|
Post by ian on Apr 3, 2024 17:55:51 GMT -5
Got the book-it is a very handsome with a lot of great photos (most of which I have seen-but I am a fanatic)-and most of the photos seem to be correctly dated-a big improvement (I noticed a few errors-but I am not going to nitpick). I am not sure I will learn anything new or revelatory about their history that I didn't already know (again I am a fanatic) but it is a very nice addition to my library and I am sure the interviews are well done (It will of course take me a few weeks to actually read this tome cover to cover). In addition to the BBs-Howie interviewed many music bigwigs-like Wayne Coyne, Roger McGuinn, etc....so it is much like a TV documentary would probably be-interviews with the surviving members, archival quotes from Carl, Dennis, etc and interviews with famous fans/friends.
|
|
|
Post by drbeachboy (Dirk) on Apr 3, 2024 19:19:28 GMT -5
I don’t mean to nitpick, but how can you write about a band and not mention all of the Official Beach Boys on the front or back cover. They mention outside contributors like The Jesus and Mary Chain, Eric Clapton, Rufus Wainwright, etc., but nary a mention of the three real contributors who were actual members of the band.
And, all three were members of the band during the time period covered.
|
|
|
Post by ian on Apr 3, 2024 19:44:16 GMT -5
Well...I agree with you-but as Howie noted in that interview....publishers/editors make a lot of decisions. I know that Howie is good buddies with Blondie and Dave....so I am sure that if he had his way they would have been given far more mention than they are given.....but at least they are mentioned...if you remember the 1985 American Band documentary-David Marks is never mentioned (though he is seen in some home movies from Hawaii) and I don't think Blondie or Ricky were either. So, this book is an improvement on that. They are part of the story.
|
|
|
Post by Rick Bartlett on Apr 3, 2024 19:53:41 GMT -5
Hmm, so it's Ok for Bruce Johnston to be recognized as a member of The Beach Boys on the cover, but the guy David Marks who actually 'was' an official member when they signed to Capitol, isn't? Publishers/Editors can go fly a kite! David Marks 'was' a Beach Boy, it wouldn't have hurt to print his name on the cover.
|
|
|
Post by drbeachboy (Dirk) on Apr 3, 2024 19:58:06 GMT -5
Well...I agree with you-but as Howie noted in that interview....publishers/editors make a lot of decisions. I know that Howie is good buddies with Blondie and Dave....so I am sure that if he had his way they would have been given far more mention than they are given.....but at least they are mentioned...if you remember the 1985 American Band documentary-David Marks is never mentioned (though he is seen in some home movies from Hawaii) and I don't think Blondie or Ricky were either. So, this book is an improvement on that. They are part of the story. It is a damn shame that those names that I mentioned received more respect on the back cover than actual former Beach Boys were shown. Their names could have and should have been mentioned somewhere in that 6 paragraph writing on the back cover. Geez, even the Grammy folks included Dave as a Beach Boy on the TV special.
|
|
|
Post by drbeachboy (Dirk) on Apr 3, 2024 20:13:22 GMT -5
Hmm, so it's Ok for Bruce Johnston to be recognized as a member of The Beach Boys on the cover, but the guy David Marks who actually 'was' an official member when they signed to Capitol, isn't? Publishers/Editors can go fly a kite! David Marks 'was' a Beach Boy, it wouldn't have hurt to print his name on the cover. Bruce has been a Beach Boy for what, 54 years? He deserves all the respect that an Official Beach Boy deserves and is due. David, Blondie and Ricky deserved better than being afterthoughts by the publisher and by Iconic/Brother. Even inside the book, they are given very little quoting compared to the six on the front cover. Hell, in just perusing through the pages, I think I saw Rufus Wainwright quoted more than Dave, Blondie and Ricky.
|
|
|
Post by Rick Bartlett on Apr 3, 2024 21:15:36 GMT -5
Hmm, so it's Ok for Bruce Johnston to be recognized as a member of The Beach Boys on the cover, but the guy David Marks who actually 'was' an official member when they signed to Capitol, isn't? Publishers/Editors can go fly a kite! David Marks 'was' a Beach Boy, it wouldn't have hurt to print his name on the cover. Bruce has been a Beach Boy for what, 54 years? He deserves all the respect that an Official Beach Boy deserves and is due. David, Blondie and Ricky deserved better than being afterthoughts by the publisher and by Iconic/Brother. Even inside the book, they are given very little quoting compared to the six on the front cover. Hell, in just perusing through the pages, I think I saw Rufus Wainwright quoted more than Dave, Blondie and Ricky. Yeah totally! There was a time in my early fandom where I didn't pay Bruce much attention or thought too much about him, other than being a 'fill in' Beach Boy. All these decades later, it's kind of a joke to me to say he isn't a 'member' considering the years he has been with them on the road and record. He is entitled to the claim now as any of the other pioneer Beach Boys really, as he continues to contribute to the group in 2024. Ahh, and my favorite, 'talking heads' arrrrr!!! In a book about The Beach Boys, I wanna know what Dave, Blondie or Ricky have to say, and who really cares what Rufus Wainwright has to say? Any of those characters can all go join the 'Go Fly A Kite' club, let the boys do their own talking.
|
|
|
Post by lonelysummer on Apr 4, 2024 0:08:58 GMT -5
I know this pisses some of you off, but history is going to record the Beach Boys as being Brian (the genius behind it all), Mike (the lead singer with the hat), Dennis (genius #2), Carl (voice of an angel), Al (mr. clean), and Bruce (Pat Boone). I had been a Beach Boys fan for many years before I found out the important contributions made to the band by David Marks. It's true that Blondie and Ricky were considered official members for a couple years, but to the casual fan, they're more like Ed Carter, Billy Hinsche, Mike Kowalski.
|
|
|
Post by John Manning on Apr 4, 2024 1:20:19 GMT -5
I kinda understand why Iconic is focussing on the six highlighted band members but it’s a form of sanitising, of making it clean edged and more marketable to an audience beyond the hardcore, and I ain’t comfortable with it.
It’s disingenuous to three guys whose contributions might not have lasted long, but still had a great influence on the sound and direction of the band in their eras. And it even kinda undoes the sterling work done by Jon Stebbins and others to record the importance of David Marks, for one thing.
I haven’t read all the book yet – it looks great, the pics are terrific… but I struggle to get my head around the fact that That’s Why God Made the Radio doesn’t even get a mention in any epilogue. The Beach Boys’ story hasn’t ended yet.
|
|
|
Post by Al S on Apr 4, 2024 1:59:43 GMT -5
Hmm, so it's Ok for Bruce Johnston to be recognized as a member of The Beach Boys on the cover, but the guy David Marks who actually 'was' an official member when they signed to Capitol, isn't? Publishers/Editors can go fly a kite! David Marks 'was' a Beach Boy, it wouldn't have hurt to print his name on the cover. Bruce lucked out this time - moving forward, only those members featured on the cover of “…ABC’s of California“ shall be considered Beach Boys!
|
|
|
Post by E on Apr 4, 2024 3:35:05 GMT -5
I know what you mean but Bruce has now been with the Beach Boys for more years than any of the Wilsons...
|
|
|
Post by Rick Bartlett on Apr 4, 2024 3:41:51 GMT -5
I kinda understand why Iconic is focussing on the six highlighted band members but it’s a form of sanitising, of making it clean edged and more marketable to an audience beyond the hardcore, and I ain’t comfortable with it. It’s disingenuous to three guys whose contributions might not have lasted long, but still had a great influence on the sound and direction of the band in their eras. And it even kinda undoes the sterling work done by Jon Stebbins and others to record the importance of David Marks, for one thing. I haven’t read all the book yet – it looks great, the pics are terrific… b ut I struggle to get my head around the fact that That’s Why God Made the Radio doesn’t even get a mention in any epilogue. The Beach Boys’ story hasn’t ended yet.Yeah....Doncha get it? Everything post 1980 ain't worth a dime, and not important enough to print. Oh and we are supposed to be Thankful, the book was originally only going to go to 1974! Hell! Why not cut it back to 1969, the band didn't make any good music after that anyway...
|
|
|
Post by drbeachboy (Dirk) on Apr 4, 2024 9:24:02 GMT -5
If this book is The Beach Boys by The Beach Boys, then The Beach Boys should have insisted that the publisher include all 9 Beach Boys on the cover. Yes John, sanitizing seems to be the correct term here. I have to say, I am not entirely happy with what Iconic and Brother have allowed to be released in the decade of the 20’s.
|
|
|
Post by KenWorthing on Apr 4, 2024 9:25:02 GMT -5
I've just bought mine from Speedyhen. Under £35. I think Amazon.Co.Uk have them for about £42, iirc.
|
|
|
Post by jds on Apr 4, 2024 14:47:15 GMT -5
Got mine today. Are the 20/20 contact sheets the first images we have of Brian demonstrating an absence of facial affect? It's like night and day from the late '67 pictures.
|
|
|
Post by jk on Apr 5, 2024 4:47:13 GMT -5
Interesting to reread this thread in light of later developments. I very much doubt whether I'll be buying TBBBTBB. Last book I bought was Mike's autobiography and the house can't handle any more books, certainly nothing this voluminous. Anyway, I already have the perfect BB coffee table book, The Beach Boys in Concert. All I need now is a coffee table... I could always make one -- four bricks with a socking great book on top perhaps?
|
|
|
Post by Mikie on Apr 5, 2024 14:59:44 GMT -5
I received my book yesterday. I paid $63.62 out the door from Amazon. It's heavy! I almost dropped it and had to use two hands to carry it in the door and take it out of the box. I believe that the book would be great informative reading for the average fan and essential for the hardcore and collector type fan. There are a TON of pictures included in the book that I haven't seen before and have remained unpublished until now. I highly recommend this book to others. If you're a fan, just get it! It's unfortunate, but yeah, I understand Howie's justification for not going beyond 1980. It's happened before with books published on the Beach Boys. And it's not like they coulda done a Beach Boys Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 book; you know, split it into two editions, because most people maybe would have bought a Vol. 1 book and not cared enough to spring for a Vol. 2 book. I also would have liked Dave's photo to be included on the cover. He was with the band for a couple of years, and an integral part of the Beach Boys early surf sound. Blondie and Ricky were also around for a couple three years and contributed to multiple album recordings. At least they were mentioned (especially David, who was well represented including pictures) in the book. This isn't the first time these guys have been treated like honorable mentions in the group, but obviously if you consider their short tenures with the band, the five guys on the cover are more well-known to the public and heard on quite a few records. Anyway, a fantastic job by Howie and all involved with producing this book. A lot of work went into the book - a labor of love. I just added the new book here in the Endless Harmony Reference Library as essential reading: endlessharmony.boards.net/thread/16/beach-boys-books
|
|
|
Post by ian on Apr 5, 2024 17:21:58 GMT -5
Been reading through it more....Interviews are nice-though it's a bit of a Frankenstein job-for example some of the Brian quotes are from 1960s magazines interviews (I recognize them because I have all of them)-mixed in with whatever Howie could get out of him in the last twenty years (as we all know post 1998 Brian tended to be far less verbose than young Brian and tended to answer every question with one to two sentences). The book is of course by the Beach Boys...so I had absolutely no reason to think this...but I was kind of hoping for more candid truths that we have never heard and no punches pulled. But like I said-that is just wishful thinking on my part-politics will not allow such candid talk while everyone is still alive. Judged on its own merits-it's a very, very nice book-certainly the most beautiful/lavishly illustrated of any BBs book so far.
|
|
|
Post by AGD on Apr 5, 2024 17:25:44 GMT -5
Been reading through it more....Interviews are nice-though it's a bit of a Frankenstein job-for example some of the Brian quotes are from 1960s magazines interviews (I recognize them because I have all of them)-mixed in with whatever Howie could get out of him in the last twenty years ( as we all know post 1998 Brian tended to be far less verbose than young Brian and tended to answer every question with one to two sentences). Earlier than that, David Leaf gave me some very sound advice: never ask Brian a question that can be answered by "yes" or "no". Because he will.
|
|
|
Post by carllove on Apr 5, 2024 17:29:18 GMT -5
Ordered this morning at 8AM and it was here by 5PM. Saved about $12.00 between the Amazon discount and my Amazon Chase Rewards Visa. Ready to dive in!
|
|
|
Post by Mikie on Apr 5, 2024 18:47:46 GMT -5
The book is of course by the Beach Boys...so I had absolutely no reason to think this...but I was kind of hoping for more candid truths that we have never heard and no punches pulled. But like I said-that is just wishful thinking on my part-politics will not allow such candid talk while everyone is still alive. Judged on its own merits-it's a very, very nice book-certainly the most beautiful/lavishly illustrated of any BBs book so far. I can imagine if they were turned loose and their statements got published that poop would probably hit the proverbial fan. I wonder how many times during interviews over the years that a band member has asked the interviewer not to publish certain recollections. They have so many stories to tell that will remain under wraps. For starters, I have a few gossip tidbits from the Gaines book that I'd like confirmed.
|
|
|
Post by carllove on Apr 5, 2024 19:31:16 GMT -5
large image uploadI need to find another copy of this Fender Ad and frame it in my music room 💚. Now I need a large headstock, Fender Stratocaster in a two tone burst with a rosewood fretboard.
|
|
petsite
Author/Historian/ Researcher
Posts: 1,978
Likes: 3,247
|
Post by petsite on Apr 6, 2024 0:01:36 GMT -5
Got the book today. Been putting it off. I have to say, for all of Howie's bragging about rare pics, there really aren't many. I have seen most of the ones used (hell I HAVE most of the ones used).
Let me digress a little. I am a HUGE history junky. I literally have hundreds of book on history. One of my fave topics is the TITANIC (must be the Brit in me). There have been countless books written about the Titanic, and I have most (in fact, more Titanic than Beach Boys books). Any way, several years ago there was a two volume release called TITANIC-THE SHIP MAGNIFICENT. From the layouts, it was going to be a great book, with hundreds of pages of information, and more important for a visual historian like me, lots of photos. The people putting it together have one of the largest high resolution image collections available. Their website had hi-res samples that blew me away.
Then I got the books (over $200).
The printers chosen to replicate the book were probably the cheapest they could find. The high res photos with great contrast had been reduced to muddy reprints. Some pages actually had ink streaked across the page. They did a recall on the book, but the reprints weren't much better. Part of the problem was the printer they had chosen did usually print only books with maybe a few little photos. They could not handle what was being asked. Hell, they used the wrong type of paper for images.
I get the same feeling here. The pages should have been high-gloss pages (Jim Cameron did one on Titanic with glossy pages and it rocks!). The copy I got has the low-grade mat finish which gives no sparkle to the photos. Hell, I pulled out my last Brian Wilson tour program which has some of the same photos, and because of the type of paper used, they look so much better.
I have not had time to read it yet, so I will let you know what I think. But not impressed with the "rare" photos.
|
|
|
Post by ian on Apr 6, 2024 7:05:39 GMT -5
I kind of feel that way too but at the same time I get the feeling that you and I are pretty rare-probably not many fans have file cabinets filled with old copies of every magazine that ever ran a bbs photo. Then again….I was kind of hoping to see way more itineraries, personal tour photos, letters, postcards that I have always assumed Bruce has but other than childhood photos, most of the later photos are by various professional photographers. Also hoped Ed roach would be way more involved-as he has a lot of great intimate photos but only a few of his appear
|
|
|
Post by Mopp on Apr 6, 2024 7:55:02 GMT -5
I'm rather enjoying it, personally.
The real highlight is, like I imagine with most, Brian's 1963 notebook. I'd give so much to be able to read the whole thing. You can just about make out little snatches of titles and lyrics bleeding through the pages, which makes it all the more tantalising.
|
|