Beach boys???

[brubaby1]

Greetings To All,
Having been born and raised in Hawthorne California (and still live around the corner from Hawthorne High) the Beach Boys were a big part of my life. We have seen THE BEACH BOYS over (30) times in their heyday and saw that they were going to be at Epcot last year. I had long since tired of Mike Love's constant fueding with other members of the Beach Boys family (especially his legal manuevers with Brian & Al Jardine) and had ceased attending Beach Boy shows. I thought that this would be an opportunity to give the band another chance since the picture had shown that Bruce Johnston would be there also. We went to the store and bought some materials to create posters that featured the Hawthorne High logo and proceeded to get in line early at Epcot so we could get up front to interact with Mike and Bruce. When Mike & his traveling band came out he proceeded to ingnore us completely as we held up our signs and tried to connect with a part of both our pasts. Bruce Johnston was not part of the band and Mike never acknowleged the Wilson's during the show. How sad it was that Mike would not even acknowledge individuals who were lifelong fans and had gone out of their way to connect with him. As I exited the show I had overheard someone who was in their early twenties remark how cool it was to see the Beach Boys. I stopped dead in my tracks and replied to her that she had not seen the BEACH BOYS. The BEACH BOYS ceased to exist when Carl Wilson died and Mike Love decided that he was the band and didn't need Brian or Al along to legitimize the music. Recently they dedicated a monument to the BEACH BOYS at the site of the original Wilson household in Hawthorne. Brian was there. Al Jardine was there. Bruce Johnston was there. Mike Love decided not to attend even though he was in town.
So if you are in Epcot and the Beach Boys are supposed to appear I suggest you go over to the British section to see the British Invasion if you want to see a good cover band because the showcased cover band is not the BEACH BOYS.

Kevin (Hawthorne High Class of 1974)

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

Cool...a local!

The Beach Boys Band played at Epcot afterall? I thought they ignored Florida altogether because of Hurricane Wilma.

Sucks I missed them, I'd love to see Brian Wilson's band perform SMiLE at Epcot, even nicer if they played infront of Cinderella's Castle...talk about dreaming though!

 

[candleonwater]

We were at EPCOT for the 1st show and even though I'm not a beach boys fan, my daughter is (she's 8). She absolutely LOVED it. Of course she has nothing to compare it to. The last time I saw the Beach Boys was in the 80's on the mall in Washington. Still it was a fun time, mainly because of the joy in my daughters eyes.

 

[DMRick]

Carl Wilson was not ignored in these concerts. The Beach Boys (and with both Mike love and Bruce Johnston there, it was good enough for me!) went over very well. We were back for tonights band and everyone around us was still talking about the concerts. One of the workers said it was the largest crowd they could remember..and one of the first times, the entire line did not fit in the band area. Disney was ill prepared for the line, and had a hard time figuring out where to put us all, before they let us in, and not totally block the walking area. We went to 5, and missed the last one last night, and after hearing all the talk tonight, I wish I hadn't. Are they the originals? No, but certainly more original than the British Invasion. They are a nice group too, but not to be compared imo. Mike Love took time to sign autographs for kids, and I guess I wasn't expecting any more. More interaction with the crowd is always nice (and many of this crowd were lifelong fans..after spending two hours in the first line chatting with fans), but they only had 35 minutes each set, and they sang every minute of it. Several people came with signs, but other than collecting a few when they were handed to him, Mike Love didn't comment on them either. For those who don't like that they aren't original, prob you wouldn't have had as good a time as we did. I love the music, and that's what I got...great Beach Boys music with a couple of original (I consider Bruce Johnston original..just not from the begining) guys...which is getting harder and harder to get, as they age. I know if Paul, and Ringo came to Epcot, I sure wouldn't worry about who the other guys were, if they sang all Beatle songs. I'd be there! To each there own. Heck, I'd even go see Peter and Paul, without Mary LOL!

 

[brubaby1]

Greetings,
Parden the title pun. Not a dig but a classic surf song! I guess I must be a lot more jaded when it comes to the BEACH BOYS and Mike Love. I remember going to record store signings and chatting for some length of time with Al Jardine & Brian Wilson about a Spanish teacher we had both had in high school and how they were gracious and took the time to recognize someone who was truly a fan. While you may enjoy hearing the tunes being played by the Mike Love cover band, and the music is truly great, I just can't get behind a band fronted by a bitter individual who most of the time seems intent on rewriting the past. Yes, two of the original members are unfortunately no longer with us and perhaps if Carl was still alive perhaps the situation would be different. It is not the same as the Beatles. Yes John and George are no longer with us but I plan on seeing Paul McCartney on his current tour because he celebrates the past, relishes the magic that was created by the band and is gracious to the the people who have supported him and his former band throughout the years . Al Jardine & Brian Wilson are still alive and Mike Love has gone to great lengths to push them away and not acknowledge them. I fondly recall how it was a big deal when the city of Hawthorne was brought up at BEACH BOY concerts and how that bond was celebrated with those in attendance who shared that in common with them. Remember, you did not have to pay extra to view this show but it sounds like you had to stake your place in line early. I am glad you enjoyed the show but this thread was started with a query about the original members of the BEACH BOYS and the band's history. I guess most people close their eyes and just listen to the music but I believe that ignoring members of your core audience in an intimate setting is inexcusable for a performer in a band with a storied history such as the BEACH BOYS. If you want to look at a contemporary example look no farther than Bono from U2. He celebrates and acknowleges the fans in arena and stadium settings and is humble about what it means to be able to continue making his living as a musician. Mike Love may able to pull off his cover act in settings where the people are not as knowledgeable about the band as they are familiar with the music. Most people will just be satisfied with that and I would not deny you that satisfaction because that is your only frame of reference. I just remember when it meant something to be a BEACH BOYS fan from Hawthorne California or any part of Southern California, how that was celebrated and acknowledged by the band members, how much the history of the band and its members was important and how appreciative and humble the band was in acknowledging that. Again, I will not deny the satisfaction anyone derives from attending the shows and would not deny you the pleasure of waiting a long time in line to see them. I'll just use the oppportunity to get in line for Soarin content that I am not missing anything by not attending the shows.

Still Proud That I Was Born, Raised & Still Live In The City Of Hawthorne

 

[Deb & Bill]

Here, here, Brubaby1. Good post!!

 

[DMRick]

Remember, you did not have to pay extra to view this show but it sounds like you had to stake your place in line early. I am glad you enjoyed the show but this thread was started with a query about the original members of the BEACH BOYS and the band's history.

Actually, this trip to Disney, from NY, was just because the Beach Boys were playing. We even flew standby on Sunday, and paid for an extra hotel night at POP, afraid our flight wouldn't fly on Monday, so we could be here on time. We are also self employed, so we shut down this week. So it was costly coming to see them LOL. I believe this thread didn't start about the history of the Beach Boys, but because someone said they bet Epcot would be busy because they were going to be there. But the history was a nice addition, and I'm sorry you have to feel so bitter towards them for ignoring you in the audience. I'm sure that was not a nice feeling for you, especially if in the past you were recognized. We don't have your history, just been fans since they came out and so we're able to look above that and for us, it's just another band forgetting their roots, as so many have.

The Beatles also had a lot of bitterness, a nasty break up, and certainly some bad history before the deaths of John and George, so for me, I thought it was similar, and why I mentioned it.

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

While you may enjoy hearing the tunes being played by the Mike Love cover band, and the music is truly great, I just can't get behind a band fronted by a bitter individual who most of the time seems intent on rewriting the past.

Amen!

Im currently listening to the Royal Philharnonic's take of the Beach Boys music

Next up is the 66-67 recordings of SMiLE...

(Out of the 8-10 hours of Music I listen to a day, 3/4 if not more of it is the Beach Boys... )

 

[DianeV]

FYI: We saw one and part of another shows on Tuesday night and Mike Love made sure to mention multiple times about dedicating In My Room to Carl Wilson..(I think that was the song forgive me if that isnt the one Carl sang/wrote?) He even said the 'great" Carl Wilson so to say that he doesnt acknowledge him or anyone else is not correct. Obviously there were problems with Brian and it sounds like a good part of it may have been his own problems.

Anyway..I also saw Mike interact with a few of the people in the crowd by waving or pointing or smiling etc. He and Bruce also did some talking to the crowd and made some jokes at the beginning and some during. I think they try to get as much songs in and less talking as they have so little time. I happen to appreciate that as that is what I came for.

All 3 shows were jam packed with people standing outside watching too and it was the same last year when we saw them (minus Bruce then)

 

[Planecrazy4dis]

Again, I will not deny the satisfaction anyone derives from attending the shows and would not deny you the pleasure of waiting a long time in line to see them. I'll just use the oppportunity to get in line for Soarin content that I am not missing anything by not attending the shows.

brubaby1: Thank you so much for making such a reverent stand, because of your self-righteous absence you allowed some of us lowly peons to take part in this imprudent act of blasphemy.

But seriously, when I saw The Beach Boys Band this summer, Mike Love dedicated “God Only Knows” to Carl Wilson. As far as taking sides into their personal lives, IT'S NONE OF OUR BUSINESS! All I know is that, there’re three sides to every story: your side, his side, & the truth. Honestly, God only knows what’s going on between Brian, Mike, AL, & (maybe ) Bruce. The bottom line is - these guys aren’t paying my bills! Mannnnnnnnn…I’ve got my own problems to worry about, I can’t be worrying about their family dynamics!

Actually, this trip to Disney, from NY, was just because the Beach Boys were playing. We even flew standby on Sunday, and paid for an extra hotel night at POP, afraid our flight wouldn't fly on Monday, so we could be here on time. We are also self employed, so we shut down this week. So it was costly coming to see them LOL.

DMRick: DW and I were thinking of doing the same thing. I just couldn’t get off from work. I'm glad it worked out for you. It doesn’t get much better then that.