band

Yeah definitely, Brian was the creator I guess, of the bands' sound and came up with all the arrangements and stuff, but for me, Carl Wilson is the Beach Boys. His voice held it all together, and he produced much of their later stuff. Very under-rated talent.

I saw Brian Wilson in December and I think anyone who actually witnessed the brilliance of his show for themselves would rate it as one of the best they've ever seen. People say he's lost it, but he was truly awesome. I'm interested in seeing the Beach Boys just to compare the sound. Obviously with just two original members it's going to be different, but this might just be the last chance I get to see them so I think I'll take it. They tour here every 5 years on average, and in 5 years time they'll be 65+ so it's doubtful they'll come again.

[lioness]

Just another update - I have noticed that there are HEAPS of 'meet the Beach Boys' competitions around the place......... I'm actually wondering WHY. :confused:

I think if I was just an ordinary fan and didn't fully understand that this isn't the true Beach Boys.......well I'd be fairly disappointed because I'm sure a lot of people are expecting Brian Wilson and co to be there but they aren't going to be.

I probably will, due to a bit of coaxing from a family member of one of the band, but it's just not as interesting to me as if there was a Wilson backstage also. Oh well maybe they'll surprise me. ;)