Brian Wilson 'to Rejoin Beach Boys,' Says Mike Love
- Posted on Jun 21st 2010 7:51AM by Barnaby Smith
- Comments (58)
After decades of bad blood, recriminations and law suits, Brian Wilson is set to reunite with the other surviving members of the Beach Boys -- Mike Love and Al Jardine -- to mark the 50th anniversary of the band's inception, according to comments by Love in the Las Vegas Sun.Love still performs under the Beach Boys name alongside another veteran member, Bruce Johnston. Wilson made a triumphant return to the spotlight in 2002 when he performed the 'Pet Sounds' album in full at London's Royal Festival Hall, and in 2004 performed his incomplete masterpiece 'Smile' at the same venue. He has sporadically toured since then.
Love said, "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."
The surviving Beach Boys last appeared publicly in 2006 for a press conference marking 40 years since 'Pet Sounds'. Of the original members, Carl Wilson died of cancer in 1998 and Dennis Wilson drowned in 1983.
Love, who once described 'Smile' as a "whole album of Brian's madness," also spoke about the current incarnation of the Beach Boys, saying, "We're still out there doing 150 shows a year, and the sound has reached all the way around the globe.
"Close your eyes and not only do we today replicate exactly how the original songs sounded, but the technology has gotten better so we even sound better.
"Yes, the line-up has changed over the years, but it's been pretty consistent the past several years."
Reader Comments(1 of 3)
Roger Rat 6-21-2010
I saw Brian at Pier 6 in Baltimore just prior to the Pet Sounds triumph in London and I can tell you - it was like seeing God in person! To see (and hear) him do Caroline, No and In My Room was a supremely moving revelation, very emotional for me, as a child of the fifties and sixties. DO NOT miss the opportunity to see Brian, Mike, Al and Bruce at your nearest concert venue!
Craig Coplandat 6-22-2010
In the early 90's I attended a concert led by Brian and accompanied by a troup of California girls. Then last summer I attended another concert, a Mike Love production. The second was by far a more professional and polished production. But the first was magical. When I closed my eyes I could feel the sand and smell the surf. Love to see them back together one more time.
Frankat 6-21-2010
When are you coming back to Wicomoco civic center in Maryland? The greatest show ever
Sandyat 6-21-2010
I'm hoping for some place on Long Island,NY. I'd pay a premium price to see them once again. They're LEGEND.
Rayat 6-21-2010
Mike love is a thief and master manipulator with very little talent who stole from his cousins over the years. He should just go off in a corner and die. What a monster. Ranks right in there with Joe Jackson.
ChristinaLynn819at 6-21-2010
They share their music with us but that does not entitle you to get involved in their personal battles. I for one would love to hear them together one more time.
Priscilla Hicksat 6-21-2010
Where did you get your information about Mike Love?
I think you are wrong and you should keep your comments
to yourself. No one wants to read or listen to your
damn comments
BB Longtime fanat 6-21-2010
Mike Love should thank Brian Wilson for getting him this job every day of his life. Such a shame that though that he tours under the Beach Boys banner (at least Al Jardine changed his bands name), without any of the Wilson brothers in the group. Brian's new direction only elevates his musical status and the decision to join Love & his band for some shows makes for a semi-bittersweet reunion. Any true core fan of the real Beach Boys will see Wilson's act instead.
slicksterat 6-21-2010
And tickets start at only $200!!!
Philat 6-21-2010
I never understood how Mike Love owned the rights to the name when Brian Wilson "was" and "is" the Beach Boys! He wrote the lyrics and music almost exclusively.
Johnat 6-21-2010
After legal issues, Brian decided that with his brothers Dennis and Carl having died that the Beach Boys were no longer and gave up rights to the name of the group. No matter, Brian was and is the mastermind behind them!! Such great music Brian gave us, as did others in the group.
Mitchat 6-21-2010
I wish certain people would get over the "Mike is Evil" syndrome. Can he personally be a jerk at times?
Maybe; but Mike was the only dude who had the self discipline not to wallow in chemicals and alcohol while others in the band practiced personal destruction.
His level head for business has helped keep the Beach Boys name and music selling; and since a portion of EVERY Beach Boys concert revenue goes into "Beach Boys Inc"
and benefits ALL original living members (including Brian ofcourse)..suffice to say his contributions are appeciated, however begrudgingly, by the others. Oh, and their concerts DO kick ass too.
Kenat 6-21-2010
As a huge forever BB fan, I agree totally that Beach Boys without Wilsons is a rip, a sham and akin to the crud out there touring America under banner of old 50's groups. Unfortunately because of his personna, Love's voice is 50% of BB's sound...we have to admit it so we must welcome their collaboration, grudgingly. Long Live BB!
APat 6-21-2010
I hear where you're coming from, but saying the Beach Boys without the other Wilson brothers is a rip is about the same as saying "I won't go see the Rolling Stones without Brian Jones in the band." Nice thoughts, but these people aren't coming back and not a lot can be done about it, unless you know of some scientific theory that the rest of us are unaware of. We still see Billy Mays on TV commercials, but we know he's gone too.
Give the rest of the band some credit for still being here and gracing us with their music.
hswat 6-21-2010
AP, I kind of look at it from the other perspective. There is no way you get Paul and Ringo together and call it a Beatles reunion.
Tom Gat 6-21-2010
I wonder if Brian Wilson will be the next recipient
of the Gershwin Award for writing & popular music. He
is certainly a worthy candidate! Paul Simon, Stevie
Wonder & most recently Paul McCartney have all won the
award & were paid tribute to in our nation's capital.
Wouldn't it be great after all his great songs & all he
has been through, if Brian Wilson was the next to win
this prestigious award?!? After all, he wrote ALL of
the Beach Boys songs, from Surfin USA to Heroes & Villains! Love ya Brian!
Ray.at 6-21-2010
Saw the Beach Boys on Hilton Head Island 3 or 4 yrs ago. Mike Love and group did a really fantastic job. Don't care about the politics. Glad Brian is back. I think he is the heart of the group. Time is flying by and they are not getting any younger.
Rod G.at 6-21-2010
I disagree totally with the above comment that Love was the only B.B. who was able to avoid the drugs and alcohol. Carl Wilson, who i feel had absolutely the purest and best voice of all of them, basically kept himself chemical free. They all had their bouts with drug use though, even Mike Love, who's admitted numerous times of his exposure to psychedelics.
That said, i do agree that Mike isn't, nor ever was evil. I do think that him being much older than his cousins, felt like he should have been more of the leader of the group. The problem was, Brian had all the talent where songwriting was concerned, and let's face it, without the song, you really have nothing.
Jerry Feldnerat 6-22-2010
Beach Boys? I love 'em. Many years ago the BB performed at the Hollywood Bowl with Chicago. BB did a set and the Chicago did one. Then the topper, BB did a set with the instrumental backing of Chicago. Brian Wilson, in spite of all his drug use and other failings, is and was a genius and can be forgiven for his feelings towards his cousins who are longtime Beach Boys. GO BB!!
Steveoat 8-30-2010
COUSINS? There is only one,dude..... His name is Mike Hate