Caroline, NO!
Mike Love is talking up plans for a “Beach Boys reunion” next year to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the band. (Here’s a story about this in the Guardian.) I’ve seen the Beach Boys — back when it was still actually The Beach Boys, and not Mike Love with assorted sidemen — and I’ve seen Brian Wilson, and let me say, this is a very bad idea. Carl Wilson was the heart of the band’s live act; his death, more than Brian’s submergence below the waves of sanity, ended the band as a touring vehicle. Carl is dead; Dennis is dead (and I actually saw him in his last concert performance — he was howlingly bad then); and Bruce Johnston’s health problems have sidelined him. That leaves Mike Love, aka “The Annoying Nasal One,” Al Jardine, and Brian.
To put it generously, Brian Wilson is not really in a state to perform. He’s not really in a state to tie his shoelaces. I saw him perform a couple of years ago and I’m still wondering if I wasn’t accidentally party to someone profiteering off a forced day trip from the home. The concert was a painful experience, with Wilson unsure at times where he was or who he was. My friend and I felt very bad that we were there. (For more on that remembrance, and on Brian’s disturbing appearance on the Tavis Smiley Show, click here.) It was so upsetting that afterward my friend mused long and hard about “the Beach Boys’ mixed legacy.” Ouch!
I love the Beach Boys. “Pet Sounds” and “Smiley Smile” are on constant replay in my car. I think we should leave it at that.
June 26th, 2010 at 6:13 pm
I saw “The Beach Boys” on TV several years ago, probably for a 4th of July celebration, and they were BAD. There were a few family members in the band who had no connection to the original group. The audience cheered spiritedly at every old hit.
On the other hand, tomorrow night my son Justin is taking me to The House of Blues in Atlantic City to hear Dweezil Zappa playing the music of Frank Zappa. We’ve caught this stop on their tour the last two years and been very satisfied. Different tunes each time and plenty of solos and some improvised events. Two thumbs up.
June 26th, 2010 at 8:28 pm
I believe what you saw was “The Beach Boys Band,” which Mike Love and Brian Wilson have been fighting about in court for years. Mike Love calls it something like “the touring version of The Beach Boys.” We’re all lucky that Ringo isn’t making a similar claim about the Beatles. “The Beach Boys Band” features Mike Love and Bruce Johnston, who have legitimate claims to being Beach Boys, and for a while included David Marks, who was a Beach Boy for all of one year in 1962 before being replaced by Al Jardine. By that logic, Glen Campbell is a Beach Boy. Again, post-Carl, there is NO reason to see anyone claiming to be The Beach Boys. The band that toured with Brian Wilson, led by the guy who resurrected whatever is left of Brian in order to dig out and finish “Smile,” was superb — in that case it was the actual Beach Boy (Brian) who was BAD.
I continue to envy your ability to see this Zappa fellow. The first time around it was the hottest ticket in town and I refused to pay the price. The times since, I’ve been out of town. But I remain hopeful.
July 3rd, 2010 at 3:34 pm
The show was fantastic. They have a new vocalist who often sounds like Frank. This guy also doubles on trumpet, harmonica, Jew’s harp and whistling. There were plenty of solos and all the players are top notch. Dweezil is an incredible guitarist and I’m surprised I don’t see more about him in the print media.
July 3rd, 2010 at 4:11 pm
See what I mean? I don’t remember any guy named “Frank” in the Beach Boys — and now the band has someone emulating “Frank.” Again, this act touring as “The Beach Boys” is NOT the Beach Boys. Don’t go see it!
July 4th, 2010 at 7:06 pm
Okay, Mr. Picky. They’re touring as ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA. And did I mention that in the middle of one song Dweezil conducted several players in a spontaneous musical event, using hand signals to tell each of them what to play and when? They make modern music fun.