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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Apr 12, 2024 21:57:35 GMT
This is a good question and a good topic. You have to play amateur psychologist to get into this discussion - a role I don't mind playing.
I think when Mike Love got into the Beach Boys, he was pretty much a regular guy. He didn't particularly shine in the classroom, he was athletic (ran track in high school), he was a good-looking guy, he had a girlfriend (who became pregnant), and he was ready for some other action. That would be in rock & roll, though I don't think he necessarily planned or dreamed of a career in music. It kinda just happened. Mike was in the right place at the right time. And in the right family.
I do think Mike was pretty much like the other Beach Boys (especially Dennis) from 1961-1964. Their lives, in and out of music, were pretty similar. They were still young guys and hadn't yet become men - or had many other responsibilities outside the Beach Boys (yes, I know Mike was already married). I think around 1965-1966, Mike Love started to change. What changed him? Success, fame, money, age, and getting around (pun intended). In reading the various biographies, the guys experienced a lot, things that not many people would ever be exposed to. Mike was the first to change his look. He grew a beard, started wearing hats (I know, I know), smoked the occasional pipe, and just appeared...different...from the guy in jeans and T-shirt on the back of the Surfin' Safari album cover. Was Mike trying to stand out from the rest? Was he trying to get attention? Was he trying to be hip? Maybe he really was trying to change, grow if you will.
Mike's personality seemed to change, too. In some of the interviews I've seen and read post-1966, Mike was addressing non-music subjects like money/material goods, transcendental meditation, politics, drugs, and lawsuits (with Capitol Records). Other than Brian a little bit, none of the other Beach Boys weren't (seriously) into much more than their career in The Beach Boys. Yes, they partied, got married, and bought...things, but they still came across as regular guys in a rock & roll band. Mike just came across as being older (which he was), more sophisticated, more serious, and more into the money.
And then there was the wardrobe. The overalls with suspenders, the wackier hats, the white sheets, the even longer beard, turbans, gold lame' vests, and, yes, the jewelry. No other Beach Boys were approaching any of that. You gotta give Mike some credit. He took his role - or what he thought was his role, that of the frontman - seriously. Yes, he got the attention he sought for himself and the band, though I'm not sure all of it was the positive kind. I wonder what Mike thinks today when he sees old photos of some of his outfits?
And then there's the lyrics. Mike Love's lyrics have come full circle. Mike always wrote about what he knew best. He started out writing about girls, fun, and summer in California. His lyrics got a little "trippy" in the psychedelic mid/late 1960s. Mike got, shall we say, topical and serious in the early 1970s. Post-1974, Mike began to write about religion, health, places around the world, more-mature relationships, peace and love, and reminiscing. Oh, Mike never completely abandoned his surf & turf and fun in the sun lyric-writing. All it took was the right song (from whoever for whatever project) and the right opportunity to record it. On That's Why God Made The Radio and on Mike's recent solo albums, guess what Mike wrote about? Yep, Mike never forgets a good line or a good old (emphasis on old) subject for a song.
So, why did Mike change? Why did he go through all of that, you know, change his image repeatedly? The other Beach Boys didn't. As I mentioned earlier, I'll bet the other members were basically the same guys later in their lives as they were earlier in their lives (Brian's struggles with drugs and mental illness excepted). I think the answer to the question of Mike changing is twofold. I think it...just happened...as he experienced life in the world of rock & roll. Think of all the places Mike went and all of the people he met. You can't experience all of that craziness and not change somewhat. But, I also think Mike consciously and intentionally wanted to grow, change, and experience new things. I think Mike wanted to change with the times. He accepted it and embraced it, though I think a part of him today sees things that turns him off. Mike opts to joke about it, infusing humor into his interviews. Mike legitimately enjoys his lifestyle - the travel, the performing, the interaction with the people, and, yes, the applause. Did I mention the praise? The honors? Legendary status. The celebrity factor. And, yes, the attention. Hey, the guy earned it. He went through hell (though he could've walked away at any time). He paid his dues several times. But, he embraced the lifestyle and he will probably never give it up.
I sometimes think Mike is a dichotomy, a contradiction, simple yet complicated. Can someone be both secure and insecure at the same time? About themself? In seeing and reading Mike's interviews through the years, he comes off as someone who is proud, cocky, even conceited. He knows what he contributed to The Beach Boys and rock & roll history. And he'll tell us. However, in some ways, I feel Mike is insecure. He is very aware that Brian Wilson was, is, and will always be "the man". Mike knows that he (Mike) didn't write that beautiful, ground-breaking, and timeless music, yet I don't think he really cares...completely. I do think it's something that's always there with Mike. Mike couldn't write like Brian. Hell, he couldn't write like Dennis. Mike doesn't have the beautiful voice, musical skills, or productions values of a Carl Wilson. In some ways, Mike isn't even as talented as Al Jardine. Does any of that bother Mike? I don't think it did at the beginning of The Beach Boys. Mike was the lead singer on almost every early hit record. I think it bothered Mike to some extent as their careers progressed. Mike was getting less and less representation on the albums. And, I think it bothered Mike later in his/the band's career. Maybe that was one of the reasons why Mike toured incessantly. Maybe eventually, by default and through persistence, Mike would get his due. Today, Mike not only doesn't get the praise that Brian (and even Carl and Dennis) gets, but some fans and authors are starting to be critical of Mike's voice, his contributions (or lack of) on some of the band's more serious music (especially Pet Sounds, SMiLE, and the late 60s/early 70s' albums.), and Mike's desire to "go back". Mike's shtick isn't for everybody and might be wearing thin in some areas.
I'll end with this. A lot of Mike's attention (or lack of) and criticism is brought on by Mike himself. Even with all of Mike's personal growth, experiences, and sophistication, I sometimes think that Mike Love is not a very intelligent man. When I hear/read some of the things Mike says about Brian and Dennis in recent interviews, I have to question why Mike is "going there". Yes, many of the things Mike says about Brian and Dennis are true, but why bring them up, and so often? Regarding Brian, who obviously struggled with drugs and mental illness, Mike sounds, not just insensitive but ignorant - and after everything Brian has contributed to Mike's career, life...and wealth. Is Mike Love really that bitter? Or maybe he is truly insecure. Does it make Mike feel better about himself to put down Brian and Dennis? You know, they were weak and self-destructive, but I didn't succumb to the temptations. I was strong and they were weak. I (Mike) kept going but they stopped...or died. I want to repeat and make clear that what Mike says might be based in fact, but there are times and places to discuss those subjects. I don't think every interview with Joe Palooka from The Daily News in Anytown, USA - or Rolling Stone magazine - is necessarily the place or time to be bringing these things up. And why now, when Mike is in his mid-80s. Won't he ever learn? When discussing the Beach Boys' music, Mike appears ignorant and simple-minded. Maybe he keeps repeating the same things because he really doesn't have a true grasp on what went down, even though he lived it. I swear, Mike still doesn't "get" SMiLE. When you read some of his comments about the post-1966 albums, various collaborators of Brian's, and what the Beach Boys in the present should be doing, Mike sounds, not just bitter and jealous, but so out of touch. I promise I'll say it just one more time. With everything Mike Love has experienced in 83 years - in and out of music - I would expect somebody much wiser, sympathetic, and grateful.
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Post by Kapitan on Apr 13, 2024 16:02:51 GMT
I sometimes think Mike is a dichotomy, a contradiction, simple yet complicated.
I sometimes think that Mike Love is not a very intelligent man.
I think it's a lot more the former than the latter. And that's probably true of all of us, which makes it so that on certain subjects or parts of our lives, we (like Mike) might seem to be not very intelligent. I think we've all just got those various blind spots or sore spots where we're not as rational or generous or consistent or kind or whatever-else as we might be in the other areas of our lives. In a way, it is funny how many Beach Boys fans are willing to forgive (or even just ignore so there's nothing to forgive) the various bad sides of the Wilson brothers, but can't get over Mike's. I actually get that he's just got something off-putting about him, but really, the others did their share of bad things to one another, to the band, or to others.
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Post by kds on Apr 14, 2024 0:34:47 GMT
I sometimes think Mike is a dichotomy, a contradiction, simple yet complicated.
I sometimes think that Mike Love is not a very intelligent man.
I think it's a lot more the former than the latter. And that's probably true of all of us, which makes it so that on certain subjects or parts of our lives, we (like Mike) might seem to be not very intelligent. I think we've all just got those various blind spots or sore spots where we're not as rational or generous or consistent or kind or whatever-else as we might be in the other areas of our lives. In a way, it is funny how many Beach Boys fans are willing to forgive (or even just ignore so there's nothing to forgive) the various bad sides of the Wilson brothers, but can't get over Mike's. I actually get that he's just got something off-putting about him, but really, the others did their share of bad things to one another, to the band, or to others. That's the part about the anti Mike fans that I don't get, how they just ignore the other bandmembers' fiobles.
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Post by lonelysummer on Apr 14, 2024 1:08:53 GMT
I think it's a lot more the former than the latter. And that's probably true of all of us, which makes it so that on certain subjects or parts of our lives, we (like Mike) might seem to be not very intelligent. I think we've all just got those various blind spots or sore spots where we're not as rational or generous or consistent or kind or whatever-else as we might be in the other areas of our lives. In a way, it is funny how many Beach Boys fans are willing to forgive (or even just ignore so there's nothing to forgive) the various bad sides of the Wilson brothers, but can't get over Mike's. I actually get that he's just got something off-putting about him, but really, the others did their share of bad things to one another, to the band, or to others. That's the part about the anti Mike fans that I don't get, how they just ignore the other bandmembers' fiobles. In the case of Dennis, his reckless ways and early death just seem to have made him more of an icon, a legend. With Brian, the decades of mental illness have earned him sympathy.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Apr 14, 2024 13:07:18 GMT
I sometimes think Mike is a dichotomy, a contradiction, simple yet complicated.
I sometimes think that Mike Love is not a very intelligent man.
I think it's a lot more the former than the latter. And that's probably true of all of us, which makes it so that on certain subjects or parts of our lives, we (like Mike) might seem to be not very intelligent. I think we've all just got those various blind spots or sore spots where we're not as rational or generous or consistent or kind or whatever-else as we might be in the other areas of our lives. Again I'll go back to Mike's interviews. I'll repeat that Mike is quick to point out the negative effects of drugs and alcohol on The Beach Boys' career (which is absolutely true and Mike has every right to bring it up), but Mike has recently (over the last ten years or so) said some very inappropriate and insensitive things about Brian, or specifically his condition. When I hear/read Mike say those things, I get past the crassness of the comments, but I have to wonder if Mike really understands, first mental illness, and second exactly what Brian is dealing/living with. Brian has been diagnosed as having schizoaffective disorder for years now. I wonder if Mike knows that specifically, and, if he does, does he understand what it is and how it affects Brian. Mike comes across as very ignorant.
I (and most fans) have to seriously question Mike's decisions when it comes to music. Yes, I will give Mike credit when it comes to bringing up ideas. At least he cared; I used to wonder if he was the only Beach Boy who really did. But, look at some of the projects he has driven. Again, it had to be approved by BRI (so they're all responsible), but look at the disaster Summer In Paradise was. And, look at Mike's fairly recent solo albums. Did/does Mike have a clue what - or would not be - successful. Do you remember when a possible 50th Anniversary album was first being suggested? What did Mike say that he preferred? An album of old Beach Boys' songs, re-recorded and sung by the then 75 year-old Beach Boys. Mike really has no clue. And, why bring people like Mark McGrath into the Beach Boys' picture. Just...why? Why him? There's so many questionable moves and ideas that Mike either spearheaded or pulled off that are head-scratching. Obviously, nobody said "no", which would've been the right thing to do. The ideas were losers from the start.
Going back to Mike's interviews, he will be asked the familiar question about why The Beach Boys' music still resonates today. Mike will usually lead with the "positive vibes and good feelings" that people get from the music. Fair enough; that's certainly true. Of course, he's mostly referring to the lyrics, lyrics he wrote. But, then Mike will add something like, "And my cousin, Brian, came up with these brilliant harmonies..." and Mike will stop there. He'll fail to mention that Brian wrote the music, arranged it, produced it, played on the recordings, and sang on them. And the other guys; he'll fail to mention the importance of the lead vocals...other than his own early ones. Is Mike really that short-sighted, or is he insecure about his lack of musicianship or his lack of contributions to the actual recording and performing (instrumentally) of the songs? Did you ever hear the name Chuck Britz or Hal Blaine or Carol Kaye or any of the Wrecking Crew come out of Mike Love's mouth? The only time he mentioned Van Dyke Parks was to criticize his work. Other than the commercial appeal of "Wouldn't It Be Nice", "God Only Knows", and "Sloop John B", do you think Mike really "gets" Pet Sounds. I know from his interviews that still doesn't "get" SMiLE. Working with The Beach Boys - Brian, Dennis, Carl, Al, and Bruce - you would think that "things" - musically - would've rubbed off on Mike, just by experiencing it, seeing it, hearing it. Mike seemed to regress musically as his career went on, especially from 1980-onward. And that's 40+ years...
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Post by Kapitan on Apr 14, 2024 13:12:29 GMT
I can't disagree with much, if any, of that.
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Post by lonelysummer on Apr 14, 2024 19:38:03 GMT
I think it's a lot more the former than the latter. And that's probably true of all of us, which makes it so that on certain subjects or parts of our lives, we (like Mike) might seem to be not very intelligent. I think we've all just got those various blind spots or sore spots where we're not as rational or generous or consistent or kind or whatever-else as we might be in the other areas of our lives. Again I'll go back to Mike's interviews. I'll repeat that Mike is quick to point out the negative effects of drugs and alcohol on The Beach Boys' career (which is absolutely true and Mike has every right to bring it up), but Mike has recently (over the last ten years or so) said some very inappropriate and insensitive things about Brian, or specifically his condition. When I hear/read Mike say those things, I get past the crassness of the comments, but I have to wonder if Mike really understands, first mental illness, and second exactly what Brian is dealing/living with. Brian has been diagnosed as having schizoaffective disorder for years now. I wonder if Mike knows that specifically, and, if he does, does he understand what it is and how it affects Brian. Mike comes across as very ignorant.
I (and most fans) have to seriously question Mike's decisions when it comes to music. Yes, I will give Mike credit when it comes to bringing up ideas. At least he cared; I used to wonder if he was the only Beach Boy who really did. But, look at some of the projects he has driven. Again, it had to be approved by BRI (so they're all responsible), but look at the disaster Summer In Paradise was. And, look at Mike's fairly recent solo albums. Did/does Mike have a clue what - or would not be - successful. Do you remember when a possible 50th Anniversary album was first being suggested? What did Mike say that he preferred? An album of old Beach Boys' songs, re-recorded and sung by the then 75 year-old Beach Boys. Mike really has no clue. And, why bring people like Mark McGrath into the Beach Boys' picture. Just...why? Why him? There's so many questionable moves and ideas that Mike either spearheaded or pulled off that are head-scratching. Obviously, nobody said "no", which would've been the right thing to do. The ideas were losers from the start.
Going back to Mike's interviews, he will be asked the familiar question about why The Beach Boys' music still resonates today. Mike will usually lead with the "positive vibes and good feelings" that people get from the music. Fair enough; that's certainly true. Of course, he's mostly referring to the lyrics, lyrics he wrote. But, then Mike will add something like, "And my cousin, Brian, came up with these brilliant harmonies..." and Mike will stop there. He'll fail to mention that Brian wrote the music, arranged it, produced it, played on the recordings, and sang on them. And the other guys; he'll fail to mention the importance of the lead vocals...other than his own early ones. Is Mike really that short-sighted, or is he insecure about his lack of musicianship or his lack of contributions to the actual recording and performing (instrumentally) of the songs? Did you ever hear the name Chuck Britz or Hal Blaine or Carol Kaye or any of the Wrecking Crew come out of Mike Love's mouth? The only time he mentioned Van Dyke Parks was to criticize his work. Other than the commercial appeal of "Wouldn't It Be Nice", "God Only Knows", and "Sloop John B", do you think Mike really "gets" Pet Sounds. I know from his interviews that still doesn't "get" SMiLE. Working with The Beach Boys - Brian, Dennis, Carl, Al, and Bruce - you would think that "things" - musically - would've rubbed off on Mike, just by experiencing it, seeing it, hearing it. Mike seemed to regress musically as his career went on, especially from 1980-onward. And that's 40+ years...
I have no idea if Mike "gets" SMiLe or not. If he doesn't like it, well, he's got the right to not like it. He's got the right to not like Pet Sounds, although I think that whole argument is overblown. maybe you should feed him the questions
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Post by kds on Apr 15, 2024 0:22:54 GMT
I think Mike "gets" Pet Sounds, or at least gets that fans get it, since Mike's band had thrown PS songs in sets over the years other than the big 3. The lyrics of Pet Sounds are much more relatable than the ones on Smile too.
I couldn't agree more about Mike in terms of music. When tasked to provide lyrics to Brian's music, he's fine. But, left to his own devices, the results can be downright baffling.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Apr 15, 2024 11:15:30 GMT
Again I'll go back to Mike's interviews. I'll repeat that Mike is quick to point out the negative effects of drugs and alcohol on The Beach Boys' career (which is absolutely true and Mike has every right to bring it up), but Mike has recently (over the last ten years or so) said some very inappropriate and insensitive things about Brian, or specifically his condition. When I hear/read Mike say those things, I get past the crassness of the comments, but I have to wonder if Mike really understands, first mental illness, and second exactly what Brian is dealing/living with. Brian has been diagnosed as having schizoaffective disorder for years now. I wonder if Mike knows that specifically, and, if he does, does he understand what it is and how it affects Brian. Mike comes across as very ignorant.
I (and most fans) have to seriously question Mike's decisions when it comes to music. Yes, I will give Mike credit when it comes to bringing up ideas. At least he cared; I used to wonder if he was the only Beach Boy who really did. But, look at some of the projects he has driven. Again, it had to be approved by BRI (so they're all responsible), but look at the disaster Summer In Paradise was. And, look at Mike's fairly recent solo albums. Did/does Mike have a clue what - or would not be - successful. Do you remember when a possible 50th Anniversary album was first being suggested? What did Mike say that he preferred? An album of old Beach Boys' songs, re-recorded and sung by the then 75 year-old Beach Boys. Mike really has no clue. And, why bring people like Mark McGrath into the Beach Boys' picture. Just...why? Why him? There's so many questionable moves and ideas that Mike either spearheaded or pulled off that are head-scratching. Obviously, nobody said "no", which would've been the right thing to do. The ideas were losers from the start.
Going back to Mike's interviews, he will be asked the familiar question about why The Beach Boys' music still resonates today. Mike will usually lead with the "positive vibes and good feelings" that people get from the music. Fair enough; that's certainly true. Of course, he's mostly referring to the lyrics, lyrics he wrote. But, then Mike will add something like, "And my cousin, Brian, came up with these brilliant harmonies..." and Mike will stop there. He'll fail to mention that Brian wrote the music, arranged it, produced it, played on the recordings, and sang on them. And the other guys; he'll fail to mention the importance of the lead vocals...other than his own early ones. Is Mike really that short-sighted, or is he insecure about his lack of musicianship or his lack of contributions to the actual recording and performing (instrumentally) of the songs? Did you ever hear the name Chuck Britz or Hal Blaine or Carol Kaye or any of the Wrecking Crew come out of Mike Love's mouth? The only time he mentioned Van Dyke Parks was to criticize his work. Other than the commercial appeal of "Wouldn't It Be Nice", "God Only Knows", and "Sloop John B", do you think Mike really "gets" Pet Sounds. I know from his interviews that still doesn't "get" SMiLE. Working with The Beach Boys - Brian, Dennis, Carl, Al, and Bruce - you would think that "things" - musically - would've rubbed off on Mike, just by experiencing it, seeing it, hearing it. Mike seemed to regress musically as his career went on, especially from 1980-onward. And that's 40+ years...
I have no idea if Mike "gets" SMiLe or not. If he doesn't like it, well, he's got the right to not like it. He's got the right to not like Pet Sounds, although I think that whole argument is overblown.maybe you should feed him the questions I'm not questioning Mike's - or anybody's - right to have an opinion. I'm just disagreeing with some of Mike's opinions and...choices. Hey, that's what fans do. That's one of the purposes of message boards! It would be no fun if we all agreed on everything.
Mike has a laundry list of opinions and choices that I disagree(d) with including:
- I think it was a bad choice to install Christian Love as rhythm guitarist/vocalist instead of Al Jardine. - I think it was a bad choice to play that trophy hunting organization-sponsored concert with Donald Trump, Jr. as guest speaker. - I think it was/is a bad choice to perform "Pisces Brothers" and "Here Comes The Sun" at a Beach Boys' concert (not to be confused with the right to feature a "solo" song at a Beach Boys' concert).
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Post by kds on Apr 15, 2024 13:23:19 GMT
I have no idea if Mike "gets" SMiLe or not. If he doesn't like it, well, he's got the right to not like it. He's got the right to not like Pet Sounds, although I think that whole argument is overblown.maybe you should feed him the questions I'm not questioning Mike's - or anybody's - right to have an opinion. I'm just disagreeing with some of Mike's opinions and...choices. Hey, that's what fans do. That's one of the purposes of message boards! It would be no fun if we all agreed on everything.
Mike has a laundry list of opinions and choices that I disagree(d) with including:
- I think it was a bad choice to install Christian Love as rhythm guitarist/vocalist instead of Al Jardine. - I think it was a bad choice to play that trophy hunting organization-sponsored concert with Donald Trump, Jr. as guest speaker. - I think it was/is a bad choice to perform "Pisces Brothers" and "Here Comes The Sun" at a Beach Boys' concert (not to be confused with the right to feature a "solo" song at a Beach Boys' concert).
In general, I'd just as soon not hear solo songs at band shows. Even if they're covers of classics recorded for a solo album. Especially now, since Mike and Bruce's setlists seem to be a little shorter than they were just a few years ago. Maybe it's the loss of Foskett and Totten (the latter who I've usually read credited for giving Mike's band a kick in the tail when he took over as MD), but the modern Beach Boys seem to be in cruise control, based on looking at setlist.fm over the last year or so.
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Post by Kapitan on Apr 15, 2024 13:41:26 GMT
If there were a "real" Beach Boys band performing, I wouldn't mind so much if each guy had a solo song, more like what I understand was sometimes the case in the '80s. (Not that each guy did, but several guys did.)
I'm not saying that would be ideal, either--it would be ideal if they had stuck together and contributed their best songs to the Beach Boys--but it would feel better from my perspective.
But when there's just Mike and Bruce, and Mike takes a couple of his solo tunes, and that's that? I don't like it. But since I'm not going anyway, it's just a conversation piece for me, nothing to go to war about.
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Post by lonelysummer on Apr 15, 2024 20:28:10 GMT
I always enjoyed Mike or Carl or - did anyone else do it? - performing their solo songs in the shows. It wasn't a huge part of the show, and back in 1983-84, Carl's songs were the only new songs in the shows. In recent years, the only new stuff in the Beach Boys show was Mike's; I see reports here of people walking out of the shows or yawning or booing or throwing stuff at the stage when he sings "Pisces Brothers"; it's one freaking song. Go get a beer while he sings about GH and HK. Now it appears that Mike and the gang are back to doing just the meat and potatoes set; it doesn't interest me, so I'm not going. For that matter, Al's show last month was very heavy with that kind of material; nothing from Postcard (other than an impromptu "And I Always Will" during the encore), very little Surf's Up/Holland era material. I have more to say, but my cat is crying.
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Post by Kapitan on Apr 15, 2024 20:33:08 GMT
I always enjoyed Mike or Carl or - did anyone else do it? - performing their solo songs in the shows. It wasn't a huge part of the show, and back in 1983-84, Carl's songs were the only new songs in the shows. In recent years, the only new stuff in the Beach Boys show was Mike's; I see reports here of people walking out of the shows or yawning or booing or throwing stuff at the stage when he sings "Pisces Brothers"; it's one freaking song. Go get a beer while he sings about GH and HK. Now it appears that Mike and the gang are back to doing just the meat and potatoes set; it doesn't interest me, so I'm not going. For that matter, Al's show last month was very heavy with that kind of material; nothing from Postcard (other than an impromptu "And I Always Will" during the encore), very little Surf's Up/Holland era material. I have more to say, but my cat is crying. Didn't Brian occasionally have a song or mini-set around the time of his first solo album? I can't say I've ever heard anyone say anything about anybody booing or throwing stuff at the stage during "Pisces Brothers." (Maybe you're exaggerating as a joke and I missed it?) Getting a beer or going to the bathroom, yes, but nothing more hostile. It stands to reason that in recent years the only new stuff in the BBs shows was Mike's, because the only other guy there who could theoretically have any is Bruce, and he's pretty clearly there to be Mike's champion above all else. Who else's new solo material would there be, when Brian and Al and David and Blondie and Ricky are all elsewhere? C50 would have been the only time it was even possible, but obviously for that kind of tour, they had a hard enough time picking which material to include and omit, having to please everybody.
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Post by kds on Apr 15, 2024 20:33:28 GMT
I always enjoyed Mike or Carl or - did anyone else do it? - performing their solo songs in the shows. It wasn't a huge part of the show, and back in 1983-84, Carl's songs were the only new songs in the shows. In recent years, the only new stuff in the Beach Boys show was Mike's; I see reports here of people walking out of the shows or yawning or booing or throwing stuff at the stage when he sings "Pisces Brothers"; it's one freaking song. Go get a beer while he sings about GH and HK. Now it appears that Mike and the gang are back to doing just the meat and potatoes set; it doesn't interest me, so I'm not going. For that matter, Al's show last month was very heavy with that kind of material; nothing from Postcard (other than an impromptu "And I Always Will" during the encore), very little Surf's Up/Holland era material. I have more to say, but my cat is crying. When I saw Mike and Bruce doing 45 song sets in 2015 and 2016, I agree that Pisces Brother, while slightly annoying, wasn't a big deal. But, like you said, with the meat and potatoes setlists, that, and some of the 12 Sides of Summer covers, stick out more. They've also done I Write the Songs (Bruce) and You Are So Beautiful (Dennis) in the past. I don't think they've ever done any Brian solo songs in concert.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Apr 16, 2024 0:44:47 GMT
I saw The Beach Boys and Chicago in January 1989 at The Spectrum in Philadelphia. The Beach Boys played about 6-7 songs and suddenly left the stage. Carl Wilson remained to introduce Brian Wilson, accompanied by I think three other musicians (one was Michael Bernard). Brian performed three songs - "Love And Mercy", "Walking The Line", and "Melt Away". It was a total shock; I was going nuts. The applause actually wasn't as loud as you might've expected. I honestly think several fans didn't even now who Brian Wilson was and what exactly was going on - and where did the Beach Boys go? I remember a few things about the performance. Brian looked great; he was trim and wearing a suit. He sounded pretty good, too. He played a brown Fender bass. And, I remember thinking how odd it was to be promoting his solo album so many months after it was released. It already seemed like ancient history.
The weirdness continued. After those three Brian solo songs, the Beach Boys reappeared but Brian did not remain on the stage to perform the rest of the set with them. I was bummed and confused. I kept thinking he just has to come back out. During the Beach Boys' encores, Chicago joined them onstage for some of the songs, but still no Brian. Then, he finally resurfaced at the back of the stage, way behind the drum riser. He just paced back and forth and never came to the front of the stage and never approached a microphone. Very strange.
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