The Beach Boys lineups
The Beach Boys began in 1961 when brothers Brian, Carl and Dennis Wilson formed a rock band with their cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine. Since then, the band has undergone many variations in composition, with representation by fill-ins onstage as often as not as original personnel pursued other careers, hired, or rehired, took extended breaks for medical reasons, or died. Today, the concert performing Beach Boys are represented by Love and Bruce Johnston in addition to many sidemen.
Wilson neighbor David Marks appeared on their first four albums, played with the group in its formative stages, and was a member from 1962 to 1963 as a replacement for Jardine, who had left the group to attend college. Jardine returned to the band in 1963 as an onstage fill-in for Brian, who was already feeling the stresses of touring. Marks rejoined the band in 1997, during Carl's last illness, and remained with them for two years.
In 1965, Bruce Johnston became a member and also filled in on bass and sang some of Brian's parts live. In 1972, drummer Ricky Fataar and guitarist/bassist Blondie Chaplin joined the band, while Johnston had officially resigned from the group. In 1973 and 1974 Fataar and Chaplin left. In 1979, Johnston returned.
Since the deaths of Carl and Dennis, only surviving members Brian, Love, Jardine, Johnston, and Marks have remained as corporate participants in the group.
The Beach Boys
Official members
Founding members are bolded. Only Love and Johnston currently tour as "the Beach Boys"; other members perform solo.
Current
- Brian Wilson – vocals, bass, keyboards, primary songwriter (1961–present)
- Al Jardine – vocals, rhythm guitar, songwriter (1961–present)
- Mike Love – vocals, percussion, lyricist (1961–present)
- also saxophone and songwriter
- Bruce Johnston – vocals, keyboards, bass, songwriter (1965–1972, 1978–present)
Former
- Carl Wilson – vocals, lead guitar, songwriter (1961–1998, died 1998)
- also keyboards
- Dennis Wilson – vocals, drums, keyboards, songwriter (1961–1983, died 1983)
- David Marks – vocals, lead and rhythm guitar (1961–1963, 1998, 2011–2012)
- Blondie Chaplin – vocals, bass, rhythm and lead guitar, songwriter (1972–1974)
- Ricky Fataar – vocals, drums, songwriter (1972–1975)
Detailed configurations
| 1961–January 1962 |
| |
|---|---|---|
| February 1962–1963 | ||
| Early 1963 | ||
| October 1963–March 1965 |
| |
| March 1965–February 1972 |
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| March 1972–1974 |
| |
| 1975–August 1978 |
| |
| September 1978–1981 |
| |
| July 1981–May 1982[1] | N/A | |
| May 1982–December 1983 | N/A | |
| Dennis Wilson dies (December 28, 1983) | ||
| 1984–February 1998 |
| |
| Carl Wilson dies (February 6, 1998) | ||
| February 1998–Present | ||
Live personnel
Though not official members of The Beach Boys, sidemen have helped them during recording sessions and live performances over the years.[2]
Keyboard players Daryl Dragon and Toni Tennille (later the "pop" duo The Captain & Tennille), have toured with the band.[2]
In 1969, drummer Mike Kowalski and bassist/guitarist Ed Carter became two of the first outside musicians to join the group. Percussionist/drummer Bobby Figueroa was added in the mid-1970s and played through 1987. Billy Hinsche (of Dino, Desi, & Billy fame) was a longtime member of the supporting band throughout the '70s, '80s and '90s. Carli Muñoz, who been playing keyboards with the band since 1970, replaced Daryl Dragon on keyboards from 1971 until 1979, when Mike Meros took over from May 1, 1979 until July 4, 2000.
Around 1980, Joe Chemay played bass on tour. Ernie Knapp played bass on tour from May 1981 to May of 1982.
Adrian Baker joined the band in 1981 as a vocalist/guitarist; he left sometime in mid-1982.[2] Jeff Foskett came aboard in early 1982 as a guitarist and vocalist; his last show with the band was July 4, 1990. During 1981-1982, there was an overlap where both Foskett and Baker were members. Generally, Foskett filled in on Carl Wilson's harmony parts when Carl was unavailable while Baker performed Brian's high harmony vocals. Foskett eventually became a member of Brian Wilson's group from 1998 to 2014. Baker re-joined the band from 1989 to 1993 as a vocalist/guitarist.
Matt Jardine, son of Beach Boy Al Jardine, joined in 1989 through 1998 as singer/percussionist.
John Stamos played drums and recorded with the band in 1990. He played the title track of the comedy film Problem Child. Later, he performed as lead vocalist on the song "Forever" from the 1992 album Summer in Paradise. As of 2010, he had continued to tour with the band, usually as a drummer.
Saxophonist John Renner was added in the summer of 1991 for live sax on Kokomo and other tunes.
In 1992, Richie Cannata, one of Billy Joel's early live band and recording saxophone players, replaced Renner.
In 1998, Adrian Baker re-joined the band (for a record-breaking third time) until 2004. In 2004, Randell Kirsch replaced Baker as high harmony vocalist/guitarist. Nashville musician John Foster temporarily filled in on high harmony vocals and guitar between Baker's tenure and the addition of Kirsch.
John Cowsill (original member of the 1960s "pop" band The Cowsills) joined as a vocalist/keyboardist in 1999. Cowsill replaced Mike Kowalski as the full-time drummer in late 2007, leaving his secondary keyboard spot vacant.
Current band
- The Beach Boys
- Mike Love – lead and 4th harmony vocals, tambourine
- Bruce Johnston – keyboards, lower medium harmony vocals
- Supporting musicians
- Jeff Foskett - guitar, 1st harmony vocals [3]
- Scott Totten – guitar, 2nd harmony vocals, musical director
- Brian Eichenberger - bass, 2nd harmony vocals
- Tim Bonhomme – keyboards
- John Cowsill – drums, occasional vocals
- Part-time/fill-in musicians
- David Marks - guitar, 3rd harmony vocals
- John Stamos – electric guitar, drums, vocals, percussion
- Ambha Love – lead vocals
Timeline
References
- ↑ Badman 2004, p. 373.
- 1 2 3 Stebbins 2011.
- ↑ Blistein, Jon (May 15, 2014). "Beach Boys Plan Tour to Celebrate 50 Years of 'Fun Fun Fun'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
Sources
- Badman, Keith (2004). The Beach Boys: The Definitive Diary of America's Greatest Band, on Stage and in the Studio. Backbeat Books. ISBN 978-0-87930-818-6.
- Stebbins, Jon (2011). The Beach Boys FAQ: All That's Left to Know About America's Band. Backbeat Books. ISBN 9781458429148.
Further reading
- Stebbins, Jon; Rusten, Ian (2013). The Beach Boys in Concert!: The Complete History of America's Band On Tour and Onstage. Backbeat Books. ISBN 978-1617134562.
