FEATURE:
Long Promised Road
IN THIS PHOTO: The Beach Boys (from left): Al Jardine, Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson and Mike Love/PHOTO CREDIT: Pictorial Parade/Alamy
2021 and the Possibility of The Beach Boys’ Sixtieth-Anniversary Tour
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MANY of us are…
IN THIS PHOTO: The Beach Boys pose for a portrait in 1964. From left to right: Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine and Brian Wilson/PHOTO CREDIT: Gems/Redferns/Getty Images
now looking to next year for gigs and festivals. There might be some gigs later in the year, but I think 2021 is more realistic for most gigs. One band who might be making moves in 2021 are The Beach Boys. The band formed in 1961 so, next year, it will be sixty years of this brilliant musical force of nature! I am a big fan, and it seemed likely, until fairly recently, that the band would get together; that Mike Love, Al Jardine and Brian Wilson would share the stage for a Beach Boys reunion. This article from Rolling Stone explains more and mentions how the fiftieth-anniversary tour of 2012 did not go down as planned:
“The surviving members of the Beach Boys have been touring in two competing camps since the bitter conclusion of their 50th-anniversary tour in 2012, but Mike Love told Rolling Stone he is open to the idea of another reunion — this time for the 60th anniversary. “I’m not against anything like that,” he said. “Anything that’s creative and done for positive reasons is good with me. We will continue thinking about stuff like that and see what we can do.”
Next year would mark the 60th anniversary of the formation of the group. They debuted with “Surfin'” in December 1961 and released their first album, Surfin’ Safari, in October 1962.
The idea of a 60th anniversary tour first surfaced in March, when Al Jardine told Chicago Concert Reviews that another reunion tour was a strong possibility. “Oh, it will happen,” he said. We’ll probably do about 20 or 30 [shows] together next year.”
Responding to Jardine’s comment, Love told Rolling Stone, “He and I have spoken, but not about that specifically. Al’s a really good singer, but he’s been traveling and performing with Brian Wilson, [and] Brian has some serious health issues. We are in a very fortunate and blessed position to be able to do music for a lifetime. It’s pretty amazing. I can remember when my cousin Brian was a young boy. He sang ‘Danny Boy’ sitting on my Grandma Wilson’s lap. So that’s how far back we go musically.”
The 50th anniversary tour didn’t end well in 2012, after Love unexpectedly announced new tour dates for the fall that weren’t part of the reunion. “As we move on, Bruce and I look forward to performing live for Beach Boys fans everywhere,” Love said.
“As far as I know, I can’t be fired — that wouldn’t be cool,” Wilson told the Los Angeles Times. “The negativity surrounding all the comments bummed me out. What’s confusing is that by Mike not wanting or letting Al, David [Marks] and me tour with the band, it sort of feels like we’re being fired”.
I am not sure whether the restrictions in place because of Covid-19 will ease soon, but I feel like next year will be one where every artist gets out there to make up for lost time. I think the possibility of The Beach Boys being together to celebrate sixty years since their formation is wonderful. I recall listening to the band as a young child, and I really loved their earlier surf period – songs like Surfin’ U.S.A. are among my all-time favourites. Pet Sounds turned fifty-four yesterday (16th May), and it is considered by many to be their finest album. Whether you prefer the earlier material or like them when they were a bit more experimental and emotionally-broad, everyone will be able to connect with The Beach Boys. It is staggering to think they have been together for almost sixty years, and a wonderful celebration to mark that anniversary would bring so many people together. It is a way off now, but let’s hope that the guys can work something out and make the sixtieth-anniversary show/series of show happen! I know so many people around the world will want to see them play and, almost sixty years after their formation, they are one of the most beloved and inspiring bands. We have all heard The Beach Boys’ music, and I often wonder how these harmonies-laden songs with intricate compositions translate to the stage. If we got to see original members of the iconic band come together to mark sixty years of their musical brilliance, it would be…
ONE hell of a thing to see.