Brian's 1965 Replacements On The Road
Mar 6, 2024 19:14:22 GMT -5
drbeachboy (Dirk), Al S, and 11 more like this
Post by Mikie on Mar 6, 2024 19:14:22 GMT -5
For many years, authors of books and articles skipped over details on Brian’s whereabouts in the months immediately following his first breakdown. We’ve always read that Brian had a breakdown, then Glen Campbell took over bass and vocal duties for awhile, then Bruce took over as Brian’s permanent replacement on the road. Until I read the information on Ian’s site recently, I didn’t know that Brian and his concert replacements after December 18 ’64 were so interspersed and inconsistent. Brian was ‘recovering’ and writing and producing new songs for an album, Glen had contractual duties and couldn’t fill in on certain dates, and Bruce didn’t just replace Glen on April 9, 1965 and throw on a pair of Al’s pants and start playing/singing right away (as has been widely accepted). Evidently, there was a learning curve for Bruce. And Dennis was a good B.S.’er too. 
I took the liberty ofabsconding borrowing late December 1964 to mid May 1965 concert date information from Ian Rusten’s ‘Beach Boys Gigs’ site, and I’m posting them here with Ian's notes to emphasize that the replacement for Brian on the road in early 1965 wasn’t so cut and dried. Ian obviously did his homework to fill in the blanks and I encourage everyone here to check out his interesting site: www.beachboysgigs.com/
Friday December 18, 1964 Music Hall, Houston, TX
The group boarded a flight from Los Angeles to Houston to start another tour, but problems developed soon after take-off. An over-worked and emotionally exhausted Brian finally snapped on the plane ride to Houston and he suffered his first nervous breakdown.
Saturday December 19, 1964 Assembly Center Arena, Tulsa, OK
This show was canceled because "of illness of one of the performers." Brian had flown home with Ron Swallow, so this show and a show in Little Rock the next night were postponed. The Beach Boys made up both dates in February 1965.
Sunday December 20, 1964 Auditorium, Little Rock, AR
This show was canceled due to Brian’s illness. Ultimately the group made up the date in February 1965.
Monday December 21, 1964 Jackson, MS
Show cancelled.
Tuesday December 22, 1964 Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, TX
This show marked the first concert appearance of Glen Campbell in place of Brian Wilson. Glen recalled in 1975, “I first played with the group in Dallas and made two million mistakes." The group flew home for Christmas and was informed that Glen would be playing the remaining scheduled post-holiday shows in place of Brian.
Sunday December 27, 1964 City Auditorium, Omaha, NE
Fans that attended the Beach Boys Omaha concert were informed that Brian had “a sore throat.”
Saturday January 2, 1965 Alan B. Shepard Civic Center “The Dome,” Virginia Beach, VA
According to John Moreau of the Virginia Beach Pilot, “Brian, who writes 90% of the Beach Boy’s music, wasn’t there. Glen Campbell, 23, filled in for him.”
Wednesday January 27, 1965 Memorial Coliseum, Portland, OR
Glen Campbell was unable to play the show (he rejoined the tour in Vancouver) and Brian Wilson, making his first appearance since his Houston breakdown, took his place.
Friday January 29, 1965 Exhibition Forum, Vancouver, BC, Canada
This was the Beach Boys first show in Canada. Glen Campbell played in place of Brian. The Vancouver Sun reported, “hysterical fans attempted to climb on stage at the Forum where a Hollywood group called the Beach Boys was performing. Five police officers holding barricades against the pressing crowd lost their uniform hats to youths who snatched them off their heads.”
Friday February 12, 1965 Convention Hall, Philadelphia, PA
The Beach Boys embarked on a ten-day east coast tour with Terry Sachen and Ron Swallow. Writer Earl Leaf also was on this tour. Glen Campbell had other commitments, so Brian took his place for a week.
Saturday February 13, 1965 Academy of Music, New York, NY
Don Paulsen photographed the group for Hit Parader Magazine. He reported on a backstage happenings and a press conference, at which most of the questions were directed to Brian. When asked what his criterion for success was, Brian stated “Record Sales and screams.” Responding to a question about his music, he said, “When I write a song, I believe in it…I’m usually happy with the songs I write.” He also stated, “Each successive record should have more polish. We don’t want to get too complex, but we’d like to improve harmonically. The lyrics are part of American teen culture.”
Thursday February 18, 1965 Memorial Auditorium, Worcester, MA.
Three and a half months after their first appearance at Worcester (October 30, 1964) ended in a near riot, the Beach Boys returned to play a full show for their fans. Gerard Goggins of the Worcester Evening Gazette described the scene backstage before the show: “One of the Beach Boys, Brian Wilson, sat down at an upright piano and played part of his repertoire while another Mike Love wrote down the songs they were to play on a few pieces of borrowed paper.
Friday February 19, 1965 Maurice Richard Arena, Montreal, Canada.
Glen Campbell returned to replace Brian in time for this show. Over 5,000 teen-agers attended this concert, the Beach Boys second appearance in Canada. The concert was a wild one and was briefly stopped by the Montreal Police when a riot broke out.
Saturday February 20, 1965 YM/YWCA Auditorium, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
As musicians they are still exceptional and very talented. But the four I met backstage-Brian Wilson was in Los Angeles suffering from an unexplained illness-were about as bright as the Lafleche Caves.
Monday February 22, 1965 Kleinhan’s Music Hall, Buffalo, NY
During the final number one young girl sitting in the front row could no longer contain herself and she jumped up onto the stage and stood there screaming. Glen Campbell (of Shindig fame) walked her off the stage. Glen did a great job of sitting in for Brian. The Beach Boys were very lucky that he could come.”
Friday March 26 and Saturday March 27, 1965,Arie Crown Theater, Chicago, IL
Brian rejoined the group for these shows, both of which were recorded for a possible live album.
Sunday March 28, 1965 Cincinnati Gardens, Cincinnati, OH
With Brian in the line-up, the group played one more Midwest show, attended by 7,507 fans.
Friday April 9, 1965, Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, LA
This concert marked Bruce Johnston’s debut with the Beach Boys. However, on this tour Bruce was only filling in for Glen Campbell, who returned to the road on April 11.
Sunday April 11, 1965 Municipal Auditorium, Atlanta, GA
Glen Campbell returned to the road and replaced Bruce Johnston, who headed to Miami where he holed up in a hotel room learning the bass. It seems clear that Glen Campbell had made it clear that his days as a Beach Boy were numbered and that Bruce was being groomed as his replacement. Glen remained with the group off and on until May 15.
Monday April 12, 1965 Jack Russell Stadium, Clearwater, FL
At the motel after the show, Dennis had filled his bathtub with fish and was scuba diving in the swimming pool, while Carl Wilson, Mike Love and Glen Campbell (substituting for Brian Wilson) were sitting around eating hamburgers and talking about the show.
Saturday April 17, 1965 City Island Ball Park, Daytona Beach, FL
The Beach Boys performed for an enthusiastic crowd of 7,000 college students on their spring break. Photographs in the Daytona Beach Sunday News show that Glen Campbell was playing bass that night.
Monday April 19, 1965 Tinker Field Stadium, Orlando, FL
Bruce Johnston, having mastered the bass, replaced Glen Campbell for this show and the concert the following night in Delaware.
Tuesday April 20, 1965 State Armory, Wilmington, DE
There was a substitute on the program, Brian Wilson missed the tour because of illness and was replaced by Bruce Johnston.
Wednesday April 21, 1965 JFK Coliseum, Manchester, NH
Glen Campbell returned to the lineup for the remainder of this tour, though Bruce remained with the group as well, allegedly in charge of the lighting!
Saturday April 24, 1965 Washington Coliseum, Washington, DC.
Ronnie Oberman of the Washington Star reported, “Brian Wilson will not participate in tours in the immediate future. Two other singers, who will alternate, have been found to replace Brian on tours. They are Glen Campbell, who is frequently seen on Shindig, and Bruce Johnston, formerly of The Rip Chords. Campbell appeared on stage with The Beach Boys in Baltimore and Washington and Bruce was around too. ‘I’ve known these guys for three or four years,’ 20 year old Bruce says, ‘it’s groovy on the road with them. They never hassle. It’s a gas and I just dig them.”
When Oberman inquired about what had happened to David Marks, Dennis informed him that, “He was too young and couldn’t accept that we were so big. His parents couldn’t live with him. So, we asked Al to come back and he did.”
Friday May 7, 1965 Legion Field, Birmingham, AL
The group played to one of the largest audiences of their career to that date, with over 15,000 people in attendance. Glen Campbell, who performed on bass in place of Brian Wilson, told reporter Maxine Karp of Anniston High School that Brian would not be with them in the future but that he was "just holding down the fort till a permanent member is found”.
Thursday May 13, 1965 Springfield Auditorium, Springfield, MA
Glen Campbell was still playing bass for the group and told a reporter, who inquired about the Beach Boys’ leaders whereabouts, that Brian was home suffering from fatigue because “Brian writes and arranges all our songs and in addition, he manages recording sessions, acts as a public relations man and works 15 or 16 hours a day. Add to this public appearances and one show stands and it’s no wonder he became sick.”
Saturday May 15, 1965 New Haven Arena, New Haven, CT
This was probably Glen’s Campbell’s last appearance with the Beach Boys. The group headed to New York following this concert for what was supposed to be their second appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. The group was prepared to perform their current single “Help Me Rhonda” and a version of “Graduation Day.” According to Ron Swallow, the group, including Brian, took part in rehearsals at the CBS studio but were informed by the producer at the last minute that they would have to be rescheduled because the show was running long. They did not appear on the show again until 1968.
Wednesday May 19, 1965 Canton Memorial Auditorium, Canton, OH
Bruce Johnston joined the band onstage for the rest of the tour while Glen Campbell served as an opening act. Ron Swallow was given the opportunity to perform as Glen’s drummer during his set.
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Friday December 18, 1964 Music Hall, Houston, TX
The group boarded a flight from Los Angeles to Houston to start another tour, but problems developed soon after take-off. An over-worked and emotionally exhausted Brian finally snapped on the plane ride to Houston and he suffered his first nervous breakdown.
Saturday December 19, 1964 Assembly Center Arena, Tulsa, OK
This show was canceled because "of illness of one of the performers." Brian had flown home with Ron Swallow, so this show and a show in Little Rock the next night were postponed. The Beach Boys made up both dates in February 1965.
Sunday December 20, 1964 Auditorium, Little Rock, AR
This show was canceled due to Brian’s illness. Ultimately the group made up the date in February 1965.
Monday December 21, 1964 Jackson, MS
Show cancelled.
Tuesday December 22, 1964 Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, TX
This show marked the first concert appearance of Glen Campbell in place of Brian Wilson. Glen recalled in 1975, “I first played with the group in Dallas and made two million mistakes." The group flew home for Christmas and was informed that Glen would be playing the remaining scheduled post-holiday shows in place of Brian.
Sunday December 27, 1964 City Auditorium, Omaha, NE
Fans that attended the Beach Boys Omaha concert were informed that Brian had “a sore throat.”
Saturday January 2, 1965 Alan B. Shepard Civic Center “The Dome,” Virginia Beach, VA
According to John Moreau of the Virginia Beach Pilot, “Brian, who writes 90% of the Beach Boy’s music, wasn’t there. Glen Campbell, 23, filled in for him.”
Wednesday January 27, 1965 Memorial Coliseum, Portland, OR
Glen Campbell was unable to play the show (he rejoined the tour in Vancouver) and Brian Wilson, making his first appearance since his Houston breakdown, took his place.
Friday January 29, 1965 Exhibition Forum, Vancouver, BC, Canada
This was the Beach Boys first show in Canada. Glen Campbell played in place of Brian. The Vancouver Sun reported, “hysterical fans attempted to climb on stage at the Forum where a Hollywood group called the Beach Boys was performing. Five police officers holding barricades against the pressing crowd lost their uniform hats to youths who snatched them off their heads.”
Friday February 12, 1965 Convention Hall, Philadelphia, PA
The Beach Boys embarked on a ten-day east coast tour with Terry Sachen and Ron Swallow. Writer Earl Leaf also was on this tour. Glen Campbell had other commitments, so Brian took his place for a week.
Saturday February 13, 1965 Academy of Music, New York, NY
Don Paulsen photographed the group for Hit Parader Magazine. He reported on a backstage happenings and a press conference, at which most of the questions were directed to Brian. When asked what his criterion for success was, Brian stated “Record Sales and screams.” Responding to a question about his music, he said, “When I write a song, I believe in it…I’m usually happy with the songs I write.” He also stated, “Each successive record should have more polish. We don’t want to get too complex, but we’d like to improve harmonically. The lyrics are part of American teen culture.”
Thursday February 18, 1965 Memorial Auditorium, Worcester, MA.
Three and a half months after their first appearance at Worcester (October 30, 1964) ended in a near riot, the Beach Boys returned to play a full show for their fans. Gerard Goggins of the Worcester Evening Gazette described the scene backstage before the show: “One of the Beach Boys, Brian Wilson, sat down at an upright piano and played part of his repertoire while another Mike Love wrote down the songs they were to play on a few pieces of borrowed paper.
Friday February 19, 1965 Maurice Richard Arena, Montreal, Canada.
Glen Campbell returned to replace Brian in time for this show. Over 5,000 teen-agers attended this concert, the Beach Boys second appearance in Canada. The concert was a wild one and was briefly stopped by the Montreal Police when a riot broke out.
Saturday February 20, 1965 YM/YWCA Auditorium, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
As musicians they are still exceptional and very talented. But the four I met backstage-Brian Wilson was in Los Angeles suffering from an unexplained illness-were about as bright as the Lafleche Caves.
Monday February 22, 1965 Kleinhan’s Music Hall, Buffalo, NY
During the final number one young girl sitting in the front row could no longer contain herself and she jumped up onto the stage and stood there screaming. Glen Campbell (of Shindig fame) walked her off the stage. Glen did a great job of sitting in for Brian. The Beach Boys were very lucky that he could come.”
Friday March 26 and Saturday March 27, 1965,Arie Crown Theater, Chicago, IL
Brian rejoined the group for these shows, both of which were recorded for a possible live album.
Sunday March 28, 1965 Cincinnati Gardens, Cincinnati, OH
With Brian in the line-up, the group played one more Midwest show, attended by 7,507 fans.
Friday April 9, 1965, Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, LA
This concert marked Bruce Johnston’s debut with the Beach Boys. However, on this tour Bruce was only filling in for Glen Campbell, who returned to the road on April 11.
Sunday April 11, 1965 Municipal Auditorium, Atlanta, GA
Glen Campbell returned to the road and replaced Bruce Johnston, who headed to Miami where he holed up in a hotel room learning the bass. It seems clear that Glen Campbell had made it clear that his days as a Beach Boy were numbered and that Bruce was being groomed as his replacement. Glen remained with the group off and on until May 15.
Monday April 12, 1965 Jack Russell Stadium, Clearwater, FL
At the motel after the show, Dennis had filled his bathtub with fish and was scuba diving in the swimming pool, while Carl Wilson, Mike Love and Glen Campbell (substituting for Brian Wilson) were sitting around eating hamburgers and talking about the show.
Saturday April 17, 1965 City Island Ball Park, Daytona Beach, FL
The Beach Boys performed for an enthusiastic crowd of 7,000 college students on their spring break. Photographs in the Daytona Beach Sunday News show that Glen Campbell was playing bass that night.
Monday April 19, 1965 Tinker Field Stadium, Orlando, FL
Bruce Johnston, having mastered the bass, replaced Glen Campbell for this show and the concert the following night in Delaware.
Tuesday April 20, 1965 State Armory, Wilmington, DE
There was a substitute on the program, Brian Wilson missed the tour because of illness and was replaced by Bruce Johnston.
Wednesday April 21, 1965 JFK Coliseum, Manchester, NH
Glen Campbell returned to the lineup for the remainder of this tour, though Bruce remained with the group as well, allegedly in charge of the lighting!
Saturday April 24, 1965 Washington Coliseum, Washington, DC.
Ronnie Oberman of the Washington Star reported, “Brian Wilson will not participate in tours in the immediate future. Two other singers, who will alternate, have been found to replace Brian on tours. They are Glen Campbell, who is frequently seen on Shindig, and Bruce Johnston, formerly of The Rip Chords. Campbell appeared on stage with The Beach Boys in Baltimore and Washington and Bruce was around too. ‘I’ve known these guys for three or four years,’ 20 year old Bruce says, ‘it’s groovy on the road with them. They never hassle. It’s a gas and I just dig them.”
When Oberman inquired about what had happened to David Marks, Dennis informed him that, “He was too young and couldn’t accept that we were so big. His parents couldn’t live with him. So, we asked Al to come back and he did.”
Friday May 7, 1965 Legion Field, Birmingham, AL
The group played to one of the largest audiences of their career to that date, with over 15,000 people in attendance. Glen Campbell, who performed on bass in place of Brian Wilson, told reporter Maxine Karp of Anniston High School that Brian would not be with them in the future but that he was "just holding down the fort till a permanent member is found”.
Thursday May 13, 1965 Springfield Auditorium, Springfield, MA
Glen Campbell was still playing bass for the group and told a reporter, who inquired about the Beach Boys’ leaders whereabouts, that Brian was home suffering from fatigue because “Brian writes and arranges all our songs and in addition, he manages recording sessions, acts as a public relations man and works 15 or 16 hours a day. Add to this public appearances and one show stands and it’s no wonder he became sick.”
Saturday May 15, 1965 New Haven Arena, New Haven, CT
This was probably Glen’s Campbell’s last appearance with the Beach Boys. The group headed to New York following this concert for what was supposed to be their second appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. The group was prepared to perform their current single “Help Me Rhonda” and a version of “Graduation Day.” According to Ron Swallow, the group, including Brian, took part in rehearsals at the CBS studio but were informed by the producer at the last minute that they would have to be rescheduled because the show was running long. They did not appear on the show again until 1968.
Wednesday May 19, 1965 Canton Memorial Auditorium, Canton, OH
Bruce Johnston joined the band onstage for the rest of the tour while Glen Campbell served as an opening act. Ron Swallow was given the opportunity to perform as Glen’s drummer during his set.
