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| The reunited Beach Boys. L-R: Al Jardine, Brian Wilson, David Marks, Mike Love, Bruce Johnston |
Wouldn't it be nice...if the Beach Boys could all get along? Unfortunately it appears that the beloved icons--who have a long history of inter-band ups and downs--are not destined for peace in this lifetime. After delighting fans this year with a 50th anniversary reunion tour and album including revered frontman Brian Wilson, Mike Love has dropped a bomb on three of his surviving bandmates: He's going to continue touring without them. Under the name "The Beach Boys."
Love first made this announcement last week, when he unceremoniously stated that he planned to dump his cousin and creative lead Wilson, as well as original members Al Jardine and David Marks, to resume touring as the Beach Boys with second-generation bandmate Bruce Johnston and his own band, which he's been out with since the '90s. The story continues to gain momentum and shock fans this week, as the full lineup's final reunion shows approach. The classic Beach Boys' last two concerts will take place in London this week, on September 27 and 28.
"The 50th anniversary tour was designed to go for a year and then end," Love confirmed, at an awards presentation in front of a special Beach Boys exhibit at Los Angeles's Grammy museum. "You have to be careful not to get overexposed," he added, citing fears that interest would level off and ticket prices would fall.
Legally, Love has the right to do this as he is the sole member with control over the Beach Boys' name. However, fans are confused and upset over his decision, given that the tour and new album, That's Why God Made the Radio, have been so well-received. The album marked the band's highest charting release in nearly four decades; whereas their reunion show has played over four continents.
Wilson told CNN that he's not happy with the decision. "I'm disappointed and can't understand why Love doesn't want to tour with Al, David and me," he said. "We are out here having so much fun. After all, we are the real Beach Boys." He also noted that he would like his next project to be a Beach Boys album.
Meanwhile, Jardine has tweeted a link to a fan's petition demanding Love reconsider his decision: "It's the right thing to do, and it's what the fans want!"
http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/stop-the-presses/mike-love-sprinkles-bad-vibrations-beach-boys-reunion-173511608.html
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