Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I know Beach Boy CW's model Ric has been discussed, but does anyone know anything of his Epiphone elec 12 string? I know I saw pictures of him w/ it for years up until he stopped performing due to illness.

I tremendously regret there was never a 'WILSON BROS album featuring just Brian, Carl and Dennis.

would have been interesting. Al was kind of a tagalong, wasn't he.

I think Al was an important part of the vocal blend,as was Mike Love, but it would've been interesting to see what just the Wilsons would've come up with.

Al went where the money was. Even as a teenager, he was very conservative fiscally. When the BBs weren't immediately successful, he went to dental school (nice teeth, Al!), and was replaced by David Marks, who was hell on wheels offstage and constantly incurred the wrath of Murry, who would fine David $100.00 for every obscenity he uttered, on or offstage.

When the $$ started to roll in, David was mustered out and replaced by Al, who was much more malleable and remains so to this day.

Mike Love? Don't get me started on that topic.

hmmmm David Marks appeard on the cover of their very first album, right? I knew that Al came in after but I didn't know that Al had been with them before.

Mike Love! Mike Love! Mike Love! what about Mike Love?

Wow. I could go into great, horrific detail, but there is very little good to say about Mike Love except that his singing voice, even as it grates on me, represents the signature lead singing sound of what was once a great band.

That's all I'm gonna say about the jerk. Really, such venal, narcissistic, money-grubbing bums shouldn't be given too much attention.

He actually proved that he would sell out his own brother for money, but you didn't read that here.

I've said my piece, but you dragged it out of me, and to back it all up you can read about it in one of the unauthorized bios out there. Because he paid for the authorized ones.

Mike and Brian wrote a few decent songs together (and might again?????????????????)
Al has a great, distinctive voice. He sang lead on Help Me Rhonda, one of my favorite BB hits.

I must disagree on this. Al's voice was good, but certainly not "great" or "distinctive". It can be picked out of their vocal mix, but on its own, it's competent, and thats about all.

Brian has always been a family sort of person. Carl stayed with him emotionally through his down periods. Dennis also, when he wasn't battling his own spooks.

Mike ($$$) and Al ($) went their own way, and continue to bank on the name as a cash cow and an "oldies" band.

If Brian and Mike ever write or perform together again, it's Brian who will be doing the forgiving, and it's possible he will, I suppose. He has a soft spot for family, and Mike's all that's left now.

Rumor has it....

Paul wrote:

"...Al's voice was good, but certainly not "great" or "distinctive". It can be picked out of their vocal mix, but on its own, it's competent, and thats about all...."

I thought his vocal work on 'I Know There's an Answer' was really great, very Brian-like. In fact Brian Wilson has said that Al's voice was the closest to his in those days, from a sonic standpoint...or that Al could 'sound' like Brian when he needed to...

Just my opinion. I've been a BB fan since day one, so my opinions about them are kind of strong...

Compare "I Know..." with Brian's work on the demo of "Hang On to Your Ego" ("I Know"'s original title) and you'll spot the diff immediately.

Where did you read that Brian interview, John? I've never seen it and would like to.

I'll look, Paul, and let ya know....I'm pretty sure it was something centered around "Pet Sounds". Maybe the 'Sessions' box set?

I own the set, and I'll be wading through it daily now. Thanks, John!

If anyone has any doubts about Al, check out his LIVE IN LAS VEGAS CD, recorded a few years back. It features Al, his sons and the Wilson sisters, and is f*cking great! He used most of the original BB backup band (Bobby Figueroa, Ed Carter, Billy Hinsche)and the vocals are incredibly 'on'. Some surprising song choices, too. Not just the 'surf and car' stuff.